Just Fly Performance Podcast

Joel Smith, Just-Fly-Sports.com
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Aug 21, 2025 • 1h 17min

477: Boo Schexnayder on General Strength and the Art of Comprehensive Athletic Development

Today’s guest is Boo Schexnayder. Irving “Boo” Schexnayder is a world-class coach and consultant with over 44 years of experience in track and field. Renowned for producing 26 NCAA Champions and 8 Olympic/World Championship medalists, he co-founded Schexnayder Athletic Consulting and founded the Track and Field Academy. A former LSU coach and USA Track and Field leader, Boo’s expertise in biomechanics and training design extends to multiple sports, making him a sought-after mentor worldwide. It's common to think that, as time moves forward in any discipline, that discipline becomes better. What seems to define much of athletic performance and sport itself is that outputs become the priority while movement quality and literacy become watered down. On today’s podcast, Boo gives wisdom into the process of comprehensive athletic development by leaning into general strength and movement training. He goes over his movement batteries, scramble circuits, training diversity, and tempo sprints. Boo also gives his take on the use of supramaximal eccentrics, covers hamstring injury prevention strategies, and discusses his sprint-float-sprint protocols, alongside a sea of further training wisdom. Today’s episode is brought to you by Hammer Strength and LILA Exogen wearable resistance. Use the code “justfly25” for 25% off any Lila Exogen wearable resistance training, including the popular Exogen Calf Sleeves. For this offer, head to Lilateam.com View more podcast episodes at the podcast homepage. (https://www.just-fly-sports.com/podcast-home/) Timestamps 1:25 – The evolution of general strength since the 90s 23:12 – General strength across track and team sports 28:47 – Adding multi-directional work for linear athletes 37:18 – Managing tempo volume for higher intensity 42:50 – Polarized training over middle-ground tempo 44:14 – Using tempo for restoration, not breakdown 47:24 – Short sprints on low days to cap tissue load 48:50 – Eccentric overload within a balanced profile 57:08 – Sprinting and mobility for hamstring resilience 1:12:02 – Setting fly-float-fly zones by max velocity 1:12:52 – Coaching lessons that shaped training design Actionable Takeaways 1:25 – The evolution of general strength since the 90s Boo explains that early “general strength” meant broad, circuit-based work (med balls, hurdle mobility, bodyweight drills), and over time, coaches either overcomplicated it or lost sight of its role. What to try: Keep general strength simple—circuits that are easy to teach, scalable, and repeatable. Don’t let weight room complexity replace basic movement skill. Revisit older methods (hurdle mobility, med ball throws) that build coordination without heavy stress. 28:47 – Adding multi-directional work for linear athletes Even linear sprinters benefit from “scramble” circuits and agility-oriented elements. Boo stresses that multi-directional tasks improve coordination, robustness, and adaptability. What to try: Sprinkle in agility, shuffles, and lateral bounds for athletes who train mostly linear. Build circuits that force athletes to problem-solve movement, not just run straight lines. Think “movement quality first”—variety pays off long term. 37:18 – Managing tempo volume for higher intensity Boo highlights that loading too much tempo work flattens intensity. Athletes need tempo in the right amount—enough for conditioning, not so much that it dulls speed. What to try: Keep tempo volumes moderate so athletes can still sprint fast on quality days. Use tempo as restoration or rhythm training, not just mileage. Remember: more work doesn’t equal better adaptation—protect intensity. 47:24 – Short sprints on low days to cap tissue load Boo explains that short 10m sprints can safely live on “low” days—they maintain speed exposure without frying the system. What to try: Program 2–3 sets of short accelerations on low CNS days.
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Aug 14, 2025 • 1h 43min

476: Kathy Sierra on Movement Mastery in Horses, Humans, and Robots

Today’s guest is Kathy Sierra. Kathy Sierra is a computer scientist, author, and horse-movement innovator who bridges neuroscience, learning psychology, and equine training. Co-creator of the award-winning Head First programming series and founder of the JavaRanch community, she later turned her expertise in intrinsic motivation toward her lifelong passion for horses. Through her Panther Flow approach, Kathy helps horses and riders unlock confident, curious, and expressive movement, sharing her work worldwide through courses, workshops, and writing. In training and movement, drilling “perfect form” is standard practice. The more we get into how humans learn, the more we realize that “perfect form” is a myth, and learning is a far more complex venture. Using both differential learning (variety) and constraints helps athletes hone in on their own optimal (and robust) technique, without needing to constantly be looking for one “perfect” way to do things. This is not only true in animals, but also in humans and in machine learning. On this week’s episode, Kathy covers aspects of training horses using the same motor learning concepts that work best in humans. She also goes into how and why robots learn to move better based on constraints, trial and error, versus a “perfect technique” type of programming. This is a fascinating and wide-ranging discussion on human movement, learning, and sport skill. Today’s episode is brought to you by Hammer Strength. View more podcast episodes at the podcast homepage. (https://www.just-fly-sports.com/podcast-home/) Timestamps 0:06 – Introduction to Horse Training Insights 11:16 – Discovering the Community of Movement 21:40 – The Power of Natural Movement 32:19 – Emotions in Movement and Skill Acquisition 41:22 – The Impact of Coaching on Authenticity 53:51 – Techniques for Encouraging Movement Exploration 1:00:23 – The Power of Pattern Interrupts 1:11:34 – The Role of Exploration in Coaching 1:15:18 – Adapting Like Animals 1:22:42 – Embracing Novelty for Movement 1:29:25 – The Myth of Optimality 1:35:18 – Serendipity in Learning Key Takeaways Introduction to Horse Training Insights – [0:06] Kathy shares how working with horses revealed universal truths about movement and behavior, clear communication, patience, and trust underpin both animal and human learning. What to try: Start with establishing safety and trust before layering complexity. Use observation as your first tool, notice subtle shifts in posture or energy. Match your cues to the learner’s readiness, not your agenda. Discovering the Community of Movement – [11:16] She describes how connecting with other movement-minded people broadened her perspective and expanded her toolkit. What to try: Seek out cross-disciplinary conversations, dancers, martial artists, animal trainers. Share drills and games openly; let others adapt them for their setting. Use community feedback as a way to refine your own approach. The Power of Natural Movement – [21:40] Kathy emphasizes that natural, unforced movement often produces the most authentic and sustainable skill. What to try: Design environments that invite natural movement patterns to emerge. Remove overbearing cues, let the body self-organize. Watch for efficiency and ease, not just output. Emotions in Movement and Skill Acquisition – [32:19] She links emotional state to physical learning, noting that fear or tension can block skill development. What to try: Pair challenging tasks with positive emotional experiences. Recognize emotional cues, frustration, joy, hesitation, and adjust tasks accordingly. Celebrate small wins to keep confidence high. The Impact of Coaching on Authenticity – [41:22] Kathy warns that over-coaching can erode authenticity in movement. What to try: Avoid shaping every rep, allow athletes to bring their own style. Use fewer,
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Aug 7, 2025 • 1h 3min

475: Tim Riley on Intuitive Speed and Strength Training Concepts

Today’s guest is Tim Riley. Tim Riley is the Director of Sports Performance at Kollective in Austin, where he leads one of the nation’s top NFL off‑season training programs and works with elite athletes across the NFL, NBA, PLL, and AVP. He also serves as a Lead Performance Coach with C4 Energy and Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for the University of Texas Men’s Lacrosse team. Beyond the weight room, Tim shares his knowledge through his podcast, Coach Em Up, and his social media platforms. On today’s podcast, Tim speaks on how he synthesizes the complexities and possibilities of training into his intuitive process. On the show, we cover numerous items of speed and strength training, digging into the daily training process. We also cover the help and use of strength machines, conditioning, capacity, training stimulation, and much more. Today’s episode is brought to you by Hammer Strength. View more podcast episodes at the podcast homepage. (https://www.just-fly-sports.com/podcast-home/) Timestamps 1:00 – The Need for Simplicity in a Complex Coaching World 6:08 – Is Complexity Distracting Us from What Actually Matters? 11:55 – What Are Athletes Actually Feeling During a Drill? 18:42 – How Do We Make Coaching Feel Less Robotic? 25:30 – What If the Goal Isn’t Perfection, But Exploration? 32:09 – Can We Trust Athletes to Self-Organize? 39:46 – When Do We Step In, and When Do We Step Back? 47:22 – How to Handle “Messy” Reps and Unscripted Movement 54:11 – Are You Coaching for Output or Adaptability? 1:01:18 – Letting Go of the Illusion of Total Control Actionable Takeaways The Need for Simplicity  in a Complex Coaching World – [1:00] Tim emphasizes that sometimes doing less creates more buy-in. When things are simple and grounded, athletes feel safe to go all-in. What to try: Open sessions with minimal barriers, simple tasks that athletes can immediately attack. Anchor your program in clear, foundational principles. Avoid over-layering. Use simplicity to build confidence before introducing complexity. Is Complexity Distracting Us from What Actually Matters? – [6:08] Tim reflects on times when adding more didn’t add value. Too much complexity can distract from what makes athletes feel fast, powerful, or confident. What to try: If a drill looks cool but the athletes are confused, simplify. Choose training elements that resonate emotionally and physically with athletes. Prioritize what sticks with them, not what looks best on social media. What Are Athletes Actually Feeling During a Drill? – [11:55] Tim discusses the disconnect between what coaches see and what athletes actually experience. You won’t know unless you ask. What to try: Regularly pause to ask: “What did that feel like?” Adjust based on athlete feedback, even if it means letting go of your favorite drill. Use sensation-based questions to help athletes build awareness (“Did you feel the bounce off the floor?”). How Do We Make Coaching Feel Less Robotic? – [18:42] Athletes shut down when things feel overly mechanical. Tim points out that meaningful training often happens in the gray areas, not the rigidly planned ones. What to try: Let warmups flow with energy, don’t always stick to a static script. Mix structure with spontaneity. Athletes should feel like they’re moving, not executing code. Lean into athlete body language. Adjust volume and tone on the fly. What If the Goal Isn’t Perfection, But Exploration? – [25:30] Tim encourages a shift from perfect execution to active exploration. Growth comes from seeing what might work, not just repeating what’s safe. What to try: Create “choose your own path” movement options in skill work. Use sessions that feel like problem-solving, not rehearsing. Acknowledge when athletes take a risk, even if the result isn’t clean. Can We Trust Athletes to Self-Organize? – [32:09]
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Jul 31, 2025 • 1h 1min

474: Joel Smith on 12 Reasons Athletes Plateau in a Performance Program

Joel Smith speaks on 12 reasons why athletes and coaches may hit a plateau in their performance programs. These include: 1. Lack of stimulation in the training environment 2. Too much stimulation in the training environment 3. Not enough creativity or novelty 4. Lack of a clear plan 5. Too much weightlifting 6. Not enough weightlifting 7. Monotony from failing to wave training loads 8. A lack of representative play and exploration 9. Deficits in skill learning 10. Programs that feel too constricting 11. Athletes not feeling truly seen or heard 12.  Gaps in belief and motivation In this episode, we’ll unpack these elements one by one, while also exploring practical methods coaches and athletes can use to break through these plateaus and unlock new levels of performance. Today’s episode is brought to you by Hammer Strength. View more podcast episodes at the podcast homepage. (https://www.just-fly-sports.com/podcast-home/) Timestamps 1:10 – Lack of Stimulation in the Training Environment3:18 – Too Much Stimulation in the Training Environment6:00 – Not Enough Creativity or Novelty7:36 – Lack of a Clear Plan10:20 – Too Much Weightlifting12:12 – Not Enough Weightlifting13:44 – Monotony from Failing to Wave Training Loads16:00 – A Lack of Representative Play and Exploration18:25 – Deficits in Skill Learning20:47 – Programs That Feel Too Constricting23:00 – Athletes Not Feeling Truly Seen or Heard25:03 – Gaps in Belief and Motivation Actionable Takeaways Lack of Stimulation in the Training Environment – [1:10] Athletes disengage when training lacks challenge or relevance. Too many repetitive drills and static formats dull the nervous system and the mind. What to try: Use small-sided games or reactive drills to increase decision density. Rotate training environments or sensory constraints to create novelty. Avoid overly choreographed warmups—build something they have to solve. Too Much Stimulation in the Training Environment – [3:18] Overloading athletes with chaos, cues, or novelty can backfire. When there’s too much going on, meaningful adaptation slows down. What to try: Balance open tasks with periods of focused repetition. Simplify instructions—set the environment, then observe. Know when to back off and give space for consolidation. Not Enough Creativity or Novelty – [6:00] Without moments of surprise or exploration, athletes stop learning. Creativity sparks engagement—and often, better movement solutions. What to try: Add odd objects, uneven surfaces, or unconventional constraints. Give athletes freedom within drills to explore variations. Don’t aim for perfect reps—aim for meaningful reps. Lack of a Clear Plan – [7:36] Randomness without progression can feel chaotic. Athletes need to see where training is going—even if it's nonlinear. What to try: Cycle phases between creative exposure and focused refinement. Revisit key themes and skills, even in exploratory training. Share your intent—clarity builds trust. Too Much Weightlifting – [10:20] Lifting can become a crutch when it overshadows movement quality or reduces time for skill and game-speed work. What to try: Trim down barbell volume in favor of transfer-driven tasks. Use loaded movements that keep athletes grounded and aware. Ask: Is this lift enhancing or muting athleticism? Not Enough Weightlifting – [12:12] Some environments undervalue lifting altogether, leading to gaps in tissue tolerance and general strength. What to try: Use tempo and iso-based lifts to build coordination and robustness. Make lifting complementary, not competitive, with field work. Keep it simple—progressive resistance is still powerful when done well. Monotony from Failing to Wave Training Loads – [13:44]
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Jul 24, 2025 • 1h 5min

473: Michael Zweifel on Athletic Artistry and Movement Intelligence

Michael Zweifel, the Defensive Coordinator at UW–La Crosse and founder of BBA Performance, dives into the artistry of athletic skill development. He discusses a creative and adaptable coaching approach that emphasizes movement intelligence and decision-making amidst chaos. Zweifel explores how constraints-led coaching can enhance athletes' versatility, the cross-pollination of skills from football to basketball, and the balance between structure and freedom during training. Playfulness in movement also emerges as a vital component of long-term athlete development.
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Jul 17, 2025 • 49min

472: Will Ratelle on Giant Sets and the Art of Adaptive Training

Today’s guest is Will “Hoss” Ratelle — former All-Big Sky linebacker turned strength and conditioning coach, with experience at the University of North Dakota, the NFL, and the CFL. Known for his intense, results-driven training style, Hoss blends his pro football background with evidence-based methods to build size, speed, and resilience in athletes. He’s also the creator of popular programs like “Hoss Concurrent” and a respected voice in the online performance space. Most fitness and training education tends to be rigid, centered around fixed sets, reps, heart rate zones, and prescribed loads and timing. While this structure has value, athletes eventually need to move beyond it and enter a more adaptive, natural rhythm of training. Sets and reps can serve as a starting point, but great coaching gives training a feel, one that fosters ownership, problem-solving, and deeper athlete engagement. On today’s episode, Will Ratelle shares practical strategies for building training protocols that allow for flexibility and athlete autonomy. He discusses how to keep athletes dialed in during strength and power work, while also diving into topics like hamstring rehab, velocity-based training, and more. Today’s episode is brought to you by Hammer Strength. Use the code "justfly25" for 25% off any Lila Exogen wearable resistance training, including the popular Exogen Calf Sleeves. For this offer, head to Lilateam.com View more podcast episodes at the podcast homepage. (https://www.just-fly-sports.com/podcast-home/) Timestamps 0:12 – Transitioning from College S&C to Academia and Private Sector 5:41 – Training Adjustments for Harsh Winter Environments 9:35 – The Role of Giant Sets in Strength Training 15:11 – Building Competition and Problem-Solving into Small Group Training 18:05 – Time-Based Plyometrics for Better Autoregulation 22:50 – Applying Time-Based Models to Jumps and Olympic Lifts 27:21 – Minimalist Approach to Accessory Work in Training 30:54 – Using Velocity-Based Training for Autoregulation 41:25 – Hamstring Rehab Strategies Using Sled Work and Sprint Progressions 44:37 – Perspectives on Nordics and Eccentric Hamstring Training Actionable Takeaways Training Adjustments for Harsh Winter Environments – [5:41] Training outdoors year-round is unrealistic in extreme winters. Will adapts by simplifying programming indoors and accepting seasonal fluctuations in volume and intensity. What to try: Plan for seasonal ebbs and flows, especially in outdoor-heavy programs. Shift to more controlled indoor environments during harsh weather periods. Keep aerobic and speed elements alive through creative indoor alternatives like tempo sleds or circuits. The Role of Giant Sets in Strength Training – [9:35] Will uses giant sets to create training flexibility. These allow athletes to autoregulate volume, manage energy, and work at their own pace without strict rep schemes. What to try: Build sessions around circuits of 3–4 movements: main lift, jump, core, mobility. Set time limits (e.g., 20 minutes) instead of strict sets/reps. Let athletes self-select volume based on daily readiness. Building Competition and Problem-Solving into Small Group Training – [15:11] Will’s small group setups naturally encourage problem-solving, teamwork, and friendly competition—all without over-coaching. What to try: Create circuits or mini-competitions that require collaboration. Encourage athletes to solve challenges together (e.g., team med ball throws for max reps). Keep coaching cues minimal—let athletes figure things out. Time-Based Plyometrics for Better Autoregulation – [18:05] Will prefers time-based plyo sets to help athletes naturally regulate their own volume and quality of output as they warm up and fatigue. What to try: Run 30-60 second blocks for depth jumps or hops instead of fixed reps. Encourage gradual build-up in intensity within each b...
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Jul 10, 2025 • 1h 21min

471: Cameron Josse and Joel Reinhardt on Movement, Speed, and Capacity Building in Football Performance

In this engaging discussion, Cameron Josse, an Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach for the Detroit Lions, and Joel Reinhardt, Director of Football Performance at Lafayette College, share their insights on football training. They dive into the intricacies of contact preparation and the unique demands of college versus pro football. Key highlights include the importance of ground-based techniques, the role of agility in player development, and the impact of advanced training technologies. Their expertise sheds light on optimizing athlete performance while minimizing injury risks.
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Jul 3, 2025 • 0sec

470: Jay DeMayo on Oxidative Split Squats and Building Power in Position

Today’s guest is Jay DeMayo, Jay is the longtime strength coach for men’s basketball at the University of Richmond and the founder of CVASPS—the Central Virginia Sport Performance Seminar. He’s known for connecting top minds in sport science and coaching, and for his practical, athlete-first approach to physical preparation. Where the emphasis of an athletic performance program can easily be centered from a narrow perspective, Jay considers a wide variety of inputs, from an athlete’s underlying structure and positional abilities to their perception of workout adjustments, to specialized exercises and technical training elements. In this episode, Jay digs into the principles he uses to prepare athletes for the demands of the game. From a foundational perspective, he discusses building work capacity and progressing split squats. On the power side, he shares his take on Olympic lifts and French Contrast training, while also addressing the role of autonomy and individualization in his approach. Throughout the show, Jay unpacks practical tools and coaching strategies that drive long-term athletic development. Today’s episode is brought to you by Hammer Strength. Use the code "justfly25" for 25% off any Lila Exogen wearable resistance training, including the popular Exogen Calf Sleeves. For this offer, head to Lilateam.com View more podcast episodes at the podcast homepage. (https://www.just-fly-sports.com/podcast-home/) Timestamps 8:21- Tailoring Training Methods for Athlete Engagement 11:01- Unveiling Louis Simmons' Strength Training Insights 14:24- Enhancing Basketball Players' Performance Through Tailored Training 21:37- Personalized Exercise Selection for Enhanced Performance 27:55- Engaging Exercise Progressions for Effective Training 30:22- Mastery of Bottom Position for Exercise Gains 34:49- Empowering Athletes through Autonomy and Structure 40:02- Enhancing Lift Performance through Positioning Techniques 49:28- Maximal Expression Circuit Training with Olympic Lifts 59:19- Hormone Spikes in Squat Training 1:14:38- Tailored Stimuli for Optimal Physiological Response 1:17:31- Strength-Speed Emphasis in Athletic Training Program Actionable Takeaways Tailoring Training Methods for Athlete Engagement [8:21] Let’s stop clinging to strict, textbook methods. Jay reflects on how older training styles—like Westside—can still have value when creatively repurposed. It’s not about mimicking those programs but about borrowing what drives athlete engagement and technical mastery today. What to try: Use methods like box squats to teach depth and posture before progressing to more dynamic movements. Connect the dots for athletes: show how learning positions now sets them up for more “fun” or explosive lifts later. Reinforce that mastering basic postures unlocks more advanced training, not just better numbers. Unveiling Louis Simmons' Strength Training Insights [11:01] Jay highlights lessons from studying Louie Simmons—not for copying his powerlifting templates, but to appreciate mastery and intention. Athletes need to understand why they’re training a certain way, not just how. What to try: Share stories or videos of experts from outside your sport to spark discussions about mastery and approach. Ask athletes to reflect on what "winning" a lift means to them—focus, technique, or load? Create reflective moments for athletes to assess their own intent during sessions. Enhancing Basketball Players’ Performance Through Tailored Training [14:24] Forget rigid metrics for the sake of numbers. Jay focuses on using basic force plate data (jump height + contraction time) to guide individual exercise choices—not to chase numbers, but to fit each athlete’s needs. What to try: Test vertical jump and contraction time; use results to bucket athletes into fast/slow jumpers. Prescribe exercises accordingly:
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Jun 26, 2025 • 1h 7min

469: Hunter Eisenhower on Building “Human Strength” and Athletic Movement Capacity

Today’s guest is Hunter Eisenhower, Associate Head Coach for Sports Performance at Arizona State Men’s Basketball. With experience in the NBA and NCAA, Hunter blends force production qualities, data analysis, and variability-driven human training methods to build explosive, adaptable athletes. He’s the creator of the “Force System” and a thought leader in modern athletic performance concepts. Most athletic performance training is centered around outputs. Movement abilities and qualities are discussed, but there isn’t much quantification process that goes towards an athlete’s raw abilities, such as variable jump strategies alongside stiffness and compliance competencies. On today’s episode, Hunter shares his approach to offseason prep using general physical means that build that “human strength”—developing capacity alongside movement variability. Hunter also breaks down how he quantifies an athlete’s movement capacities and library, their ability to, balance rigidity and compliance in line with force plate data. We wrap with ideas on foot training and using variable surfaces to meet the demands of dynamic sport. This is a great look at training beyond just big lifts—into the true movement needs of the game. Today’s episode is brought to you by Hammer Strength and the Just Fly Sports Online Courses Check out the newest mini-course, Sprint Drills Reloaded on how to maximize sprint drills, their specific strength development, building of major sprint actions, along with better integration of sprint drills into sprinting technique. The special intro sale ends July 1st. (https://justflysports.thinkific.com/courses/sprint-drills-reloaded) Use the code "justfly25" for 25% off any Lila Exogen wearable resistance training, including the popular Exogen Calf Sleeves. For this offer, head to Lilateam.com View more podcast episodes at the podcast homepage. (https://www.just-fly-sports.com/podcast-home/) Main Points and Key Takeaways 2:00- Sandbags, Suffering, and the Mental Edge 6:00- Let Hard and Fun Coexist in Your Program 10:19- The Importance of Variability in Program Design 12:53- Early Off-Season Program Design 19:27- Rewild Your Program: Crawl, Climb, Wrestle, Hang 23:28- Rethink GPP: Don’t Just Prep to Lift—Prep to Move 30:20- Break Barbell Monotony with Sandbags 34:49- Sleds Are a Movement Tool—Not Just a Finisher 41:03- Measure Movement Options—Not Just Output 48:39- Don’t Confuse Explosive with Efficient 54:31- Train Variability by Changing the Rules 58:05- Cue for Change: Let the Jump Reveal the Strategy 59:50- Start with the Foot—It Tells the Whole Story 1:05:07- Polish Boxes, Stall Bars, and DIY Creativity Sandbags, Suffering, and the Mental Edge (2:00) Simple tasks like sandbag holds or dead hangs can reveal a lot about an athlete’s mental state and fatigue tolerance. Sometimes mental state—not just strength—dictates how long you’ll last under tension. What to try: Program weekly “grit sets”: sandbag holds, wall sits, or dead hangs. Try them first thing in the session—before the brain can talk itself out of effort. Pair them with journaling or a quick “mind state” score: how’d it feel today? Let Hard and Fun Coexist in Your Program (6:00) Every session can’t be a competition. But not everyone should be brutal either. Hunter encourages toggling between “suck” and “play.” One makes you tougher, the other keeps you coming back. What to try: Alternate between gamified partner drills and long isometric work during your week. Use athlete feedback: which days feel “engaging”? Which feel like “grinding”? Both matter. Build polarity into the week—not just into the periodization model. The Importance of Variability in Program Design (10:19) Sticking to one type of stimulus flattens the athlete’s capacity. Instead, training should live across a spectrum—fun to miserable, slow to fast, light to heavy.
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Jun 19, 2025 • 1h 21min

468: Lawrence Van Lingen on Gait Specific Strength and Fluid Movement Patterns

Today’s guest is running and movement coach, Lawrence Van Lingen, a world-renowned movement coach known for helping athletes move better by blending scientific principles, psychology, biomechanics, and intuitive coaching methods. He’s worked with a range of athletes, from Olympians and elite runners, to everyday movers to unlock efficiency, fluidity, and performance. Running and what we would refer to as “functional strength” are closely related. Strength-based movements that train the gait cycle are amongst the most natural and effective versions available. In working the keys that make for better propulsion and effectiveness in locomotion, we can get insight into better strength practices in general. In this episode, Lawrence van Lingen shares how crawling, backward movement, foot training, and resisted walking can strengthen critical elements of the gait cycle. He explores the connection between natural rhythmic movement and running performance, the ways fear can disrupt quality motion, and how play and curiosity drive better movement learning. From syncing strides to music to mobilizing the feet, Lawrence offers a range of practical, creative methods to enhance coordination and speed. Today’s episode is brought to you by Hammer Strength. Check out the newest mini-course, Sprint Drills Reloaded on how to maximize sprint drills, their specific strength development, building of major sprint actions, along with better integration of sprint drills into sprinting technique. (https://justflysports.thinkific.com/courses/sprint-drills-reloaded) Use the code "justfly25" for 25% off any Lila Exogen wearable resistance training, including the popular Exogen Calf Sleeves. For this offer, head to Lilateam.com View more podcast episodes at the podcast homepage. (https://www.just-fly-sports.com/podcast-home/) Timestamps 3:30- Barefoot Origins: Impact on Human Movement 9:40- The Impact of Fear on Athletic Performance 20:55- Enhancing Running Performance Through Rhythmic Variation 29:00- Syncing Music Tempo with Physical Movements 37:38- Optimizing Athletic Abilities through Strong Hips 40:08- Enhancing Running Mechanics Through Resisted Walking Exercises 42:19- Enhancing Movement Quality through Central Patterns 45:51- Enhancing Ankle Mechanics Through Foot Mobility 52:35- Enhancing Mobility Through Unique Movement Practices 59:06- Enhancing Muscle Activation and Injury Prevention 1:12:02- Enhancing Running Mechanics Through Foot Mobilization Key Takeaways [3:30] – Barefoot Origins: Impact on Human Movement Lawrence digs into why humans move so differently compared to animals. His take? Our lifestyle has pulled us far from our natural roots. Kids growing up barefoot, outdoors, and constantly playing tend to move better—more fluid, intuitive, and efficient. But if you’ve spent your life in shoes, cars, and classrooms, you’ve likely lost some of that. Takeaway:Reclaiming efficient movement may mean “unlearning” modern habits and returning to play, curiosity, and organic exploration—just like barefoot kids who never saw a car before age ten. Drills can help, but you won’t drill your way back to instinctual movement if your foundation is disconnected. [9:40] – The Impact of Fear on Athletic Performance Fear, even subtle, can hijack movement. Lawrence emphasizes that emotional blocks—doubt, hesitation, trying too hard—are often the root of poor performance. Confidence doesn’t just show up on the scoreboard, it’s embedded in your nervous system and your patterns. Takeaway:Fear shows up in the body before it shows up in results. Addressing performance isn't just about skill—it’s about safety and trust in your movement. Don’t just train mechanics—train confidence in your central patterns. You can’t out-coach fear with drills alone. [20:55] – Enhancing Running Performance Through Rhythmic Variation Running with perfect repetition isn’t always the goal.

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