

The Principles of Performance
The Principles of Performance
Discussing the art and science of optimal health, fitness and performance
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 9, 2025 • 51min
Podcast 159 – Perception, Movement and Skill with Rob Gray
Rob Gray, a distinguished professor at Arizona State University and expert in perceptual-motor control, dives into the science of skill acquisition. He emphasizes the importance of ecological coaching, advocating for adaptable solutions over rigid techniques. Gray discusses avoiding isolated drills, the necessity of game-like practices, and how to balance training with the 70% rule for optimal learning. He also highlights the significance of variability in practice, connecting physical capacity to on-field performance, and the cognitive aspects of rapid visual-perceptual decision-making in high-pressure situations.

Sep 30, 2025 • 1h 4min
Podcast 158 – SPECIAL: Where Pain, Performance and Fitness Meet Vol.1: When Training IS the Problem with Dan Swinscoe
Dan Swinscoe brings a unique perspective to solving movement problems and has spent the past 30 years treating and learning from his patients, some of which include athletes from the NFL, MLB, WNBA, professional golf, and many local doctors and their families.
He is specialty trained and certified from the Titleist Performance Institute and Golf Digest as a Golf Medical and Golf Fitness Professional. He has certifications from NSCA, Functional Movement Screen, SFMA, FRR, FRC, USAW, OnBase University, and many others.
Dan enjoys sharing what he has learned as a guest speaker to PT schools, professional and college sports teams, State Farm insurance, local Little Leagues, teaching his own course, Kettlebells for Clinicians, and as an assistant instructor for Clinic/Gym Hybrid, the Painfree Performance Specialist Certification and for Dynamic Variable Resistance Training.
Links:
https://t2wclinic.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danswinscoe/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/danswinscoe
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Get your FREE eBook and Webinar at www.foreverclientformula.com
The Principles of Performance is proud to be recognized by FeedSpot as one of the Top 30 Fitness Podcasts: https://podcast.feedspot.com/fitness_podcasts/
We have also been recognized as one of the Top 100 Strength Coach Podcasts on the web by MillionPodcasts: https://www.millionpodcasts.com/strength-coach-podcasts/

13 snips
Sep 23, 2025 • 49min
Podcast 157 – Developing an Elite Mindset with Gary Chupik
Gary Chupik, a renowned mental performance coach and creator of the Elite Mindset Mental Training System, shares insights on cultivating an elite mindset in sports and business. He emphasizes the importance of self-talk and emotional regulation. Gary contrasts evidence-based optimism with fleeting positivity and highlights building confidence through preparation. He introduces the CAPE method to manage fear and discusses the impact of environment on growth. Lastly, he stresses proactive living and mental health strategies to thrive beyond mere coping.

Sep 16, 2025 • 55min
Podcast 156 – Performance Nutrition with Melissa Ieraci
Melissa Ieraci is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, personal trainer, youga instructor and former Paramedic.
Melissa’s passion for health and fitness comes from a decade of thinking how she was feeling was ‘normal’, only to discover she had a brain tumor. After years of testing, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor on her pituitary gland that was releasing dangerously high levels of cortisol, the body’s stress hormone.
After brain surgery, Melissa earned a diploma in Natural Nutrition and has spent the past 16 years working with high performers to look, feel and be their best using a habit and action focused approach she created called Make Shifts Happen
Links:
https://make-shiftshappen.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/make_shifts_happen/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissa.ieraci.9
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-ieraci- a06651111/?originalSubdomain=ca
The Make Shifts Happen Kickstart Program: https://shiftingyourlifestyle.practicebetter.io/#/660594df1466bfcda2114151/bookings?c=67014cca5102e420f70a1404&step=course
Spoken Nutrition Partner Registration link for Coaches and Practitioners: https://spokennutrition.com/pages/become-a-partner
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Get your FREE eBook and Webinar at www.foreverclientformula.com
The Principles of Performance is proud to be recognized by FeedSpot as one of the Top 30 Fitness Podcasts: https://podcast.feedspot.com/fitness_podcasts/
We have also been recognized as one of the Top 100 Strength Coach Podcasts on the web by MillionPodcasts: https://www.millionpodcasts.com/strength-coach-podcasts/

Sep 9, 2025 • 57min
Podcast 155 – Return to Center: Posture, Movement and Performance with Rocky Snyder
As the CEO and Performance Consultant at RockySnyder, Rocky brings over 30 years of experience in biomechanics, motor neurology, and human movement to the forefront of training and rehabilitation. His innovative approach has driven championship success from high school courts to national collegiate arenas, contributing to recent titles for Scotts Valley High School Girls Basketball and the storied UConn Women’s Basketball program.
Named Personal Trainer of the Year by the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA), Rocky’s work goes beyond traditional strength and conditioning. His cutting-edge methodology emphasizes movement quality, postural alignment, and functional balance to optimize performance and reduce injury risk.
Through his in-person workshops, online courses, speaking engagements, and the Zelos Podcast, Rocky empowers fitness, health, and sports professionals to challenge outdated training models and unlock new levels of performance for their clients, patients, and athletes. His books and training equipment further support professionals in mastering biomechanics and movement optimization.
Links:
https://www.rockysnyder.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockysnyder_RTC/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rocky.snyder.77
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rockysnyder/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RockySnyder
Zelos Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3sxRA20nv1dHY5YdVSTbPQ
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Get your FREE eBook and Webinar at www.foreverclientformula.com
The Principles of Performance is proud to be recognized by FeedSpot as one of the Top 30 Fitness Podcasts: https://podcast.feedspot.com/fitness_podcasts/
We have also been recognized as one of the Top 100 Strength Coach Podcasts on the web by MillionPodcasts: https://www.millionpodcasts.com/strength-coach-podcasts/

Sep 2, 2025 • 49min
Podcast 154 – The State of Fitness Education with Eric and Mike
In this episode, Eric and Mike break down and discuss the current state of fitness education, including the following:
• Academia vs For-Profit Education
– Letters after your name vs real-world experience
– Variety of paths and opportunities in the field
• The Impact of the Pandemic
– Changeover of the industry
– Shift to online courses
– Loss of communication skills
– Lack of hands-on training
• The “Old School” Model
– Weekend courses and certifications
– Methods vs Principles
– “Choose your guru”
– Industry leader confusion
• What Trainers are Investing In
– Business development vs training excellence
– Biggest current opportunities
– How to choose what is best for your career
• What does the future hold?
– More crowded marketplace
– The “6-24” timeline
– Mentorship and intensives
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Get your FREE eBook and Webinar at www.foreverclientformula.com
The Principles of Performance is proud to be recognized by FeedSpot as one of the Top 30 Fitness Podcasts: https://podcast.feedspot.com/fitness_podcasts/
We have also been recognized as one of the Top 100 Strength Coach Podcasts on the web by MillionPodcasts: https://www.millionpodcasts.com/strength-coach-podcasts/

Aug 26, 2025 • 1h 2min
Podcast 153 – What is “Functional” Training in 2025 with Eric and Mike
In this episode, Mike and Eric break down “Functional” training and what that means in 2025:
• Defining “Functional”
– The Webster’s Dictionary definition
– Is it defined by what it is or what it does?
• History of “Functional”
– Pre-bodybuilding
– Late 90s / Early 2000
– Current state
• Why does it matter?
– Is your training contributing to or taking away from your function?
– What is the scale or measure?
• Are function and performance the same?
– Robustness, Adaptability and Resiliency
– The Cost of Specificity
• Hardware vs Software
– Skill acquisition and movement execution
– Pattern development and movement as a habit
– Coaching vs Reflexive demonstration
– Structure driving function versus the opposite
—
Get your FREE eBook and Webinar at www.foreverclientformula.com
The Principles of Performance is proud to be recognized by FeedSpot as one of the Top 30 Fitness Podcasts: https://podcast.feedspot.com/fitness_podcasts/
We have also been recognized as one of the Top 100 Strength Coach Podcasts on the web by MillionPodcasts: https://www.millionpodcasts.com/strength-coach-podcasts/

Aug 12, 2025 • 49min
Podcast 152 – Hormone Health and Nervous System Balancing with Isabella Mainwaring
Isabella Mainwaring is a former strategy consultant to FTSE 100 and Fortune 500 companies, including global leaders at the World Economic Forum and clients at the forefront of scientific research. She advised CEOs on growth, positioning and transformation at the highest levels of business. Alongside her corporate career, Isabella spent 18 years immersed in her personal hormone and fertility journey – eventually leaving consulting to study psychology, trauma recovery, hormone science, and nervous system regulation.
She went on to develop the ThetaSomatics method and the Root Restoration Hormone Healing Model. Two evidence-based frameworks designed to help women address the root causes of burnout, regulate their stress response, rebalance their hormones, and step into their full potential.
Links:
Website: https://isabellamainwaring.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isabella.mainwaring/?hl=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@isabella.mainwaring?lang=en
Newsletter: https://power-haus.kit.com/f61de4445b
Free ThetaSomatics practice: https://isabellamainwaring.com/pages/free-thetasomatics%E2%84%A2-practice
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The Principles of Performance is proud to be recognized by FeedSpot as one of the Top 30 Fitness Podcasts: https://podcast.feedspot.com/fitness_podcasts/
We have also been recognized as one of the Top 100 Strength Coach Podcasts on the web by MillionPodcasts: https://www.millionpodcasts.com/strength-coach-podcasts/

Aug 5, 2025 • 55min
Podcast 151 – Pain-Free Olympic Lifting with Dr. Stephane Gregory
Dr. Stephane Gregory is the Director of Sports Rehabiltation for the Chinese Weightlifting system as well as the founder of Dynamis.
Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drstephperformance/
Twitter: https://x.com/stephanegregory
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephane-gregory- 62992135/?originalSubdomain=ca
—
The Principles of Performance is proud to be recognized by FeedSpot as one of the Top 30 Fitness Podcasts: https://podcast.feedspot.com/fitness_podcasts/
We have also been recognized as one of the Top 100 Strength Coach Podcasts on the web by MillionPodcasts: https://www.millionpodcasts.com/strength-coach-podcasts/

Jul 29, 2025 • 48min
Podcast 150 – Fascia, Flows and Movement Freedom with Steven Terry
Steven Terry is the creator of the Body Lever. After his own battle struggling with my chronic pain, Steven acquired a broad knowledge base of movement skills and self-care know how from a great number of yogis abroad.
He has been able to instruct thousands on how the use of the Body Lever and Handy Lever massage tools can improve the feeling of bodily space, quality of movement, and the internal experience of the human form.
Links:
https://www.thebodylever.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevewiththesticks/
Twitter: https://x.com/thebodylever?lang=ar Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steve.terry.1654/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-terry-bb73b7113/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bodylever4782
—
The Principles of Performance is proud to be recognized by FeedSpot as one of the Top 30 Fitness Podcasts: https://podcast.feedspot.com/fitness_podcasts/
We have also been recognized as one of the Top 100 Strength Coach Podcasts on the web by MillionPodcasts: https://www.millionpodcasts.com/strength-coach-podcasts/


