
The Principles of Performance
Discussing the art and science of optimal health, fitness and performance
Latest episodes

Apr 22, 2025 • 54min
Podcast 136 – Barefoot Training and Footwear with Michael Lyon
Mike Lyon is the Co- Founder of Pedestal Footwear. Pedestal Footwear is a company that specializes in ultra-durable, barefoot- style training footwear designed to enhance natural movement.
Their products are made in the USA and have been featured in outlets like Men’s Health and MSNBC and are used by athletes of ages. Since 2014, Pedestal Footwear has been on a mission to get people out of their traditional shoes and into Pedestals for their training sessions.
Links:
https://pedestalfootwear.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-lyon-95b4122b

Apr 15, 2025 • 52min
Podcast 135 – Modern Day Periodization for Real Life with Eric and Mike
In this jam packed episode, Eric and Mike discuss the topic of “periodization” in training and how it’s principles can be used (or not) with modern day athletes:
•Defining “Periodization”, Popular models and Phases
•Challenges in real life •Adjusting for Adaptability and Resiliency
•Time allotment for skill acquisition •Maintenance and Preservation of Physical Attributes
•Seasonal “Prioritization” Model
•The “Totem Pole” approach
•GPP vs SPP

Mar 25, 2025 • 1h 4min
Podcast 134 – The Perfect Training Session with Eric and Mike
In this episode we discuss the considerations that trainers and coaches need to make in order to build high level training sessions, including:
Pre-Session Planning
-The restaurant with no menu or recipes
-Logistics / Format / Layout / Equipment
-Timing and Duration -Forecasting and Backcasting
-Don’t be obligated to the session chart
Testing and Adjusting for Readiness
-Readiness Screen & Metrics
-Communication and Key Questions
-Red / Yellow / Green Light Day adjustments
Warmup / Prep
-2-4-4 / Fixes vs Primers -Primers
– Speed / Load / Volume
-Warming up for big lifts
Core
-Is it Necessary?
-Impact on remainder of workout
Speed / Power
-Is it Necessary? –
-Specific objectives and constraints vs Generic
-Accounting for volume
Strength Stations
-Station vs Compound vs Circuit
-Conditioning vs Efficiency
Finishers
-Is it Necessary?
-Relative to remainder of the week
Cool Down
-ANS Downregulation
-Opportunity for Education
-Meditative aspect
For more information on our courses, visit The Principles of Program Design

Mar 18, 2025 • 56min
Podcast 133 – Training to Compete, Win and Thrive in College Sports with Angelo Gingerelli
Angelo Gingerelli has helped thousands of student-athletes compete at the highest level of Division 1 athletics. As the Strength & Conditioning Coach at Seton Hall University since 2005 he regularly works with hundreds of men & women each year from a variety of sports and has been a key factor in the Pirates’ success in the extremely competitive Big East Conference.
He has held similar positions at Virginia Tech, North Carolina State and the Pittsburgh Pirates as well as training numerous elite high school athletes each year. In addition to his duties in the weight room, Gingerelli is an adjunct professor (SHU’s 2024 Adjunct Professor of the Year), winner of Seton Hall’s prestigious Most Valuable Pirate Award (2011), published author, including his latest book “The Next Four Years”.
He is also a state/regional conference presenter and has served as the New Jersey State Director of the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA).
Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mr5thround/?hl=en
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelo-gingerelli-260b0a1b1/

Mar 11, 2025 • 54min
Podcast 132 – Movement, Speed and Power with Frank Dolan
Frank Dolan is the owner and founder of Sports and Fitness Performance in Islip, NY and has been a sports performance coach since 2001. During that time, he has trained youth, high school, college, and professional athletes from the ranks of MLB, the NBA, and the NHL. In 2014, he was named to the Nike Training Network and is currently a NIKE Master Trainer as well as a presenter for Functional Movement Systems (FMS).
Frank is currently an adjunct professor at Hofstra University and Suffolk County Community College. Over the course of his career he has also been a regular presenter for Equinox Fitness Clubs, The Baseball Factory, and the Nassau Boces Physical Education Consortium.
Frank played one season of professional baseball in Italy following his college career and was also a high school Baseball Coach at Bay Shore High School in NY.
Links:
http://www.coachfrankdolan.com
Twitter/X: https://x.com/fdolan
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachfrankdolan/
YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRvalFGGQitzlHRsocuJUyg

Mar 4, 2025 • 49min
Podcast 131 – Movement and the Human Matrix with Zac Cupples
Zac Cupples graduated from St. Ambrose University Doctor of Physical Therapy program in 2011, completed an orthopedic residency in 2013. He has taken well over 100 continuing education courses and the bulk of his career studying and becoming certified in various lines of thought in fitness, rehab and performance.
Zac has had many professional eclectic experiences, from being an NBA Therapist, a D League Strength Coach, a traveling PT, a clinic director, education director, and more.
He now offers physical therapy and training independently in Las Vegas. Online, he offers remote movement services and mentoring with him and his coaches when he’s not teaching his movement Seminar, Human Matrix
Links:
https://zaccupples.com
Twitter/X: https://x.com/ZCupples
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zaccupples/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zcupples
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/cupplesperformance

Feb 25, 2025 • 48min
Podcast 130 – DNA Blueprinting with Ashlee Kaufman
Ashlee Kaufman is an entrepreneur with nearly 30 years in health and wellness. She is a Certified Physician Assistant and has her Masters in Medical Science.
Ashlee has co-founded successful businesses, formulated over 150 supplements, and holds four product patents. As the CEO of Renuology, she merges science and innovation, offering personalized wellness through DNA-driven insights. Ashlee also holds two board seats in research and development sector and also has experience scaling startups and working with Fortune 500 brands.
Links:
https://renuology.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/renuology/posts/?feedView=all
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renuology/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theofactor9354

Feb 18, 2025 • 45min
Podcast 129 – Resilience and Emotional Fitness with Kelli Calabrese
Kelli Calabrese is a leading expert in health, wellness, and business coaching, with over 35 years of experience as a fitness coach, nutrition specialist, and lifestyle entrepreneur. As co-host of the Fit Over 50 Life podcast, she tackles bold, practical topics on aging, health, relationships, and mindset.
A best-selling author and sought-after speaker, Kelli empowers audiences with her holistic, results-driven approach to longevity and vitality. As a Clinical Exercise Physiologist and Age Management Coach, she helps people live fit, free, and full of purpose.
Beyond wellness, Kelli is a seasoned business coach, guiding entrepreneurs as fractional COO in a variety of industries
Links:
https://kellicalabrese.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IamIntentionallyFabulous
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellicalabrese/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamintentionallyfabulous/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kellicalabrese1

Feb 11, 2025 • 59min
Podcast 128 – Skills that Matter in Training and Coaching with Eric and Mike
In this episode, Eric and Mike talk about “Skills that Matter” for coaches, trainers and clinicians. Credentials and letters after your name are valuable, but you also need these critical practical skills in order to be successful in real-life scenarios.
We discuss the following and much more:
• Communication – Session conversations and Key Questions you need to ask
• Adaptability – Having the agility to adjust to the situation
• Warmth and Competency – Blending technical skills and human connection
• Logistics – Understanding how manage timing, flow, space and equipment
• Textbook to Reality – Discussing real-life case studies
• Mapping and Forecasting – How to Utilize a Weekly Checklist
• Why Programs Change?
• Coaching to the Chart – Do You Need It and How Much?
• What Do We Owe Our Clients?

Feb 4, 2025 • 1h 10min
Podcast 127 – 5/3/1 and Simplifying Strength with Jim Wendler
Jim Wendler is the creator and author of the 5/3/1 Training Program. This program has been used by millions of athletes and lifters of all ages and abilities.
Jim played football and graduated from the University of Arizona where he was a three-time letter winner. Wendler went on to squat 1000 pounds in competition and is an accomplished Elite Lifter with a 2,375 pound total.
He has coached high school athletes, collegiate athletes, trained general populations and spoken globally on the topics of strength training, conditioning, fat-loss, performance and program design. However, Jim Wendler’s greatest success is his ability to simplify the complexities of strength training into program variations so that anyone can apply them and achieve their goals using his 5/3/1 Training Program
Links:
https://www.jimwendler.com
Twitter/X: https://x.com/JWendler
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimwendler/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JimWendler
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