

Physical Preparation Podcast Archives - Robertson Training Systems
Mike Robertson
Elite Program Design and Coaching for High Performers
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 24, 2025 • 53min
Ken Vick on Extensive Pogos, Deep Tier Plyos and Building Real Eccentric Strength
Today – my friend – we’re going to touch on ALL the hot button topics.
For instance, are we potentially missing the mark with our eccentric-focused training?
Putting an over-emphasis on extensive jump training?
Or maybe, just trying to figure out where the heck do deep tier plyos fit into the equation?
Ken Vick is the President and Global High-Performance Director of Velocity Sports Performance, and someone I know is ALWAYS thinking about training and how to optimize it.
And in today’s episode we’ll cover all those topics – and so many more!
Quotable Quotes:
Eccentric actions in sport are the most important in my view. They can give an athlete an advantage or they can cause damage
—–
You just put a huge engine in without any brakes. If you’re not training through eccentric actions, you’re missing the brakes
—–
Watch sports looking at it as a movement specialist. What are the movement patterns and what are the muscle actions that go along with that?
This Week on the Physical Prep Podcast:
Ken’s journey from Olympic weightlifting and track coach to high-performance director.
The Shocks/Springs model, and how they relate to human movement.
Are slow, controlled eccentric exercises with light weights giving us the training adaptations we want?
The value of understanding the force/velocity curve – and never getting too caught up on one side of it!
How Ken uses medicine balls in his training programs.
Why it’s so important to watch sports as a movement specialist – and not as a casual fan of the game!
What role should isometrics play in training? And especially with regards to tendon loading programs?
Ken’s thoughts on both extensive pogos and deep-tier plyos, including where they might fit into your program.
Final thoughts on building frameworks, systems, and why every coach should work with (or at least watch!) sports they don’t coach.
Connect with Ken:
Ken Vick on Instagram
Ken Vick on Twitter
Related Links:
Ken Vick on Sharing, Speed Development and Being a Radical Centrist
Supercharge Your Decision-Making and Program Design with Hawkin Dynamics Force Plates!
Hawkin Dynamics designs and builds performance hardware and software the right way.
Their dual wireless force plates give you the most accurate, real-time data on athletic performance.
You’ll have the ability to performance test your athletes in a matter of seconds, and give them immediate feedback on their strengths, weaknesses and readiness for that day’s training session.
Their software is designed in house and continually updated to ensure the interface is clean, intuitive and easy to use, so both you and your athletes can visualize what’s going on and how to improve their performance.
And Hawkin Dynamics is built around their customers and provide industry-leading support and training services to ensure you get the most out of their solutions.
With options to lease or buy, coupled with a 5-year warranty, Hawkin Dynamics force plates can take your performance facility to the next level.
To learn more, head over to HawkinDynamics.com or follow them on Instagram @HawinDynamics.
Subscribe, Rate & Share!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website.
Thanks so much for your support – love and appreciate you!
The post Ken Vick on Extensive Pogos, Deep Tier Plyos and Building Real Eccentric Strength appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

Oct 17, 2025 • 1h 3min
Dr. Jim Stoppani on Pre-Workouts, Creatine for Cognition, and Navigating the World of Supplements
Supplements are such a hot topic these days, I just had to do another show on them.
For instance, many of us need a little pick-me-up before we train – but are the pre-workout mixes on the market any good?
Creatine is obviously a hot topic as well, especially with regards to muscle building and now cognition.
But how much do you REALLY need to take to see the benefits?
And last but not least GLP-1’s are all the rage in the weight loss community. But are they something YOU should be considering?
Well luckily for us, we’ve got a world-renowned expert to help us answer these questions!
Dr. Jim Stoppani is a Yale-educated PhD who has devoted his life to studying exercise, nutrition, and supplements.
And in this episode, we’re going to take a deep dive into the world of supplements!
Quotable Quotes:
I’m a firm believer in creatine enhancing your cognitive performance as well as the muscle performance
—–
If you’re not used to caffeine and you take a 500 mg dose, it’s going to ruin your day.
—–
You should be expecting something that’s going to enhance your performance, not how you feel
This Week on the Physical Prep Podcast:
Dr. Jim Stoppani’s background in exercise physiology, strength training, and how he got started working for Weider Publications
Why he’s so obsessed with understanding strength training and bodybuilding all the way down to the molecular level
Pre-workout supplements: What should you be looking for? And what should you avoid?
His thoughts on creatine for both building muscle AND cognitive performance.
How he feels like programming should evolve as you age, and some insights into what he does with his own workouts
GLP-1’s – are they worth all the hype? And should we change our viewpoint on the role they play in weight loss and long-term health?
Why social media is so hard to navigate, and his thoughts on finding credible fitness information amongst all the noise
Connect with Dr. Jim:
Website
Instagram
X/Twitter
YouTube
Related Links:
My Fit Pal
Cronometer
Dr. Jim Stoppani on Science-Backed Training and Nutrition for Fat Loss
Get Cost-Effective Yet AWESOME Cable Training with Ancore!
Do you own a small, boutique gym or training facility?
OR are you looking to outfit your home gym with an awesome cable machine at a fraction of the usual price?
If so, you need to check out Ancore!
Trusted by over 100 pro teams across Major League Baseball, the NBA and NHL, Ancore provides true cable resistance in a portable format.
I love Ancore because it takes up zero space in my gym, yet still feels like a real cable machine – all at a fraction of the price.
Ancore is used in over 10,000 facilities world wide, and backed by over 240 5-Star reviews.
Quite simply, fitness pros like myself trust Ancore – and you should, too.
To get started with Ancore, head over to AncoreTraining.com here and use the code RTS to save $60 on your next purchase.
Subscribe, Rate & Share!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website.
Thanks so much for your support – love and appreciate you!
The post Dr. Jim Stoppani on Pre-Workouts, Creatine for Cognition, and Navigating the World of Supplements appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

Oct 9, 2025 • 50min
Andy McCloy on Kaizen Coaches and Building an ELITE Gym Culture
One thing I’m always leery of are fitness industry buzzwords.
For instance when people start talking about cleanses, detoxes, or fitness “challenges” I’m immediately skeptical.
And in that same vein, you here all kinds of people today talking about gym culture.
But what does that really MEAN?
Can you truly create a gym culture?
And if so, what are some ways you can ensure that your gym’s culture is truly elite?
Well if you’re curious about this, then you’re going to LOVE today’s episode with my good friend Andy McCloy!
Andy McCloy is a renowned strength and conditioning coach, entrepreneur, and fitness innovator based out of Madison, Alabama, and is best known as the founder and head coach of Body Creations Inc.
He’s also recently joined forces with Luka Hocevar to create the Built to Last gym mentorship, and in this show, we’re going to talk about what it really takes to develop world-class coaches and an elite gym culture!
Quotable Quotes:
Culture eats strategy for breakfast.
—–
Find the right people and put them in the right seat
—–
You have to have a baseline level of competence at a ton of skills before you start becoming just the owner of a gym.
This Week on the Physical Prep Podcast:
Why “Culture eats strategy for breakfast”
The power of investing in your staff, and then letting them develop organically over time
Why “Kaizen” is a key mantra in Andy’s personal and professional growth
Hiring Coaches: Why there’s more to it than just the X’s and O’s of coaching
How gym culture adapts and evolves over the years
The value of mentorship, and why ongoing education is critical for ALL team members
Why every coach should have a growth mindset and be open to learning new skills beyond coaching
How to onboard your staff to ensure alignment and integration with company culture and goals
The power of having a strong vision and values in your hiring process
Final advice for gym owners to build and maintain a strong gym culture for years to come!
Connect with Andy:
Andy McCloy on Instagram
BCI on IG
Build to Last Gym Mentorship
Related Links:
ALL of Andy’s Podcast Episodes HERE!
Grow Your Fitness Business or Gym with Push Press!
Gym owners and coaches, have you heard about PushPress?
It’s the best gym management software company and it’s revolutionizing the fitness world.
So check this out: PushPress is built BY gym owners. They understand the ins and outs of running a fitness business because they’re “in the trenches” in their own gyms every single day.
Key products like Core, Grow, and Train are designed to help you with everything from billing and scheduling to lead generation and progress tracking.
Built on the “help first” ethos, PushPress places an exceptional focus on prioritizing client needs, listening to feedback from their community, and using it as the impetus for its ever-evolving, innovative features.
And here’s the strongest plug I can give them – I’ve actually switched to PushPress for all of my clients and athletes.
Getting things set-up and running smoothly is not only easier, but also far more intuitive than many other solutions.
So if you’re interested in learning more, just head over to pushpress.com/ppp.
Subscribe, Rate & Share
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website.
Thanks so much for your support – love and appreciate you!
The post Andy McCloy on Kaizen Coaches and Building an ELITE Gym Culture appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

Oct 3, 2025 • 58min
Christina Chu on Creatine, Electrolytes, and the Essential Role of Nutrition in Performance
Are you curious about supplements like creatine or electrolytes?
When you should consider taking them?
Or maybe wondering what supplements are more hype than actual help?
If so, you’re going to love this week’s podcast with Christina Chu!
Christina is a Boston-based sports dietitian and CEO of Christina Chu Nutrition LLC.
She supports athletes from youth baseball to professional combat athletes through individual nutrition counseling and team talks.
And today, we’re going to take a deep dive into supplements, and what YOU should consider taking – as well as what you NEED to save your money on!
Quotable Quotes:
Supplements are supplemental to your diet. It’s quite literally in the name, in case you ever forget.
—–
It’s what’s on the inside that matters, not the outside. So the branding could look really pretty, but it’s the quality of the products that matters the most.
—–
You can’t out supplement a bad diet no matter what.
This Week on the Physical Prep Podcast:
Why supplements should complement a well-rounded diet, not replace it.
The key components or big rocks of what Christina considers a “balanced” diet.
How a lack of regulation can make for some crazy claims, and why third-party testing of supplements is so critical.
The power of creatine for both muscle building AND cognition.
Why Omega-3’s aren’t sexy, but still incredibly helpful and protective to the body.
Caffeine: How much is enough? And how do you optimize both timing AND dosage?
Christina’s list of supplements that are probably more hype than actual help.
Thoughts on consistency and long-term success with any nutrition or supplementation program.
The evolving research in sports nutrition, and why there’s never any shortage of topics to dive into!
Connect with Christina:
Christina’s Website
Christina Chu on Instagram
Christina’s Patreon
Christina Chu on Building the Performance Plate and Fueling for Athletic Performance
Christina’s Sports Nutrition Matrix on IG
Related Links:
Level Up Your Program Design with Train Heroic!
Are you tired of using clunky, antiquated program design tools like Microsoft Word or Excel?
Are you ready to level up your programming, and make it far more engaging to your clients and athletes?
If so, you need to check out Train Heroic.
I’ve been using TrainHeroic for years now both here at RTS and at IFAST, and I can tell you the user experience both as an athlete and coach is truly second to none.
To learn more and start your free 14-day trial, just follow this link to learn more about Train Heroic.
Not only will you get your first 14 days free, but it’s just $10/month to get started officially after that.
So don’t wait any longer – head over trainheroic.co/rts and start crafting beautiful programs your clients and athletes will love TODAY!
Subscribe, Rate & Share!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website.
Thanks so much for your support – love and appreciate you!
The post Christina Chu on Creatine, Electrolytes, and the Essential Role of Nutrition in Performance appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

Sep 26, 2025 • 57min
Erica Mulholland on ACL Tears, Overuse Injuries, and Strength Training for Female Soccer Players
If you train young female athletes, or if you HAVE a young female athlete in your home, you need to listen to this episode RIGHT NOW!
Erica Mulholland is a speed, agility and strength coach to young female soccer players.
And in this episode, we’re going to talk about practical strategies to reduce the likelihood of ACL and overuse injuries, while simultaneously improving their performance on the pitch!
Quotable Quotes:
Strength training can reduce the risk of ACL injuries by 50%.
—–
Injury prevention is not a separate program; it’s about chasing high performance.
—–
Consistency in training raises the ceiling on everyone’s potential.
This Week on the Physical Prep Podcast:
Erica emphasizes the importance of strength and conditioning for injury prevention, particularly for young female athletes.
How consistent strength training can reduce the risk of ACL injuries by up to 50%!
The misconception that “injury prevention” is a separate part of the program.
Why you need to be educating both athletes and their parents about long-term training commitments.
The need for proper load management to prevent overuse injuries during preseason.
Erica’s thoughts on the benefits of strength training, especially outside of the weight room and/or sports.
Her thoughts on finding balance between rigorous training schedules, academics and life commitments.
Erica’s thoughts on how to foster a love for the weight room among young female athletes.
And last but not least, her plans for the future – including more speaking engagements and an all-female athlete conference!
Connect with Erica:
Erica On X/Twitter
Erica on Instagram
Related Links:
Sprint Documentary
Erica Mulholland on Building Humans First and Soccer Players Second
Grow Your Fitness Business or Gym with Push Press!
Gym owners and coaches, have you heard about PushPress?
It’s the best gym management software company and it’s revolutionizing the fitness world.
So check this out: PushPress is built BY gym owners. They understand the ins and outs of running a fitness business because they’re “in the trenches” in their own gyms every single day.
Key products like Core, Grow, and Train are designed to help you with everything from billing and scheduling to lead generation and progress tracking.
Built on the “help first” ethos, PushPress places an exceptional focus on prioritizing client needs, listening to feedback from their community, and using it as the impetus for its ever-evolving, innovative features.
And here’s the strongest plug I can give them – I’ve actually switched to PushPress for all of my clients and athletes.
Getting things set-up and running smoothly is not only easier, but also far more intuitive than many other solutions.
So if you’re interested in learning more, just head over to pushpress.com/ppp.
Subscribe, Rate & Share
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website.
Thanks so much for your support – love and appreciate you!
The post Erica Mulholland on ACL Tears, Overuse Injuries, and Strength Training for Female Soccer Players appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

Sep 19, 2025 • 1h 10min
Joel Smith on the Keys to Unlocking an Elite Vertical Jump
Joel Smith always wanted to jump higher.
Whether it was touching beams in his middle school, trying to dunk after that, or simply become the best jumper he could in college and beyond, Joel’s journey shows a lifetime of dedication and passion to jumping as a whole
Today, Joel is the founder of Just Fly Sports and trains athletes and clients in partnership with Evolutionary Fitness in Cincinnati, Ohio.
He also hosts the Just Fly Performance Podcast, has authored several books on athletic performance, and trains numerous clients in the in-person and online space.
And today, Joel and I are going to take a deep dive into vertical jump training!
Quotable Quotes:
I think it’s so powerful to just go do the different jumps and gamify them and make it a fun dynamic environment.
—–
I just try to make (jumping) fun and rhythmic and let them explore all the different types.
—–
My goal is for the whole practice to be a flow state where it’s just all genuinely enjoyable.
This Week on the Physical Prep Podcast:
Joel’s background and his early fascination with jumping.
How gamifying jump training can make learning more enjoyable and effective for young athletes.
Using differential learning to let athletes explore various techniques and find what works best for them.
How understanding the biomechanics of jumping can help coaches tailor their training methods.
The power of strength training, and why it should be used to complement jump training – not hinder it.
Joel’s experiences in coaching youth sports, and what it’s taught him about movement and athleticism.
Why the heels are such a critical piece of the vertical jump puzzle.
A thorough breakdown of the differences between 1- and 2-leg jumps.
The biggest mistakes athletes make in both types of jumps.
Why the best jumpers often have a broad and diverse athletic background!
Connect with Joel:
Instagram
Podcast
Website
Level Up Your Program Design with Train Heroic!
Are you tired of using clunky, antiquated program design tools like Microsoft Word or Excel?
Are you ready to level up your programming, and make it far more engaging to your clients and athletes?
If so, you need to check out Train Heroic.
I’ve been using TrainHeroic for years now both here at RTS and at IFAST, and I can tell you the user experience both as an athlete and coach is truly second to none.
To learn more and start your free 14-day trial, just follow this link to learn more about Train Heroic.
Not only will you get your first 14 days free, but it’s just $10/month to get started officially after that.
So don’t wait any longer – head over trainheroic.co/rts and start crafting beautiful programs your clients and athletes will love TODAY!
Subscribe, Rate & Share!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website.
Thanks so much for your support – love and appreciate you!
The post Joel Smith on the Keys to Unlocking an Elite Vertical Jump appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

Sep 12, 2025 • 57min
Brady Howe on 3×3 Basketball, Mental Performance, and Life After the NBA
What happens AFTER you attain a lifetime goal?
You see this all the time in Olympians – they train their entire life to go to the games, and if they’re lucky, maybe they even win.
But once that time is over, what happens next?
Well it may not have been going to the Olympics, but Brady Howe has real experience on this front!
Brady dedicated his life to working in the NBA, spending 10 years between the G-League and NBA, and his final 6 serving as the VP of Health and Performance for the Phoenix Suns.
But in pro sports sometimes situations change – and sometimes YOU change along with it, and that’s what we’re going to dive into today.
Quotable Quotes:
Life’s got different chapters and phases that are more important.
—–
Confidence is a skill, resilience is a skill, focus is a skill.
—–
You have to start somewhere and build and it has to be done consistently.
This Week on the Physical Prep Podcast:
What Brady’s been up to, and what it was like transitioning from the NBA to his newest phase in life.
Why there are inherent pros and cons to every level of sport, even at the NBA level.
What it’s like going from managing 15 athletes in the NBA to over 500 at Grand Canyon!
How he originally got into the mental performance space, and why he’s now pursuing a Ph.D. in this space.
The 3 levels of mental health and performance, and the various roles each practitioner can/should play.
An outline of his new gig with USA Basketball, and the differences between 3×3 Hoops and traditional games.
Brady’s thoughts on balancing all of the thing he has on his plate, including family life, GCU responsibilities, working for 3×3 AND getting his Ph.D.
We wrap up with some solid talk on coffee culture, which every coffee lover absolutely MUST check out!
Connect with Brady:
Coach Brady Howe on IG
Coach Brady Howe on Twitter
Related Links:
Brady Howe on the Power of Soft Skills in Leadership and Athletic Development
Get Cost-Effective Yet AWESOME Cable Training with Ancore!
Do you own a small, boutique gym or training facility?
OR are you looking to outfit your home gym with an awesome cable machine at a fraction of the usual price?
If so, you need to check out Ancore!
Trusted by over 100 pro teams across Major League Baseball, the NBA and NHL, Ancore provides true cable resistance in a portable format.
I love Ancore because it takes up zero space in my gym, yet still feels like a real cable machine – all at a fraction of the price.
Ancore is used in over 10,000 facilities world wide, and backed by over 240 5-Star reviews.
Quite simply, fitness pros like myself trust Ancore – and you should, too.
To get started with Ancore, head over to AncoreTraining.com here and use the code RTS to save $60 on your next purchase.
Subscribe, Rate & Share!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website.
Thanks so much for your support – love and appreciate you!
The post Brady Howe on 3×3 Basketball, Mental Performance, and Life After the NBA appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

Sep 5, 2025 • 1h 5min
10 Years of Lessons About Training, Podcasting and Life (Episode 500!)
500 episodes…can you believe it?!?!?
I certainly can’t – especially when my goal initially was to get to 50, or maybe 100 shows!
And while that definitely sounds cool, I’ve got to admit – I wasn’t sure what to do with this episode.
So instead of doing a standard interview, we’re going to take a little trip down memory lane.
We’ll talk about the humble beginnings of the show, how it’s evolved over the years, and then finish off with a couple of key life lessons I’ve learned over the past 10 years since the show began.
So without any further ado, let’s do this!
Find ways to try and bake consistency into your life. If it’s meaningful, if it’s gonna move the needle in your life or in your business, find ways to be consistent in your approach
This Week on the Physical Prep Podcast:
How the Physical Prep Podcast came to be (and the podcast I actually had BEFORE it!)
Random stats, and while 2.5+ million downloads is cool, the stats I’m actually MOST proud of
My Top 10 downloaded shows of all time – and links to all of them below
A massive shout out to the sponsors that have helped support the show over the years
Why it’s so critical to set boundaries and expectations in your life – especially if you’re a people pleaser!
My two rules or “filters” for people I’m considering working with…
The 3 step approach you need to see REAL success
Why you need to get clear on the end goal first
Why you should work your booty off every day, but be patient when expecting success
Upcoming RTS Events:
Montana Workshop at Revo
Unlocking Mobility FREE Masterclass
Program Design Mentorship
Related Podcasts:
Physical Prep with Joel Jamieson
Chris Chase on Establishing Standards and Improving Performance in Basketball
Physical Prep with Buddy Morris
Bill Hartman on Building a Powerful and Pain-Free Body After 40
Pat Davidson on Coaching, Cuing and Building Savages
Dan John on How to Dominate the Weights for a Lifetime
Nick Littlehales on Optimizing Sleep to Maximize Performance
20 Tips for Young Coaches
19 Ninja Tricks to Help You Write Better Training Programs
Physical Prep w/Dr. Stuart McGill
Supercharge Your Decision-Making and Program Design with Hawkin Dynamics Force Plates!
Hawkin Dynamics designs and builds performance hardware and software the right way.
Their dual wireless force plates give you the most accurate, real-time data on athletic performance.
You’ll have the ability to performance test your athletes in a matter of seconds, and give them immediate feedback on their strengths, weaknesses and readiness for that day’s training session.
Their software is designed in house and continually updated to ensure the interface is clean, intuitive and easy to use, so both you and your athletes can visualize what’s going on and how to improve their performance.
And Hawkin Dynamics is built around their customers and provide industry-leading support and training services to ensure you get the most out of their solutions.
With options to lease or buy, coupled with a 5-year warranty, Hawkin Dynamics force plates can take your performance facility to the next level.
To learn more, head over to HawkinDynamics.com or follow them on Instagram @HawinDynamics.
Subscribe, Rate & Share!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website.
Thanks so much for your support – love and appreciate you!
The post 10 Years of Lessons About Training, Podcasting and Life (Episode 500!) appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

Aug 29, 2025 • 47min
7 Ways to Write Better Training Programs Today
If you’re looking to write better training programs, you’re going to LOVE this week’s episode!
Here, my goal is to not only give you long-term food for thought, but also practical, real-world tips that will help you write better programs starting today.
From my thoughts on training the basics, to making programs more streamlined and congruent, I know everyone who listens is going to take something away from this episode.
So without any further ado, let’s dive in and talk program design!
Quotable Quotes:
To write a better program, you must strike a balance between what your clients want and what they need. It’s about ensuring they stay engaged and motivated while also achieving their fitness goals. This balance is crucial for long-term success and satisfaction.
Agility in program design is key. Not every client will be at their best physically, mentally, or emotionally every day. Your programs should be flexible enough to adapt to these variations, ensuring that progress continues even on challenging days.
Realistic timelines are essential for achieving fitness goals. While the goals themselves may be ambitious, aligning them with a feasible timeline prevents burnout and ensures sustainable progress. It’s about setting expectations that lead to long-term success.
This Week on the Physical Prep Podcast:
Why you MUST find a balance between THEIR wants and YOUR needs.
Thinking ahead and strategizing for injured or return to play clients/athletes.
Thoughts on timelines, and keeping people honest about their goals.
Why you MUST think about what’s going on at the gym when you write a program.
My stance on “the basics,” and why hot shot IG and TikTok influencers (generally) aren’t great coaches.
One of the best compliments I’ve ever gotten from an online client…and the advice you can take away from it.
You can absolutely be fast, fit, strong, and jacked – but why you can’t BUILD all of these qualities in one program (and what to do instead).
Related Links:
RTS Montana Seminar at Revo
Program Design Mentorship
Stop the Frustration! Get the Complete Coach Certification
Are you a young fitness trainer or coach?
Are you frustrated by the results you’re getting or the lack of resources available to learn the skills you need to be successful?
Are you struggling to get enough clients or wondering how long you’ll be able to follow your passion for helping others?
It’s time to stop the frustration and stop worrying. It’s time to get certified!
If you’re serious about improving your results, serious about becoming a better coach, and serious about increasing your bottom line, then you need the Complete Coach Certification.
In this massive course, you’ll learn:
How to use the R7 system to create seamless, integrated and efficient programs for clients and athletes of all shapes and sizes
How to create the culture, environment and relationships with everyone you train so you can get the absolute best results
The exact progressions, regressions, and coaching cues I use in the gym – from squatting and deadlifting to pressing and pulling and everything in between
The assessment process I use to determine the best exercises for a client or athlete on Day 1, and how to set them up for maximal success down the line!
This certification is jam-packed with everything I’ve learned over the last 20 years of my career.
So if you’re ready to get serious about the results you’re getting for your clients and the impact your programs have on your income, head over to www.completecoachcertification.com to sign up for the Complete Coach Certification course today!
Subscribe, Rate & Share
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website.
Thanks so much for your support – love and appreciate you!
The post 7 Ways to Write Better Training Programs Today appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

Aug 22, 2025 • 53min
Courtney Delks on Clarity, Intentionality, and Building a Winning Mindset
Here are a few interesting questions to ask yourself…
How do the stories you were told during childhood impact you as an adult?
How do “unconfident” athletes shift their mindset to unlock their true potential?
And how can activities like journaling or simply being still help you gain clarity in your life?
Well if any of these sound of interest to you, you’re going to love today’s episode with Courtney Delks!
Courtney is a former Indiana Miss Basketball and Indiana Gatorade Player of the Year. And after her high school career, she went on to star at Purdue for 4 years.
Since 2015, Courtney and her husband Jordan own Compete Training Academy, where they help athletes take their game AND their mindset to the next level.
And in this episode we’re going to take a deep dive into mindset, and how you can improve either yours or that of the athletes you work with!
Quotable Quotes:
Clarity is the number one. If you don’t have clarity on who you want to be, where you’re going, you’re just existing
—–
Confidence is a skill that we can develop. It’s not something you’re born with.
—–
Journaling is like running the dishwasher. It’s like brushing your teeth. You gotta focus on getting out the bad and celebrating the good.
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You have to start saying no and taking things away to become who you want to be.
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We all have something we struggle with, and the stories we tell ourselves are so powerful.
This Week on the Physical Prep Podcast:
Courtney’s journey in physical prep – from Indiana Miss Basketball to owner of Compete Training Academy.
Her core philosophy when it comes to mindset, and the importance of clarity, alignment and action.
How anxiety and the role of mindset helped Courtney evolve and overcome obstacles.
Her definition of “confidence” – and how you can built it if you don’t have it!
How the stories we tell ourselves (or were told TO US) as kids impact our lives.
The power of journaling – and how to get started with it today
Why prompts can absolutely help you stick with journaling for the long haul.
Actionable items you can start doing TODAY to improve your mindset and lock in on your goals!
Connect with Courtney:
Compete Training Academy on IG
Courtney Delks on IG
Compete Training Academy Website
Related Links:
Complete Coach Cert
Atomic Habits Book – James Clear
Sandy San Miguel – My Kids Coach
Grow Your Fitness Business or Gym with Push Press!
Gym owners and coaches, have you heard about PushPress?
It’s the best gym management software company and it’s revolutionizing the fitness world.
So check this out: PushPress is built BY gym owners. They understand the ins and outs of running a fitness business because they’re “in the trenches” in their own gyms every single day.
Key products like Core, Grow, and Train are designed to help you with everything from billing and scheduling to lead generation and progress tracking.
Built on the “help first” ethos, PushPress places an exceptional focus on prioritizing client needs, listening to feedback from their community, and using it as the impetus for its ever-evolving, innovative features.
And here’s the strongest plug I can give them – I’ve actually switched to PushPress for all of my clients and athletes.
Getting things set-up and running smoothly is not only easier, but also far more intuitive than many other solutions.
So if you’re interested in learning more, just head over to pushpress.com/ppp.
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Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast!
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Thanks so much for your support – love and appreciate you!
The post Courtney Delks on Clarity, Intentionality, and Building a Winning Mindset appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.


