The Adaptable Athlete Podcast

Send us a textIn this repost episode of the podcast, we revisit one of our most favorite conversations — a deep dive into combat sport skill acquisition with Scott Sievewright, founder of Primal MMA and host of the Primal MMA Coaching Podcast.Scott brings an athlete-centered and constraints-led approach to his work with MMA athletes. In this conversation, we discuss how to design representative practice without traditional drills, how to keep intensity high while still respecting athlete safety, and why coaches should shift from cueing movement to shaping it through context.Scott will be one of our featured presenters at the 2025 Sport Movement Skill Conference happening June 26–27 in St. Paul, MN. Get your ticket at:🔹 Key Topics Discussed:✅ What a live, constraints-led approach looks like in MMA ✅ Why Scott eliminated drilling entirely from his practice ✅ Managing contact, safety, and intensity in striking and grappling ✅ How ecological dynamics helps simplify coaching ✅ Why Scott avoids over-coaching and embraces organized chaos ✅ What it means to train perception and action together📌 Resources & Mentions: Primal MMA Coaching Podcast Primal MMA Website Scott’s Coaching Philosophy & Framework SMSC 2025 Tickets & Info💡Like what you hear? Then you’ll love what Scott brings in person at this year’s conference.Register now and join us in St. Paul, MN – June 26–27, 2025.Stay connected at The Adaptable Athlete for more great conversations.Want to take your coaching to the next level?...check our our courses at Emergence.Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io Let's Chat!Twitter: @thecoachjavIG: @thecoachjav

Send us a textSMSC Speaker Spotlight: Garrett Baker In this episode, we’re highlighting one of our featured presenters for the 2025 Sport Movement Skill Conference — Garrett Baker, Skill Acquisition Specialist and Pitching Coach for the New York Mets. Garrett joins us to talk about the current state of skill development in baseball and why he believes coaches must move beyond traditional notions of “perfect mechanics.”We dig into how Garrett blends theory and practice in the bullpen, what makes his learning environments unique, and how his approach helps athletes become more adaptable and attuned to the real problems they face in competition.You’ll also hear:Why skill development in baseball needs to move beyond “perfect mechanics”How Garrett builds constraint-based bullpens that sharpen decision-makingCoaching intent and perception: why the why matters more than the howThe value of creating environments where athletes compete and adaptWhy “error” in skill learning is a gift, not something to avoidWhat it looks like to coach with the athlete, not at themGarrett’s approach to designing reps that mirror the complexity of real gamesWhat to expect from his session at SMSC 2025 — and why it’s relevant across sportsCredits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io Let's Chat!Twitter: @thecoachjavIG: @thecoachjav

In this engaging conversation, Dr. Rob Gray, a renowned researcher and author of 'Learning to Optimize Movement', dives into ecological dynamics and movement learning. He discusses how specifying information impacts athlete performance and reveals the dangers of using non-specifying tools in training. Gray emphasizes the importance of variability in practice to enhance adaptability. The dialogue also covers the distinction between effective and efficient movement, providing coaches with valuable insights on guiding athletes without over-prescribing solutions.

Send us a textIn this special episode of the Adaptable Athlete Podcast powered by Emergence, Javi welcomes back movement specialist and Emergence co-founder Shawn Myszka for the official preview of the 2025 Sport Movement Skill Conference (SMSC).They break down what to expect at this year’s in-person event -including immersive learning sessions, athlete-led demos, roundtable discussions, and a new certification opportunity -all designed to help coaches better understand and apply ecological dynamics in sport. Shawn also shares what it’s like coaching elite NFL players, how to identify skill gaps in All-Pro athletes, and why 2025 is the year to return to face-to-face collaboration in the coaching community.🗓️ The 2025 SMSC will be held June 26–27 in St. Paul, MN. Early bird pricing is available now. 🔗 Register here: Sport Movement Skill Conference🔹 Key Topics Discussed: ✅ How Sean identifies and addresses skill gaps in elite NFL athletes ✅ The value of ecological dynamics in high-performance coaching ✅ Why SMSC is returning to an all in-person format in 2025 ✅ What coaches can expect from this year’s conference lineup ✅ The debut of the Certified Skill Acquisition Specialist (CSAS) program ✅ The real difference between theory and practice—live on the field ✅ Why learning in community is irreplaceable for growth📌 Resources & Mentions:✅ Register for the 2025 SMSC✅ Emergence Website✅ The Adaptable Athlete Podcast Website✅ Article: The Value of Opposed and Unopposed TrainingCredits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io Let's Chat!Twitter: @thecoachjavIG: @thecoachjav

Send us a textIn this episode of the Adaptable Athlete Podcast, Javi sits down with performance coach Sean Smith, who shares lessons from a unique career that’s spanned elite collegiate volleyball and the high-octane world of IndyCar racing.They dive into what it takes to support athletes across vastly different sports, why curiosity and communication are non-negotiables for great coaching, and how to create high-performance environments without losing the human element. From letting athletes have a say in their training to managing in-season fatigue, Sean offers practical strategies rooted in trust, adaptability, and an ever-evolving coaching philosophy.🔹 Key Topics Discussed: ✅ Lessons from coaching in motorsport and NCAA Division I athletics ✅ How to support athletes when you're unfamiliar with their sport ✅ Building autonomy and joy into elite sport environments ✅ What “true integration” looks like across performance departments ✅ Why athlete wellness data must be actionable—not performative ✅ A nuanced take on early specialization vs. multi-sport development ✅ Sean’s personal shift into ecological and context-driven coaching🔹 Resources & Mentions: ✅ Emergence Website ✅ Challenge Point Framework ✅ Drive to Survive on Netflix ✅ 100 Days to IndyWhether you're in strength and conditioning, sport science, or skill acquisition, this episode will challenge your assumptions and help you think differently about what high performance really means.Don't forget to reserve your spot for the IN PERSON 2025 Sport Movement Skill Conference.💡 Enjoyed this episode? Share it on social media or leave a review to help spread the word!Stay connected at The Adaptable Athlete for more great conversations.Want to take your coaching to the next level?...check our our courses at Emergence.Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io Let's Chat!Twitter: @thecoachjavIG: @thecoachjav

Send us a textIn this Six Minutes of Skill episode, Coach Jav explores the concept of the Challenge Point—both for athletes and coaches. He breaks down how finding the right level of difficulty in training can accelerate skill acquisition, improve decision-making, and better prepare athletes for real-game situations.Key Topics Discussed: ✅ Understanding the Challenge Point and its role in learning ✅ Why failing too much or too little in practice can hinder development ✅ How to adjust practice complexity to match an athlete’s challenge point ✅ The misconception of equating practice performance with learning ✅ Why coaches must also challenge themselves to grow and evolve ✅ How constraints like defender numbers, time pressure, and fatigue impact skill acquisition ✅ The importance of embracing discomfort as a coach📌 Resources & Mentions: ✅ The Challenge Point Framework – Research on optimizing learning through appropriate difficulty levels ✅ The Adaptable Athlete Podcast – Explore more episodes and topics ✅ Emergence Website – Advance your career, and learn more about a modern approach to skill acquisition. 💡 Enjoyed this episode? Share it on social media or leave a review to help spread the word!Stay connected at The Adaptable Athlete for more great conversations.Want to take your coaching to the next level?...check our our courses at Emergence.Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io Let's Chat!Twitter: @thecoachjavIG: @thecoachjav

Jim Haverstrom, a seasoned hockey coach with over 25 years of experience, shares his innovative game-based approach to youth hockey coaching. He emphasizes skill development through in-game scenarios rather than traditional drills, helping players enhance their hockey IQ and creativity. Haverstrom discusses how to communicate these methods to parents, prioritize long-term growth, and foster autonomy in young athletes. He also explores the benefits of observing players to identify their challenges and encourages a culture of ownership in their sport.

Marianne Davies, an expert in skill acquisition with over 35 years in coaching and adventure sports, dives into the fascinating intersection of language, perception, and learning. She shares how unstructured learning in adventure sports can unlock athletes' potential and discusses the importance of exploration for personal growth. Marianne also highlights the importance of building connections and adapting coaching methods, advocating for a shift away from traditional, structured approaches. Her insights reveal how outdoor challenges can enrich both life and sport.

Send us a textIn this episode, we dive deep into the transcendent movement skill of Lamar Jackson with special guest Shawn Myszka!In addition to having partnered with 139 NFL athletes and many pro bowlers, Shawn also has been deeply investigating and writing about movement on his website Football Beyond The Stats for over a decade.  Every year Shawn names "Mover of the Year", and this year it was none other than Lamar Jackson! As a two-time Mover of the Year, Jackson’s ability to adapt, create, and solve problems on the field is unmatched. We explore what makes his movement so special, how he perceives the game at an elite level, and what coaches can learn from how he problem solves. Plus, we break down how weather, and pressure can impact performance at the highest level. Whether you coach football, basketball, soccer, or any other sport, this conversation will reshape how you think about skill development, movement, and coaching in complex environments. If you like today's episode, leave a review here....If you want to reach me directly, contact me on social media or shoot me @javier@emergentmvmt.com.Wanna be able to analyze film through an ecological lens? Check out our Skilled Movement Analysis Course.Episode Resources:2024 Mover of the Year - Lamar 2019 Mover of the Year - Lamar Shawn's twitter Shawn's paper on "(Re)conceptualizing Sport Movement"Shawn's American Football Paper Twitter video of Lamar Episode Webpage Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io Let's Chat!Twitter: @thecoachjavIG: @thecoachjav

Brian Neff, an athletic development coach for US Ski and Snowboard and mentor in the collegiate sector, shares his journey from music to coaching, highlighting the unexpected parallels between the two disciplines. He emphasizes the importance of creativity and adaptability in training, especially for Paralympic athletes. Key discussions revolve around innovative training methods for athletes with cerebral palsy and amputations, showcasing proven techniques that foster resilience and ownership. Neff's unique blend of music and sports enhances his coaching philosophy, making training both engaging and effective.