This episodes guest is Devan McConnell.  Devan McConnell is the Director of Sports Performance at UMass Lowell. At Lowell, Coach McConnell is directly responsible for all aspects of performance enhancement for the hockey team, including speed, strength, power, nutrition, and recovery. Prior to his time at UMass Lowell, Devan was a Sports Performance Coach at Stanford University. At Stanford, he oversaw the development of the Men's and Women's Volleyball programs, as well as the Women's Basketball team.   On this episode Devan and discuss: Devans background Devans influences Devan describes how Lowell have become one of the most most competitive teams in the Eastern Conference What are the good and not so good things that Devan currently see's with the physical preparation profession, and what solutions would he offer for the not so good things he is seeing Devan shares with us his Training Philosophy Devan lays out his Training System at Lowell Devan discusses how tactical periodization shapes his programming Devan gives us an indepth insight into his athletic profiling system Devan and I discuss jump profiling and RSI, and how RSI interpretation differs from on-ice athletes vs field, court, and track athletes. This is due to the unique ground reactions forces experienced in ice skating From this Devan speaks about how this information shapes the explosive jumping and plyometric methods his uses within his programs for his ice hockey players Devan shares the monitoring system he utilizes with his athletes Devan shares with us his biggest lessons he has learned so far in his career and life Devan and I discuss if non-contact injuries can really be prevented or just reduced Devan shares his top resources Devan gives us his top advice to all the listeners And if Devan could invite 5 people to dinner, dead or alive, who would he invite and why?   This was an outstanding episode with Devan guys, and I hope you really enjoy it. Stay Strong, RB   Show Notes: Devan's Facebook Devan's Twitter Devan's Email: dmcconnell29@gmail.com   Show Sponsors: Ultimate Performance Online Mentorship To get INSTANT ACCESS to almost 20 hours of World Class online video Strength and Conditioning Information go to upmentorship.com ALTIS ALTIS 360 ALTIS Foundation Course National Sports Performance Association Certified Program Design Specialist Certified Speed and Agility Coach Cerfitied Weightlifting Performance Coach Certified Sports Nutrition Coach   Athletes Acceleration Complete Speed Training Complete Speed Games Complete Jumps Training Complete Olympic Lifting Complete Guide to Training the Female Athlete Complete Core Complete Sports Conditioning  Complete Sports Nutrition Complete Program Design Sports Camp Empire   Patreon Help support the podcast by becoming a Patreon to the show here - Patreon 

He's BACK!!!! Fuck YES!!!! My main Man Pat Davidson is back on the show to discuss everything about his epic ebook MASS 2.  This is only Part 1 of a number of episodes that Pat and I will be dedicating to MASS 2.  On this episode Pat and I discuss: Whats new with Pat We discuss creativity How MASS 2 came to be? Pat and I discuss the gift of the "Addict Brain" and dopamine Pat shares with us the 3 movies that inspired the conception of MASS 2 Pat shares with us how Mike Boyle, Val Nsedkin, Roman Fomin, Charlie Francis and Cal Dietz greatly influence the design of MASS 2 Pat and I discuss the hormone hypothesis of hypertrophy, and how it would seem that hormones are not as critical to the overall mucsle growth process as was once believed We discuss the microcycle set up utilized with MASS 2 which is a 4 day/ week set up that incorporates a 2 or 1.5 developmental days, a stimulution day, and an alactic-aerobic day Pat discusses the importance of recovery days for the upregulation of parasympathetic activity within MASS 2. Here we discuss how important social support is, and the work of Stephen Porges and his Polyvagul Theory We discuss how an excessive parasympathetic state can be detrimental to health and performance We discuss the molecular mechanism of protein synthessis involved in muscle mass accredition   This was an outstanding episode with my brother from another mother and I hope you all enjoy it as much as we did! Stay Strong, RB   Show Notes: MASS 2 Pat's Facebook   Show Sponsors: Ultimate Performance Online Mentorship To get INSTANT ACCESS to almost 20 hours of World Class online video Strength and Conditioning Information go to upmentorship.com ALTIS ALTIS 360 ALTIS Foundation Course National Sports Performance Association Certified Program Design Specialist Certified Speed and Agility Coach Cerfitied Weightlifting Performance Coach Certified Sports Nutrition Coach   Athletes Acceleration Complete Speed Training Complete Speed Games Complete Jumps Training Complete Olympic Lifting Complete Guide to Training the Female Athlete Complete Core Complete Sports Conditioning  Complete Sports Nutrition Complete Program Design Sports Camp Empire   Patreon Help support the podcast by becoming a Patreon to the show here - Patreon 

This episodes guest is Phil Wagner of Sparta Science. Phil spent 8 years as a strength & conditioning coach at University of California Berkeley and University of California Los Angeles, including 3 National Championships, as well as a performance coach for the Canterbury Crusaders and the New South Wales Waratahs (professional rugby teams in New Zealand and Australia). Following his coaching career, he graduated medical school as a physician from University of Southern California, focused on studying biomechanics at their School of Physical Therapy’s Biokinesiology Lab. Dr. Wagner founded Sparta Performance Science in the Silicon Valley as a facility to directly measure and enhance performance alongside athlete resilience to injury. This business evolved to include a larger technology business, Sparta Software Corporation (est. 2012), which provides an athlete data management platform to establish evidence based practices within sports organizations. On this episode Phil and I discuss Phil's background How big is the sparta team currently Phil discusses how he has gotten the entire team at Sparta to share the companies core values and vision Why Phil decided to go back to Medical School Phils's influences What are the good and not so good things that Phil currently see's with the physical preparation profession, and what solutions would he offer for the not so good things he is seeing Phil talks about the importance of how we preceive feedback and how we should learn the difference between disagree vs dislike Phil discusses why he feels its important for coaches to develop empathy as this can help develop a greater degree of relateness with our athletes Why did Phil call the company Sparta Phil discusses why its so important to approach data with an open and critical mind Phil talks about how the squat, deadlift, and bench press had the highest co-relation with eccentric RFD Phil and I discuss about confirmation bias' within science Phil shares with us the testing protocols that they utilize at Sparta  Phil shares with us the training system utilized at Sparta Phil discusses the partnership that Sparta has with many other elite organizations around the world Phil discusses the future of Sparta Phil shares with us the biggest lessons he has learned so far in his career and life Phil shares his top resources Phil gives us his top advice to all the listeners And if Phil could invite 5 people to dinner, dead or alive, who would he invite and why?   This was an outstanding episode with Phil guys, and I hope you really enjoy it. Stay Strong, RB   Show Notes:   Sparta Science Twitter Phil Wagner Twitter   Show Sponsors: Ultimate Performance Online Mentorship To get INSTANT ACCESS to almost 20 hours of World Class online video Strength and Conditioning Information go to upmentorship.com ALTIS ALTIS 360 ALTIS Foundation Course National Sports Performance Association Certified Program Design Specialist Certified Speed and Agility Coach Cerfitied Weightlifting Performance Coach Certified Sports Nutrition Coach   Athletes Acceleration Complete Speed Training Complete Speed Games Complete Jumps Training Complete Olympic Lifting Complete Guide to Training the Female Athlete Complete Core Complete Sports Conditioning  Complete Sports Nutrition Complete Program Design Sports Camp Empire   Patreon Help support the podcast by becoming a Patreon to the show here - Patreon   

This episodes guest is Nick Littlehales from sportsleepcoach.co.uk.  Nick is regarded as the leading elite sports sleep coach in world sport. A leading industry expert with over 30 years experience in the world of sleep, sleeping habits, and product design and over 15 years dedicated to elite athletes and professional sport. A former professional golfer, International Sales & Marketing Director of the Slumberland Group and Chairman of the UK Sleep Council, Nick has conducted many practical and clinical research projects into the varied sleeping habits adopted by the modern day sleeper and athlete. His unique and passionate techniques, products and proven approach are endorsed by leading professionals in world sport and business. Nick is also the author of Sleep - The Myth of 8 Hours, The Power of Naps, and a New Plan to Recharge your Mind and Body. On this episode Nick and I discuss: Nicks background Nicks influences Nick and I discuss the first 5 of the 7 key steps to optimize sleep and restoration that he outlines in his book Nick discusses why having a consisent wake time is an important daily anchor to possess Nick discusses the importance of understanding what a circadian rhythm is  Nick discusses the importance of understanding your chronotype Nick shares with us why it is more important to consider sleep in 90 minute cycles rather than hours Nick talks about the importance of having a pre and post bed-time routine Nick and I discuss about how the circardian rhythm that you were born into may potentially never leave your genetic make up Nick tells us why he decided to use 90mins as his recommended cycle length Nick talks about how the light blub changed our sleeping cycle from poly-phasic to mono phasic Nick shares his thoughts on regulating sleeping patterns with the seasons Nick shares his thoughts on using a day light lamp in the winter and other light regulation strategies Nick tells us why that if "you don't snooze you will lose!", as he discusses why naps and multiple mini-mental breaks, (what Nick terms Controlled Recovery Periods [CRPs]), throughout the day are exellence strategies to enhance physical and mental performance I ask Nick if he feels it is still a better strategy to get the majority of our sleep nocturnally    This was an outstanding episode with Nick guys, and I hope you really enjoy it. Stay Strong, RB   Show Notes: Nick's Book - Sleep - The Myth of 8 Hours, the Power of Naps, and the New Plan to Recharge Your Body and Mind Nick 7 Key Steps to Optimize your sleep, recovery and restoration 1. Understand Circadian Rhythms 2. Get to know your Chronotypes 3. Think of Sleep in Cycles not Hours 4. Have a Pre and Post Bed-Time Routine 5. Utilize daily breaks and naps to maximize performance  6. Designing your ideal sleep kit 7. Designing your ideal sleep environment    Show Sponsors: Ultimate Performance Online Mentorship To get INSTANT ACCESS to almost 20 hours of World Class online video Strength and Conditioning Information go to upmentorship.com ALTIS ALTIS 360 ALTIS Foundation Course National Sports Performance Association Certified Program Design Specialist Certified Speed and Agility Coach Cerfitied Weightlifting Performance Coach Certified Sports Nutrition Coach   Athletes Acceleration Complete Speed Training Complete Speed Games Complete Jumps Training Complete Olympic Lifting Complete Guide to Training the Female Athlete Complete Core Complete Sports Conditioning  Complete Sports Nutrition Complete Program Design Sports Camp Empire   Patreon Help support the podcast by becoming a Patreon to the show here - Patreon 

This episodes guest is Fergus Connolly  Dr. Fergus Connolly  has worked at the highest levels of Premier League soccer; international rugby; the NBA, NFL, NCAA, and elite military units . He is currently the Performance Director for Michigan Football, and his is also the author of a unique book, Game Changer, which was released in 2017. On this episode Fergus and I discuss: Fergus' background Fergus' influences What are the good and not so good things that Fergus currently see's with the physical preparation profession, and what solutions would he offer for the not so good things he is seeing Fergus talks about why asking " the why" behind things is critical Fergus and I discuss about the importance of understaning first principles when it comes to sports performance Why an over reliance of the development of physical qualities at the expense of other key athletic traits is a flawed model  We discuss big data vs small data Fergus discusses why all members of the sport performance staff should review the game together as a multi-disciplinary team Fergus talks about why general "mental thoughness models" will not transfer to the specific mental skills that are needed to enhance sports performance Why generalist's will inherit the world in sports performance  Fergus and I discuss Periodization schemes with sports performance and the importance of the weekly set up for athletic preparation  Fergus discusses the concept of synchronization within on-field/court performance in team based sports Fergus discusses why controlling the factors that can be controlled is critical to allow the athlete to have a larger adaptative reserve to adapt to chaos of sport and to enhance the learning process Fergus gives us his top advice and resources to all the listeners And if Fergus could invite 5 people to dinner, dead or alive, who would he invite and why?   This was an outstanding episode with Fergus guys, and I hope you really enjoy it. Stay Strong, RB   Show Notes: Game Changer The Book Fergus' Podcast Interviews: Strengthcoach Podcast Resilient Performance Podcast Rdella Podcast Fergus' Twitter Handle   Show Sponsors: Ultimate Performance Online Mentorship To get INSTANT ACCESS to almost 20 hours of World Class online video Strength and Conditioning Information go to upmentorship.com ALTIS ALTIS 360 ALTIS Foundation Course National Sports Performance Association Certified Program Design Specialist Certified Speed and Agility Coach Cerfitied Weightlifting Performance Coach Certified Sports Nutrition Coach   Athletes Acceleration Complete Speed Training Complete Speed Games Complete Jumps Training Complete Olympic Lifting Complete Guide to Training the Female Athlete Complete Core Complete Sports Conditioning Complete Sports Nutrition Complete Program Design Sports Camp Empire   Patreon Help support the podcast by becoming a Patreon to the show here - Patreon   

This episode we have James Smith from Global Sport Concepts back on with me for his monthly interview on the ATSW podcast. On this episode James discusses utilizing the concept of dynamic correspondence to potentially enhance training transfer.  As always this was another monster episode with James.  Enjoy my friends. Stay Strong, RB   Show Notes: You can connect with James for consulting services here. James' outstanding books can be found here also.   Show Sponsors: Ultimate Performance Online Mentorship To get INSTANT ACCESS to almost 20 hours of World Class online video Strength and Conditioning Information go to upmentorship.com ALTIS ALTIS 360 ALTIS Foundation Course National Sports Performance Association Certified Program Design Specialist Certified Speed and Agility Coach Cerfitied Weightlifting Performance Coach Certified Sports Nutrition Coach   Athletes Acceleration Complete Speed Training Complete Speed Games Complete Jumps Training Complete Olympic Lifting Complete Guide to Training the Female Athlete Complete Core Complete Sports Conditioning  Complete Sports Nutrition Complete Program Design Sports Camp Empire   Patreon Help support the podcast by becoming a Patreon to the show here - Patreon   

This episodes guest is Nick Shaw from Renaissance Periodization. Nick is the Founder and CEO of Renaissance Periodization, a training and diet services company for world-class athletes. Nick is also a competitive powerlifter and bodybuilder and has had the opportunity to work with numerous national level physique athletes as well as world class strength athletes. Nick holds a B.A. from the University of Michigan in Sport Management. Nick currently resides in Charlotte, NC with his wife and two kids. On this episode Nick and I discuss: Nicks background Why Nick decided to start RP Who are RP's main clientele Nick shares with us some of the challanges of starting and running a business Nick shares with us his biggest influences  Nick discusses the nutritional hierachies that RP has developed for both body composition and health goals and the why behind the differences between both hierarchies Nick gives us his thoughts on Female Fat Loss Nick and I discuss muscle gaining rates - what is realistic?  Nick and I discuss how many extra calories you really need to eat to gain weight  Nick talks about how important it is to make sure you have balance between work, training, and family in the marco scheme Nick tells us about the biggest lessons he has learned so far in his career Nick gives us his top advice and resources And if Nick could invite 5 people to dinner, dead or alive, who would he invite and why?   This was an outstanding episode with Nick guys, and I hope you really enjoy it. Stay Strong, RB   Show Sponsors: To get INSTANT ACCESS to almost 20 hours of World Class online video Strength and Conditioning Information go to upmentorship.com Patreon 

This episodes guest is Nick"The Mad Scientist of Muscle" Nilsson of madscientistofmuscle.com and of fitstep.com. For more than 25 years, Nick has been creating unique, new exercises and training techniques and putting together some of the most innovative muscle-building and fat-loss programs available anywhere. To create these unique programs and exercises, Nick puts to work his degree in Physical Education, covering advanced biomechanics, kinesiology, anatomy and physiology. When you put his exercises and programs to work, you'll immediately see and feel exactly how this combination of science, practical knowledge, thinking outside the box and just a little bit of insanity really mesh together to maximize every aspect of your training. Nick began his training career in high school as a 145 lb cross-country runner (and ectomorph), looking to build muscle and get bigger. Today, putting to work all the unique techniques and exercises he has come up, Nick weighs in at a rock-solid 200 lbs and single digit bodyfat. These days, he uses his experience as a former skinny guy to help others build the bodies of their dreams, whether it be building muscle, losing fat or both. He has helped literally thousands of people accomplish their goals and achieve results above and beyond the reach of more traditional programs. In addition to being published in a variety of magazines (like Ironman, Muscle & Fitness, Maxim) and thousands of training websites across the Internet, Nick is also the author of more than 20 bodybuilding books including: Metabolic Monsters, Muscle Explosion – 28 Days to Maximum Mass, Metabolic Surge – Rapid Fat Loss and The Best Exercises You’ve Never Heard Of series. For more information about Nick’s unique training methods and how they can help you build muscle, get ripped and crush exercise boredom forever, visit madscientistofmuscle.com and fitstep.com. On this episode Nick and I discussed: Nicks background Nicks Influences  What are the good and not so good things that Nick currently see's with the fitness profession, and what solutions would he offer for the not so good things he is seeing Nick shares his training philosophy and system with us Nick talks about how determing an individuals bodytype can help him in individualizing his program design for his clients Nick talks about the manipulation and management of volume, intensity, and density over a liftes career Nick and I discuss maximum recoverable volume  Nick shares with us his favor exercises to develop optimal hypertrophy for the entire body Nick shares with us his biggest lessons so far in his career Nick shares his top resources and advice.    This was an outstanding episode with Nick guys, and I hope you really enjoy it. Stay Strong, RB   Show Sponsor: To get INSTANT ACCESS to almost 20 hours of World Class online video Strength and Conditioning Information go to upmentorship.com Patreon 

This episodes guest is Zach Even-Esh of zacheven-esh.com and of Underground Strength Coach. Zach Even-Esh is The Founder of The Underground Strength Gym (Locations in NJ with Manasquan & Scotch Plains), Creator of The Underground Strength Coach Certification & Author of the Best Seller, The Encyclopedia of Underground Strength & Conditioning. Zach is also The Head Strength & Conditioning Coach for The Rutgers University Wrestling Team. Since Zach began training athletes in 2002, Zach has served as The Strength & Conditioning Coach for The Lehigh University Wrestling Team & continues to work with & consult Strength Coaches around the world, D1 Coaches, Athletes & Programs. Zach holds a BA in Health & Physical Education from Kean University and an MA in Health Education from Montclair State University. Zach began his own training in 1989 after his brother convinced him to join the wrestling team his freshman year at Edison High School. Since 2002, Zach has been training athletes from all sports, the beginning of which started out of Zach’s parents garage and backyard, then, at his first home in Edison where he began molding losing wrestlers into All State wrestlers and average athletes into dominant athletes. On this episode Zach and I discuss: Zach's background Zach talks about how to develop life skills through quality training  Zach talk's about the importance of mind-set and how he feels today's youth and population in general are lacking in their development of this key life skill Zach's Personal and Professional Influences Zach and I disccuss how delayed gratification is a key trait to develop to attain Mastery Zach discusses the need to be obessed to become great Zach tells us why comfort is the enemy of greatness Zach tells us about the good and and not so good things that he is currently seeing within the physical preparation profession and what his solutions are for the not so good things that his seeing Zach shares with us his mission for enhancing the stardard of the phyiscal preparation and physical education of youth athletes in Jew Jersey Zach shares with us the "Andrea The Giant" story - This is classic!! Zach shares his life philosophy with us Zach and I discuss parenting and how getting a better understanding of human development and behavior can enhance you as a coach And if Zach could invite 5 people to dinner, dead or alive, who would he invited and why   This was an outstanding episode with Zach guys, and I hope you really enjoy it. Stay Strong, RB   Show Notes: An Iron Will - Orison Swett Marden   Show Sponsors: To get INSTANT ACCESS to almost 20 hours of World Class online video Strength and Conditioning Information go to upmentorship.com Patreon 

This episodes guest is Mladen Jovanovic of Complementary Training.  Mladen is a physical preparation coach from Belgrade, Serbia, grew up in Pula, Croatia (which he consider's his home town). Mladen was involved in physical preparation of professional, amateur and recreational athletes of various ages in sports, such as basketball, soccer, AFL, volleyball, martial arts and tennis. In his free time he like to do Boxing/MMA and lift (sometimes heavy), along with reading about statistics and learning R programming language. Some consider Mladen to be an Excel wizard. He is also interested in predictive analytics/machine learning.   On this episode Mladen and I discussed: Mladens give us an extensive insight into his background How difficult it was for Mladen to to leave his position at Port Adelaide so he could be reunited with his son Mladens influences both personal and professional What are the good and not so good things that Mladen currently see's with the physical preparation profession, and what solutions would he offer for the not so good things he is seeing Mladens overall training philosophy Mladen speaks about the importance of being aware of the fact that there will always be uncertainties within our planning and to have contingencies in place Mladen talks about the the potential to utilize an asymmetric risk/ reward model, often used in fileds like economics, for sports training and preparation Mladen gives his thoughts on periodization  Mladen gives us insight into how he would run a sporting organization if he was given the responsibility to do so Mladen speaks about how negative knowledge is more insightful and useful feedback then positive knowledge  We both speak about how Al Vermeils vertical integration model has influence both of us with our programming Mladens gives his thoughts on Energy System Training Mladen shares his thoughts on VBT And if Mladen could invite 5 people to dinner, dead or alive, who would he invited and why? This was an outstanding episode with Malden guys, and I hope you really enjoy it. Stay Strong, RB Show Notes: Bachelor Pad Economics - Aaron Clearly Anti-Fragile - Nassim Nicholas Taleb Black Swan - Nassim Nicholas Taleb   Show Sponsor: To get INSTANT ACCESS to almost 20 hours of World Class online video Strength and Conditioning Information go to upmentorship.com