The 18STRONG Podcast

This week I continue the Facebook LIVE route for the podcast talking with our friend from the PGA tour, Scott Harrington. Scott catches us up on how he has adjusted to the quarantine, what his season looked like pre-COVID and how he is preparing to hit the ground running when the season re-opens. Highlights from this Episode How he has adjusted to the lockdown and is both staying productive through running, hitting the gym at home and heading out to the course, and taking some time to relax and unwind. He dives into what his home workout routine has looked like and the differences between what going out to the course looked like before as to what it looks like for him now.What the start of the season looked like for him, his favorite event he played so far, who he has enjoyed getting paired up with, and what he is planning and preparing for when the season opens back up.He answers some of the questions from the 18Strong community like how he will feel potentially playing without a crowd come mid-June, whether or not he and other PGA professionals change their wedges to adjust to the difference in the turf around the country, whether or not he has played with Steph Curry, and how he alleviated some of his struggling before the break. Follow Scott at: Twitter Instagram Episode Sponsor: LINKSOUL: For your 20% discount on LINKSOUL gear, go to 18strong.com/linksoul or click the logo below.

This week I continue the live via Facebook route for the podcast talking with our friend and PGA tour winner, Adam Long. We are catching up with him on both how he is personally managing this quarantine and also what he is doing to prepare for when the tour and season opens back up to stay on his game. He also answers some fan questions live like his toughest round of golf, how he avoids the “dad bod” during quarantine, what wedges he is using, his favorite pre-game meal, how many hours a week he is working out and what fitness he is focusing on improving during the quarantine. Highlights from this Episode How his streak was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent quarantine and cancelling/postponing of the season, but how having a baby on the way made it a blessing in disguise for spending quality time at home.What his quarantine is looking like both personally and professionally as he stays on his fitness by rediscovering his love of running. He talks about how the mental game of pushing yourself while running has helped his mental game while out on the course.His transition in sponsorships from Nike to LinkSoul and how his and their values lined up, as well as other sponsors he has since been able to hook up with including MLB and MGM Resorts.He talks on a couple surreal experiences from his rookie year on the PGA tour (excluding his win,) and who in the PGA tour does he enjoy playing against. He answers some of our fan questions like his toughest round of golf (both amateur and professional,) how he avoids the “dad bod” during quarantine, what it felt like walking on the 16th tee at the Waste Management, what wedges he is currently using, his favorite pre-game meal, how many hours a week he is working out and practicing and what fitness he is focusing on improving during the quarantine Follow Adam: Instagram Twitter Episode Sponsors: SuperSpeed Golf: Use the code “18STRONG” at SuperSpeedGolf.com LINKSOUL: For your 20% discount on LINKSOUL gear, go to 18strong.com/linksoul or click the logo below.

This week I continue the LIVE interviews via Facebook for the podcast talking with Nic Catterall, fitness extraordinaire working with the PGA tour players. Nick drops in to give us the status of what’s going on with these players, their workouts, and how he is working with them remotely and enterprising on the innovation necessary to keep up with the limitations from being unable to see them in person. Highlights from this Episode How he is adjusting to his new schedule from being on the road with players most of the year to being stuck at home and making snap decisions on the players programs and making sure they are staying on their top game to return.What the pandemic and subsequent quarantine looked like from the PGA standpoint and how players reacted to the season being postponed.How this will effect the Olympics, presidents cup, and Ryder cup and what the future of golf looks like. He also dives into his perspective when at an event and what the players look like as far as warming up together or on their own. Wrap up Questions: What Netflix show are you binging these days?             The Hunters on Amazon Prime and Homeland What books are you reading and what are your goals for this quarantine? Some golf journal articles, catching up on my mentor sessions, and taking an excel course What has been the hardest part of this social distancing/quarantine for you?             Since this is the entertainment industry, the loss of jobs due to this will be staggering What has been the best part of this social distancing/quarantine for you?             Getting to see my familyAny Last advice for the 18Strong Podcast?             Get outside and re-discover an old hobby Connect with Nic: Instagram Website: cattogolf.com Episode Sponsor: LINKSOUL: For your 20% discount on LINKSOUL gear, go to 18strong.com/linksoul or click the logo below.

This week we continue the live via Facebook route for the podcast talking with Trillium Rose about ways you can improve your golf swing even when you are at home without access to your course or gym. Trillium is the director of instruction at Woodmont Country Club, a top 50 golf digest and LPGA teacher, 2017 Mid-Atlantic Teacher of the Year and her name is pretty much synonymous with the words “quality practice” and “trusted instruction.” Highlights from this Episode How the current climate has effected Woodmont and her work and transitioning some of her practice plans and content to Instagram.What she sees as the biggest opportunity that people have the best impact on their game while at home with the new found spare time and what visualization techniques she utilizes with her clients to help them focus on the game.She talks about her mobility class (currently open to the public on her Instagram Live) and ways one can work on mobility with minimal/no equipment to keep their game sharp while at home.Where she thinks the future is going as far as instruction and content creation since the pandemic has locked down usual outlets for training and information.Overhauling your swing vs. overhauling your practice; which is going to help you score better?Trillium answers questions from the audience like what mental game exercises she works on with her students and advice for those of us with a good driving range game but struggles to take it to the golf course. Parting Questions: What Netflix show are you binging these days?Tiger King What books are you reading? Make it stick by Mark A. McDaniel and Peter C. Brown & Here All Along by Sarah Hurwitz What has been the hardest part of this social distancing/quarantine for you? The broader socioeconomic issue of those that can’t work or have lost their jobs What has been the best part of this social distancing/quarantine for you? Getting to see my family and take a beat to figure out what’s important? Follow Trillium at: Instagram Facebook Twitter Website Episode Sponsors SuperSpeed Golf: Use the code “18STRONG” at SuperSpeedGolf.com LINKSOUL: For your 20% discount on LINKSOUL gear, go to 18strong.com/linksoul or click the logo below.

This week Tony and I continue the live via Facebook route for the podcast talking on the current affairs in the realm of sports and COVID-19’s role in effecting their seasons, updates on Tony’s 100 push up challenge, and what our diets have looked like as we have been stuck inside. We also answered questions on easiest methods to seeing weight cut, our favorite rotational exercises, and the best metabolic/cardio exercise for those of who can’t run sprints like they used to. Highlights from this Episode How golf and other sports are being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and their plans for their seasons.Updates on my take of Tony’s 100 push up challenge, and what the Soib Metrics would look like between Tony, Adam Long, and Myself playing a round of golf.The different recipes and diets we have been discussing in the RFG group and how Tony got me hooked on canned salmon as a staple. We also talk about how giving up alcohol for lent amidst this quarantine has been amazing (dietary speaking that is.) Shouts from the Crowd “What am I supposed to do if the numbers aren’t dropping on the scale?” – Tim  “What is your favorite rotational exercise for a golfer and why?” – Mike“In regards to sprinting, should a guy in his 50’s actually be running sprints or is he better off using a bike, rower, etc.?” – Bill EPISODE SPONSOR: LINKSOUL: For your 20% discount on LINKSOUL gear, go to 18strong.com/linksoul or click the logo below.

This week Tony and I decided to take our normal shouts from the crowd episode and do it live via Facebook talking on the current status of people in the fitness industry during the quarantine, what people are doing and what suggestions we have for routines and taking advantage of the social distancing. We answered questions on how to know what supplements to use, the best equipment for your home workouts, Tony gives great advice on how to change up exercises at home, what nutrition tips while stuck at home and the best way to count calories while at home. It was great getting your questions live and look forward to doing more of these in the future as we are all stuck at home and looking to stay proactive. Listen to the podcast here: Or you can watch the full video on FB just click the image below. Highlights from this Episode How we are engaging with our clients remotely and some of the bright sides of social distancing and quarantine that we have found like Tony’s return to calisthenics and my family time. Shouts from the Crowd Questions: “How do I know what supplements I should be using or if I should be using supplements?” – Ryan“What would you recommend as the best equipment for somebody to get for a home workout right now?”“I don’t have an incline bench, I’m improvising with a fit ball. Any other suggestions on that type of exercise?” – Dave“What’s the best way to figure out what your calorie intake should be?”- Chris“What are some other ways you can adjust body weight exercises at home?” – Tim“Any thoughts on how rowing plays into your fitness program?” – Jim“Any nutrition tips for us now that we are staying home and allowed to graze freely?” – Mike Mentioned in the show: Find images of our Home Setups in our Facebook Group, The 18STRONG Movement Jake’s 2-minute Pull-Up Episode Sponsor LINKSOUL: For your 20% discount on LINKSOUL gear, go to 18strong.com/linksoul or click the logo below.

This week Dr. Gio Valiante comes back on the show to talk about a little bit of everything covering the mental side of not just golf but also your fitness, mentality, strength, and what the best of the best do like the example and bar that greats like Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, and Tiger Woods. What are the environments they put themselves in and the habits/headspace they go into to continue to perform better and better? We also dive into how to “erase” that haunting bad shot memory out of your head so it doesn’t affect your next shot. Dr. Gio Valiante’s Background Dr. Gio Valiante is currently a professor at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. He serves as the mental game consultant to the Golf Channel, Golf Digest, and the University of Florida.Some of his accolades and accomplishments include:Clients including Justin Rose, Matt Kuchar, Henrik Stenson, Davis Love III, and many othersSports Psychologist of the Year by The Golf ChannelTop 40 Under 40 to Influence the game of Golf by Golf MagazineThe #2 Sports Psychologist in the world by Golf Digest.He has worked with many of the game’s top players including Justin Leonard, Chris Dimarco, Chad Campbell, Camilo Villegas, Jack and Gary Nicklaus, Heath Slocum, Franklin Langham, Notah Begay III, Charles Howell III, Billy Andrade, Fred Funk, Tommy Armour III, Matt Kuchar, David Duval, Chris Parra, Lori Rinker, Davis Love III and many, many more.His groundbreaking research – sponsored by a grant by Rollins College and the Critchfield Foundation – resulted in the 2005 publication of Fearless Golf: Conquering the Mental Game. Fearless Golf was co-published with Golf Digest and Doubleday and has quickly become the new standard in golf psychology.Endorsed by the game’s top players, Dr. Valiante provides a vision for competitive golf that allows golfers to remain fearless, focused, and committed to each and every shot they hit. Highlights from this Episode Dr. Gio dives into the changes he has seen in the landscape of golf from the different evolutions in technology and the difference in the athleticism of professionals to the evolution of the psychology of the game.We talk about his article on the late Kobe Bryant and what qualities a high performer has or needs to have and one or two factors and commonalities between the great athletes spanning all sports. He also explains where their confidence comes from and how we can build our own confidence up, how to change the environment you find yourself in in regards to your golf game and fitness, and practical ways to change the self-talk like affirmations and find role models.He goes back to his work on Fearless Golf in Mastery vs. Ego: What some of our biggest fears are out on the golf course and how these fears (such as being judged by our counterparts,) can halt our progress and keep us from playing our best game.Dr. Gio answers some of your questions like one thing he wishes his golfers could grasp a lot sooner, tips on staying more present during your round, a mental pre-game routine to prepare before you play, and his biggest influences and who has impacted his career the most. Learn more about Dr. Gio Valiante and his work at: FearlessGolf.com Book on Amazon: “Fearless Golf: Conquering the Mental Game” Dr. Gio on Giovaliante.com Mentioned in the Show: Kobe’s Mindset Episode Sponsors: SuperSpeed Golf: Use the code “18STRONG” at SuperSpeedGolf.com LINKSOUL: For your 20% discount on LINKSOUL gear, go to 18strong.com/linksoul or click the logo below.

In today’s episode I’m joined by Tony Soaib once again to discuss topics related to golf and fitness like the professional athletes crushing balls at top golf, what athletes we would like to see and who is best suited to try both golf and the long drive contest, the compensation between golfers and other athletes, the hubbub about Paul Azinger calling out Tommy Fleetwood for not winning on the PGA tour, our buddy Hayden Buckley and how he did on the Honda Classic, and finally we discuss my Rotex experiment from Dr. Joe Lacaze. Highlights from this Episode We start off talking about Mike Trout Smashing balls at Top Golf which led into Tony discussing which athletes from other sports would be best suited for both golf and the long drive competition.The mind-blowing comparison between a professional golfers income vs other pro athletes (like Mike Trout) from other sports and where the disconnect is coming from.How Paul Azinger got himself into hot water with comments dissing the EuroTour (Tommy Fleetwood) and whether or not all of the hate is valid or if this is just like other sports talk.Hayden Buckley highs and lows at the Honda Classic and Tony’s Soaib Metrics Challenge for Hayden.My Rotex Experiment which consisted of 2 weeks with NO other training but with the Rotex and my results/thoughts. Shouts from the Crowd If you could change one rule in golf, what would it be?What’s the best golf shot you’ve ever hit?What’s your favorite game (gambling) to play on the course.What’s the best way to improve my overall endurance?  I am going on a trip to Scotland later this year and will be walking 1 round a day for 6 or 7 days in a row. – GregAny tips for reducing muscle soreness?  I recently started a new workout program and get pretty sore the day or 2 after my workouts.  I’m afraid this might impact my golf game when spring and summer come around – MarkIf you could only pick 2 exercises for a recreational golfer to do in his program during the playing months, what would they be? – Tim Links & Resources Mentioned: ROTEX Motion Exercises: The exercises I performed each day were: Inward Hip RotationMultiplane SquatOutward Shoulder RotationFull Body RotationLat Release Episode Sponsor: LINKSOUL: For your 20% discount on LINKSOUL gear, go to 18strong.com/linksoul or click the logo below.

In today’s “Shouts from the Crowd” episode, Jeff and Tony once again to discuss topics related to golf and fitness including, long-time 18STRONG friend, Hayden Buckley’s Monday qualifying into the Honda Classic, several different topics on the Peter Kostis interview from No Laying Up digging into the future of golf broadcast on TV, gambling’s growing role in the sport which led us into our upcoming DraftKings event for the Players Championship, whether Patrick Reed is a good villain for the game of golf, and nutrition and Lenten resolutions. Highlights from this Episode The message Jeff received from Hayden Buckley about making the HONDA Classic and wishing him well on his second PGA Tour event.How Tony’s fantasy golf game is fairing, and an update on the upcoming 18STRONG DraftKings group that will be kicking off with the Players Championship.Discussion of the Peter Kostis interview on the No Laying Up podcast.Patrick Reed: The infamy he has acquired in the game, picking apart some of the legitimate claims from speculation, and our thoughts on him.Boiling down and simplifying our diet and what we eat to “Grade school nutrition,” the idea that for most of us, we don’t need a complicated answer to drastically shift our diet for the better and most times we already know what we need to cut out. Tony and I discuss our Lenten resolutions (or similar endeavors) and how they will tie into our fitness and general health. Shouts from the Crowd What needs to happen in the world of golf for recreational players to start taking fitness more seriously as a way to improve without taking lessons, buying gear, etc. – Matt S.How would you balance a regular weightlifting routine with a golf-specific routine? I enjoy regular weight training but also need some specific activation exercises for golf like hip stability and mobility. My thoughts would be 3 for regular weight training ( I m usually really basic and don’t spend more than 45 min in that routine) and 3 other days more golf-specific – BradfordI would love to hear you break down the most common/dangerous bad advice you hear people give. – AaronWhat would you consider strong lifts for a golfer? – AdamWhat’s one country you want to take a golf trip to? Episode Sponsors SuperSpeed Golf: Use the code “18STRONG” at SuperSpeedGolf.com LINKSOUL: For your 20% discount on LINKSOUL gear, go to 18strong.com/linksoul or click the logo below.

This week on the latest Shouts From the Crowd episode with Jeff and Tony, we start out with some conversation about general golf, sport, and fitness current events. In the second half of the episode, we shift into our Shouts from the Crowd segment where we answer questions from the listeners and social media . . . Highlights from this Episode The USGA’s distance report on how they believe golfers are hitting the ball too far and Tony’s thoughts on whether or not this is a serious concern for the game.The Premier Golf League: What it is, why it’s creating the buzz it is, and whether or not we think it will get off the ground or fall flat.Muscle Confusion and Tony’s thoughts on the pros and cons of having a varying/random workout vs. the same workout and how to choose based on your goals.A quick and easy way for golfers to institute arms training into their workout without neglecting the other essentials and to battle “linguini arms.”The Loose Impediment Rule and the Instagram clip Tony sent me of the latest boulder example. Shouts from the Crowd “What’s more important?  Power output or eccentric force control?” – John“Where do I start?  49yo male, no health problems, but woefully out of shape.  Just one or two things to get started while waiting for spring to arrive.” – Gerald“You guys were talking about working out when short on time. Any other strategies?” – Steve “Do you recommend creatine to golfers? Never tried it, but in general, do you recommend it?” – Jon“Supplements (Protein powders, Brands?)” – Jason“Lifting shoes” – Pete Episode Sponsors LINKSOUL: For your 20% discount on LINKSOUL gear, go to 18strong.com/linksoul or click the logo below. Resources Mentioned: LIFT STL Designs For Health (use 18STRONG as your provider, if needed) Thorne MyProtein.com