
The Robbie Bourke Podcast
Performance, health, learning, creativity, mastery.
Interviews and conversations with leaders in their respected fields.
Latest episodes

Dec 6, 2017 • 1h 23min
Episode 148: Nick Nilsson - "The Mad Scientist of Muscle"
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

Dec 3, 2017 • 1h 58min
Episode 147: Zach Even-Esh - Building Mind-Set and Monsters!
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

Nov 29, 2017 • 2h 8min
Episode 146: Mladen Jovanovic - Training Philosophy, Periodization, Uncertainty in Planning, VBT and so Much More!
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

Nov 12, 2017 • 1h 39min
Episode 145: Dr. Michael Yessis - Soviet Sports Training System, Special Strength Training, and 1x20
This episodes guest is Dr. Michael Yessis.
Dr. Yessis received his Ph.D. from the University of Southern California and his B.S. and M.S. from City University of New York. He is president of Sports Training, Inc., a diverse sports and fitness company. Dr. Yessis is also Professor Emeritus at California State University, Fullerton, where he was a multi-sports specialist in biomechanics (technique analysis) and sports conditioning and training.
Dr. Yessis has served as training and technique consultant to several Olympic and professional sports teams. He has also trained hundreds of athletes in different sports and developed unique specialized strength exercises that duplicate what takes place in execution of the game skills. By doing these exercises athletes improve skill technique and the physical qualities (strength) specific to the technique. By doing these exercises athletes improve their performance on the field very quickly.
Dr. Yessis is considered this country’s foremost expert on sports technique. Dr. Yessis has written 17 books in the sports and fitness field including Biomechanics and Kinesiology of Exercise, Build A Better Athlete, Sports: Is It All B.S.?, and his latest, The Revolutionary 1x20RM Strength Training Program.
In addition, he completed four renowned DVDs; Exercise Mastery, Specialized Strength and Explosive Exercises for the Quarterback, Specialized Strength and Explosive Exercises for Baseball and Specialized Strength and Explosive Exercises for Softball, as well as the CD books Explosive Tennis: The Forehand, and Explosive Tennis: The Backhand.
On this episode Wil and I discussed:
Doc's background
How difficult was it for Doc to grow up in America with Russian parents during the Cold War
The Soviet sports training system and the influences of anabolic steriods
The coaching education system within the Soviet sports system
We talk about that in order to to be a great specialist you will first and also concurrently need to be a great generalist. This is a common trend I see with all masters of a specific craft. The stronger and more diverse one's general base, be that in the attainment of a physical capacity or of knowledge, the greater the mastery over the specific domain. Speciality is built off a general base. The greater the general base the greater the mastery of the speciality.
Doc's Influences
Doc's Training Philosophy - Skill execution is King!
How Doc differentiates between a physical capacity issue vs a skill issue
The roles of general strength and special strength training means over the course an athletes career and development
Doc gives us a detail description of the 1x20 method and how he came to formulate it
Doc discusses the criteria he uses in developing his prescription for special strength exercises
Doc talks about how he likes to program and organize the training process
Doc tell us about the biggest lessons his has learned over his career and life
What is Doc's current daily rituals and routines?
Doc's top advice and resources to all the listeners
And Finally - If Doc could invite 5 people to dinner, dead or alive, who would he invite and why?
This was an outstanding episode with Dr. Yessis guys, and I hope you really enjoy it.
Stay Strong,
RB
Show Notes:
doctoryessis.com
Show Sponsor:
To get INSTANT ACCESS to almost 20 hours of World Class online video Strength and Conditioning Information go to upmentorship.com

Nov 7, 2017 • 1h 12min
Episode 144: Wil Fleming - Total Athletic Development
This episodes guests is Wil Fleming from Wilfleming.com, and Force Fitness and Performance. located in Bloomington, Indiana, in the US.
Wil Fleming is a sports performance coach and weightlifting who's expertise comes from years of training and coaching athletes in multiple sports. His athletes are routinely the most explosive, fastest, and strongest on the field.
As mentioned Wil is the owner of Force Fitness and Performance which has been open since 2008. Force boasts an impressive track record of success with 90 + athletes earning Division I scholarships and nearly 225 athletes moving on to compete at the NCAA level in Division I, II, III. Athletes from professional football, basketball, baseball, soccer and track and field have trained with Wil and his team of coaches at Force Fitness.
In addition to being a business owner, Wil has been an author of numerous books and training products for athletes and weightlifters alike including the Complete Olympic Lifting Handbook. Wil is the creator of the Certified Weightlifting Performance Coach Course, with nearly 1000 certified coaches around the world, using his teaching progressions. Wil has also contributed to publications like Men’s Health, Women’s Health, and T-Nation.
He lives in Bloomington, IN with his beautiful and supportive wife, Ashley, and their son Jack (and another one on the way).
On this episode Wil and I discussed:
Wil's background
Wil's personal and professional influences
The good and not so good things that Wil see's within the Physical Preparation Profession, and what solutions he would offer up for the not so good things that he is seeing
Wil discusses the importance of knowing the difference between principles and methods
Wil gives us an in depth breakdown of his training system
Wil's take on VBT training for Olympic lifting and their variations
Why Wil like's to utilize muscle cleans and snatches within his Olympic lifting prescriptions
Wil breaks down his technical model for teaching the Olympic Lifts
How Wil utilizes complexes within his prescription of the Olympic lift variations for increasing training volume, and also for correcting technique
Wil gives us his take on why he believes that Olympic lift variations are just one of many ways to develop power output and not the only way - Many roads lead to Rome
Wil discusses the difference in the programming and periodization schemes that he uses with this athletes vs his Olympic Lifters
Wil gives his top resources to all listeners
Wil gives his top advice to all listeners
And finally if Wil could invite 5 people to dinner dead of alive, who would he invite and why?
This was an outstanding episode with Wil guys, and I hope you really enjoy it.
Stay Strong,
RB
Show Notes:
WilFleming.com
Wil's Book - Complete Olympic Lifting Handbook
Wil's DVD - Complete Olympic Lifting
Certified Weightlifting Performance Coach
The Performance Podcast
Show Sponsor:
To get INSTANT ACCESS to almost 20 hours of World Class online video Strength and Conditioning Information go to upmentorship.com

Nov 5, 2017 • 1h 40min
Episode 143: Adam Feit and Bobby Smith of RYPT - All Things Athletic Development
This episodes guests are Adam Feit of adamfeit.com and Bobby Smith of Reach Your Potential Training (RYPT), located in New Jersey, in the USA.
On this episode Adam, Bobby and I discussed:
Adam and Bobby's background's
Adam and Bobby's biggest influences
The good and not so good things that both Adam and Bobby see within the Physical Preparation Profession, and what solutions they would offer up for the not so good things that they are seeing
Bobby lay's out RYPT's 7 commendments
Bobby and Adam lay out RYPT's Training System
Why the guys feel training max velocity mechanics at the beginning of any athletes speed development is essential
The guys top rescources to all the listeners
The guy top advice for all the listeners
And finally if the guys could invite 5 people to dinner dead of alive, who would they invite and why?
This was an outstanding episode with Adam and Bobby.
Hope you really enjoy it.
Stay Strong,
RB
Show Notes:
The Complete Guide to Training the Female Athlete
Complete Jump Training
Show Sponsor:
To get INSTANT ACCESS to almost 20 hours of World Class online video Strength and Conditioning Information go to upmentorship.com

Nov 3, 2017 • 1h 18min
Episode 142: Eric Helms - Nutritional Hierarchy Part 3 or 3
This episode is Part 3 of our 3-part-series with Eric Helms, where we discuss all things to do with Eric's Nutritional Hierarchy from his Manual - The Muscle and Strength Pyramid - Nutrition Manual.
Part 1 can be found here.
Part 2 can be found here.
In this episode Eric and I disscuss the final part of the hierarchy - supplements.
We also discuss lifestyle habits and behavior traits that are important for long term dietary success.
Enjoy.
Stay Strong,
RB
Show Notes:
Holistic Performance Nutrition Conference - November 18, 2017
Shredded by Science Academy
3D Muscle Journey
3D Muscle Twitter
Show Sponsor:
To get INSTANT ACCESS to almost 20 hours of World Class online video Strength and Conditioning Information go to upmentorship.com

Nov 1, 2017 • 1h 42min
Episode 141: Jim Kielbaso - Work-Life Balance, Long Term Athlete Development, and the IYCA
This episodes guest is Jim Kielbaso of Total Performance Training Centre and the IYCA.
Jim is currently the director of the Total Performance Training Center in Wixom, Michigan where he still train athletes every day, and is also the current president of the International Youth Conditioning Association (IYCA). Jim has worked with thousands of athletes at all levels of competition from youth, high school, national level, collegiate, Olympic, NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL.
Jim went to Michigan State University for a BS in Exercise Science and received his MS in Kinesiology from the University of Michigan. Jim was the Strength & Conditioning Coach at the University of Detroit Mercy from 1996-2002 and earned the distinction of NSCA Strength & Conditioning Professional of the Year for the Midwestern Collegiate Conference (now the Horizon League) in 1998.
Jim has written three books, produced multiple training videos and authored numerous articles. Jim's speed program Ultimate Speed Development has been used all over the world, and my book Ultimate Speed & Agility is considered by many to be the most practical speed mechanics and programming book on the market. Jim also wrote the Certified Speed and Agility Specialist certification curriculum for the International Youth Conditioning Association.
On this episode Jim and I discuss:
Jim's background
Jim's professional and personal Influence's
The importance of balancing his role as a father and husband with his role as a coach
Jim speaks about his training system
Jim speaks about how much of an influence coaches like Al Vermeil and Jonny Parker have been on him
Jim walks us through a LTAD process within his training system
How practical training is the new functional training!
How Jim became the President of the IYCA and what is he vision for the IYCA going forward
Jim shares the biggest lessons he has learned so far in this career and life
Jim gives the listeners his top advice and resources
If Jim could invite 5 people to dinner, dead or alive, who would Jim invite and why?
This was an outstanding episode with Jim 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

Oct 30, 2017 • 1h 14min
Episode 140: James Smith - How to develop your Critical Thinking Skills
This episode we have James Smith from Global Sport Concepts back on with me for his monthly interview on the ATSW podcast.
On our previous episode James discussed the topic of critical thinking and its importance when consuming information and formulating logical, and rationale conclusions.
On this episode James now discusses how we can potentially develop our critical thinking skills.
So essentially our previous episode was why and this episode is more of the how.
This was another amazing 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 Sponsor:
To get INSTANT ACCESS to almost 20 hours of World Class online video Strength and Conditioning Information go to upmentorship.com

Oct 29, 2017 • 1h 19min
Episode 139: Jeff Moyer - All Things Motor Learning
This episode we have Jeff Moyer from Dynamic Correpondence back on the show to discuss all things motor learning.
Jeff was previous on the podcast back on episode 137.
On this episode about motor learning Jeff and I discuss:
Where did Jeff develop his passion for motor learning
Hard skills vs soft skills
How does Jeff distinguish between a physical capacity limitation vs a skill limitation
Jeff's thoughts on sprint drills
We discuss the use of re-coordination drills post strength training
What is Proactive Inhibition (PI)
What is the role of megacognition, constructivism, and mediation in motor learning
The role of specialized exercise in motor learning
Jeff addresses some of the criticism's that some coaches have about special exercises
Jeff talks about what the true conjugate sequence system was really about
Jeff talks about the importance of embracing mistakes in the learning process
Jeff tells us about the biggest lessons he has learned so far in his career
Jeff gives his top advice to all the listeners
If Jeff could invite 5 people to dinner dead or alive, who would he invite and why?
This was a great episode 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