Although Ken Vick – President and High-Performance Director at Velocity Sports Performance – loved sports in high school, he didn’t begin his career in coaching right away. Ken completed his undergraduate studies at Columbia College Chicago with a degree in Sound Engineering & Acoustic Design. It wasn’t until later, when his wife worked in the fitness industry, that Ken fell in love with coaching. He soon started his career in the world of physical preparation as a weightlifting coach and progressed from there. Inspired to further his knowledge of athleticism, Ken eventually completed his graduate degree in Biomechanics at California State University, Long Beach. Through his work, Ken endeavors to make the world a better place by helping one athlete, coach, and business at a time. Ken joins me today to share his training philosophy and big rocks when it comes to developing speed. He reveals the biggest failings of the sports & fitness industry and highlights the need for training pure speed and incorporating game-like activities into practice to maximize speed development. He describes the role of the weight room in developing speed among athletes. And he also highlights what it means to be a “radical centrist” and underscores the importance of language and communication in the world of physical preparation.   When working with athletes building speed, we need to bridge the gap between pure capability and perception.”- Ken Vick   This week on the Physical Preparation Podcast: What led Ken to the world of physical preparation His career path and how he pivoted from sound engineering & acoustic design to Olympic coaching Ken’s coaching and training philosophy on speed development The ITSS principle in coaching and training and Ken’s thoughts on motor control The importance of language, communication, and teamwork in the world of sports Acceleration at top-end speed and how to develop it with athletes who struggle with it The number one thing parents are most concerned about when it comes to their young athletes’ development Top-end speed and why it’s controversial among coaches and athletes Developing max speed or velocity with athletes Why younger players need to emphasize developing speed and stamina The evolution of sports technology and its abuse Bridging the gap between pure capability and perception Playing duck, duck, goose with athletes and the importance of incorporating game-like activities in a well-rounded program The role of strength training in speed development The value of building a broad foundation of different strength types   Connect with Ken: Velocity Sports Performance Velocity Sports Performance on LinkedIn Velocity Sports Performance on Instagram Velocity Sports Performance on Facebook Velocity Sports Performance on YouTube Ken Vick on LinkedIn Ken Vick on Medium Ken Vick on Instagram Ken Vick on Twitter   Momentous – The Cleanest Recovery Products in the World Momentous is a world-renowned sports performance and recovery supplement. Preferred by top-level athletes in the NFL, NBA, NHL, and NCAA, Momentous is NSF and Informed Sports Certified. Experience the best-tasting, cleanest recovery products in the world and take your performance to the next level. Choose Momentous. For more information on Momentous or to place your first order, visit www.livemomentous.com/robertson – use the coupon code: Robertson20 at checkout to receive 20% off your first order or receive a free 3-pack sample.   Subscribe, Rate & Share! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast with Mike Robertson – your one-stop-shop for fitness trainers, coaches, and athletes. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Google Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website. And last but not least, please don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media. Thank you! The post Ken Vick on Sharing, Speed Development, and Being a Radical Centrist appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

When you have kids, you start seeing the world through their eyes – and you definitely learn a lot from them. I played a lot of sports growing up. And by a lot, I mean if you can think of it, I’ve probably played it at some level. For me, personally, I enjoyed sports because I loved competing and learning athletic skills. And thankfully, this passion translated into a career where I get to work with athletes.! I could say that being in the world of sports and physical preparation all these years has taught me a thing or two about the coaching profession. But coaching my own kids in sports for the last five years taught me some things that I wouldn’t have learned without them. In this episode, I share 10 lessons I’ve learned from coaching youth sports and how they’ve influenced me as a coach. I share some of the questions you should ask yourself,  to help you evaluate and improve your role as a coach, trainer, or rehab professional. I reveal the three elements you need to check whenever you’re coaching youth sports and highlight the importance of creating a fun, engaging environment where it’s safe to make mistakes. I also underscore the reason coaches and trainers should strive to be a positive influence on others and how they can move from a place of significance to a place of impact.   We want to evolve. As coaches, athletes, human beings, the goal is to make a mistake and learn from it. – Mike Robertson   This week on the Physical Preparation Podcast: Our power to control our effort and the value of hard work Why I always tell every kid I work with to have fun The importance of becoming a positive influence on the people you work with Reps, reps, reps (and getting experience over information) The inevitability of mistakes and using them as learning tools The value of fostering an environment where clients and athletes can fail safely The relationship between discomfort and growth How to get clients and athletes to feel like they win in the gym every day Why overnight successes aren’t real and the impact of striving for daily growth The critical role of preparation and the difference between taking your craft seriously and taking yourself seriously Why outcomes aren’t indicative of performance Everything wrong with youth sports and why coaches need to teach young athletes the principles of the game Moving from a place of significance and a place of impact   Resources Mentioned: The Slight Edge: Turning Simple Disciplines into Massive Success and Happiness by Jeff Olson   Subscribe, Rate & Share! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast with Mike Robertson – your one-stop-shop for fitness trainers, coaches, and athletes. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Google Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website. And last but not least, please don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media. Thank you! The post 10 Important Lessons I’ve Learned from Coaching Youth Sports appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

Many young, aspiring coaches think that the path to becoming trainers is as smooth as just graduating from school then landing their dream job. Sometimes, there are lots of stops and hiccups along the way. Sometimes, there’s a lot of detours involved. Take Michael Kay, a Doctor of Physical Therapy based in Phoenix, Arizona. He never thought about becoming a physical therapist or trainer – in fact, he once majored in English and wanted to go to law school. After realizing it wasn’t right for him, Mike ended up studying physical therapy. Still, he wasn’t quite the person who helps people improve their performance that he is today. Mike later got connected with a private gym, training people in the morning, then saw his outpatients the rest of the day. When two training clients turned to three, then four, Mike found himself merging the worlds of training and physical therapy, evolving it into the practice where he finds his fulfillment today. Mike joins me today to share his big rocks and philosophy in training and therapy. He discusses the importance of having the principles of expansion and compression in mind. Mike explains how different people need tailored approaches when it comes to training and reveals how an individual can improve their health. And also underscores the value of developing observational skills and shares his advice for finding success in rotational sports.   Things aren’t black and white in the structure of the human body. Look through the perspective of whether a person can expand or compress and, contextually, what they need to do in sport and life. – Mike Kay   This week on the Physical Preparation Podcast: Mike’s background and how he got into the world of physical preparation Mike’s big rocks in therapy and training philosophy and the importance of assessing compression and expansion How Mike applies his training principles to high-end athletes in rotational sports Evaluating injured athletes and how to get them moving optimally again The value of looking at the body as a system and the importance of self-experimentation What makes a great rotational athlete and how a variety of physical activity can improve health How to get a client stronger without blowing them up in the process The biggest mistakes rotational sports athletes and coaches make in designing a program The pitfalls of over-reliance on bilateral strength and motions How underappreciating what you do in the gym can impact your movement The importance of developing observational skills Sturgeon’s law and the saturation of the fitness industry   Related Links: 2021 Sleep and Recovery Summit Registration   Connect with Mike: Mike Kay on Instagram   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 massive certification course 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! Spots are limited, and the next certification is set to launch in September 2021. To learn more, please join my FREE Insiders List and stay tuned for our launch details to save $200 when the course opens!   Subscribe, Rate & Share! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast with Mike Robertson – your one-stop-shop for fitness trainers, coaches, and athletes. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Google Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website. And last but not least, please don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media. Thank you! The post Mike Kay on Training with Intent and Windows of Adaptation appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

Playing sports initiates all things performance, whether it’s about trying to be a better jump shooter or a better athlete. And that’s exactly the catalyst that sparked the passion of applied sports scientist and educator Max Schmarzo. After playing Division III Basketball for Coe College, where he also completed his degrees in athletic training and strength & conditioning, Max was further inspired by the knowledge and experience he earned as an undergrad and collegiate athlete. He later furthered his studies and earned his Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology at Iowa State University. Today, in addition to his work as a professional consultant, Max is the founder of Strong by Science and co-founder of EdgeU, a platform that helps others develop their craft as trainers, coaches, and therapists. Max joins me today to share his humble beginnings as a basketball player and discuss what inspired his passion for jump training. He differentiates extensive from intensive jump training and describes their inverse relationship with each other. Max explains the different variables he considers when developing a training program and discusses the different kinds of jumps and jumpers. He also highlights the foundational quality of strength training in developing jumps and underscores the importance of bringing critical thinking to physical preparation.   Jumping is pure movement. When someone jumps really high, it’s a pure expression of something immediate that we can’t really describe. – Max Schmarzo   This week on the Physical Preparation Podcast: Max’s background and his early experiences in Physical Preparation and Strength & Conditioning His frustrations with basketball and how he was introduced to biomechanics at a young age What sparked Max’s enthusiasm and dedication to jump training The difference between extensive and intensive jump training and how they’re inversely related When and where to implement extensive and intensive jump training Why people have challenges with the landing aspect of plyometrics The difference between jump training and plyometrics The different kinds of jumps and jumpers The role of stiffness and ankle work in jumps How maximum effort can make people revert to bad habits The value of strength training in improving the vertical jump The reason it’s important to track your progress when jump training The value of data interpretation and critical thinking The biggest mistakes people make with their jump training How to get the most out of your jump training The good and the bad of fitness apps and technology   Resources Mentioned: Always an Athlete   Connect with Max: Strong by Science The EdgeU Strong by Science Podcast The Max & Vernon Project Podcast Strong by Science on YouTube Strong by Science on Instagram Strong by Science on Twitter Strong by Science on Facebook Always an Athlete on Instagram   Momentous – The Cleanest Recovery Products in the World Momentous is a world-renowned sports performance and recovery supplement. Preferred by top-level athletes in the NFL, NBA, NHL, and NCAA, Momentous is NSF and Informed Sports Certified. Experience the best-tasting, cleanest recovery products in the world and take your performance to the next level. Choose Momentous. For more information on Momentous or to place your first order, visit www.livemomentous.com/robertson – use the coupon code: Robertson20 at checkout to receive 20% off your first order or receive a free 3-pack sample.   Subscribe, Rate & Share! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast with Mike Robertson – your one-stop-shop for fitness trainers, coaches, and athletes. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Google Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website. And last but not least, please don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media. Thank you! The post Max Schmarzo on Plyometrics, Jump Training and Elite Athleticism appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

Danny O’Rourke has seen soccer from the vantage point of both athlete and coach. After playing collegiate soccer at Indiana University – where he played 83 games, who back-to-back National Championships and the MAC Hermann Trophy – Danny had an 11-year MLS career. In the early years of his career as a professional soccer player, Danny was immediately esteemed as one of the bright young prospects at midfield and later won two MLS cups, in addition to being a three-time Supporter’s Shield champion. Today, Danny is back at Indiana University as an assistant coach to give back to the Indiana Hoosiers. Currently in his third season, Danny has helped the team win back-to-back Big Ten Conferences and regular season championships. And along his journey from soccer player to coach, Danny has picked up some of the most important lessons a coach can learn. Danny joins me today to share his experiences as a collegiate and professional soccer player and how he transitioned to his role as Assistant Coach at Indiana University. He highlights the differences between playing soccer at the collegiate and professional levels, and he underscores the importance of filtering through the wealth of knowledge in today’s world and having different tools in your toolbox. He also discusses what he attributes his career success to and explains how the role of physical preparation evolved throughout his career as an athlete and coach.   Every individual is unique; you can’t just have one approach to every athlete. Look at how they are as a person, then think about how you can relate defense and tactics to them. – Danny O’Rourke   This week on the Physical Preparation Podcast: Danny’s career in professional soccer and his transition to coaching in the world of physical preparation What his views on weight training were while he was playing at the high school and collegiate level Finding the perfect balance between being an authority and being an athlete’s friend How Danny changed his physical preparation to maintain his growth as a player at the professional level How being around better players pushes you to become a better athlete The value of learning to enjoy the training process and avoiding perfectionism Mentors that stood out in Danny’s career The importance of having an individual approach to training athletes Lessons from Danny’s time in the private sector The hardest part about transitioning from athlete to coach How the world of physical preparation can continue to evolve and develop Danny’s career highlights as a coach and athlete The benefits and importance of taking time off and enjoying downtime   Connect with Danny: Email: dporourk@indiana.edu   Momentous – The Cleanest Recovery Products in the World Momentous is a world-renowned sports performance and recovery supplement. Preferred by top-level athletes in the NFL, NBA, NHL, and NCAA, Momentous is NSF and Informed Sports Certified. Experience the best-tasting, cleanest recovery products in the world and take your performance to the next level. Choose Momentous. For more information on Momentous or to place your first order, visit www.livemomentous.com/robertson – use the coupon code: Robertson20 at checkout to receive 20% off your first order or receive a free 3-pack sample.   Subscribe, Rate & Share! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast with Mike Robertson – your one-stop-shop for fitness trainers, coaches, and athletes. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Google Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website. And last but not least, please don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media. Thank you! The post Danny O’Rourke on the Transition from Athlete to Coach appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

Performance Coach and Brand Strategy Consultant Sam Pogue knows what it takes to be resilient in a time of uncertainty. After his stint as Director of Strategic Partnerships and Senior Coach for Onnit, Sam moved to Colorado to work for TrueCoach as Vice President of Brand. Amidst the global pandemic, Sam was laid off following the organization’s acquisition by TSG. But Sam did not fret. Instead, he saw it as an opportunity. Sam became an entrepreneur and designed the Be Less Un-fit program, a practical fitness program designed for everyday adults. He also co-founded The Choice Point, a gamified mindfulness app to support behavior change. Despite his inherent determination and perseverance, Sam adheres to a key lesson he learned throughout the ebb and flow of his career: that a person can only meet success in the fitness industry through the support of others. Sam joins me today to discuss what it takes to be resilient in the fitness industry, especially in the time of COVID-19. He shares his background and describes his transition from Onnit to TrueCoach. Sam explains the ups and downs of being an entrepreneur and reveals the question people should ask themselves before they embark on a business idea. He elaborates on what mechanical advantage is and underscores the importance of communication skills in coaching. Sam also highlights the power of simplicity and shares his advice for young coaches on success.   Learning to ask questions opens the door for people to get better information and puts them in a position to grow because no one gets through this industry by themselves. – Sam Pogue   It may not feel like you’re getting big breaks right away, but if you add value to another person, you will later be in a better position. – Sam Pogue   This week on the Physical Preparation Podcast: Catching up with Sam and why he decided to transition from Onnit to TrueCoach How Sam responded to getting laid off from TrueCoach What people should ask themselves before they jump into entrepreneurship Why you should base decisions purely for the long run and not solely for the money The importance of understanding the principles behind workouts and exercises The difficulty young coaches face while working in a world filled with social media Sam’s steps towards body transformation Simplicity as the highest form of sophistication and the power of asking the right questions The pros and cons of being an entrepreneur   Related Content: Sam Pogue on How to Integrate Kettlebell, Maces and Clubs Into Your Programming   Connect with Sam: Sam Pogue Website The Choice Point on Instagram Sam Pogue on LinkedIn Sam Pogue on Instagram Sam Pogue on Facebook Sam Pogue on YouTube   IFAST University is BACK! Are You In? Are you ready to take your coaching and training career to the next level? You need to find great mentors to guide you along your journey – to help you find the blind spots in your own training programs and improve your skills as a coach. But… mentorship can be expensive, and unfortunately, it’s not always feasible for some budgets. That’s why Bill Hartman and I developed IFAST University, an online curriculum and mentorship program designed exclusively for fitness trainers, coaches, and rehab professionals. We want to help every trainer and coach in the industry improve their training techniques and write better training programs for their clients. By becoming a member of IFAST University, you’ll receive: Hundreds of hours of members-only exclusive content, Monthly updates and tips to help you improve your skills and programs, Group Q&A sessions to answer your specific questions, and Access to our Facebook group, where you can learn from other dedicated professionals such as yourself This blend of content and Q&A is specifically designed to help make YOU the best fitness trainer you can be. To learn more or to join IFAST University now, visit https://ifastuniversity.com/   Subscribe, Rate & Share! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast with Mike Robertson – your one-stop-shop for fitness trainers, coaches, and athletes. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Google Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website. And last but not least, please don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media. Thank you! The post Sam Pogue on Resilience in the Fitness Industry appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

To me, Lee Taft is more than a highly-respected and world-renowned athletic movement specialist: He has been a constant mentor and role model who helped shape my thoughts on speed training. A former physical education teacher, Lee began his career in the world of physical preparation in 1989 and has since been helping people take their speed to the next level. In addition to his work as a coach, speaker, and consultant, Lee has also created numerous books, videos and courses on speed development, including Complete Speed and The Speed insiders Academy. Lee is a thought-provoking individual who continues to contribute and facilitate educational progress in the world of physical preparation and remains as one of the most influential people in my career today. Lee joins me today to discuss how to coach speed effectively. He describes the process he uses to evaluate athletes and how it has evolved through the years. He talks about the role of mistakes and failures in athletic development and underscores the necessity for competition in speed training. He shares guidelines on effective speed training and discusses why coaches shouldn’t cue athletes on the first rep. And last but not least, he highlights the importance of understanding intent and shares his advice to young coaches who want to get serious about training athletes for speed.   Ensure that athletes understand their intent. With multi-directional speed, ensure they understand where to apply force to move their mass to where they want to go. – Lee Taft   This week on the Physical Preparation Podcast: The seven patterns of movement and Lee’s big rocks in assessing an athlete What Lee’s evaluation session looks like and the first assessment he learned to facilitate Lee’s general rules on coaching speed training The difference between “low-functioning” and “dysfunctional” issues and how to approach them Why coaches shouldn’t cue athletes from the get-go The role of failures and mistakes in learning and success How conscious effort can often get in the way of skill learning Lee’s perspectives on speed correctives and how he applies them to his system The tendency to over-complicate things in the world of coaching Why young coaches need to understand the basic laws of physics The value of being a generalist when it comes to athletic movement   Related Content: Lee Taft Talks Training Adults, Combines, and Strength Training for Speed Lee Taft on the Biggest Coaching Mistakes in Speed Training Lee Taft on Program Design for Elite Speed and Agility   Connect with Lee Taft: Lee Taft Official Website Lee Taft on LinkedIn Lee Taft on Instagram Lee Taft on Facebook Lee Taft on YouTube Lee Taft on Twitter EMAIL: LT@LeeTaft.com   IFAST University is BACK! Are You In? Are you ready to take your coaching and training career to the next level? You need to find great mentors to guide you along your journey – to help you find the blind spots in your own training programs and improve your skills as a coach. But… mentorship can be expensive, and unfortunately, it’s not always feasible for some budgets. That’s why Bill Hartman and I developed IFAST University, an online curriculum and mentorship program designed exclusively for fitness trainers, coaches, and rehab professionals. We want to help every trainer and coach in the industry improve their training techniques and write better training programs for their clients. By becoming a member of IFAST University, you’ll receive: Hundreds of hours of members-only exclusive content, Monthly updates and tips to help you improve your skills and programs, Group Q&A sessions to answer your specific questions, and Access to our Facebook group, where you can learn from other dedicated professionals such as yourself This blend of content and Q&A is specifically designed to help make YOU the best fitness trainer you can be. To learn more or to join IFAST University now, visit https://ifastuniversity.com/   Subscribe, Rate & Share! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast with Mike Robertson – your one-stop-shop for fitness trainers, coaches, and athletes. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Google Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website. And last but not least, please don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media. Thank you! The post Lee Taft on Assessing and Coaching Speed Effectively appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

Born and raised in Minnesota, Athletic Performance Coach for Women’s Senior National Volleyball team Jimmy Stitz has always known he wanted to become a coach. Growing up with a passion for many sports, Jimmy stumbled into the world of strength and conditioning at an early age. Realizing his athletic career may not have been strong enough to become a high-level sport coach, Jimmy turned his sights to a different form of coaching – as a strength and conditioning coach and physical preparation specialist. Although Jimmy has never played a single game of volleyball as a young athlete and had a less-than-basic understanding of the rules of the sport – his drive, perseverance, and passion for athleticism and sports performance eventually led him to begin working with and watching the Head Coach of the Women’s National Volleyball team, Karch Kiraly. When Jimmy isn’t spending his time training amazing female volleyball athletes, he can often be found relaxing with his wife in Long Beach, California and preparing to become a first-time dad. Jimmy joins me today to discuss how sports performance coaches can build a durable, adaptable, and robust volleyball player. We discuss how he stumbled his way into sports performance and training high-level volleyball athletes and how the volleyball club season differs from other sports club seasons. We talk about how athlete management and creating athletic programs work for national volleyball athletes and how it differs from sports like soccer or basketball. We dive into the power-to-weight ratio, and why it’s an important quality for competing at the highest level. And last but not least, Jimmy explains the difference between developing an athlete and managing them and how much time he spends on developing an athlete’s physical qualities compared to maintaining them and keeping them healthy.   Trying to get them to change the thought process around ‘bigger, faster, stronger’ into ‘durable, adaptable, robust’ is really a BIG switch for a lot of volleyball players. – Jimmy Stitz   This week on the Physical Preparation Podcast: What led Jimmy to the world of physical preparation and sports performance The difference between the volleyball club season compared to other sports Managing and creating programs for volleyball athletes The physical qualities that volleyball athletes need to be able to compete at the highest level How Jimmy differentiates developing an athlete compared to managing an athlete Why Jimmy focuses more on building a durable, adaptable, and robust athlete instead of helping them become bigger, faster, or stronger Why consistency is the key to becoming a star athlete Training an aging athlete vs training a young, healthy, and resilient athlete What a typical day looks like for the athletes Jimmy trains Advice Jimmy would give to his younger self   Connect with Jimmy: Jimmy Stitz on LinkedIn   IFAST University is BACK! Are You In? Are you ready to take your coaching and training career to the next level? You need to find great mentors to guide you along your journey – to help you find the blind spots in your own training programs and improve your skills as a coach. But… mentorship can be expensive, and unfortunately, it’s not always feasible for some budgets. That’s why Bill Hartman and I developed IFAST University, an online curriculum and mentorship program designed exclusively for fitness trainers, coaches, and rehab professionals. We want to help every trainer and coach in the industry improve their training techniques and write better training programs for their clients. By becoming a member of IFAST University, you’ll receive: Hundreds of hours of members-only exclusive content, Monthly updates and tips to help you improve your skills and programs, Group Q&A sessions to answer your specific questions, and Access to our Facebook group, where you can learn from other dedicated professionals such as yourself This blend of content and Q&A is specifically designed to help make YOU the best fitness trainer you can be. To learn more or to join IFAST University now, visit https://ifastuniversity.com/   Subscribe, Rate & Share! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast with Mike Robertson – your one-stop-shop for fitness trainers, coaches, and athletes. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Google Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website. And last but not least, please don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media. Thank you! The post Jimmy Stitz on Building a Durable, Adaptable and Robust Volleyball Player appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

When 8 Weeks Out founder and best-selling author Joel Jamieson began his career in the fitness industry, he immediately learned the importance of data in gauging the factors that affect fitness and recovery. But what’s interesting is that those factors are often found outside the gym. Without an objective technology that can monitor these factors, coaches’ decisions on their client’s fitness programs will revolve around guesswork. Joel, one of the world’s authorities on strength, conditioning, and energy system development, is passionate about closing this gap between technology and fitness, which is why he created Morpheus, a fitness platform designed to accelerate recovery and fitness. Joel joins me today to highlight the role of information, data, and technology in optimizing fitness. He emphasizes the importance of conditioning in any fitness goal and explains how a coach can create an effective conditioning program. Joel reveals how factors that don’t seem to be related with training or working out can significantly impact fitness results. He also underscores how data can help prevent injuries while supplementing performance and explains how technology can assist coaches in decision-making.   Coaching without data is a very guess-based process. You can use information in your decision-making process, but without some technology behind that, you’ll have no idea what people are doing. – Joel Jamieson   This week on the Physical Preparation Podcast: How a late-night post in a forum led Joel to write his Ultimate MMA Conditioning book Why general population coaches should emphasize conditioning in their workouts The goals and elements of conditioning Why long-duration, low-intensity programs get a bad rap The benefits of low-intensity workouts and how to make them less boring How having a training program is different from “working out” How to gauge and track progress in conditioning programs Using technology to guide and support working out What the Morpheus system is and why Joel built it The power of data in coaching and fitness Predicting the future of technology in fitness and sports Getting caught up with collecting data without deriving insights from it Joel’s “Recover to Win” course and the most significant factors that impact recovery The role of recovery in reaping the benefits of fitness training   Related Content: Chris Barnes on the Evolution of Sports Science in Professional Soccer   Connect with Joel Jamieson: Morpheus BioForce HRV 8 Weeks Out 8 Weeks Out on LinkedIn 8 Weeks Out on YouTube 8 Weeks Out on Facebook Joel Jamieson on Instagram Joel Jamieson on Twitter Book: Ultimate MMA Conditioning   IFAST University is BACK! Are You In? Are you ready to take your coaching and training career to the next level? You need to find great mentors to guide you along your journey – to help you find the blind spots in your own training programs and improve your skills as a coach. But… mentorship can be expensive, and unfortunately, it’s not always feasible for some budgets. That’s why Bill Hartman and I developed IFAST University, an online curriculum and mentorship program designed exclusively for fitness trainers, coaches, and rehab professionals. We want to help every trainer and coach in the industry improve their training techniques and write better training programs for their clients. By becoming a member of IFAST University, you’ll receive: Hundreds of hours of members-only exclusive content, Monthly updates and tips to help you improve your skills and programs, Group Q&A sessions to answer your specific questions, and Access to our Facebook group, where you can learn from other dedicated professionals such as yourself This blend of content and Q&A is specifically designed to help make YOU the best fitness trainer you can be. To learn more or to join IFAST University now, visit https://ifastuniversity.com/   Subscribe, Rate & Share! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast with Mike Robertson – your one-stop-shop for fitness trainers, coaches, and athletes. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Google Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website. And last but not least, please don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media. Thank you! The post Joel Jamieson on Merging Fitness and Technology to Unlock Human Potential appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

From his experience working with elite athletes, Nutrition Consultant Kyle Pfaffenbach knows all too well a pitfall athletes tend to have: While they are driven for success, they can be too strict with everything from training to nutrition. Kyle is an Associate Professor of Health and Human Performance at Eastern Oregon University, where he teaches exercise physiology and nutrition in addition to his work with high-level athletes. And while he acknowledges the passion athletes have for training, Kyle, who holds a Ph.D. in Nutrition, emphasizes that an effective nutrition practice encompasses more than just the strict implementation of a one-size-fits-all system. It involves awareness, intent, and a practice he calls “turning the screws.” Kyle joins me today to share his “big rocks” and philosophy on health & training and defines what it means to “turn the screw” when it comes to nutrition. He reveals the red flags to watch out for when consuming information and content about nutrition and training and shares some great, evidence-based ways to start improving health and nutrition. And finally, he explains why we need to form a symbiotic relationship with food, how to do it, and underscores the importance of “periodizing” nutrition.   When it comes to nutrition, you have to periodize, to turn the screws. You have to have awareness and intentionality, not control. – Kyle Pfaffenbach   This week on the Physical Preparation Podcast: How Kyle became interested in the world of biochemistry, physiology, and nutrition The beginnings of Kyle’s work as a nutritional consultant for athletes His overarching philosophy when it comes to nutrition Kyle’s health-first approach, and the role of transparency in his philosophy in nutrition His advice for filtering and discerning information about diet, nutrition, and fitness The vilifying of individual nutrients and the fear of carbohydrates in elite sports A great starting place to improve nutrition and become healthier The dangers of applying a single system of training to all types of athletes What it means to “turn the screws” and periodize nutrition The importance and roles of awareness and intentionality in health & nutrition Helping clients navigate the plethora of diet and nutrition programs today Why protein and carbohydrates matter for the elite athlete What makes it difficult to work with carbohydrates The value of forging a symbiotic relationship with food   Related Content: Marc Bubbs on Building a Complete Nutrition Program Sean Muldoon on How a “Non-Soccer Guy” Became Successful in Soccer   Connect with Kyle Pfaffenbach: Kyle Pfaffenbach on LinkedIn Kyle Pfaffenbach on Instagram EMAIL: kpfaffenbach@eou.edu   IFAST University is BACK! Are You In? Are you ready to take your coaching and training career to the next level? You need to find great mentors to guide you along your journey – to help you find the blind spots in your own training programs and improve your skills as a coach. But… mentorship can be expensive, and unfortunately, it’s not always feasible for some budgets. That’s why Bill Hartman and I developed IFAST University, an online curriculum and mentorship program designed exclusively for fitness trainers, coaches, and rehab professionals. We want to help every trainer and coach in the industry improve their training techniques and write better training programs for their clients. By becoming a member of IFAST University, you’ll receive: Hundreds of hours of members-only exclusive content, Monthly updates and tips to help you improve your skills and programs, Group Q&A sessions to answer your specific questions, and Access to our Facebook group, where you can learn from other dedicated professionals such as yourself This blend of content and Q&A is specifically designed to help make YOU the best fitness trainer you can be. To learn more or to join IFAST University now, visit https://ifastuniversity.com/   Subscribe, Rate & Share! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast with Mike Robertson – your one-stop-shop for fitness trainers, coaches, and athletes. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Google Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website. And last but not least, please don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media. Thank you! The post Kyle Pfaffenbach on Turning the Screws with Principle-Based Nutrition appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.