Is toughness about taking the punch, getting back up, or avoiding the hit altogether? Cecilia Craft, the Philadelphia Phillies' Director of Mental Performance, reveals a groundbreaking framework for understanding mental toughness across generations. Drawing from her experience in MLB and Special Forces, she breaks down why different approaches to adversity might all have their place. Learn: The surprising generational shift in how we handle life's challenges When avoiding hardship might be smarter than pushing through A counterintuitive truth about building psychological strength Why your approach to difficulty might be limiting your growth The hidden value of each mental toughness strategy Want to work with Ceci? Reach out on X or LinkedIn. Get my weekly newsletter - Adaptation Book Erik for your next event Start AIM7 for Free   Quotable moments: "Sometimes mindfulness doesn't save you. You have to have a tolerance for the hard - that's part of the journey." - Ceci Clark "The first time's pretty scary. Then once you have proof you can do it, it's not so scary anymore." - Ceci Clark "Figure out what you can impact and pay attention to that. Sometimes it's the pebble in the pond." - Ceci Clark ABOUT THE BLUEPRINT PODCAST: The BluePrint Podcast is for busy professionals and Household CEOs who care deeply about their families, career, and health. Host Dr. Erik Korem distills cutting edge-science, leadership, and life skills into simple tactics optimized for your busy lifestyle and goals.   Dr. Korem interviews scientists, coaches, elite athletes, entrepreneurs, entertainers, and exceptional people to discuss science and practical skills you can implement to become the most healthy, resilient, and impactful version of yourself. On a mission to equip people to pursue audacious goals, thrive in uncertainty, and live a healthy and fulfilled life, Dr. Erik Korem is a High-Performance pioneer. He introduced sports science and athlete-tracking technologies to collegiate and professional (NFL) football over a decade ago. He has worked with the National Football League, Power-5 NCAA programs, gold-medal Olympians, Nike, and the United States Department of Defense. Erik is an expert in sleep and stress resilience. He is the Founder and CEO of AIM7, the #1 pickleball health and performance app that helps pickleball players win more, recovery faster, and prevent pain and injury. SUPPORT & CONNECT Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikkorem/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/ErikKorem LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-korem-phd-19991734/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erikkorem Website - https://www.erikkorem.com/ Newsletter - https://adaptation.beehiiv.com/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In part one of a new series on pickleball conditioning, I break down the science behind conditioning and reveal why most players are training incorrectly. I provide a detailed overview of the energy systems you need to train to transform your game and prevent burnout. Learn: Why traditional conditioning methods might be hurting your pickleball performance How three distinct energy systems power your gameplay differently The hidden connection between skill development and physical conditioning The critical mistake singles players make in their training approach Why some players gas out while others maintain intensity Join the Ultimate Pickleball Off-Season Program. Click here to learn more. Get my weekly newsletter - Adaptation Book Erik for your next event Start AIM7 for Free Quotable moments: "You can't separate strength and conditioning from skill development. They're two sides of the same coin." - Dr. Erik Korem "Every activity affects all the systems in your body - nervous system, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and more. Nothing operates in isolation." - Dr. Erik Korem "The stronger your aerobic system, the less you'll rely on anaerobic metabolism, which means you can maintain higher outputs without burning out." - Dr. Erik Korem   ABOUT THE BLUEPRINT PODCAST: The BluePrint Podcast is for busy professionals and Household CEOs who care deeply about their families, career, and health. Host Dr. Erik Korem distills cutting edge-science, leadership, and life skills into simple tactics optimized for your busy lifestyle and goals.   Dr. Korem interviews scientists, coaches, elite athletes, entrepreneurs, entertainers, and exceptional people to discuss science and practical skills you can implement to become the most healthy, resilient, and impactful version of yourself. On a mission to equip people to pursue audacious goals, thrive in uncertainty, and live a healthy and fulfilled life, Dr. Erik Korem is a High-Performance pioneer. He introduced sports science and athlete-tracking technologies to collegiate and professional (NFL) football over a decade ago. He has worked with the National Football League, Power-5 NCAA programs, gold-medal Olympians, Nike, and the United States Department of Defense. Erik is an expert in sleep and stress resilience. He is the Founder and CEO of AIM7, the #1 pickleball health and performance app that helps pickleball players win more, recovery faster, and prevent pain and injury. SUPPORT & CONNECT Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikkorem/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/ErikKorem LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-korem-phd-19991734/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erikkorem Website - https://www.erikkorem.com/ Newsletter - https://adaptation.beehiiv.com/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Struggling to put on weight despite eating everything in sight? Pratik Patel, former Director of Performance Nutrition for the New York Giants, reveals the science behind healthy weight gain. In this eye-opening episode of The BluePrint, Pratik demystifies the challenges faced by "hard gainers." Drawing from his experience with elite athletes and everyday individuals, Pratik breaks down effective strategies for building muscle mass. Discover: Why some people struggle to gain weight despite overeating The truth about caloric surplus and its impact on muscle gain How to structure your diet for optimal weight gain without excess fat The role of resistance training in healthy weight gain Supplements that can support your muscle-building journey Get my weekly newsletter - Adaptation Book Erik for your next event Start AIM7 for Free Want to work with Pratik? Apply here   Quotable moments: "Almost 10 times out of 10, when I've worked with somebody individually, it's like, 'Hey, let's go over the course of a few days. If you want to do a full week, then that's even better to understand what your habits are.'" - Pratik Patel "If you want to gain weight, you want to gain muscle. You don't want it to say, 'Hey, I want to gain fat. Cause that's cool.'" - Pratik Patel "There's good research showing that you don't have to have this massive surplus because they've tested in a variety of different types of studies, a 3 percent surplus, a 5, a 10, you know, even more." - Pratik Patel ABOUT THE BLUEPRINT PODCAST: The BluePrint Podcast is for busy professionals and Household CEOs who care deeply about their families, career, and health. Host Dr. Erik Korem distills cutting edge-science, leadership, and life skills into simple tactics optimized for your busy lifestyle and goals.   Dr. Korem interviews scientists, coaches, elite athletes, entrepreneurs, entertainers, and exceptional people to discuss science and practical skills you can implement to become the most healthy, resilient, and impactful version of yourself. On a mission to equip people to pursue audacious goals, thrive in uncertainty, and live a healthy and fulfilled life, Dr. Erik Korem is a High-Performance pioneer. He introduced sports science and athlete-tracking technologies to collegiate and professional (NFL) football over a decade ago. He has worked with the National Football League, Power-5 NCAA programs, gold-medal Olympians, Nike, and the United States Department of Defense. Erik is an expert in sleep and stress resilience. He is the Founder and CEO of AIM7, the #1 pickleball health and performance app that helps pickleball players win more, recovery faster, and prevent pain and injury. SUPPORT & CONNECT Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikkorem/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/ErikKorem LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-korem-phd-19991734/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erikkorem Website - https://www.erikkorem.com/ Newsletter - https://adaptation.beehiiv.com/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it really take to perform at the highest level? Cecilia Craft, Director of Mental Performance for the Philadelphia Phillies, reveals uncomfortable truths about elite performance. Drawing from her experience in MLB and Special Forces, she challenges common beliefs about high performance and mental health. Learn: Why being well-rounded might be holding you back from peak performance The counterintuitive relationship between mental health and elite achievement Surprising truth about self-awareness in top performers The real price of becoming world-class at anything Why there are no shortcuts to mastery in any field Want to work with Ceci? Reach out on X or LinkedIn. Get my weekly newsletter - Adaptation Book Erik for your next event Start AIM7 for Free   Quotable moments: "Good mental health does not equal good performance and poor mental health does not equal bad performance." - Ceci Clark "There are some very hard realities in high performance - skin in the game, sweat equity, they have return on investment." - Ceci Clark "If you want to be great, there are not hacks." - Ceci Clark ABOUT THE BLUEPRINT PODCAST: The BluePrint Podcast is for busy professionals and Household CEOs who care deeply about their families, career, and health. Host Dr. Erik Korem distills cutting edge-science, leadership, and life skills into simple tactics optimized for your busy lifestyle and goals.   Dr. Korem interviews scientists, coaches, elite athletes, entrepreneurs, entertainers, and exceptional people to discuss science and practical skills you can implement to become the most healthy, resilient, and impactful version of yourself. On a mission to equip people to pursue audacious goals, thrive in uncertainty, and live a healthy and fulfilled life, Dr. Erik Korem is a High-Performance pioneer. He introduced sports science and athlete-tracking technologies to collegiate and professional (NFL) football over a decade ago. He has worked with the National Football League, Power-5 NCAA programs, gold-medal Olympians, Nike, and the United States Department of Defense. Erik is an expert in sleep and stress resilience. He is the Founder and CEO of AIM7, the #1 pickleball health and performance app that helps pickleball players win more, recovery faster, and prevent pain and injury. SUPPORT & CONNECT Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikkorem/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/ErikKorem LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-korem-phd-19991734/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erikkorem Website - https://www.erikkorem.com/ Newsletter - https://adaptation.beehiiv.com/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, I dive into groundbreaking research that settles the protein vs. carbs post-workout debate for dieters. Drawing from a recent study by Gwyn and colleagues, I reveal the optimal post-workout nutrition strategy for maintaining muscle mass while in a caloric deficit. I'll answer your questions about using whey protein, essential amino acids (EAA), carbs, creatine, and collagen peptides. If you're tired of losing hard-earned muscle during diet phases, this episode is your solution. Learn: The crucial nutrient combination that prevents muscle loss while dieting Why traditional post-workout shakes might be failing dieters A surprising supplement stack that maximizes muscle preservation The hidden impact of caloric deficits on muscle building The truth about carbohydrates during weight loss phases Weight Loss Recovery Recommendation Men: 20g whey, 5g Collagen, 20g Essential Amino Acids, 5g Creatine Women: 10g whey, 10g EAA, 5g Collagen, 2.5g Creatine Non-Weight Loss Recovery Recommendation Men: 30-40g whey, 5g collagen, 5g creatine + Carbs as needed Women: 20-25g whey, 5g collagen, 2.5g creatine + Carbs as needed BUBs Collagen - use code AIM725 for a 25% discount Thorne Whey Protein Thorne Amino Acid Complex Thorne Creatine Get my weekly newsletter - Adaptation Book Erik for your next event Start AIM7 for Free Paper: Consuming Whey Protein with Added Essential Amino Acids, not Carbohydrate, Maintains Post-Exercise Anabolism while Underfed   Quotable moments: "The last thing you want to have happen is that you diet and you end up just a smaller version of yourself." - Dr. Erik Korem "Leucine is particularly important for muscle protein synthesis because it acts as a key trigger that activates the muscle building process." - Dr. Erik Korem "When participants were in a calorie deficit, the EAA enriched protein drink led to significantly higher rates of muscle protein synthesis." - Dr. Erik Korem ABOUT THE BLUEPRINT PODCAST: The BluePrint Podcast is for busy professionals and Household CEOs who care deeply about their families, career, and health. Host Dr. Erik Korem distills cutting edge-science, leadership, and life skills into simple tactics optimized for your busy lifestyle and goals.   Dr. Korem interviews scientists, coaches, elite athletes, entrepreneurs, entertainers, and exceptional people to discuss science and practical skills you can implement to become the most healthy, resilient, and impactful version of yourself. On a mission to equip people to pursue audacious goals, thrive in uncertainty, and live a healthy and fulfilled life, Dr. Erik Korem is a High-Performance pioneer. He introduced sports science and athlete-tracking technologies to collegiate and professional (NFL) football over a decade ago. He has worked with the National Football League, Power-5 NCAA programs, gold-medal Olympians, Nike, and the United States Department of Defense. Erik is an expert in sleep and stress resilience. He is the Founder and CEO of AIM7, the #1 pickleball health and performance app that helps pickleball players win more, recovery faster, and prevent pain and injury. SUPPORT & CONNECT Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikkorem/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/ErikKorem LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-korem-phd-19991734/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erikkorem Website - https://www.erikkorem.com/ Newsletter - https://adaptation.beehiiv.com/subscribe See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Strapped for time but want to maximize your workouts? Discover how much training you really need and the innovative structure that can slash your gym time. Learn about the common pitfalls in workout planning and the concept of microdosing, breaking sessions into 15-minute bursts. Uncover how supersets can save over 35% of your workout duration. Plus, understand the ideal volume for muscle growth and the importance of multi-joint exercises!

Discover how clinical hypnotherapy is transforming professional performance and sleep quality. Clinical Hypnotherapist Charlène Gisèle unpacks the science behind this evidence-based practice, dispelling common misconceptions and revealing practical applications for peak performers. Drawing from her extensive work with professionals dealing with sleep challenges and performance optimization, she shares actionable insights about mind training and recovery. Learn: The scientific difference between clinical hypnosis and stage hypnosis How self-hypnosis techniques can enhance focus and energy Why sleep quality affects professional performance Practical methods to transition from work mode to rest Get my weekly newsletter - Adaptation Book Erik for your next event Start AIM7 for Free Connect with Charlene on Instagram, LinkedIn, and check out her Podcast Quotable moments: "Clinical hypnotherapy is one of the most bespoke forms of therapy available for peak performers who have very little time." - Charlène Gisèle "Self-hypnosis is mind training. It's like building muscle mass - you develop the skill through consistent practice." - Charlène Gisèle "How many people say 'I log off, but I can't switch off'? That's poor mind management, and it's a trainable skill." - Charlène Gisèle ABOUT THE BLUEPRINT PODCAST: The BluePrint Podcast is for busy professionals and Household CEOs who care deeply about their families, career, and health. Host Dr. Erik Korem distills cutting edge-science, leadership, and life skills into simple tactics optimized for your busy lifestyle and goals.   Dr. Korem interviews scientists, coaches, elite athletes, entrepreneurs, entertainers, and exceptional people to discuss science and practical skills you can implement to become the most healthy, resilient, and impactful version of yourself. On a mission to equip people to pursue audacious goals, thrive in uncertainty, and live a healthy and fulfilled life, Dr. Erik Korem is a High-Performance pioneer. He introduced sports science and athlete-tracking technologies to collegiate and professional (NFL) football over a decade ago. He has worked with the National Football League, Power-5 NCAA programs, gold-medal Olympians, Nike, and the United States Department of Defense. Erik is an expert in sleep and stress resilience. He is the Founder and CEO of AIM7, the #1 pickleball health and performance app that helps pickleball players win more, recovery faster, and prevent pain and injury. SUPPORT & CONNECT Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikkorem/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/ErikKorem LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-korem-phd-19991734/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erikkorem Website - https://www.erikkorem.com/ Newsletter - https://adaptation.beehiiv.com/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jaime Schmidt, founder of Schmidt's Naturals and pickleball investor, joins Dr. Erik Korem to discuss how pickleball and training for pickleball has impacted her health and wellness. They also unpack how pickleball impacts longevity, mental health, and community wellness. Armed with fresh scientific data, they explore why combining pickleball with basic resistance training can cut your mortality risk nearly in half, and why this accessible sport might be the key to transforming community health. Join the AIM7 x UCLA Pickleball Study and get AIM7 FREE for 90-Days Get Jamie’s Book: Supermaker: Crafting Business on Your Own Terms Connect with Jamie on Instagram, and check out her website Get my weekly newsletter - Adaptation Book Erik for your next event Start AIM7 for Free Quotable moments: "Everybody's happier on the court. We're just so lucky to be alive during this evolution of this fantastic new sport." - Jaime Schmidt "The friendships I've developed from pickleball are like anything I've ever experienced." - Jaime Schmidt "A lot of people play pickleball for exercise, but then there's others who will exercise for pickleball." - Jaime Schmidt ABOUT THE BLUEPRINT PODCAST: The BluePrint Podcast is for busy professionals and Household CEOs who care deeply about their families, career, and health. Host Dr. Erik Korem distills cutting edge-science, leadership, and life skills into simple tactics optimized for your busy lifestyle and goals.   Dr. Korem interviews scientists, coaches, elite athletes, entrepreneurs, entertainers, and exceptional people to discuss science and practical skills you can implement to become the most healthy, resilient, and impactful version of yourself. On a mission to equip people to pursue audacious goals, thrive in uncertainty, and live a healthy and fulfilled life, Dr. Erik Korem is a High-Performance pioneer. He introduced sports science and athlete-tracking technologies to collegiate and professional (NFL) football over a decade ago. He has worked with the National Football League, Power-5 NCAA programs, gold-medal Olympians, Nike, and the United States Department of Defense. Erik is an expert in sleep and stress resilience. He is the Founder and CEO of AIM7, the #1 pickleball health and performance app that helps pickleball players win more, recovery faster, and prevent pain and injury. SUPPORT & CONNECT Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikkorem/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/ErikKorem LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-korem-phd-19991734/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erikkorem Website - https://www.erikkorem.com/ Newsletter - https://adaptation.beehiiv.com/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you know that expressing gratitude physically reshapes your brain? In this timely episode, I dive deep into the fascinating neuroscience behind gratitude and thanksgiving, revealing how these practices can transform your life, relationships, and leadership. Drawing from neuroscience research and personal experience, I explore the subtle but powerful differences between gratitude, thankfulness, and thanksgiving, unpacking how each uniquely contributes to our wellbeing. Learn: How specific brain regions activate when we experience genuine gratitude Why gratitude acts as a natural antidepressant in your brain The surprising link between thanksgiving and team performance Simple practices that build stronger neural pathways for positivity The hidden difference between being thankful and practicing thanksgiving Get my weekly newsletter - Adaptation Book Erik for your next event Start AIM7 for Free Quotable moments: "If you have a group of people that are truly grateful, they're going to work harder for each other." - Dr. Erik Korem "Gratitude isn't just a feel-good thing. It actually involves specific neural mechanisms in our brain." - Dr. Erik Korem "When we practice gratitude regularly, we're building stronger neural pathways, reinforcing those positive thought patterns." - Dr. Erik Korem ABOUT THE BLUEPRINT PODCAST: The BluePrint Podcast is for busy professionals and Household CEOs who care deeply about their families, career, and health. Host Dr. Erik Korem distills cutting edge-science, leadership, and life skills into simple tactics optimized for your busy lifestyle and goals.   Dr. Korem interviews scientists, coaches, elite athletes, entrepreneurs, entertainers, and exceptional people to discuss science and practical skills you can implement to become the most healthy, resilient, and impactful version of yourself. On a mission to equip people to pursue audacious goals, thrive in uncertainty, and live a healthy and fulfilled life, Dr. Erik Korem is a High-Performance pioneer. He introduced sports science and athlete-tracking technologies to collegiate and professional (NFL) football over a decade ago. He has worked with the National Football League, Power-5 NCAA programs, gold-medal Olympians, Nike, and the United States Department of Defense. Erik is an expert in sleep and stress resilience. He is the Founder and CEO of AIM7, the #1 pickleball health and performance app that helps pickleball players win more, recovery faster, and prevent pain and injury. SUPPORT & CONNECT Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikkorem/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/ErikKorem LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-korem-phd-19991734/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erikkorem Website - https://www.erikkorem.com/ Newsletter - https://adaptation.beehiiv.com/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it really take to build a business from nothing? Jaime Schmidt transformed her kitchen experiments into Schmidt's Naturals while balancing new parenthood and bootstrapping every step of the way. In this revealing conversation with Dr. Erik Korem, Jaime shares the raw truth about maintaining focus through constant pressure, making sacrifices, and trusting her intuition to scale a company to acquisition by Unilever. For high performers seeking to elevate their game in business and life, Jamie offers honest insights about pushing through doubt, making decisive moves with limited resources, and staying true to your vision when everything feels overwhelming. Learn: Her counterintuitive strategy that led to breakthrough growth How to maintain focus when you're wearing every hat in the business The truth about bootstrapping while balancing personal life When to trust your intuition over traditional business advice The distribution strategy that competitors were afraid to try Get Jamie’s Book: Supermaker: Crafting Business on Your Own Terms Connect with Jamie on Instagram, and check out her website Get my weekly newsletter - Adaptation Book Erik for your next event Start AIM7 for Free Quotable moments: "Say yes now, then figure out how." - Jaime Schmidt "You can't be everything to everyone. If you try to do all of it, you're muddying up your brand." - Jaime Schmidt "There's so much gut feeling that comes into play when you're an entrepreneur, it's just like you can't even explain it sometimes." - Jaime Schmidt ABOUT THE BLUEPRINT PODCAST: The BluePrint Podcast is for busy professionals and Household CEOs who care deeply about their families, career, and health. Host Dr. Erik Korem distills cutting edge-science, leadership, and life skills into simple tactics optimized for your busy lifestyle and goals.   Dr. Korem interviews scientists, coaches, elite athletes, entrepreneurs, entertainers, and exceptional people to discuss science and practical skills you can implement to become the most healthy, resilient, and impactful version of yourself. On a mission to equip people to pursue audacious goals, thrive in uncertainty, and live a healthy and fulfilled life, Dr. Erik Korem is a High-Performance pioneer. He introduced sports science and athlete-tracking technologies to collegiate and professional (NFL) football over a decade ago. He has worked with the National Football League, Power-5 NCAA programs, gold-medal Olympians, Nike, and the United States Department of Defense. Erik is an expert in sleep and stress resilience. He is the Founder and CEO of AIM7, the #1 pickleball health and performance app that helps pickleball players win more, recovery faster, and prevent pain and injury. SUPPORT & CONNECT Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikkorem/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/ErikKorem LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-korem-phd-19991734/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erikkorem Website - https://www.erikkorem.com/ Newsletter - https://adaptation.beehiiv.com/subscribe  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.