The 18STRONG Podcast

Dr. David Seaman from Deflame.com joins us this week to talk about what you’re putting in your body and how it effects you.  David is an expert in in nutrition and his work specifically focuses on inflammation in the body. From the time he was earning his degrees in Chiropractic and Bio/Nutrition, David has been fascinated with the impact that diet has on pain, inflammation and disease in the body.  Through his practice and research he has discover simple strategies revolving around eating “deflaming” foods to stop acute and chronic inflammatory responses in the body. How does this relate to golf, you might ask?  Let me ask you this?  Have you ever struggled with endurance on the course?  Have you ever had a nagging injury that wouldn’t go away? Ever feel lethargic throughout the day or through a round of golf? All of these can be directly related to what you are putting in your mouth.  Dr. Seaman is going to share with you some simple strategies to help with all of these! Subscribe to the 18STRONG Podcast on iTunes and stitcher by clicking the button below: Dr. David Seaman’s Background Dr.
 Seaman 
is
 a
 Professor 
of
 Clinical
 Sciences
 at 
the
 National 
University 
of
 Health
 Sciences
 in
 Pinellas
 Park, 
Fl. 
BS 
from 
Rutgers
 University
 in 
1982 Doctor
 of
 Chiropractic 
from
 New 
York
 Chiropractic 
College 
in 
1986 MS
 in
 Bio/nutrion 
from 
the
 University 
of
 Bridgeport 
in 
1991 His masters degree in nutrition project focused on nutritional methods for pain control The majority of his articles, speaking and book publications have since been focused on the topic of nutrition for in regards to controlling pain and inflammation in the body. He recently published his book The Deflame Diet: Deflame Your Body, Body, and Mind The DeFlame Diet is about eating anti-inflammatory foods to turn off the chronic disease-promoting “flame” created by pro-inflammatory foods. This is the first nutrition book for the general public that delves into inflammation in great detail, yet in a fashion that is understandable. Readers will never be confused again about what foods we should and should not be eating. Highlights from this Episode Dr. Seaman gives us a little background on why he became so interested in the world of nutrition and how it relates to pain and inflammation in the body The term “Inflammation” has become very popular, but can be somewhat misleading.  David defines what “inflammation” is in regards to our body and our nutrition. He gives several real life examples of what really happens in the body after eating inflammatory foods. David explains some of the symptoms caused by inflammatory foods and how they can affect your daily life and golf game The 3 main things to avoid: refined oils sugar flour Are you a “Dietary Crackhead?” I’ll let him explain this one We discuss food quality and why sometimes that may not be the biggest concern.  While this might be counterintuitive, David shares how the argument of “quality” can be skewed to lead people in the wrong direction when it comes to which macronutrients they choose (proteins, fats, carbs). We also talk about how to make better choices when faced with limited options like only being in a place that has fast food (see the video below on how David was able to get a “Deflame” meal at Five Guys Burgers) CaddyShack or Happy Gilmore? CaddyShack (Tin Cup would actually be his 1st choice if it was an option) One or 2 of the Most Influential People, Books, or Experiences in Your Life? Barry Wyke Who would you like to spend a day on the course with? Woodrow Wilson or JFK at Augusta or Pebble Beach What are you excited about in your near future? He has 3 spin off books in the DeFlame series that he will be releasing.  One specifically that deals with the mental aspect of nutrition to help people overcome some of these issues. Where to Find Dr. David Seaman: website: Deflame.com The Book: The DeFlame Diet Facebook: Deflame Nutrition Twitter: @DeflameDoc YouTube: Deflame Nutrition Other Mentions: Documentaries recommended: Food Inc. Fathead Fat Sick and Nearly Dead The Kitava Study: Kitava Study   Having Trouble Leaving a review from your iPhone or desktop? CLICK HERE to see how on your iPhone! CLICK HERE to see how on your desktop!

Greg Rose, founder of TPI joins me today for our 100th episode! There has been a lot of talk over the past couple of years about whether the benefits of strength training outweigh the risk for golfers at the highest level.  When you look at images of guys like Rory lifting 200+ pounds in his workouts and the physical issues Tiger Woods has had over the last 5 years, it’s understandable that from the outsiders view, it’s worth questioning. So why not ask someone that ISN’T on the outside, like Dr. Greg Rose, one of the founders of TPI (The Titleist Performance Institute) and one of fore-fathers of the entire industry of golf fitness.  Greg has personally worked with guys like Rory, in fact, I would venture to say Greg has worked with or at least consulted with the medical teams of the majority of players on tour. It was an absolute honor to share this very special episode (#100) with Dr. Rose, as he and the entire TPI family have not only been an inspiration to me personally in this adventure that is 18STRONG, but they have also been incredibly supportive of the show.  To everyone at TPI and anyone reading this, all I can say is that we hear at 18STRONG can’t thank you enough! Subscribe to the 18STRONG Podcast on iTunes and stitcher by clicking the button below: Greg Rose’s Background Greg is one of the Founders of The Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) He holds an engineering degree from the University of Maryland. Board certified Doctor of Chiropractic specializing in assessing and treating golfers, 3-dimensional biomechanics, strength and conditioning, manual therapy, rehabilitation, nutritional supplementation and therapeutic exercises. Greg helped pioneer the field of analyzing 3-dimensional motion capture models of the golf swing. His form of functional training combined with golf-specific motor learning drills have made Greg one of golf’s top strength and conditioning professionals. Greg also helped develop the Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA), a revolutionary movement assessment that helps identify altered motor control and guides medical practitioners on how to treat patients more efficiently. The TPI certification seminar series has made Greg one of the most requested speakers in golf health and fitness. MyTPI.com delivers cutting edge information from experts on six continents and 58 countries. Highlights from this Episode Greg shares with us his background and who Greg Rose was “before TPI.” Greg’s decision to build a golf practice was simply based on the fact that he wanted to follow the philosophy of “find something you love” and make that what you do.  Thus, despite warnings from people that it would never work, Greg build one of the first and biggest golf chiropractic businesses out there. Greg shares some fun facts about himself that most people don’t know about him, like his fanatical gardening habit. We dive into the topic of strength training for golfers and all of the backlash that has come from the media around golfers putting some real weight on the bar. (see the video below where Greg specifically addresses Rory’s regimen) In addition to this, we discuss why the equation F=MA (Force = Mass x Acceleration) which is definitely an eye-opener when looking at golfers with different body types, swings, and training habits. Greg shares his view on motor learning and a new way to think about good and bad things you do in the swing. Greg uses the analogy of “books on a bookshelf” that really sheds some light on why old habits creep back in. Pain.  We discuss what pain does to the body, but even more so, how it then affects you as an athlete/human moving forward.  What compensations are you making from that old injury and what repercussions does it have? Greg also gives us a couple ideas as to how we can self diagnose to see if we have an issue that needs some attention. We dive into the World Golf Fitness Summit (WGFS) and it’s origins.  Greg even highlights some of the speakers for the upcoming summit in October 2016.   CaddyShack or Happy Gilmore? CaddyShack Who would you like to spend a day on the course with? His daughter at Augusta What are you excited about in your near future? The World Golf Fitness Summit and expanding into new countries. Where to Find Greg Rose and TPI: website: www.myTPI.com Facebook: TPI Twitter: @MyTPI Other Links Mentioned World Golf Fitness Summit SuperSpeed Golf  (use code “18STRONG“) Orange Whip Trainer (use code “18STRONG“) RAD Roller (use code “18STRONG“) Having Trouble Leaving a review from your iPhone or desktop? CLICK HERE to see how on your iPhone! CLICK HERE to see how on your desktop!

Nick Clearwater, the Senior Director of Teaching Quality at GolfTEC, and one of the coolest guys I know in the golf world, returns to the show this week to discuss something BIG that could absolutely change your game! With GolfTEC being the worlds largest collector of data on the golf swing over the past 20 years, they have taken some of that data and come up with direct correlations to show you 6 things that the best golfers in the world do compared to the high handicapper.  In this episode, Nick is going to break down each of these movements, so you can start changing your game today! Subscribe to the 18STRONG Podcast on iTunes and stitcher by clicking the button below: Nick Clearwater’s Background Grew up in Chicago, then went to school in Michigan He has worked in quite a few locations including NY, Connecticut, Florida, Chicago, and is now based in Denver Colorado Nick is the Senior Director of Teaching Quality for GolfTEC Highlights from this Episode Nick gives us a little background on him, how he got into the game of golf and how he eventually ended up where he is today as the Senior Director of Teaching Quality at GolfTEC Nick shares with us the details of possibly the most exciting and comprehensive study ever completed on golfers, the SwingTRU Motion Study Using the GolfTEC camera and motion capture technology, and the millions of golf swings they have captured, they took a sample of 20,000 swings from 20,000 golfers, and analyzed their motion, coming up with specific measurements that correlate with high and low handicap golfers. What is GolfTEC?: According to Nick, it’s “a golf instruction company that solves golfers problems.” They have over 200 locations, and it’s been shown that their lessons account for nearly 26% of all instructional lessons. A common misconception is that they only do indoor lessons, but Nick informed me that each GolfTEC location has a relationship with local course to be able to give outdoor playing and practice lessons, as well. So what did the SwingTRU Motion Study show?  There is a direct correlation of certain traits to handicap levels with the following 6 motions: Hip Sway at the top of the swing Hip Sway at impact Hip Turn at impact Shoulder Tilt at top of the swing Shoulder Tilt at impact Shoulder Bend at Finish Nick goes into these in much more detail on each of these, but you can see the image below for each (Red=Bad and Green=Good), as well as the video below of Nick on the Golf Channel.   Below is Nick on the Golf Channel chatting with Damon Hack about the SwingTRU Study: CaddyShack or Happy Gilmore? CaddyShack Who would you like to spend a day on the course with? Don Rickles at Pine Valley What are you excited about in your near future? Nick is simply excited about helping golfers solve their problems.  And with all of the data that they now have and what the studies have shown, he knows they can do that even more effectively, and will only get better as the data collection continues. Where to Find Nick Clearwater and GolfTEC: website: GolfTEC.com Facebook: GolfTEC Twitter: @NickClearwater and @GolfTEC Other Links Mentioned SuperSpeed Golf SwingTRU Motion Study Having Trouble Leaving a review from your iPhone or desktop? CLICK HERE to see how on your iPhone! CLICK HERE to see how on your desktop!

Frank Nash runs one of the most successful training facilities around.  His 5,000 square foot facility in Worcester, MA, Frank Nash Training Systems, is especially known, not just for the successes that the clients achieve, but for the sense of community and family that has bee created there! If you don’t know Frank, you should check out his website, ByFrankNash.com, and you’ll soon figure out Frank is not your average fitness guy!  He’s an artist, a speaker, a teacher, and much more!  And today, Frank shares with us what his team calls the 5 Pillars of Success. Subscribe to the 18STRONG Podcast on iTunes and stitcher by clicking the button below:  Frank Nash’s Background Here is Frank’s description of himself in his own words: “Mega Fitness Rock Star, Entrepreneur (Owner of Frank Nash Training Systems), Mid-90s Rap Junkie. Artist, Risk Taker, Mistake Maker, Tats, Lats, Comic Books, Pop Culture Ninja, Waffle Making Wizard, Puppy Breath Inhaling, Occasional Bourbon Sippin’, Chuck Taylor Wearing, and WU-Tang Forever. As for his professional Bio: Frank Nash is one of the most in-demand and exciting coaches, writers and presenters in the Fitness industry today. Best Selling Author and International Speaker/Personality  He currently spends his time lecturing, teaching, training and writing and as the owner of Frank Nash Training Systems in Worcester, MA. For the past 18 years Frank has been committed to achieving excellence in the field of Fitness Training and Performance Enhancement. Frank’s true passion lies within weight loss and lifestyle coaching. He calls this “life changing” Training. He helped “pioneered” what is today called “Small Group Training” (a form of personal training where the members share the time and cost of the trainer).  Frank’s passion for excellence has driven him to help thousands of individuals succeed and to build what has been called “one of the most successful training clubs” in the world. Frank recently partnered with fellow rockstar Rick Mayo and created the “Secret Trainer Society“, a roundtable leadership group specific to “Training Clubs.” Highlights from this Episode Frank breaks down his background in sports, the fitness world and how he went from cleaning towels and benches at an empty Golds Gym in the late 90’s to running one of the most successful training clubs in the world, Frank Nash Training Systems. Frank Breaks down his 5 Pillars of Success. He believes these are the key to getting better not just for golf and fitness, but stick to these and life is good! Attitude: If you don’t have the right attitude, all is lost.  You can change your attitude at any given moment.  You can either go through life pissed and miserable, or you can appreciate what you have and be excited to work hard toward your goals.  You decide. Nutrition: Sounds pretty basic right?  It is.  Most people just don’t put enough faith and effort into it.  Most people don’t know what real food is!  Getting your nutrition on point affects every part of your body and brain. Don’t overlook the importance of it. Exercise: Again, pretty basic, but as Frank put it to me off the air, “Jeff, eventually people gotta just lift some heavy sh**!”  No matter what, you gotta move.  Even if you don’t have the picture perfect, expertly designed program, you gotta get off your butt and move to keep your body happy, energized and resistant to breakdown. Supplementation: No matter how great we think we are with our diet (see above, most of us are not) we simply can’t get everything that is optimal for our nutrition with the food we eat.  Having a decent supplementation program in place will fill the gaps.  Franks suggestion is that most people should use a multivitamin, a fish oil, and some sort of protein shake in order to up their protein levels to about 1g per pound of lean muscle mass.  [Eg. if your lean muscle mass (your bodyweight minus fat) is 160lbs., you should get 160g of lean protein in each day). Accountability/Coaching: This one is a game changer.  This is the one that kicks your butt in gear and gets you to your goals faster.  Whether it’s a fitness coach, a workout partner, or whatever, the best in the world (at anything) all have coaches to keep them at the top of their game. Frank explains what he has his in season recreational golfers doing at the gym and at home. He talks about some of his favorite people in the industry and who he looked up to getting into this business. If he could put a billboard anywhere in the world, it would read: #BeDopeToday CaddyShack or Happy Gilmore? CaddyShack (but he would easily go Billy Madison if the option was available) One or 2 of the Most Influential People, Books, or Experiences in Your Life? High School football Who would you like to spend a day on the course with? Stan Lee (Comic Book God) at Pebble Peach What are you excited about in your near future? Changing the world of fitness. Where to Find Frank Nash: website: www.FrankNashTrainingSystems.com Facebook: Frank Nash Training Systems Twitter: @FNashFitness Instagram: @ByFrankNash and @FrankNashTrainingSystems Other Links Mentioned Here is the intro video from Franks website, which had me giggling the entire time. . .   Having Trouble Leaving a review from your iPhone or desktop? CLICK HERE to see how on your iPhone! CLICK HERE to see how on your desktop!  

Today, Eric Smith, Head PGA Professional at the Top of the Rock property in Branson, MO joins us to share his stories, experiences and insights into his time working at what is becoming one of the hottest golf destinations in the country.  Bass Pro Shop founder Johnny Morris has created one of the most unique golf and resort locations in the world. With a Championship 18 and 9-hole course (and another 18 and 12 hole course on the way), designed by legends including Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Ben Crenshaw, Top of the Rock and Bass Pro Legends of Golf Champions Tour event have become Subscribe to the 18STRONG Podcast on iTunes and stitcher by clicking the button below:   Eric Smith’s Background Grew up in Southwest Michigan His love of golf got started after an injury sidelined him from other sports Started caddying in his teenage years Managed a local course at the age of 21 Began working some PGA Tour Championship events in Atlanta Was introduced to the team at Top of the Rock and got the jod as the Head PGA Professional Highlights from this Episode Eric shares his story on how he became a part of the team at Top of the Rock We discuss his philosophy when giving lessons, especially when working with a “traveling golfer” that is on vacation and he may only have one lesson with. Eric’s number one tip for every player he works with, is have a club near by: give yourself the opportunity to feel the club and work on your positions/swings whenever you can. This will help you ingrain the things you are working on. We talk about Johnny Morris, the founder of Bass Pro Shop, Big Cedar Lodge and Top of the Rock.  Eric shares Johnny’s story of going from selling bait and tackle in the corner of his dad’s Brown Derby Liquor store to having one of (if not the) the largest outdoors company in the world, the #1 Resort location in the Midwest, and a Championship golf facility, all based out of the Springfield/Branson, MO region. Eric also shares how and why Johnny decided to revamp Top of the Rock into such an amazing golf location and bring the Champions Tour in every year for such a special event (The Legends of Golf at Big Cedar Lodge) The Legends of Golf Tour format consists of two divisions; the 50 plus group and the Legends group which is 65 plus (including players like Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Ben Crenshaw, Tom Watson, and in past years, Arnold Palmer). Eric breaks down the playing schedule for each group, which course they play and how many times. We also discuss the plans ahead at Top of the Rock which include a soon to be opened, Gary Player,  12-hole par 3 course, followed by another 18-hole championship course designed by Coore & Crenshaw (one of the top groups in golf course design). CaddyShack or Happy Gilmore? Happy Gilmore (it was a toss up, depends on the mood) One or 2 of the Most Influential People, Books, or Experiences in Your Life? When he got hurt in high school and decided to give golf a try Who would you like to spend a day on the course with? His Dad at Augusta National What are you excited about in your near future? The opening of the Gary Player course Where to Find Eric Smith and Top of the Rock: website: www.TopoftheRock                www.BigCedar.com Twitter: @EricSmithGolf @BassProLegends @BigCedarLodge Other Links Mentioned PGA Champions Tour Having Trouble Leaving a review from your iPhone or desktop? CLICK HERE to see how on your iPhone! CLICK HERE to see how on your desktop!

Mike Bentley is one of the leading biomechanists in the world and has been innovating technology for golf for many years. Mike’s contributions have been helped create some of the best tools in golf (like the K-Vest) to analyze what the body is doing during the golf swing. Most recently his talents have been focused on creating one of the most advanced sensors to track exactly what your club is doing and being able to link that data directly to each swing via motion capture. This creation is now known as BLAST Motion. In this episode, Mike and I had the chance to chat about the influx of data that is now available through all of these new technologies and how we can sort through it all so it makes us better golfers. In particular, Mike explains how the BLAST Motion technology has been helping both pro and recreational golfers make the connection between the “feel” of the club and what the data says. Subscribe to the 18STRONG Podcast on iTunes and stitcher by clicking the button below: Mike Bentley’s Background Former tour player competing throughout Asia, Australia, and the United States. He has worked with many of today’s top 100 instructors and has directed world ranked PGA, EPGA, SPGA, & LPGA Tour players. Bentley pioneered an objective teaching system that analyzes 3D motion and ground reaction forces to evaluate movement patterns. He is considered an industry expert in 3D motion capture technologies and analysis. His extensive research and expertise spans Inertial, Electromagnetic and Optical technologies. Mike is one of the founders of K-Vest and BLAST Motion. Highlights from this Episode BLAST Motion Sensor His dad was a PGA professional and he got the engineer/mechanical bug from his grandpa, always working on cars and racing. Mike tells the story on his progression from tinkering with cars to helping develop some of the most sophisticated technology in the world of data capture for golf and other sports like MLB We discuss BLAST Motion in detail and how the professionals are using it, including Brad Faxon and Jeff Sluman (who went from the 33rd ranked putter to 1st on the Champions Tour since using the sensor) Mike shares what he feels are the most important things we should be focusing on when it comes to feedback and data vs. some of the things that may not be quite as important. Mike shares with us the keys to being a great putter and how simply knowing what your club is really doing can be a complete game changer. CaddyShack or Happy Gilmore? Happy Gilmore One or 2 of the Most Influential People, Books, or Experiences in Your Life? His Grandpa, his Dad, and several other professional mentors such as Marilyn Pink, Ph.D. and Frank Jobe M.D. Who would you like to spend a day on the course with? Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, and His Dad at Augusta National What are you excited about in your near future? All of the new innovations and people that he feels they can help with this technology.  More than just golfers, but being able to analyze movements and the body for many different tasks. Where to Find Mike Bentley and BLAST: website: www.Blastmotion.com Facebook: BLAST Golf Twitter: BLAST Golf and BLAST Motion Other Links Mentioned K-Vest Having Trouble Leaving a review from your iPhone or desktop? CLICK HERE to see how on your iPhone! CLICK HERE to see how on your desktop!

In today’s episode, Mike Subach joins us to share his experience in the world of performance.  Mike specifically sheds some light on how much stress can impact our ability to heal, rest, move, and especially perform! Aside from working with many individuals and athletes on their performance and correcting their limitations, Mike also recently went through an injury/surgery of his own which gave him first hand experience on the challenges of regaining proper movement, control and strength. In this episode, we cover many topics, much of which revolves around how we can overcome some of the daily stresses and postures in our lives and why that is so important when it comes to our golf game. Subscribe to the 18STRONG Podcast on iTunes and stitcher by clicking the button below:   Highlights from this Episode Mike shares his background and how he got into the training business after spending some time in the world of “big pharma” Mike shares an incredible story about having emergency surgery for a burst appendix and what he has been going through the past couple of months with his own rehab. Mike works with lots of athletes, but he explains why his philosophy ALWAYS progresses per the following. . . Make the person better at . . . Being a Human Being an Athlete Their specific sport We discuss some of the technical pieces that Mike looks at from Day 1 with his clients that many people never think of, including Resting Metabolic Rate, VO2 Max, and Respiratory Exchange Rate, and why they are so important. Mike explains stress in relation to fight or flight like I’ve never heard it before, and why stress could absolutely be sabotaging your fitness and performance goals (but it can also be a very beneficial thing for performance when controlled properly!) We also discuss some of the typical bad patterns and compensations that many of us fall into and how to address them We talk about the brain, central nervous system, and how important daily habits and routines are for creating long lasting changes Cardio is such a misunderstood piece, Mike breaks down some reasons why you would want to do different types of cardio and what he specifically likes to do with his golfers “Build better physical economy”- Mike explains how having better movement patterns and control is much more economical when it comes to oxygen expenditure and overall performance. CaddyShack or Happy Gilmore? Happy Gilmore One or 2 of the Most Influential People, Books, or Experiences in Your Life? His college guidance counselor Who would you like to spend a day on the course with? And what course? Mike wants a rematch with his Dad on the Radisson course in Syracuse, NY What are you most excited about/What’s your mission? Mike is very excited about being able to slow down in his personal and professional life.  After his injury, he has enjoyed having to take a step back and get back to the basics, while also laying a little bit low regarding training. Where to Find Mike Subach: Facebook: Mike Subach Instagram: @MikeSubach Other Links Mentioned Ali Gilbert on the 18STRONG Podcast (episode 008) Having Trouble Leaving a review from your iPhone or desktop? CLICK HERE to see how on your iPhone! CLICK HERE to see how on your desktop!

Kaitlyn Sharpless is quickly becoming one of the “IT” female trainers in the world of golf.  It seems like she is everywhere!  And that includes right here on 18STRONG.  Not only is she our featured guest for this episode, but she is also one of our featured coaches here, and has provided a ton of great videos and content, which can be seen by going here. Kaitlyn has a very fresh and enthusiastic outlook on training for the golfer.  Here company Felix Fortis Golf literally means Happy Strong Golf, which when you meet Kaitlyn, is exactly what you’ll get.  A happy and strong person, in and out of the gym or golf course.  She is a firm believer that strength is a major component to a solid golf training program, and thus is a huge advocate that we are all athletes in some capacity, and thus need to work like one to stay happy and healthy, for our game and also LIFE! Subscribe to the 18STRONG Podcast on iTunes and stitcher by clicking the button below: Kaitlyn Sharpless’ Background Founder of Felix.Fortis. Golf Strength & Conditioning Kaitlyn is on a mission to “bridge the gap” between the golf world and the strength world. Her experience of an over-use lower back injury while playing for Methodist University’s Women’s Golf team  sparked her interest in connecting human movement and the golf swing. Her strength & conditioning philosophy boils down to helping golfers move better, get stronger, avoid injury and play the game of golf we love to the best of one’s ability. If  golfers are playing with physical limitations they are unaware of- they are sticking a square peg through a round hole and setting themselves  up for injury. Some of her credentials include: Master of Science, Strength & Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength & Conditioning Association, PGA Member, USAW Weightlifting Coach, Level 2 Titleist Performance Institute Junior Coach, Level 2 Titleist Performance Institute Fitness Professional, K-Vest Specialist Highlights from this Episode Kaitlyn shares some stories of her grandpa (“Pap”) and how he was very influential in creating her love for golf. She explains where the name of her company Felix.Fortis.Golf came from and how it applies to the way she trains. We discuss her background as a collegiate level golfer and some of the physical struggles that she encountered and how she got over them. This led to her interest in TPI and the strength and conditioning field. Are golfer’s athletes? Kaitlyn gives a resounding YES to this answer and explains why. She shares some of the biggest misconceptions regarding fitness and golf and how she overcomes them with her clients. We discuss several tips on simply being a happier, stronger golfer in order to play the best game of your life. CaddyShack or Happy Gilmore? Happy Gilmore One or 2 of the Most Influential People, Books, or Experiences in Your Life? Her Grandfather “Pap” Who would you like to spend a day on the course with? Gary Vaynerchuk Thomas Plummer What are you excited about in your near future? Her new online training platform Where to Find Kaitlyn Sharpless: website: FelixFortisGolf.com Facebook: Kaitlyn Sharpless Twitter: @KSharpGolf Other Links Mentioned 18STRONG TV (on YouTube) The 18STRONG Flexibility Guide (featuring Kaitlyn) Having Trouble Leaving a review from your iPhone or desktop? CLICK HERE to see how on your iPhone! CLICK HERE to see how on your desktop!  

Summer time is here, which often means golf trips, family vacations and time spent at the pool, lake, etc.  This can also mean slipping a little on the workouts, diet and training regimen. Just this past week, I took a trip with my family to Table Rock Lake, where we had an incredible time.  I played some golf, we fished, we boated, swam and took in lots of scenery.  And I have to say, it took some will power to not just say “forget it” when it came to the diet, workouts, and booze.  And in all honesty, in some ways I would say I succeeded, and in some, not so much Given that it’s summer time and you just may be embarking on a vacation soon, too, I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to give you some tips to have a great time, but not get too off track when it comes to a few topics including: Golf Eating Exercise Drinking Relaxing You can listen to the episode below or find it on iTunes/Stitcher: Subscribe to the 18STRONG Podcast on iTunes and stitcher by clicking the button below: Notes from this Episode We took a trip down to Table Rock Lake this past week and spent some time at the Top of the Rock facility which is a creation of Johnny Morris, the owner of Bass Pro Shop and Big Cedar Lodge.  The place was incredible, including golf at Buffalo Ridge (a championship 18 hole course that is a regular stop for the Champions’ Tour, Legends of Golf), the Natural History Museum, and the Lost Canyon Cave Tour.  (see below for a few pics of the family and some of the highlights of the trip) In this episode, I wanted to address some of the areas that are easy to slip up on when traveling, especially for vacation. The main ones being: Golf, Eating, Exercise, Drinking, and Relaxing Golf Plan the night ahead What to eat for breakfast warm up at home or the range? how much time do you need before you tee off? What are you going to do? warm-up exercises driving range short game get your cart/bag ready suggested items to have: shaker bottle, protein bar/shake, electrolyte drink, resistance band Eating It’s hard enough to eat well at home, much less on vacation Know what your accommodations are and what you’ll have access to.  Things to think about: will you be eating out more or cooking in how many days of each? go to the local grocery to stock up on fruits, veggies, water, etc resist the temptation to go crazy with snacks and processed food because it’s easy Do some grilling: chicken, beef, pork, fish, veggies, etc. Use some of the leftovers for your snacks rather than “snacks.” If you are going out to eat a lot, stick with the basics, non-processed, whole foods: meats, fish, veggies Exercise Look at the accommodations and figure out what will be available to you (weights, cardio, nothing) Determine what your schedule looks like ahead of time and how much you want to devote (you’re on vacation so try to figure out how this won’t impede your experiences and time frames). Are there other activities that you are going to be doing that are active like hiking, biking, etc that could be considered a replacement for a training session? Here are some suggestions based on accommodations: If you have a gym and some weights, stick with the basics, push/pull/deadlift/squats/rotation. If you only have cardio equipment, I suggest sprints and some bodyweight exercises. If you have nothing, get creative!! A couple of the things I did were a circuit routine with a 30lb kettlebell (5 sets of 10 reps of each): Split squat (1 kettle bell held at chest) do on each leg Goblet squat Kettlebell swings pushups with feet on couch Also did a sprint workout on the hill 20-30s sprint up the hill, walk back down (8x) Added 30lb kettlebell statue of liberty walk at the end of the sprint sessions 1x on each arm. Drinking This can be one of the biggest challenges on vacation and on the golf course. I highlight 4 suggestions when it comes to balancing out and keeping yourself in check when it comes to the booze. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate: Keep a water bottle with you at all times (on course, at the pool, on the boat, wherever) Be aware that you are drinking and why you are doing it: Many of us drink to enjoy the social nature of the environment and the people around us, but sometimes the drinks flow as more of a habit than actually enhancing the experience.  Create some awareness around that cocktail in your hand Drink better stuff: This goes back to the enjoyment factor and being more aware.  If you have the more expensive stuff, whether your choice be craft beers or high end whiskey/bourbon/vodka, you’re less likely to go crazy Don’t start the round with a cooler: This one sounds pretty simple, and it is.  Out of sight, out of mind.  If you don’t have it with you in the cart and the beer cart isn’t rolling by, odds are you’ll survive and likely play better.  Quit falling into the thought process of “needing my swingoil” to get loose.  If you want to get loose, actually GET LOOSE before your round with a proper warm-up! Relax Don’t come back from vacation more stressed out, in worse shape, and needing a cleanse to get back on track.  That’s what vacation should have been.  You should be more fresh and clear-minded when you come back than when you left. Work: Minimize it.  Get it done ahead of time so it’s not weighing over your head the whole time for when you get back.  Hide your phone, or at least turn off your notifications so you’re not being pinged by emails and Facebook all day.  And don’t spend all day posting your pics on social media.  Actually enjoy the time by experiencing it, not sharing it on Facebook. Sleep: Get your rest.  Try not to deviate much from your normal routine.  The more well rested you are, the better you will play and the more enjoyable the other experiences will be Be Present: Don’t let all the other distractions take away from your experience.  If you’re there with your family, then actually BE there!  It’s easy to let the other things like work and/or stressing over your diet get in the way of actually having a good time. Don’t Feel Guilty: It’s vacation.  You’re allowed to splurge a little.  This is why you put in all of that hard work the rest of the year.  If you typically eat well, get your workouts in and practice, you’re ahead of the game.  Cut yourself a little slack if this truly is a vacation and it’s a rarity for you.   Other Links Mentioned Top of the Rock Buffalo Ridge Lost Canyon Cave & The Natural History Museum   Pictures from the trip to come. . .! Having Trouble Leaving a review from your iPhone or desktop? CLICK HERE to see how on your iPhone! CLICK HERE to see how on your desktop!

Don Saladino joins us again in this episode to share some of his experiences and lessons learned in the golf fitness business and also around the topics of creating routines, habits, and structure that allow for more success, happiness, and balance. Running one of the most successful golf fitness businesses is no easy task and there are a lot of components required above and beyond just the training part.  Don has some exciting news to share for any up and coming golf fitness professionals and also shares some of his secrets to living a more productive and fulfilled lifestyle while building a successful company and family life. Subscribe to the 18STRONG Podcast on iTunes and stitcher by clicking the button below:   Don Saladino’s Background For more info on Don, you can listen to his 1st episode on the podcast (episode 30) HERE! Don owns and operates Drive 495 in New  York. Started Drive 495 with his brother 9 years ago His younger brother was a golfer and he decided to help his brother gain some size, speed and distance. Started out as a golf fitness facility and has just grown from there. Don has worked with a number of celebrities in prep for movies. Highlights from this episode: Don announces his new location and explains how it is a completely different animal than Drive 495, but is a very exciting new opportunity and challenge. Don shares some very exciting news about the new internship/educational program they have started at Drive 495, giving the fitness professional the opportunity to learn from the best in the world about not only the training aspect, but all the behind the scenes of creating a very successful business. We delve into some of the habits and routines that Don believes are crucial to not only his success, but in creating a more productive and rewarding life/career for anyone, including the golfer. We even talk about some of the bggest challenges he and his brother have face in their businesses and what it’s like to separate the family part from the business part. What are you excited about in your near future? Don’s has a lot of great projects going on.  He is especially proud of Drive 443 and the internship program, but is also stoked about his partnerships/current projects with a few other companies including Greyson Clothiers, Garden of Life nutritional products, and Revolution Golf. Where to Find Don Saladino: Facebook: Don Saladino Twitter: @DonSaladino Drive 495: driveclubs.com Drive 443: Drive 443 Revolution Golf: www.RevolutionGolf Don’s Revolution Golf Products Other Links Mentioned Drive 495 Internship Greyson Clothiers Garden of Life Having Trouble Leaving a review from your iPhone or desktop? CLICK HERE to see how on your iPhone! CLICK HERE to see how on your desktop!