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The Vive Podcast is for coaches, trainers, athletes, parents of athletes, fitness professionals, and human performance enthusiasts. We started this podcast to bring you insights from the biggest names in sports performance, strength conditioning, and athletics with hopes that you will gain understanding, insights, ideas and the tools you need to optimize your athletic program, sports performance business, athletic career and future in this ever-evolving space.
- 115 - Will Hitzelberger — Extra Strength & Conditioning Training is Needed in Soccer
Will Hitzelberger, as the Founder and President of SPECTRUM, has made significant strides in sports performance training, particularly in soccer. He is a VertiMax ambassador and has been a Certified VertiMax Master Trainer and Presenter, leveraging VertiMax equipment to redefine soccer training with innovative techniques.
Will sits down with Al to talk about what’s really lacking in soccer for the average athlete. Unfortunately, there is just not enough emphasis on strength & conditioning training and if you really want to become a high-level player, you have to make time outside of your club to get your body conditioned right.
Key Takeaways:
[2:00] As a young father, how does Will think about sports and coaching differently?
[3:55] As a coach, how do you get an edge and become a great coach?
[6:10] Athletes have to incorporate more strength and conditioning training into their routine if they want to be high-level soccer players.
[8:00] What movements should soccer players be paying attention to?
[10:25] Don’t be afraid to get strong and ‘bulky’ in the sport.
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“The game is just so much faster and stronger than it used to be. As important as it is to be fit, you have to get involved in a strength & conditioning program [not just cardio]."
"You have to seek out strength training outside of your club because it is a very important attribute to progressing in the sport now."
Fri, 19 Apr 2024 - 12min - 114 - Will Hitzelberger — How to Train a Developing World’s Soccer Team
Will Hitzelberger, as the Founder and President of SPECTRUM, has made significant strides in sports performance training, particularly in soccer. He is a VertiMax ambassador and has been a Certified VertiMax Master Trainer and Presenter, leveraging VertiMax equipment to redefine soccer training with innovative techniques.
In this episode, we learn about Will’s experience working with the Jamaican women’s national soccer team. At the beginning, Will had to learn how to work with the limited resources he had. Many of his players didn’t have proper shoes or even nutrition. He had to think outside of the box to get these women qualified for the World Cup.
Key Takeaways:
[1:40] Will was the sports performance coach for the Jamaican women’s national soccer team.
[3:50] Bob Marley’s daughter, Cedella Marley, is a big advocate and voice in the soccer community.
[5:30] Education is the name of the game when building up a sports team in a developing country.
[6:15] Will had to adapt a ‘no excuses’ mentality when it came to working with his limited resources.
[7:35] Lack of resources gives us something to fight for and strive for.
[10:10] Interested in working with foreign teams? Network, network, network.
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“This isn’t something where there’s a roadmap to it [becoming an elite coach]. It is a little bit about who you know."
"When you fly to places like Haiti to qualify for a tournament, your equipment is going to go missing."
Fri, 12 Apr 2024 - 11min - 113 - Will Hitzelberger — Behind the Scenes as a VertiMax Master Trainer
Will Hitzelberger, as the Founder and President of SPECTRUM, has made significant strides in sports performance training, particularly in soccer. He is a VertiMax ambassador and has been a Certified VertiMax Master Trainer and Presenter, leveraging VertiMax equipment to redefine soccer training with innovative techniques.
In this episode, we learn a little bit about Will and some of his ambassador and master trainer duties at VertiMax. He shares his entrepreneurial journey and how it’s all been possible using VertiMax’s equipment and offers insight into why he loves working with the VertiMax brand.
Key Takeaways:
[1:20] A little bit about Will.
[3:20] Will has four Spectrum facilities and helps athletes with resistance work, rehab, and more.
[4:25] Why did Will get into youth athletes?
[7:25] How did Will’s coaching center evolve over the years?
[11:15] Why does Will love using VertiMax?
[13:10] As a VertiMax Master Trainer and Ambassador, what does an average day look like for Will?
[14:50] How do you become a master trainer/ambassador?
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“Every trainer wants to open their own gym, cooks want to open their own restaurant, it’s glamorous to say, but it’s a lot different to actually open your own spot."
"I’m very passionate about education in our industry and VertiMax gives me the platform to do that."
Fri, 29 Mar 2024 - 16min - 112 - I.T. Antigha — How to Replace Your Bands on the VertiMax
Itam (I.T.) Antigha, more commonly referred to as "I.T.", is one of the members of the VertiMax Team as part of the Inside Sales and Client Support team. He is responsible for supporting and serving the VertiMax community by organizing personalized visits to educate, engage and develop relationships with coaches, trainers, and athletes.
I.T. often helps clients with information around maintaining their Vertimax in the best condition possible. In this episode, he speaks with Al on some of the signs you need to be aware of when it comes to replacing your Vertimax resistance bands.
Key Takeaways:
[1:55] What’s the difference between a vertimax band and an average resistance band?
[3:50] On average, how long do Vertimax bands last?
[5:00] When does it make sense to change the bands? Are there signs to look out for?
[6:45] Can the client/owner change the bands themselves? Yes!
[8:40] How do you find replacement bands?
[10:15] It’s important to know that you’ll be replacing the set of bands with your Vertimax; not just one band.
[12:00] Need help? Send us an email or message! Happy to help!
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“The more you maintain the bands after each use, the better it would be to you."
"If there are white fibers sticking out of your bands, that’s an indication that you want to change your band soon."
Fri, 15 Mar 2024 - 12min - 111 - I.T. Antigha — Important Football Linebacker Drills to Try
Itam (I.T.) Antigha, more commonly referred to as "I.T.", is one of the members of the VertiMax Team as part of the Inside Sales and Client Support team. He is responsible for supporting and serving the VertiMax community by organizing personalized visits to educate, engage and develop relationships with coaches, trainers, and athletes.
I.T. is back with another informative episode with Al. They talk about how linebackers can improve their movements with specific drills that help them move in a versatile direction. Linebacker requirements have changed over the years, and are required to be developed into more speedy blockers. Here’s some drills to consider when you’re improving your linear and lateral movements.
Key Takeaways:
[1:15] A little bit about I.T. and what he does at team Vertimax.
[1:50] Linebacker position in football has changed dramatically over the years.
[4:20] Being able to work forwards and backwards is key to a well-developed linebacker.
[4:35] I.T. explains the Angle Drill.
[5:55] Back peddle and shuffle drill.
[8:30] Open field tackling - what should players be aware of?
[12:10] I.T. shares why cutback drills are helpful for in-game practice.
[15:00] Want more football drill info? Download the Vertimax app!
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“The game of football has become much more passing and running all over the field, the linebacker has to be a blend of athletic, fast, and also stopping the run."
"Linebackers are like hybrid safeties. Linebackers have shrunk in size over time. ."
Thu, 07 Mar 2024 - 15min - 110 - Brett Kuehn — 5 Volleyball Drills to Work Through During Off-Season
Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business.
Al and Brett talk about some different ways you can improve your volleyball game during the off-season. He just got back from a training camp session and has some interesting insights to share on what athletes are doing to improve their jumps, agility, and net drills in this week’s episode.
Key Takeaways:
[2:25] If you want to get far in volleyball, you need to jump high. You can’t forget this part during the off-season.
[3:45] Aside from using the VertiMax with multiple athletes, resistance bands are very helpful to target certain areas.
[4:55] Brett talks about why he likes to use the agility ladder.
[5:50] Passing the net drills and how to hone in on making your game more efficient.
[6:45] How do you best improve your blocking moves?
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“Agility ladder is a great warm up drill to use to get your hips loose, your ankles, and helps you with your coordination. Super cheap and easy to move around."
"Resistance bands are small. You can hang them up on a wall. They are a cheap alternative to dumbbells."
Thu, 22 Feb 2024 - 08min - 109 - Brett Kuehn — Fun Ways to Prepare and Train for Youth Baseball
Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business.
Al and Brett talk about some of the fun ways you can get your kid excited and moving in youth baseball. Kids need to be engaged and their circummlum needs to be fun or else they’ll never want to go. Brett breaks down some routines for you to train to get children moving and consistent.
Key Takeaways:
[1:00] What are some fun ways to train for youth baseball?
[1:50] Brett breaks down some fun baseball warmups.
[3:20] Best hitting drills you can use for your young athletes.
[6:35] Al loves seeing his kids have a relay race at the very end of each practice.
[7:30] If kids are just going through the motions, it gets boring for them.
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“Run through first, that’s it. So the kids will run as fast as they can through first so that you can see who gets there the fastest."
"Their fun is part of the practice. A relay race is a great way to do that."
Thu, 15 Feb 2024 - 09min - 108 - Kerry Bennett — How to Become a VertiMax Master Traine
Kerry Bennett is a VertiMax Master Trainer and Ambasador. Kerry is a former NFL player with the Washington Redskins and has successfully transitioned into a renowned sports performance coach. With a degree in kinesiology, he founded the Beast Bus, a mobile sports performance facility featuring advanced training equipment like VertiMax.
Al and Kerry talk about what it means to be a VertiMax trainer as well as a VertiMax ambassador. Kerry shares why he’s passionate about the VertiMax system and how it helps you stand out from a very saturated sports industry as a coach.
Key Takeaways:
[1:50] A little bit about Kerry and his athletic career.
[5:10] What does it take to be a VertiMax Master Trainer?
[7:55] Learn more about the VertiMax ambassador program.
[10:55] VertiMax trainer is unique in itself and separates you from other sports performance coaches.
[12:55] Kerry is also a community outreach partner in Texas. What has Kerry learned so far?
[16:40] Kerry loves being in this space because he’s always learning something new.
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“You can make a business just using the VertiMax alone. If you’re a trainer just starting out, it’s portable and you can build your whole program around it."
"Anywhere from athlete, anywhere from general pop, you can create a fitness routine [with the VertiMax]. You can’t go wrong with it."
Thu, 04 Jan 2024 - 19min - 107 - Jennifer George — The Differences in Coaching High School Vs. College Women’s Teams
Jennifer George is the Women’s Basketball Strength Coach at Rollins College as well as the Director of Sports Performance at Bishop Moore Catholic High School. Jennifer is also the Founder of Girls Basketball Worldwide Foundation, a youth organization based in Orlando, Florida.
Al and Jennifer talk about the difference between coaching high school vs. college teams on this week’s episode. Jennifer has also played internationally and has seen a wide range of students come through her doors. She shares what it takes to be a well-rounded coach at the university level that takes into account the different athletic needs with each of her students.
Key Takeaways:
[1:05] A little bit about Jennifer and her athletic career.
[1:35] What are some of the differences between playing pro in the US vs. internationally?
[4:45] Jennifer has coached both high school and college. What are some of the pros and cons of both?
[9:30] Jennifer is able to push college women a little harder than the highschool team due to the flexible schedule.
[10:10] In college, you have to adapt to new schedules, which can make training consistently a lot harder.
[10:40] Are you new to coaching? Find a mentor.
[12:10] There is no ‘right’ way to train. However, there is definitely a wrong way.
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“Challenges at the highschool level are time and commitments. It’s basically 6am or after school, so you lose a lot of that time."
"The challenge at college level is the actual sport and coaches canceling on a whim. You have a plan and the next thing you know, the practice is canceled."
Thu, 07 Dec 2023 - 13min - 106 - Jennifer George — Challenges in Women’s Basketball
Jennifer George is the Women’s Basketball Strength Coach at Rollins College as well as the Director of Sports Performance at Bishop Moore Catholic High School. Jennifer is also the Founder of Girls Basketball Worldwide Foundation, a youth organization based in Orlando, Florida.
Al and Jennifer talk about women’s sports and certain challenges that women face when they’re playing a sport to its fullest potential. Although the United States has done better when it comes to bridging the gap between male and female sports, it’s still not perfect.
Key Takeaways:
[2:00] A little bit about Jennifer and her athletic career.
[3:35] Jennifer shares the moment she knew she wanted to make basketball her career.
[9:00] What kind of challenges has Jennifer faced in her sport’s career?
[11:20] 40% of girls drop out of sports in middle school due to lack of opportunities.
[12:50] Representation matters at all levels, and not just in sports.
[14:30] Jennifer is passionate about closing the gap between male and female sports in the Caribbean. She explains how it’s different over there than it is in the United States.
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“I had a passion, I would do it for free. I love training people."
"40% of girls drop out of sports because of lack of opportunities and lack of skill sets."
Thu, 30 Nov 2023 - 17min - 105 - Jennifer George — Girls Basketball Worldwide Foundation
Jennifer George is the Women’s Basketball Strength Coach at Rollins College as well as the Director of Sports Performance at Bishop Moore Catholic High School. Jennifer is also the Founder of Girls Basketball Worldwide Foundation, a youth organization based in Orlando, Florida.
Jennifer joins Al to discuss her Foundation and why there’s a deep need to help underprivileged players that are on sports scholarships. Sports have the ability to elevate your mindset and your quality of life, and Jennifer shares why it’s important to encourage our youth of today to continue playing in these sports programs.
Key Takeaways:
[2:00] A little bit about Jennifer and her athletic history.
[3:20] Why did Jennifer Found the Girls Basketball Worldwide Foundation?
[4:50] So few go on to play in the WNBA/NBA, but that shouldn’t deter people from playing sports. Sports can teach you so much.
[7:15] What’s next for Jennifer and her Foundation?
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“Even though girls can come or athletes can come to the states to have a better life for themselves, they still need help once they’re here."
"40% of girls drop out of sports after middle school."
Thu, 23 Nov 2023 - 10min - 104 - Mario Garza — Best Baseball Drills for Explosive Movement
Mario Garza is the Director of Baseball Development at the New York Yankees. As a former pro baseball athlete for the Houston Astros, Mario uses his expertise to help develop baseball players to maximize their full potential and make them better.
Mario joins Al to discuss drill strategies for different baseball positions. He offers advice for both infield and outfield athletes looking to up their game and increase their explosive power. You don’t want to miss this quick 15-minute episode!
Key Takeaways:
[1:35] A little bit about Mario and his work at the New York Yankees.
[2:45] What kind of drills should infield baseball athletes be practicing?
[3:45] It’s incredibly important to practice throwing at different angles.
[5:00] Mario explains what a game clock drill is.
[6:05] What drills should outfield athletes be practicing?
[8:25] You pay rent on speed. What does Mario mean by this?
[10:10] You have to actively practice increasing your speed. Don’t take it for granted.
[12:45] Mario offers tricks on how you can make your bat a little heavier to train speed.
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“When we’re playing catch, I think it’s important to move our feet while catching. We’re never going to make a throw from a standstill position."
"Put the constraint of a game clock on the player so that they have to make a play quicker or slower depending on the runner."
Fri, 17 Nov 2023 - 14min - 103 - Mario Garza — How to Elevate Talent in Major League Baseball
Mario Garza is the Director of Baseball Development at the New York Yankees. As a former pro baseball athlete for the Houston Astros, Mario uses his expertise to help develop baseball players to maximize their full potential and make them better.
Mario joins Al to share insights into what it takes to nurture the next generation of MLB stars. They dive into the evolving landscape of player development, the role of a development coach, and Mario offers advice for parents on fostering athletic talent in young children in this week’s episode!
Key Takeaways:
[1:25] A little bit about Mario and his work at the New York Yankees.
[3:30] What does a player development coach mean?
[5:35] How has player development improved over the years?
[7:50] How should parents be thinking about cultivating athletic talent in their children?
[12:20] Is there a blueprint on what the MLB is looking for or does it depend on each team?
[13:10] 8 months out of the year, you’re in full competition mode.
[13:40] It’s important to note that baseball is a game of recovery.
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“A player development coach is looking at anything and everything that we can develop in an athlete. At the end of the day, our job is to maximize the value and potential."
"The crucial window of 8-12, you can actually impact the development of the athlete and their general athleticism."
Thu, 02 Nov 2023 - 17min - 102 - Brett Kuehn — Five Easy Running Back Drills to Practice
Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business.
Brett and Al discuss ways to get your athlete warmed up and ready during football season. Here are some quick and easy runningback drills that you can practice. They offer different methods and variations so that you can trigger both lateral and vertical movements.
Key Takeaways:
[2:00] The jumpcut drill.
[3:20] Rapid response line drill.
[4:25] The Lateral drill.
[5:35] Cone hop variations.
[6:35] The sweep drill.
[7:45] The VertiMax app also has a complete football training program!
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“Have your athlete run towards that cone and push off one foot to go left or right and then have them sprint to finish while performing a touchdown."
"Have your athlete shuffle back and forth over the line. It helps get their athletes' feet warmed up."
Thu, 12 Oct 2023 - 08min - 101 - Brett Kuehn — Five Great Exercises to Do on the Vertimax Raptor
Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business.
Brett and Al discuss how the VertiMax Raptor is different from standard resistance bands and how you can leverage this equipment to take your performance to the next level. The Raptor does so much more than just look fancy and both Brett and Al dive into how you can hence your speed, agility, and more in this week’s podcast.
Key Takeaways:
[1:00] A little bit about Brett and the work he does at VertiMax.
[2:35] What’s so great about the Vertimax Raptor?
[4:35] Forward acceleration is a great exercise to practice on the Raptor.
[7:50] What’s the backpedal drill and how can athletes benefit from this movement?
[9:15] How do you perform an ankle-loaded lateral drill?
[10:45] Brett explains the final exercise you can do to improve your resistance on the Raptor.
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“The faster you can stop, the faster you can move, and you’ll just be a better athlete. That’s what the forward acceleration drill will do to help you."
"Not many people train this because it’s almost impossible to train with regular resistance bands, but with VertiMax technology, you can start the resistance off right away [at your ankles]."
Thu, 28 Sep 2023 - 13min - 100 - Brett Kuehn — The Benefits of Playing Multiple Sports
Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business.
Brett and Al discuss why it’s beneficial to get your child to participate in multiple different sports. Sometimes children need variety and to also explore what they do or don’t like. There’s so many great sports out there, so don’t limit them to just one thing.
Key Takeaways:
[1:10] What sports should kids play?
[3:05] Children can get burnt out playing only one sport.
[4:30] Playing multiple sports helps reduce injuries.
[6:15] When you play multiple sports, you also keep your options open.
[7:15] As you get older, around highschool, then it makes sense to focus on one sport.
[10:25] Sometimes your kid can be great at the technicalities of the sport, but not be very athletic.
[10:55] Sports don't have to be so competitive. It’s also about having fun and trying new things.
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“Kids are built for variety. They need different things and different coaches."
"My kid ended up doing a sport that I had known nothing about. Give your kid a chance and try other sports."
Thu, 14 Sep 2023 - 12min - 99 - Brett Kuehn — Five Ways to Build a Connection to Your Athlete
Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business.
Brett discusses five best ways to approach your athletes with kindness and how to build a meaningful connection with them while you are training them. Coaches might not realize the impact they have on these athletes and you can never really tell what’s actually going on at home. Coaches can be that one parental-figure or friend for that person. Here are some tips to bridge the gap between you and your team.
Key Takeaways:
[1:45] Here’s why you want to connect first and then coach second.
[3:15] Take some time to just listen to them. It goes a long way.
[4:45] What are some of the best ways to show an athlete you care?
[5:15] Be someone they can trust.
[6:25] Respect your fellow human. It is a two way street.
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“As a coach, you really do have an impact on these athletes."
"You can’t have that military mindset of shut up and do what I tell you. Listen to your athletes."
Thu, 31 Aug 2023 - 08min - 98 - Brett Kuehn — Are Youth Football Camps Worth The Investment?
Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business.
Brett is back on the podcast to talk about the pros and cons of a youth football camp. Both Brett and Al are fathers and coaches, so they weigh in on how your child might most benefit from a camp when it comes to their athletic ability as well as building life-long skill sets such as leadership and team collaboration.
Key Takeaways:
[2:00] What are some of the benefits of a youth football camp?
[3:55] A good youth football camp will help kid improve their discipline and work ethic.
[5:20] There are a wide variety of different mentors and role models at these camps that your kid will be able to get exposed to and see their different leadership styles.
[7:10] A good youth camp will provide your child with a lot of great networking options and, of course, a new friend group.
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“There will be kids from other areas, which will bring out some healthy competition for them."
"A youth camp gives your kids a chance to meet other people that are like-minded and they like football. This opens up a ton of opportunities for networking."
Thu, 24 Aug 2023 - 10min - 97 - Jessie Ehren — VertiMax Summit 2023
Jessie Ehren is the VertiMax International Training and Events Coordinator, where she makes sure VertiMax users are set up for success and certified to use the VertiMax equipment.
In this episode, Jessie talks about some of the exciting things happening at this year’s Annual VertiMax Summit, hosted in Tampa, Florida. This is your chance to network and learn from the very best in sport’s performance. Be sure to register and book now for the event on October 7th.
Key Takeaways:
[1:20] Jessie shares some of her responsibilities overseas at VertiMax.
[2:15] This year VertiMax will be celebrating their 6th annual summit.
[3:45] VertiMax has three big keynote speakers this year! Jessie gives a sneak preview on what to expect.
[4:35] Martin Rooney will share how to get the most out of your athletes and your training regiment.
[6:40] Gunnar Peterson will be talking about how to position yourself as an industry leader to get endless clients.
[8:25] Loren Landow will be the third keynote speaker, and he will be talking about biomechanics.
[10:05] There will also be workout demonstrations to help your athlete with any body weaknesses.
[12:45] This is your chance to get in front of a VertiMax master trainer who can help answer (and physically show you!) any specific questions you might have.
[13:35] After the closing ceremony, there will be a networking and social event for you to attend with an open bar.
[15:55] On Sunday October 8th, there will be a certification workshop for those who are staying the weekend in Tampa.
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“We bring our master trainer team from all over the US and of course we get to network and see everybody that’s our customers and people in the sports and fitness space."
"Part 1 of our workout demonstration will be assessing movements and part 2 will be how we create that program to make a better athlete."
Thu, 10 Aug 2023 - 18min - 96 - Mike Weaving — Best Off-Season Basketball Training
Mike Weaving is the Head Coach for the Sickles High School Men’s Basketball Program in Tampa, Florida. Mike has over 13 years of coaching basketball at the Middle and High School Levels and is currently in his Fourth season with the Men’s high school team. Mike received a BS in exercise science and an MS in coaching.
In this episode, Mike shares what coaches need to be thinking about when they’re training their athletes during the off-season. Sometimes it doesn’t make sense for them to go directly into an intensive cardio program and there are other things to think about before putting together a workout plan. Mike breaks down his process in this week’s episode.
Key Takeaways:
[1:10] What does Mike like to think about when putting together an off-season program?
[2:30] Sometimes Mike just opens the gym up and the team is ready to go, but if he’s working with younger athletes, he has to be much more diligent in training them.
[4:25] In the spring and summer, Mike likes to focus on strength and explosiveness for his athletes. In the fall, there’s more of a cardio focus.
[5:35] What are some common challenges that Mike runs into during off-season training?
[8:05] Remember, trust your instincts and if it’s not broke, don’t fix it!
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“It takes us about 3 weeks to a month to evaluate the players that are coming back."
"The best teams are the teams that are player-lead. If they always rely on me, they’re going to turn me out."
Fri, 11 Aug 2023 - 10min - 95 - Mike Weaving — Should You Join the AAU Basketball League?
Mike Weaving is the Head Coach for the Sickles High School Men’s Basketball Program in Tampa, Florida. Mike has over 13 years of coaching basketball at the Middle and High School Levels and is currently in his Fourth season with the Men’s high school team. Mike received a BS in exercise science and an MS in coaching.
In this episode, Mike talks about some of the pros and cons of AAU Basketball and why a youth athlete might join a league that has had a bad reputation over the last few years. Is AAU worth it for an aspiring athlete? Mike answers these questions and more.
Key Takeaways:
[1:55] Unfortunately, AAU has a lot of controversy.
[3:35] Why does AAU have such a bad reputation?
[6:05] Athletes and parents need to be really mindful of why they’re playing at AAU and what some of their goals are.
[7:05] What are some of the benefits of joining a league like this?
[9:30] What kinds of questions do scouts ask the coaches before bringing on a kid?
[11:10] What age should your kid ideally be before they join the AAU?
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“Kids have to be mindful of who they’re playing for and why that person is trying to coach them, and what they’re trying to get out of it. Is it in the best interest of the coach or the kid?"
"There are a lot of super talented kids out there that unfortunately don’t make it because they throw all their eggs in the wrong basket."
Thu, 27 Jul 2023 - 14min - 94 - Mike Weaving — A Quick Basketball Training Guide for Young Athletes
Mike Weaving is the Head Coach for the Sickles High School Men’s Basketball Program in Tampa, Florida. Mike has over 13 years of coaching basketball at the Middle and High School Levels and is currently in his Fourth season with the Men’s high school team. Mike received a BS in exercise science and an MS in coaching.
In this episode, Mike gives his yearly plan to help condition highschool athletes for game time and offers his strategy to prevent injuries to the best of his ability during these intense games. He shares how he measures progress and how he educates new students coming into the basketball team for the very first time.
Key Takeaways:
[1:55] Mike got hit with a lot of injuries last year. It’s part of the game, but here’s how you can prevent it as much as you can.
[4:15] How does Mike measure progress?
[5:25] What is MIke’s overall yearly plan and schedule?
[6:25] What is Mike’s postseason plan and training schedule?
[8:55] What other considerations does Mike think about when he’s training his athletes?
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“In September, we do an assessment week where we do a shuttle run, agility test, vertical tax, max squat, and max bench press."
"After October, we do the same physical tests to see where those same elements are."
Thu, 13 Jul 2023 - 10min - 93 - Mike Weaving — How to Become a Better Basketball Shooter
Mike Weaving is the Head Coach for the Sickles High School Men’s Basketball Program in Tampa, Florida. Mike has over 13 years of coaching basketball at the Middle and High School Level and is currently on his Fourth season with the Men’s high school team. Mike received a BS in exercise science and an MS in coaching.
In this episode, Mike shares his tips as a highschool coach on how he helps his students get the most out of their talent during game time. You should never underestimate the importance of balance and lower body strength when coaching basketball.
Key Takeaways:
[1:15] A little bit about Mike and his experience with coaching basketball.
[2:20] What makes someone a good shooter?
[2:40] In order to do a good jumpshot, you need good balance and lower body strength.
[5:10] What are some of Mike’s favorite drills?
[6:15] Everything Mike trains for is for competitive purposes.
[7:25] You get more out of your athletes if there is a competitive element involved.
[8:05] Competition drives success!
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“I think one of the most overlooked things about being a good shooter is being able to shoot in game-like situations. You have to be able to shoot on the move."
"I try to emulate our offense as best as I can and emulate our transition game as best as I can so the shots they’re getting in our drills are the same shots they’re going to get in the game."
Thu, 22 Jun 2023 - 09min - 92 - I.T. Antigha — VertiMax’s Best At-Home Summer Training Programs
Itam (I.T.) Antigha, more commonly referred to as "I.T.", is one of the members of the VertiMax Team as part of the Inside Sales and Client Support team. He is responsible for supporting and serving the VertiMax community by organizing personalized visits to educate, engage and develop relationships with coaches, trainers, and athletes.
I.T. and Al understand that summer is coming, which also means your athletes’ sports season is winding down and coming to an end. How can young athletes still be ‘game-ready’ over the summer? I.T. shares some helpful exercises you can do for your specific sport at home without a lot of gym equipment in this week’s episode.
Key Takeaways:
[1:20] As seasons are ending, what can parents do to help keep their young athletes’ in prime condition while they’re at home during the summer?
[2:00] Don’t have a full gym at home? Don’t worry. We’ve got alternatives.
[2:55] It’s important to first determine what your end-goal is. Is it to gain weight? Gain speed?
[3:35] Training is important, but you also shouldn’t slack on your nutrition and sleep.
[5:10] What are some good basic moves to focus on over the summer?
[6:10] What basic equipment should you pick up from the store?
[7:20] If you’re a basketball player, what exercises and movements should you focus on?
[8:30] If you play football, the types of exercises you do would be based on your position.
[9:50] What should athletes do if they play baseball?
[12:00] What are some of the recommended exercises volleyball players should do at home?
[13:10] Sumner is a busy time for everybody, but if you have big dreams and big goals, you need to make time to hone in on your skills.
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“We are talking about training, but it also influences your nutrition. You need your sleep. All that stuff matters."
"If you’re looking to get faster, you have to train fast to be fast. Sprints with resistance, sprints without, and sprints while starting from the ground, etc."
Fri, 02 Jun 2023 - 14min - 91 - I.T. Antigha — How to Maximize the VertiMax for Volleyball
Itam (I.T.) Antigha, more commonly referred to as "I.T.", is one of the members of the VertiMax Team as part of the Inside Sales and Client Support team. He is responsible for supporting and serving the VertiMax community by organizing personalized visits to educate, engage and develop relationships with coaches, trainers, and athletes.
I.T. and Al share how the VertiMax can elevate an athlete’s volleyball game to the next level. Not only can it be used to train multiple players at a time, but it can show players in real-time how they’re body is improving with each exercise.
Key Takeaways:
[2:00] Did you know you can train more than one athlete on the VertiMax at a time?
[3:25] You can also train different volleyball positions on the VertiMax.
[6:00] How do you develop maximum vertical explosiveness on the VertiMax?
[7:00] Why is creativity so important for a coach to have?
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“If I do a demo with a kid, in a brief 20-30 minute workout, they know they’re getting better when they’re on the equipment."
"Creativity is a very necessary piece to develop because not everything can be pre-packaged to you and it’ll work."
Thu, 18 May 2023 - 10min - 90 - I.T. Antigha — Top 10 Best Tips for Basketball coaches
Itam (I.T.) Antigha, more commonly referred to as "I.T.", is one of the members of the VertiMax Team as part of the Inside Sales and Client Support team. He is responsible for supporting and serving the VertiMax community by organizing personalized visits to educate, engage and develop relationships with coaches, trainers, and athletes.
I.T. and Al share some tips they’ve received from basketball coaches around the country on what makes a good athletic coach. They share their top ten favorite tips on this week’s podcast. If you’re a new coach or even a seasoned pro, listen in for more to some great reminders on how to get the most out of your players.
Key Takeaways:
[2:10] Organization is key for any athletic coach!
[3:35] Players need to know you care about them in order for you to build trust.
[5:05] Don’t try to out coach the other coach. Practice will generate the results you want.
[6:10] Get to know your players to the best of your ability and then focus on getting everyone on the same page.
[7:45] Keep it simple and make sure your team is well-conditioned.
[9:00] You’re only as strong as your weakest link.
[10:45] Remember, you’re developing young men and women for success outside of the sport.
[13:35] Teach your athletes how to win in life.
[14:35] Refine the basics and always remind your athletes about the foundationals.
[15:40] Keep game plans simple.
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“Building a trusting relationship opens the door to being able to coach kids to reach their full potential."
"The success of a team doesn’t fully rely on the talent, but the trust and commitment of the group to give up themselves for the betterment of everyone else."
Thu, 11 May 2023 - 17min - 89 - I.T. Antigha — 5 Ways to Enhance Athlete-Coach Communication
Itam (I.T.) Antigha, more commonly referred to as "I.T.", is one of the members of the VertiMax Team as part of the Inside Sales and Client Support team. He is responsible for supporting and serving the VertiMax community by organizing personalized visits to educate, engage and develop relationships with coaches, trainers, and athletes.
I.T. breaks down some of the common communication mistakes or pitfalls good coaches end up making. He also shares what coaches can do to receive feedback, incorporate it in a way an athlete feels heard, and five best ways a coach can build a better communication style with their athletes in this week’s podcast.
Key Takeaways:
[1:40] The biggest way to improve your communication as a coach is by improving your listening skills.
[3:15] A good coach can read inbetween the lines between what their athlete is saying and what their body is also saying.
[5:15] It’s important to discern what type of athlete you’re coaching. What is their preferred communication style?
[7:45] It’s important to focus on getting better vs. getting good. I.T. explains what he means by that.
[8:55] Aim to be 1% better everyday.
[9:10] Why is it important to communicate some of your core values to your athletes?
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“A lot of coaches are great speakers, but they may not be great listeners."
"There are days where your athlete won’t be feeling 100%. How you listen to them, and adjust accordingly, will build a better relationship with them."
Fri, 05 May 2023 - 12min - 88 - I.T. Antigha — Get the Body Ready for Race Day
Itam (I.T.) Antigha, more commonly referred to as "I.T.", is one of the members of the VertiMax Team as part of the Inside Sales and Client Support team. He is responsible for supporting and serving the VertiMax community by organizing personalized visits to educate, engage and develop relationships with coaches, trainers, and athletes.
I.T. shares some important exercises athletes should focus on to get ready for race day. If you’re a track and field athlete then this is the episode for you! I.T. explains the most optimal drills to focus on for power, injury prevention, and strength.
Key Takeaways:
[2:00] What track and field exercises should you do to get ready for race day?
[2:35] What is the 3-point star?
[5:45] Why is the box jump so effective?
[6:45] I.T. explains the hamstring pull drill.
[10:15] The VertiMax app has more drills and exercises for you!
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“The box jump is going to be one of those elements that helps you produce power, which is important as a sprinter."
"The hamstring drill is a bit more advanced and for a stronger athlete. It’s not a drill I’d do with any youth athlete."
Thu, 20 Apr 2023 - 11min - 87 - I.T. Antigha — What’s the Difference Between VertiMax V8 and V8 EX?
Itam (I.T.) Antigha, more commonly referred to as "I.T.", is one of the members of the VertiMax Team as part of the Inside Sales and Client Support team. He is responsible for supporting and serving the VertiMax community by organizing personalized visits to educate, engage and develop relationships with coaches, trainers, and athletes.
I.T. comes on the show to describe in depth what the VertiMax V-Series Platform is and how it can help an athlete with their performance. Are you wondering what the differences are in each platform and which one you should pick? This is the episode for you!
Key Takeaways:
[1:50] What are the VertiMax V Series platforms?
[3:15] What’s the difference between VertiMax V8 and V8 EX?
[4:15] Why are the band lengths different and what benefits does it provide?
[6:00] What kind of athlete should use the V Series platforms?
[10:00] How do you change the resistance level on the V Series platforms?
[11:15] Are there training programs and educational resources available to better understand the platforms?
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“The Vertimax V Series means you can train without increasing exponentially in resistance and useful load from the onset of your movement."
"You have to train fast to become fast. If you’re able to train further out with a useful load, you’ll be able to reach top-end speeds."
Thu, 13 Apr 2023 - 14min - 86 - I.T. Antigha — Coaches You Should Follow
Itam (I.T.) Antigha, more commonly referred to as "I.T.", is one of the members of the VertiMax Team as part of the Inside Sales and Client Support team. He is responsible for supporting and serving the VertiMax community by organizing personalized visits to educate, engage and develop relationships with coaches, trainers, and athletes.
I.T. and Al share some famous strength and conditioning coaches they’re fond of and like to follow on this week’s podcast. They talk about some of their favs like Cal Dietz, Eric Cressey, Michael Boyle, and Brett Bartholomew, and how they can up your coaching game.
Key Takeaways:
[2:35] Here’s some influential coaches you should be following and learning from on social media.
[3:35] Why should you follow Eric Cressey?
[4:10] Al shares why Michael Boyle is a top coach in the industry.
[4:55] I.T. explains why Brett Bartholomew is a great resource for coaches who want to communicate better.
[6:55] Who are some of your favorite coaches?
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“Cal’s program that he’s developed is one of the most influential programs out there to develop exclusive power and strength."
"Brett dives deep into communication because it’s often something we overlook."
Thu, 06 Apr 2023 - 08min - 85 - Steve Leo — Explosive Soccer Movements
Steve Leo is a master trainer for Parisi Speed School and educates young athletes through the VertiMax system. He teaches them how this method is a game changer for their body and their target sport.
Steve breaks down how an athlete can work on their acceleration as well as their deceleration movements within the sport of soccer. He also shares tips on how to unlock more explosive movements and what drills you should really focus on to get the maximum amount of power out of your body when it matters.
Key Takeaways:
[1:05] A little bit about Steve and today’s episode.
[2:35] What are some good deceleration drills an athlete can practice?
[4:45] Why are multi-directional exercises so important?
[5:55] How can the raptor come into play and help an athlete’s performance?
[8:50] Need some resources? The VertiMax app has you covered!
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“In soccer, a lot of the steps tend to be choppy. It’s important to change the angles and change the cuts so you can work off both feet."
"The Raptor is perfect for explosive movements. You can easily load the front-end and it works really, really well."
Thu, 30 Mar 2023 - 10min - 84 - Steve Leo — Achieving Max Speed in Soccer Performance
Steve Leo is a master trainer for Parisi Speed School and educates young athletes through the VertiMax system and teaches them how this method is a game changer for their body and their target sport.
Steve dives into the fine art of running speed for soccer. How can athletes max their running speed with and without the ball on the field and off the field? What should they focus on? In this episode, Steve shares some tips on how an athlete can boost their endurance and speed for maximum performance.
Key Takeaways:
[1:05] A little bit about Steve and today’s episode.
[1:35] How do you run faster with the ball in soccer?
[3:20] How do you get faster without the ball in tow?
[5:30] Players should be sprinting at near max capacity for 200 yard range.
[8:30] Athletes need recovery time. Do not underestimate this process.
[9:00] Beating up your athletes until they can’t take it anymore is not a good approach.
[9:45] What’s a good arm and hand technique?
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“Typically 3-5 miles is what a soccer player will run in a game, but if you run 5 miles a day, you’re not going to be fast."
"If I’m cranking [sprints] all the time, I’m not going to get max benefit out of them and I’m going to burn out too quickly."
Thu, 23 Mar 2023 - 12min - 83 - Steve Leo — 9 Stages of Long-Term Athlete Development
Steve Leo is a master trainer for Parisi Speed School and educates young athletes through the VertiMax system and teaches them how this method is a game changer for their body and their target sport.
Steve understands that competitive sports can be very dangerous for an athlete who’s been competing for years. It can be hard on the body and the ability to bounce back and recover might get harder and harder as you get older. What are some of the ways you can prevent this from happening? Steve has 9 stages that he’d like to underline for the audience today so that they can have a long and fruitful athletic career.
Key Takeaways:
[1:05] A little bit about Steve.
[2:15] Competitive sports are very hard on the body.
[3:20] Steve dives into the first stage: Active start.
[5:30] What should 6 to 9-year-olds focus on?
[7:55] Children need to begin getting conscious about the importance of good eating habits, but balance is key here.
[9:40] At 11-16-year-olds, strength training is key and should take on a primary focus.
[12:15] Benchmarks are important at the 16-17 age mark. They’re old enough to understand why it matters to keep track.
[15:30] They’re now in college and they’re a full-time athlete, what should they focus on?
[16:45] These athletes have to buy in 100%. This is not a ‘sometimes’ thing, or else they’ll get injured.
[19:00] Former athletes need goals. This is just the way they’re wired.
[19:50] Following these steps is critical for success. It’s important to make sure the athletic tests that you’re doing are age appropriate.
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“Anybody under the age of six should be starting off with an active start."
"Some children can’t absorb information at too young of an age. They begin to absorb it at 13-14 years old."
Thu, 16 Mar 2023 - 21min - 82 - Brett Kuehn — Off-Season Training Checklist
Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business.
Brett is back on this week’s episode to talk about some helpful off-season training protocols for athletes. When there are no active games, you do not want your athlete to get lazy and out of shape. Here’s a quick overview of what an athlete should be focused on during their off-season days so that they can perform better for the upcoming season.
Key Takeaways:
[1:20] Off-season is a very important time of the year.
[2:10] Review your past season results.
[2:50] What are some of your off-season goals?
[3:35] What’s a good training plan?
[5:25] Don’t forget to incorporate a team building plan.
[6:45] Seek out additional training.
[8:25] Communication is key. Promote transparent ways your athletes can communicate with you.1
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“You want to make sure athletes trust each other as teammates. They got to get to know each other."
"With athletes, you have to communicate clearly, especially with anything that they’re doing. Make sure they’re able to come to you."
Thu, 02 Mar 2023 - 11min - 81 - Brett Kuehn — Maximize Your Off-Season Training
Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business.
Brett understands that you have to work on your body throughout the entire year, including off-season. He shares some of his favorite ways to keep your routine up and get stronger in the process. It’s important to work beyond just the technicalities of the sport and make sure your body can keep up with what you’re putting it through.
Key Takeaways:
[1:40] What does Brett see during off-season training?
[3:10] Athletes that have a strength and conditioning regimen end up performing better and have less injuries.
[3:25] Brett shares what a well-rounded schedule looks like.
[6:10] Whatever routine you pick, make sure it’s intentionally designed with purpose.
[8:15] How do you do core workouts with the VertiMax?
[10:00] The great thing about the VertiMax is that it can adapt to your agility needs.
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“The trend these days is to play the sport year-round and there’s less of a focus on getting stronger. It’s a bad trend."
"There’s so much science and data out there that when athletes have a strength and conditioning regimen, they perform better."
Thu, 23 Feb 2023 - 12min - 80 - Brett Kuehn — 5 Ways to Grow Your Sports Performance Facility
Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business.
Brett shares some of the best strategies to grow your athletic and gym facility. If you’re struggling to get in new blood, Brett emphasizes the importance of going outside of your gym and attracting people from your community. Remember, it’s important to narrow down your focus on the type of client that you enjoy working with and then getting relentless in the pursuit of that type of person.
Key Takeaways:
[1:20] You gotta grow outside of your facility. Connect with your community and go where the people are at.
[2:30] Offers a free training to get people excited and familiar with what you’re doing.
[3:30] Speak to your current clients and see if there are any commonalities in their likes and interests.
[4:20] If you try to please everybody, you’ll end up pleasing no one.
[5:20] Everything you get is what you put into. If you host one free session every month, you’ll be able to connect with new people in your community.
[7:45] Word of mouth can make or break you. Happy clients are vital to your success.
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“Growing outside of your walls kinda leads unto getting involved with the community."
"You always want to connect with your current clientele and find out who you really want to coach and who you really want to tailor to."
Fri, 03 Feb 2023 - 09min - 79 - Brett Kuehn — VertiMax Raptor Drills for Football Athletes
Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to
Brett shares a couple of drills that football athletes can practice depending on their specific football position on the field. The VertiMax Raptor offers some engaging movements that you simply can’t do without and Brett breaks down how it can help improve your agility, speed, and explosive power.
Key Takeaways:
[1:10] What are some of Brett’s favorite drills to do with the raptor?
[1:40 A speed hush cone drill helps with agility and power.
[3:00] Brett shares a fun pass drill you can practice with multiple football positions.
[4:40] Engage and fully leverage your speed by doing these single leg drills.
[5:10] Grab yourself some medicine balls and engage in a sprint resistance exercise.
[6:50] Looking to boost arm strength? Brett shares how you can use the Raptor to help with your throw.
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“Remember, most of these drills as I go over them, with the Raptor, you’re going to get resistance and assistance, so you can do the drill in two different ways."
"It’s hard to backpedal and sprint with resistance, so the Raptor and the VertiMax make this movement a lot easier."
Fri, 27 Jan 2023 - 08min - 78 - Brett Kuehn — 5 Quick VertiMax Drills for Wide Receivers
Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to
Brett understands that football Wide Receivers have a lot of back and forth and stop and go movements and if the athlete doesn’t properly prepare for these quick cuts, it can lead to injury. In this episode, Brett offers some quick and easy drills for athletes to do to prevent injury and increase performance.
Key Takeaways:
[1:30] What are some of Brett’s favorite drills?
[2:20] Grab a tennis ball. This is a great exercise to do it by yourself.
[3:15] Cone footwork drills are a great way to train the body and prevent injuries.
[4:30] The hide and seek drill can be an excellent way to train quick responses and reactions.
[5:20] Brett explains the ‘track the ball’ drill and how it helps the athlete.
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“The sit up work gives them the split reaction time to get their hands up, get their eye on the ball, and catch it quick."
"The footwork drills were initially mocked a little bit by Instagram and Tiktok, but now you see professional football players taking more action on it."
Thu, 19 Jan 2023 - 07min - 77 - Vinny Scollo — VertiMax for Volleyball Performance
Vinny is a Physical Preparation specialist . He has been training athletes of all levels and backgrounds, including professionals, for 12 years. As a VertiMax Master Trainer, he travels to teach and educate others in his field. Vinny is never complacent, and his willingness to continue educating himself allows him to best serve his athletes. He has traveled through the U.S., Canada and to Europe to work with athletes and trainers. His purpose is to strengthen his clients both mentally and physically and show them what they are truly capable of. Always pushing the boundaries, Vinny's love of sport science, his study of the human body and passion for building better, stronger and smarter athletes are the key components of his training process. His position within his own company, Scollo Speed & Strength, allows him to apply his knowledge on a daily basis.
In this episode, Vinny shares what he often sees in volleyball athletes and what trainers can do to help balance out an athlete's natural imbalances by using the VertiMax. The way an athlete overcompensates their body can tell you a lot about how they move on and off the field, and gives you the opportunity to correct it before it turns into a career-ending injury.
Key Takeaways:
[2:10] What are some common injuries Vinny sees in his volleyball athletes?
[3:40] It’s common for athletes to overcompensate due to weak muscles.
[4:25] It’s important to look at single leg activities. It will tell you a lot about the human body.
[4:50] A coach has to be looking at hip, ankle, knee, and shoulder instabilities.
[5:30] What should a coach do if they see a nagging muscle weakness?
[7:15] What should a coach do if they get a new or fresh athlete that’s ready to jump right in to a competitive sport?
[8:40] Volleyball is an explosive sport. During off-season, it’s critical to get the human body ready for these movements.
[10:20] Want more specialized training? Check out the VertiMax app!
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“You’re seeing a lot of soft tissue injuries, shoulder injuries from over usage, and not having the proper muscles; some are overactive and others are under active."
"A lot of athletes have extremely tight ankles. You sometimes have to give them the less is more approach."
Fri, 30 Dec 2022 - 11min - 76 - Vinny Scollo — VertiMax for Soccer Performance
Vinny is a Physical Preparation specialist . He has been training athletes of all levels and backgrounds, including professionals, for 12 years. As a VertiMax Master Trainer, he travels to teach and educate others in his field. Vinny is never complacent, and his willingness to continue educating himself allows him to best serve his athletes. He has traveled through the U.S., Canada and to Europe to work with athletes and trainers. His purpose is to strengthen his clients both mentally and physically and show them what they are truly capable of. Always pushing the boundaries, Vinny's love of sport science, his study of the human body and passion for building better, stronger and smarter athletes are the key components of his training process. His position within his own company, Scollo Speed & Strength, allows him to apply his knowledge on a daily basis.
In this episode, Vinny shares his endurance tactics to increase a player’s quality of movement and energy reserves. A soccer athlete is constantly stopping and going plus their movements are very dynamic and they can be prone to injury, so every coach has to be mindful as to where they need their athlete to go during game time. Vinny shares how the VertiMax hits these goals for peak performance.
Key Takeaways:
[1:40] How does the Vertimax increase a player’s endurance?
[4:10] Athletes are able to take full advantage of the dynamic angles the VertiMax provides.
[4:30] From an endurance standpoint, the VertiMax can push the athlete to new heights in a safe way.
[5:35] At the end of the day, if you want to get fast, you have to move fast.
[6:15] Vinny breaks down how he helps his athletes have more power and reserve during the 4th quarter.
[8:40] When it comes to changing direction, you can go so many different ways with it.
[9:10] Every movement a soccer player is going to do, you can create resistance for on the VertiMax.
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“The VertiMax is a really dynamic tool because of the resistance being so fluid."
"For every 10 yards, take a 60 seconds rest. You want to optimize and make sure they’re in full recovery for each sprint."
Fri, 23 Dec 2022 - 10min - 75 - Vinny Scollo — Agility Training for High-Performing Athletes
Vinny is a Physical Preparation specialist . He has been training athletes of all levels and backgrounds, including professionals, for 12 years. As a VertiMax Master Trainer, he travels to teach and educate others in his field. Vinny is never complacent, and his willingness to continue educating himself allows him to best serve his athletes. He has traveled through the U.S., Canada and to Europe to work with athletes and trainers. His purpose is to strengthen his clients both mentally and physically and show them what they are truly capable of. Always pushing the boundaries, Vinny's love of sport science, his study of the human body and passion for building better, stronger and smarter athletes are the key components of his training process. His position within his own company, Scollo Speed & Strength, allows him to apply his knowledge on a daily basis.
In this episode, Vinny shares some of the things he thinks about when preparing his athletes for the NFL season, on and off season. As a trainer, it can be tempting to push your athlete to their max, however, patience really is a virtue when it comes to the human body and to achieve peak performance. You never want to go too fast and over exert your player, as that can cause massive setbacks (and injuries) later down the line.
Key Takeaways:
[1:00] A little bit about Vinny and his performance background.
[4:15] When Vinny plans an agility training program, what goes through his mind?
[5:30] A lot of times, the body needs to recover, so less is more.
[9:10] Why do injuries happen?
[11:10] Don’t go too fast. You have to make sure your athlete is on the same page you are.
[12:15] What is the ultimate goal with the athlete?
[16:00] How does Vinny use the Vertimax to balance out his athletes?
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“We have off season, which at that point we’re doing a lot of clean up work. We are restoring strength and other foundational things that will be driving our program later in the season."
"A lot of these injuries may also happen because there’s not enough time spent on them and getting your body to accept those loads and getting them to absorb it."
Fri, 16 Dec 2022 - 18min - 74 - Steve Leo — What Excellent Athletic Directors do Best
Steve Leo is a master trainer for Parisi Speed School and educates young athletes through the VertiMax system and teaches them how this method is a game changer for their body and their target sport.
In this episode, Steve discusses what it takes to be a good athletic director. Communication is key when it comes to coordinating with different coaches, but not only that, having a good business mind, too, helps greatly in the athletic department. Steve shares his experiences and thoughts on this week’s podcast.
Key Takeaways:
[1:20] What makes a good athletic director?
[2:05] It’s important to be good at sports, but you don’t need to be good at sports.
[3:15] You need to have a servant mindset.
[5:45] No matter what, don’t take it personally.
[7:10] How do inspire success?
[8:15] Praise goes along way with kids and teens.
[9:05] You want your kids to fail and to be challenged!
[
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“An athletic director is really a business position. So, it’s important to have good business sense, and it helps to know how to manage a budget."
"The more communication you can have with your staff, the better."
Fri, 25 Nov 2022 - 10min - 73 - Steve Leo — Educational Resources for New High School Strength Coaches
Steve Leo is a master trainer for Parisi Speed School and educates young athletes through the VertiMax system and teaches them how this method is a game changer for their body and their target sport.
In this episode, Steve shares his 25+ year knowledge and expertise as a strength coach on the call and offers advice to new coaches who are getting ready to train their athletes for the very first time.
Key Takeaways:
[1:10] What is the most important thing you should be doing as a coach?
[2:50] A strength’s coaches job is to adapt to the child’s body, especially if they had a tough training day or game the day prior.
[4:10] If you’re a young strength coach, you have to lean on your peers for help.
[5:15] Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help.
[5:50] How can you empower your athlete?
[8:00] Being open minded and flexible is key to being a good coach.
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“Most sports involve movement, so if they can’t move well, our goal is to make them a great athlete."
"If you see someone online, email them, you never know who will get back to you."
Thu, 17 Nov 2022 - 09min - 72 - Steve Leo — How to Promote Your Athletic Program
Steve Leo is a master trainer for Parisi Speed School and educates young athletes through the VertiMax system and teaches them how this method is a game changer for their body and their target sport.
In this episode, Steve shares how to get your name out there so that more people in your community are excited about the athletic programs you provide.
Key Takeaways:
[1:10] A little bit about Steve and the work he does at VertiMax.
[2:10] Build relationships with your local media.
[3:55] Why is it important to build relationships with your local schools?
[6:00] You can get volunteers in your athletic program.
[7:00] How can you promote your athletic program on social media?
[11:35] Why should you have pre-season meetings with parents?
[12:45] Steve shares his email alert strategy.
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“There’s more kids playing youth sports than highschool sports. As a strength coach, ."
"A lot of colleges want to know what your instagram, tiktok, etc pages are. It’s a different world."
Thu, 10 Nov 2022 - 15min - 71 - Jessie Ehren — Different Education Methods Available at VertiMax
Jessie Ehren is the VertiMax International Training Coordinator, where she makes sure VertiMax students are set up for success and certified to use the VertiMax equipment.
In this episode, Jessie offers her thoughts on the different education methods that VertiMax has to offer. Do you want to become a more knowledgeable instructor? This episode outlines your options.
Key Takeaways:
[1:15] A little bit about Jessie and the work she does at VertiMax.
[2:00] The most valuable certification VertiMax has is their live certification course.
[3:10] You can also learn from VertiMax’s online workshop, which can be consumed anytime. However, you do not get certified.
[5:30] VertiMax also hosts live webinars. What does this look like?
[7:10] Jessie explains VertiMax’s premium subscription platform.
[8:15] VertiMax has a free mobile app to help you get inspired.
[8:40] VertiMax is back in business with the live summit now that COVID restrictions have been lifted!
[11:15] Education is such a big part of the VertiMax platform and there’s always new information coming out!
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“Our live certification course is the only way you can become a certified trainer through VertiMax."
"The VertiMax online workshop is a great opportunity, especially if you can’t get to a live course, but it is not a certification."
Thu, 03 Nov 2022 - 12min - 70 - Jessie Ehren — Hosting a VertiMax Certification Class
Jessie Ehren is the VertiMax International Training Coordinator, where she makes sure VertiMax students are set up for success and certified to use the VertiMax equipment.
In this episode, Jessie returns to continue her discussion about the certification program and to provide additional resources to those who might want to get certified. There are different classes you can take depending on your goals and preference and Jessie is happy to explain the differences at VertiMax.
Key Takeaways:
[0:55] A little bit about Jessie and what she does at VertiMax.
[2:20] Jessie explains the difference between VertiMax’s close and open certification course.
[5:40] What does Jessie look for in a host site?
[8:00] Interested in getting certified? Reach out to Jessie!
[8:55] It’s VertiMax’s goal to get a certified trainer in every state. There’s only two missing!
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“As a host site, we want you in close proximity of a major metroplex. We will have to fly in our master trainer and we only have 8 throughout the US."
"We try to hit certain regions throughout the year [with our certification program]."
Thu, 27 Oct 2022 - 10min - 69 - Jessie Ehren — VertiMax Certification Program
Jessie Ehren is the VertiMax International Training Coordinator, where she makes sure VertiMax students are set up for success and certified to use the VertiMax equipment.
In this episode, Al and Jessie talk about what new students need to know about the VertiMax certification program and how they can get started today. Do you need to physically participate in the training program? Not always necessary! Al and Jessie dive in for more details.
Key Takeaways:
[0:55] A little bit about Jessie and what she does at VertiMax.
[2:00] What does it mean to be a certified VertiMax instructor?
[3:50] Do you receive any credits for attending this course? The answer is yes!
[4:25] What are some of the topics that are covered in the class?
[6:15] Want to get certified? Link in the bio!
[7:35] What do you get once you become certified?
[9:55] Roughly 1,300 people now have been certified!
VertiMax Certification Education
Tweetables:
“The first third of the training day is showing you how to use this equipment safely and the technology behind why VertiMax is being used."
"Along with some of the certification benefits, you’re also apart of private Facebook groups and community groups that help provide additional information."
Thu, 13 Oct 2022 - 10min - 68 - Brett Kuehn — Does VertiMax Sell Used Equipment?
Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business.
In this episode, Al and Brett offer recommendations on what to look for when you’re shopping around for a used VertiMax. Although buying new directly from the store is always welcomed, Al and Brett understand that everyone’s needs and budgets are different. Today’s episode they offer some helpful advice to help you get your hands on a VertiMax while still keeping safety in mind.
Key Takeaways:
[1:15] VertiMax does not sell used equipment!
[2:15] What should you consider i\f you’re looking to buy a used VertiMax?
[4:10] Buying a used VertiMax? Make sure you can go check it out in person.
[4:45] Sometimes just buying a brand new Vertimax gives people warranty and peace of mind.
Tweetables:
“The biggest thing are the bands. They look good in the picture, but if you’re replacing every band, it’s about $800 right there."
"You want to make sure the used VertiMax has all the accessories."
Wed, 05 Oct 2022 - 05min - 67 - Brett Kuehn — The REAL VertiMax Jump
Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business.
In this episode, Al and Brett talk about the difference in at-home ‘do-it-yourself’ equipment that they see people using online and how it compares to the real VertiMax equipment. If you’re not careful, you can really hurt yourself or not get the desired effect you’re looking for if you use these ‘at-home’ brands.
Key Takeaways:
[1:15] What’s the difference between the real VertiMax vs. ‘do-it-yourself’ at home VertiMax with a regular rope?
[2:20] What kind of ‘at home’ equipment has Brett seen online?
[3:40] Be careful to not use too short of a band.
[5:20] Normal bands do snap if you try to use it the ‘VertiMax’ way.
Tweetables:
“Regular bands are not as durable as the VertiMax bands that run through a pulley system."
"VertiMax bands have multiple fibers wrapped in a coating and not just a piece of rubber that stretches."
Wed, 28 Sep 2022 - 07min - 66 - Brett Kuehn — Important VertiMax Accessories You Need to Know About
Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business.
In this episode, Al and Brett talk about the various different ways you can utilize the Vertimax and the additional add-ons and accessories available to help you get the right training in.
Key Takeaways:
[1:15] What’s included in the VertiMax equipment off the bat?
[3:15] What kind of waist harness and hip flexors do you need?
[5:35] It’s good to have a waist harness and hip flexor for each different athlete in your household that’s planning on using the raptor.
[6:00] What should a coach be thinking about when doing team training?
[7:10]It’s good to get more than one vest if you have more than one athlete using the equipment at the same time. This makes it easy to switch a different athlete in and out.
Tweetables:
“You want to know the height and the pant size of the athletes in your home. If you have multiple kids, it’s good to have a couple more accessories."
"If you’re going to be using the VertiMax with 4-5 athletes at a time, you want to make sure you have enough accessories that will rotate the athletes in and out."
Wed, 21 Sep 2022 - 08min - 65 - Brett Kuehn — Portable VertiMax Raptor Training
Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business.
In this episode, Al and Brett talks about the benefits and some of the portable ways you can use the VertiMax Raptors to practice some of your on or off the field drills.
Key Takeaways:
[1:15] Coaches wanted to take the VertiMax platform out to the field. This is when the more portable Raptors were born.
[2:15] What was the very original way to use the Raptor?
[4:20] Have sleds? The raptors can help you utilize them!
[5:10] Want to save space? You can wall-mount your raptors.
[6:00] Got unique ways to use the raptor? Tag us on social media!
Tweetables:
“You’re able to attach a mount that attaches the raptor to a plate and attach them to posts so that you can use it on any type of sleds."
"We always try to be flexible and convenient and add value to our customers."
Wed, 14 Sep 2022 - 06min - 64 - Brett Kuehn — What Not to Do With The Vertimax Raptor
Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business.
In this episode, Al and Brett continue their talk about some of the common mistakes they see people doing on the VertiMax equipment. These are just friendly reminders so that you can keep your equipment in the best condition possible.
Key Takeaways:
[0:4] Al introduces his guest for this episode- Brett Kuehn
[1:50] Don’t leave the removable pulleys in the VertiMax
[3:40] What do you do if you have a raptor dual band?
[4:25] It’s important to do your cord maintenance.
[5:40] Should you train as far as possible on the VertiMax?
[6:40] Make sure you take care of the cords!
Tweetables:
“The friction on the bands means you’ll have to replace them quickly and they can snap, as well."
"Unhook the bands, grab your carabiner and then walk out. Get the knots out."
Wed, 07 Sep 2022 - 07min - 63 - Brett Kuehn — The VertiMax Summit
Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business.
In this episode, Al and Brett are excited to announce their 5th VertiMax Summit that they’ll be hosting in person in Tampa, Florida! Why should you attend and who is this summit for? Al and Brett answer some quick questions about the event!
Key Takeaways:
[0:43] Al introduces his guest for this episode- Brett Kuehn
[1:35] What is the VertiMax summit?
[2:00] The event is on Saturday, October 8th.
[4:25] Get excited! There are going to be several master trainers at the event and they’ll be showing you creative ways to use the VertiMax equipment.
[6:15] Al and Brett are excited to see you!
Tweetables:
"Once a year, we invite all the employees at VertiMax, master trainers, and the community and fans."
“It’s a great way to network and meet people within the VertiMax community."
Wed, 31 Aug 2022 - 07min - 62 - Brett Kuehn — What Not to Do on the VertiMax
Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business.
In this episode, Al and Brett talk about some of the common mistakes they see people doing on the VertiMax equipment on social media. The VertiMax is a very sturdy piece of hardware, but there are certain movements people can do that aren't the most optimal. Brett shares some of the things you should be watching out for.
Key Takeaways:
[0:43] Al introduces his guest for this episode- Bretty Kuehn
[2:40] Brett explains how you can do the jumps safely.
[4:45] When you unhook yourself after a workout, do it with care, you don’t want to damage the cords.
[6:00] Give yourself a little bit of room so that you’re not yanking the bands off the machine.
[7:05] Brett gives a quick overview on how to inspect your cords.
[8:25] What should you do if your cords start fraying?
Mentioned in This Episode:Tweetables:
"The V8 maxes out at 10 yards. A new athlete getting on a machine doesn’t know how far they can go."
“You can do a simple cord maintenance procedure, which is on the VertiMax app."
Wed, 24 Aug 2022 - 10min - 61 - I.T. Antigha — Youth Volleyball Training
Itam (I.T.) Antigha, more commonly referred to as "I.T.", is one of the members of the VertiMax Team as part of the Inside Sales and Client Support team. He is responsible for supporting and serving the VertiMax community by organizing personalized visits to educate, engage and develop relationships with coaches, trainers, and athletes.
In this episode, Al and I.T do an overview of some easy volleyball drills you can do for children under the age of 6. These are a great jumping off point to getting your child ready for more competitive sports down the line.
Key Takeaways:
[0:43] Al introduces his guest for this episode- I.T. Antigha.
[2:45] What is the pepper drill?
[5:50] I.T. goes over some rally scoring drills.
[8:25] When someone spikes a ball, you need to learn how to move your body to adapt.
[9:30] As your team gets stronger in these basics, then you can get them to do more complex drills with the Vertimax Raptor.
Mentioned in This Episode:Tweetables:
"Every possession matters. You’re gaining or losing points each time the ball touches the ground, so rally drills really teaches you to focus in."
“You see volleyball players, they put their body on the line all the time."
Wed, 10 Aug 2022 - 11min - 60 - I.T. Antigha — Drills for Youth Soccer Training
Itam (I.T.) Antigha, more commonly referred to as "I.T.", is one of the members of the VertiMax Team as part of the Inside Sales and Client Support team. He is responsible for supporting and serving the VertiMax community by organizing personalized visits to educate, engage and develop relationships with coaches, trainers, and athletes.
In this episode, Al and I.T talk about some helpful drills for children in the 3-6 age range who are just starting to train for soccer. Everybody’s got to start somewhere and the VertiMax is a great resource to help build those reflexes early on.
Key Takeaways:
[0:43] Al introduces his guest for this episode- I.T. Antigha.
[2:10] I.T. starts off with the basics: Sprinting.
[3:35] It’s always great to get your child started off with running lines.
[7:15] Every kid loves a goal kicking drill.
[8:30] Eye-to-foot coordination is key and understanding how hard to kick and not to kick the ball.
[11:20] All of these drills can be incorporated to be harder with the VertiMax.
Mentioned in This Episode:Tweetables:
"When you’re a master of the basics, you want to start incorporating VertiMax Raptors. You can make these basic drills very challenging."
“There are varieties to all of these drills and everyone can be progressed up to become harder."
Wed, 03 Aug 2022 - 13min - 59 - Brett Kuehn — VertiMax for Home Use Part 3
Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business.
In this episode, Al and Brett break down some commonly asked questions on how the VertiMax would work best in your home and how it’ll help the athlete improve their performance without having to drive to a performance center. Brett shares some best practice tips to get the most out of your VertiMax.
Key Takeaways:
[0:43] Al introduces his guest for this episode- Brett Kuehn.
[1:20] How can the raptors be used as part of your home training workout routine?
[6:10] It’s important not to overwork your youth athlete. [7:10] Can you use the VertiMax on your off day or game day? Does it matter? What’s best?
[8:55] There are a lot of jump programs out there, how is VertiMax different?
[10:25] Feel free to check out some of VertiMax’s reviews! Lots of happy customers who are getting results right at home.
Mentioned in This Episode:Tweetables:
"If you’re just starting, VertiMax can do a lot for you, especially if you’re introducing yourself to weight training."
“You need to have recovery. Every coach you talk to is not going to tell you to work out 7 days a week."
Wed, 27 Jul 2022 - 11min - 58 - Brett Kuehn — VertiMax for Home Use Part 2
Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business.
In this episode, Al and Brett continue to answer some of your frequently asked questions on how to use the VeritMax for home use. If you’ve ever wondered what kind of VertiMax platform to purchase for the sport you’re training for, this is the episode for you!
Key Takeaways:
[0:43] Al introduces his guest for this episode- Brett Kuehn.
[1:40] Who should be using VertiMax?
[2:40] What type of equipment should you get?
[6:35] What’s the difference between single or dual-band Raptors?
[10:15] If someone is buying this for themselves, what factors should they consider?
[11:00] Have more questions? Feel free to use the live chat feature on the VertiMax website!
Mentioned in This Episode:Tweetables:
"If it’s volleyball or basketball and you want your son or daughter to just jump higher, I’d recommend the V8 EX."
“Your red band is going to give you 4-8lb of resistance, blue band is 8-16lb, and gray band is going to give you 12-24lb."
Wed, 20 Jul 2022 - 11min - 57 - Brett Kuehn — VertiMax for Home Use Part 1
Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business.
In this episode, Al and Brett answer some frequently asked questions from curious customers about how to use the VertiMax at home. They answer everything from how easy it is to store, how to get creative with the exercises, and who should be using this at home.
Key Takeaways:
[0:43] Al introduces his guest for this episode- Brett Kuehn.
[1:00] Brett will be answering some common questions they get about how to use the VeritMax at home.
[1:45] How do you set up the VertiMax at home?
[3:25] Can you easily move the VertiMax around?
[5:10] Where do you use the VertiMax? Inside? Or Outside?
[6:10] Is this equipment right for me? Is there an age limit?
[7:15] Do you need to be a trainer to use this?
[8:15] Is financing available?
[9:10] Why is this a good home purchase?
[10:30] When you can train at home, it saves you a trip to a performance center. This works out great for people with a busy schedule.
Mentioned in This Episode:Tweetables:
"A youth athlete and a pro athlete can use the same exact machine."
“If your son or daughter wants to train, why not train them at home? A VertiMax is able to do that."
Wed, 13 Jul 2022 - 12min - 56 - Yo Murphy — Preparing Athletes for the NFL Combine
Yo Murphy is a former professional football player who has participated in multiple professional leagues, including the NFL, the Canadian Football League, and NFL Europe. He has developed some extremely high-level sports performance training systems that cater to athletes from a variety of sports, including major league baseball players, NFL vets, and more.
In this episode, Yo and Alan sit down to talk about the NFL Combine and some exciting things happening as we witness some of the nation’s top performers compete. Yo shares a behind the scenes peek at how he gets his athletes NFL ready, and what he’s looking forward to this NFL season.
Key Takeaways:
[0:43] Al introduces his guest for this episode- Yo Murphy.
[1:15] Today we’re getting a sneak peak at the NFL Combine.
[3:00] Speed is a big difference when it comes to sports and what a lot of recruiters look for.
[3:40] When an athlete shows up, what does Yo look for when he begins to train them?
[7:55] How does Yo think about load times, especially when the days are counting down to the event?
[10:40] Yo used to train everybody, but he realized in order to make the most impact, he had to focus on a handful of athletes and deliver on everything they might need before the NFL Combine event.
[11:40] With 15 athletes, you can really individualize your program to each athlete.
[12:20] Yo offers advice on how to be the best trainer you can be, especially if you’re just getting started.
Mentioned in This Episode:Tweetables:
"Trying to stay according to plan never worked out that way. Everybody’s body is so different and all of our programs are individualized for them."
"We can’t judge everything by performance, but going out the door, all of the guys felt confident in the work the guys got in."
Thu, 07 Jul 2022 - 16min - 55 - Yo Murphy — How to Train Agility at The Highest Level
Yo Murphy is a former professional football player who has participated in multiple professionals leagues, including the NFL, the Canadian Football League and NFL Europe. He has developed some extremely high level sports performance training systems that cater to athletes from a variety of sports, including major league baseball players, NFL vets, and more.
In this episode, Yo and Alan sit down to talk about how to train agility at the highest level. The body moves in the path of least resistance. Yo explains how you can leverage this to get the competitive advantage you need and get the most out of your performance.
Key Takeaways:
[0:43] Al introduces his guest for this episode- Yo Murphy.
[2:55] Yo has trained a wide variety of professional athletes over his career and it all comes down to leveraging speed to the fullest.
[4:20] What do high-level athletes need to know about agility?
[5:00] How do you go from good to great?
[6:15] You’re going to have technique limitations if you have mobility limitations.
[8:10] What can improve an athlete’s speed?
[10:55] Fast guys have to run fast. That’s the basics of it all. Clean your technique up and you get there.
Mentioned in This Episode:Tweetables:
"I had the opportunity to dive into what traits and qualities people need in sport and all of them were speed at some level."
"Our body moves in a path of least resistance. It’s important to understand what the limitations are."
Wed, 22 Jun 2022 - 13min - 54 - I.T. Antigha — Agility Training for Young Athletes
Itam (I.T.) Antigha, more commonly referred to as "I.T.", is one of the members of the VertiMax Team as part of the Inside Sales and Client Support team. He is responsible for supporting and serving the VertiMax community by organizing personalized visits to educate, engage and develop relationships with coaches, trainers, and athletes.
In this episode, Brett and I.T. follow up their conversation about agility training and how to apply it to youth athletes. They break down some of the benefits and creative ways to train these young minds.
Key Takeaways:.
[1:00]Today’s topic touches on agility training for elementary children up to young highschool kids.
[1:40] What is agility training?
[2:45] Why should you start early on agility training with young athletes?
[4:55] I.T. offers insight on what he looks for when training an athlete on agility.
[7:10] What drills should you perform on younger athletes?
[9:20] It's super important to master the fundamentals first.
[11:10] Raptors are really popular for young athletes. Brett and I.T. explain why.
Mentioned in This Episode:Tweetables:
"Agility training is really the ability to de-accelerate and accelerate in any direction."
"You want the athlete to develop the ability to change direction and not put themselves at risk for injury."
Wed, 15 Jun 2022 - 12min - 53 - I.T. Antigha — Maximizing Your Agility Training
Itam (I.T.) Antigha, more commonly referred to as "I.T.", is one of the members of the VertiMax Team as part of the Inside Sales and Client Support team. He is responsible for supporting and serving the VertiMax community by organizing personalized visits to educate, engage and develop relationships with coaches, trainers, and athletes.
In this episode, I.T. breaks down the benefits of agility training and why it helps elevate your sport’s performance. You can actually improve your agility with and without resistance!
Key Takeaways:
[0:43] Al introduces his guest for this episode- I.T. Antigua.
[0:55] What is agility?
[2:25] Athletes rarely run in just a lateral or linear line.
[2:35] Why is it important to get better at agility?
[4:15] I.T. talks about some of his favorite drills.
[6:25] I.T. explains why resistance is critical to good agility training.
Mentioned in This Episode:Tweetables:
"Rarely in sports are we just running in a straight line."
"At some point with your body weight…you will need to add an external load so that you can continue to progress."
Thu, 09 Jun 2022 - 08min - 52 - I.T. Antigha — Advanced Speed Training Drills
Itam (I.T.) Antigha, more commonly referred to as "I.T.",is one of the members of the VertiMax Team as part of the Inside Sales and Client Support team. He is responsible for supporting and serving the VertiMax community by organizing personalized visits to educate, engage and develop relationships with coaches, trainers, and athletes.
In this episode, I.T. talks about advanced speed drills, which athletes are ready to tackle them and how to get started, the benefits of each drill and the VertiMax equipment can be used when performing the drills.
Key Takeaways:
[0:45] Al introduces his guest for this episode- I.T.
[1:05] Which athletes should be doing these advanced drills?
[2:21] The VertiMax app has all of details for the drills covered today.
[2:44] The 360 belt or a waist harness is perfect for the three point start drill.
[6:10] Athlete readiness will determine the right way to approach any drill.
[7:10] The high knee drive uses a riser and hip flexor attachments.
[9:00] Playing with the pace is important for effectiveness.
[9:44] Wall drills take the upper body out of the equation.
[11:53] The overspeed drill uses the Raptor EX to pull the athlete against the resistance.
Mentioned in This Episode:Tweetables:
“If an athlete can do the basics correctly then you can determine if they’re ready for these advanced exercises.”
“The Raptor EX is the best piece of equipment for the overspeed drill because it allows the athlete to get more momentum and speed than any other piece of equipment.”
Wed, 01 Jun 2022 - 15min - 51 - I.T. Antigha — Isometric Strength Training
Itam (I.T.) Antigha, more commonly referred to as "I.T.",is one of the members of the VertiMax Team as part of the Inside Sales and Client Support team. He is responsible for supporting and serving the VertiMax community by organizing personalized visits to educate, engage and develop relationships with coaches, trainers, and athletes.
In this episode, I.T. talks about isometric strength training- what it is, why you should be doing it, and how VertiMax equipment can be used to enhance your isometric strength training.
Key Takeaways:
[0:45] Al introduces his guest for this episode- I.T.
[1:10] What is isometric strength training and what are its benefits?
[2:40] I.T. shares how isometric strength training helps him personally.
[5:13] Effective ways to add resistance to any movement.
[6:56] Adding VertiMax platforms or raptors to isometrics.
[9:05] The sky’s the limit to how VertiMax can enhance your training!
[10:44] Download the VertiMax app to learn more about isometric strength training.
Mentioned in This Episode:Tweetables:
“Isometric strength training is a static hold where you’re in a position where the muscle is neither lengthening or shortening.”
“Isometrics are a very safe way to train.”
“Whatever movements you do, there’s an isometric to it.”
Thu, 19 May 2022 - 11min - 50 - Brett Kuehn — VertiMax’s Core Vest
Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business.
In this episode, Brett talks about the VertiMax Core Vest and some of its benefits. The vest was designed for functionality in mind and has 18 different attachment points. The Core Vest is a very useful addition to your athlete performance.
Key Takeaways:
[0:43] Al introduces his guest for this episode- Brett Kuehn.
[0:50] Let’s talk about the VertiMax Core Vest!
[1:50] The vest has multiple points and helps you train your core.
[2:50] The vest can help athletes switch to different movements all in one go.
[3:15] This vest is a one-size fits all!
[4:50] The sky is the limit to what you can do with the core vest!
Mentioned in This Episode:Tweetables:
"Athletes sometimes don’t know how to hinge properly. This helps athletes feel the hinge."
"The rings on the sides, it’s easy to put this on, load up the weights, and do your jumps on the VertiMax."
Thu, 05 May 2022 - 06min - 49 - Brett Kuehn - The Raptor Sled Mount
Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business.
In this episode hosted Al and Brett talk about an exciting new product attachment that has just come out at VertiMax. Athletes can get a new dynamic exercise out of the portable Raptor Sled attachment. Brett explains what this is and how to use it.
Key Takeaways:
[0:43] Al introduces his guest for this episode- Brett Kuehn.
[1:00] VertiMax has a new product out! The portable Raptor Sled attachment!
[1:55] Why did VertiMax introduce the sled attachment product?
[3:20] What feedback have customers had so far about this Raptor sled attachment?
[445] This is a great way to now bundle products together and have the whole team train dynamically.
Mentioned in This Episode:Tweetables:
"The portable Raptor sled attachment is just a plate that slides onto the Raptor and clamps on to the polls that you push."
"This is a great way to bundle the Raptor and the Sled together and better use some of the spaces in your facility."
Thu, 28 Apr 2022 - 05min - 48 - Brett Kuehn - Utilizing Explosive Power
Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business.
In this episode hosted by Al Marez, Brett dives right into the importance of explosive power, what it is, and how athletes can utilize this to its full potential.
Key Takeaways:
[0:43] Al introduces his guest for this episode - Brett Kuehn.
[1:05] Why is explosive power so important?
[2:10] Big guys do have the ability to have explosive power.
[3:50] You have to train fast to unlock the explosive power you need on the field.
[5:20] What are some drills you can do to tap into your explosive power?
[6:20] Interested to know more? VertiMax has these drills on the app!
Mentioned in This Episode:Tweetables:
"Explosive power is really the ability to achieve maximum effort in minimal time."
"You need to be quick in sports. It’s not just about being strong. You need to be both."
Thu, 21 Apr 2022 - 07min - 47 - Brett Kuehn — Speed & Agility in Basketball Training
Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and vertical; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business.
In this episode hosted by Al Marez, Brett discusses how to improve your speed and agility in basketball training with the VertiMax, and why it’s been the preferred tool for many athletes. In this quick seven minute episode, Brett also breaks down some easy drills anyone can do using the VertiMax
Key Takeaways:
[0:43] Al introduces his guest for this episode- Brett Kuehn.
[1:15] There’s a lot more to basketball than just jumping.
[2:15] Why is VertiMax so popular among basketball teams?
[3:45] Brett shares easy drills any athlete can do on the VertiMax
[6:00] You can find complete basketball training on the VertiMax website!
Mentioned in This Episode:Tweetables:
"With the VertiMax basketball, you can train up to five athletes at a time."
"You’re able to do jumping, you’re able to do defensive drills, speed, and quickness drills with the VertiMax equipment."
Thu, 14 Apr 2022 - 07min - 46 - I.T. Antigha - Developing Speed
Itam (I.T.) AntighaItam Antigha, more commonly referred to as "I.T.",is one of the members of the VertiMax Team as part of the Inside Sales and Client Support team. He is responsible for supporting and serving the VertiMax community by organizing personalized visits to educate, engage and develop relationships with coaches, trainers, and athletes.
In serving the VertiMax community, he helps achieve the company mission,vision and values. His background in sports and his degree in exercise science allow him to providevaluable insight for how to best use VertiMax equipment to elevate the performance of athletes of all types.
Thu, 07 Apr 2022 - 11min - 45 - Brett Kuehn — Key Features of the VertiMax
Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals, whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and vertical; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business.
In this episode hosted by Al Marez, Brett shares more about the key features of the VertiMax and how it can help athletes improve their performance. Tune in to find out more.
Key Takeaways:
[0:33] Al Marez introduces his guest for this episode - Brett Kuehn.
[1:07] Brett explains some of the key features of the VertiMax platforms that make it such a great tool.
[2:03] Brett shares how the pulley system in VertiMax works to maintain consistency.
[4:05] VertiMax can enhance any type of drill that an athlete is doing.
[5:39] This podcast is being sponsored by VertiMax.
[6:26] Brett highlights some other features of the VertiMax that contribute to its safety.
[7:25] VertiMax allows athletes to add a light load to their drills.
[9:22] How young can a person start training with the VertiMax?
[10:32] VertiMax is just a tool. It's important to consult with a trained professional or check out some programming and workouts specially crafted for the VertiMax to improve your performance.
Mentioned in This Episode:Tweetables:
"What the pulley system does on the VertiMax, it allows those bands to run through the pulley system so that resistance maintains the same consistency." - Brett
"With the VertiMax, you can actually load your arms." - Brett
"Any type of drill that you think of for improving your jump, you can do with the VertiMax to enhance it." - Brett
Thu, 31 Mar 2022 - 12min - 44 - Pete Holman — Conscious Coaching
Pete Homan is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and Physical Therapist specializing in biomechanics, sports performance and outpatient orthopedic Physical Therapy. He has worked with NFL champion Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis and Hall of Fame blind side tackle from the New Orleans Saints Willie Roaf, world champion ski racer Chris Davenport, X-Games Gold medalist Mike Schultz, and MMA fighters Brendan Schaub, Shane Carwin and Elliot Marshal. He is also a former US national Taekwondo champion.
In this episode hosted by Dan McDonogh, Pete shares more about his journey in strength and conditioning and how he got his start in entrepreneurship and solving problems nobody else could see. He explains why the important thing for coaches and trainers isn’t often fancy programming, but rather conscious coaching and being attentive to the individual’s needs at that moment. Pete also shares from his experience about being authentic and vulnerable, how to cultivate a growth mindset, and why it’s so important to follow your bliss. Tune in to find out more.
Key Takeaways:
[1:22] Dan introduces his guest for this episode - Pete Holman.
[2:06] When did Pete notice that he had an entrepreneurial spirit and the ability to determine need and notice things other people can't?
[11:29] Dan and Pete discuss the importance of being present, and the concept of conscious coaching.
[14:24] How has Pete being a parent played into how he perceives being intentional?
[17:29] Being present, understanding what the person you're working with wants and needs at that moment is more important than any kind of fancy programming.
[21:02] Pete uses different forms of communication and learning styles to help athletes reach their goals.
[23:14] How does Pete get buy-in from athletes?
[27:14 ] This podcast is being sponsored by VertiMax.
[28:00] Dan and Pete talk about being vulnerable and authentic with the athletes they work with.
[31:52] Growth comes when you surround yourself with people that force you to be better.
[35:31] It's really not about the programming, it's about who you are as a trainer or coach and how your experiences have shaped you and the mindset you bring to the table. That's what will bring you success.
[37:07] Pete's advice is to follow your bliss.
[43:02] Whatever you do, do it the best you possibly can.
[45:21] What's a common injury Pete sees that could easily be avoided?
[50:12] In some cases, simple can actually be better!
Mentioned in This Episode:Tweetables:
"You can solve a problem in your mind and with logic."
"It warms my heart, not that I'm selling products, but I'm helping people's health, wellness and vitality on all reaches of the earth."
"People are different learners."
"You gotta walk the walk if you want your athletes to respect you."
Thu, 24 Mar 2022 - 54min - 43 - Stuart Roche — Mentoring The Next Generation of Coaches
Stuart Roche is the Assistant Director of sports performance at Marquette University and is in his seventh season there. His primary focus is on the men's and women's lacrosse and tennis teams. Stu takes great pride in being the internship coordinator at Marquette, and his experience there has greatly influenced his latest project, My Momentum, dedicated to mentoring and guiding aspiring performance coaches.
Stu shares more about his journey with strength conditioning from the UK to his current position at Marquette University. He elaborates on the MVP process he uses to guide his athletes, how he creates a positive and thriving culture with his athletes, and how he has kept them moving forward through the pandemic and lockdowns. Stu also talks about his inspiration for setting up My Momentum and the work that he does to give back to his community by uplifting and mentoring the future generation of performance coaches. Tune in to find out more.
Key Takeaways:
[0:35] Al introduces his guest for this episode — Stuart Roche.
[2:49] What is Stu's background and how did he get into strength conditioning?
[8:40] What does Stu's day-to-day look like as the Assistant Director at Marquette University?
[12:33] How does Stu envision his weight room, what it means for the athletes he works with, and the culture he creates?
[15:08] What are some of the differences Stu has observed between the US and the UK in how coaches program and implement training strategies?
[17:57] What is Stu's MVP Process for his athletes and how does it affect them?
[20:48] This podcast is being sponsored by VertiMax.
[21:32] What impact did COVID have on Stu's athletes' training programs and how did he adapt?
[25:11] How did Stu keep his athletes moving forward when things got shut down?
[28:13] Stu shares more about how his mentorship program for newer coaches started, and what it is like today.
[34:45] What are some new features that Stu has launched recently?
[40:05] Stu shares some ideas he is working on moving forward.
[42:16] Find out more about Stu and connect with him via his website and Instagram!
Mentioned in This Episode:Championship Teams have an MVP process, not an MVP player. Here’s how they do it. By Brian Cain,
Tweetables:
"The development of athletic qualities from this room should be a byproduct of the culture of the team that moves through here."
"The quietest conversation you have with an athlete that just pushes the right buttons — that could change their trajectory on their four or five-year career."
"People are starting to understand that it takes education and experience to understand how to program well and be agile in your programming depending on the context of the group you have in front of you."
"There's kind of this chasm between the developmental opportunities that you might experience as an undergraduate, but then actually making that next step into the profession."
Tue, 23 Nov 2021 - 43min - 42 - Kari Woodall — Resilience and Influence
Kari Woodall is a former U. S. National team swimmer, who eventually became a collegiate coach for the same sport that she competed in. Kari is a TRX master trainer and is currently a coach, personal trainer, and mother of two teenage daughters. She is also the owner of Blaze Fitness and a volunteer firefighter. Kari taps into her in-depth knowledge about the power of the body, physical training, and mental toughness to create custom workouts for athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike.
In this episode hosted by Dan McDonogh, Kari shares more about how she manages her role and influence on social media, and how taking a break from social media to dive into self-care and self-awareness has been a game-changer for her. She explains why it is so important for athletes to be empowered and trust their own bodies in their training, and how coaches can help them in that. Tune in to find out more.
Key Takeaways:
[0:30] Dan McDonogh introduces his guest for this episode - Kari Woodall.
[2:57] How did Kari transition from being an athlete into the fitness industry?
[7:46] Dan and Kari discuss how coaching is really about people and relationships - it doesn't matter what you know, it matters how you coach.
[11:20] How has Kari been able to manage her presence and role on social media as a fitness influencer?
[17:33] Kari took a break from social media, but now she's back on. What did she do in this break that put her in a better position to start putting herself out there again?
[22:59] What skills has Kari brought to her coaching by diving into yoga and mindfulness?
[27:51] This podcast is being sponsored by VertiMax.
[28:38] Dan and Kari discuss how slowing down can help athletes speed up.
[31:56] It can be empowering for an athlete to be able to make that choice between going hard or taking a rest.
[35:48] How does Kari see things changing in the future with social media and impacting athletes’ journeys for the better?
[40:32] What is Kari's advice for young women looking to enter the health and fitness industry?
[43:47] How does Kari teach young athletes to distinguish between the pain that comes from training and learning to listen to their bodies?
[50:03] Dan summarizes some of the key points Kari shared in this interview.
Mentioned in This Episode:Jim Richardson, the University of Michigan
Tweetables:
"I just want someone to feel better through movement." - Kari
"The more, you know, the more you don't know." -Kari
"When you understand need, that's when you can truly help make an individual grow and develop." - Dan
"We are all influencing and being influenced." - Kari
"Your choices, are your choices, not what the influence around you is." - Kari
Tue, 28 Sep 2021 - 55min - 41 - Dr. Ed Le Cara — Blood Flow Restriction
Dr. Ed Le Cara is an expert in a number of healing modalities, in addition to being a trained chiropractor and medical professional. Based in Dallas, Texas, Ed helps individuals in their healing and recovery journey, and one of the the techniques he employs is blood flow restriction (BFR). Blood flow restriction has recently started finding its way into the sports performance world, and as an expert in this technique, Ed has many valuable insights to share.
In this episode hosted by Dan McDonogh, Ed shares more about blood flow restriction (BFR). He explains what it is, how it works, and how its role has evolved in the sports performance, health and fitness industry. Ed also explains some of the benefits and risks of BFR and why it’s so important to have a trained coach or guide to ensure athletes are using it the right way and not setting themselves up for injury. Tune in to find out more.
Key Takeaways:
[0:43] Dan introduces his guest for this episode- Ed Le Cara.
[3:18] How did Ed get introduced to blood flow restriction? Where did it originate and what is its role in the industry today?
[10:01] Blood flow restriction is being adapted to the sports performance world.
[15:55] Dan and Ed discuss the discomfort that athletes may feel when using blood flow restriction.
[16:59] What is the best way to approach integrating blood flow restriction as a modality in the health and fitness world?
[17:43] Link - Jeremy Loaniki, University of Mississippi Oldness How long it takes to adapt to blood flow restriction
[19:15] It is important to have a coach who is familiar with this modality to guide athletes who are getting into it. What are some of the risks of undertaking blood flow restriction without the proper guidance?
[24:58] This podcast is being sponsored by VertiMax.
[26:08] How would an individual be able to determine what their percentage of blood flow restriction should be?
[31:01] Is it necessary to do BFR on both sides of the body, even if rehab is taking place only for one side?
[34:19] Where does Ed recommend as a starting point for someone wanting to learn more about blood flow restriction?
[38:12] How does this compare to PRP treatment?
[44:52] What are the differences between the different companies offering BFR?
Mentioned in This Episode:Dr. Le Cara's Approach To: Blood Flow Restriction Training, by Dr. Ed Le Cara
Tweetables:
"Let's not hurt our back lifting heavy loads if we can get away with it. Let's have perfect form, use lighter loads but get the adaptation that we need because you don't have to lift the heavy loads."
"Blood flow restriction has been shown to be very, very safe in the literature."
"So even though I've only got the cuff [in one place], I still get benefits [further down the limb]. I still get benefits on the opposite side and I still get benefits in my brain."
"When we do BFR with light loads, you don't cause any muscle damage."
"There's a balance between needing more pressure, less pressure and being comfortable and practical."
"Any time that our body can repair ourselves, it's always better than putting cortisone or other things which are really band aids."
Tue, 20 Jul 2021 - 49min - 40 - Michael Piercy — Being a Playmaker
Michael Piercy is the owner of The LAB Sports in New Jersey. Michael transitioned to the fitness industry after an illustrious career in professional baseball where he played for three major league organizations. Today, Michael works with everyone from elite professionals, youth athletes, and active adults to help them unleash their inner athlete. Michael is recognized for his achievements in the fitness space, including being named Personal Trainer of the Year in 2017, and TRX senior master trainer. Michael is also an author and a speaker.
In this episode hosted by Dan McDonogh, Michael shares more about his transition from professional sports to the fitness industry, and what inspired his decision to work with youth athletes. He speaks about the challenges and most rewarding aspects of working with youths, and why it’s important to manage expectations of everyone involved. Michael also shares more about his ideas of what it means to be a playmaker, and how to bring that out in the work we do. Tune in to find out more.
Key Takeaways:
[0:38] Dan introduces his guest for this episode — Michael Piercy.
[2:05] Michael made a transition from professional sports into the fitness industry. What was that transition like for Michael?
[4:45] What was the gap that Michael saw that needed to be filled, especially with youth athletes, that he works on within his facility?
[6:50] What does Michael find the most rewarding working with youth athletes?
[8:56] What is the most challenging aspect of working with youth athletes?
[10:54] Dan and Michael discuss the challenges of managing expectations, both of the athletes and their parents.
[16:18] What does it mean to be a playmaker, and how can we all bring that into the work that we do?
[20:07] Michael talks a bit about embracing your vision.
[22:33] This podcast is being sponsored by VertiMax.
[23:59] Michael explains what it means to let your work speak as it relates to being a playmaker.
[26:32] Part of being a playmaker also has to do with knowing your strengths.
[30:12] Michael shares a story about talking to his mom about stealing bases.
[32:20] #4 of being a playmaker is to mind your words.
[34:57] Our words matter a lot, especially when working with youth athletes.
[38:03] The last thing Michael talks about in being a playmaker is that coaching is a calling.
[45:08] Dan summarizes some of his biggest takeaways from this conversation with Michael.
Mentioned in This Episode:Michael Piercy on LinkedIn and Instagram
Tweetables:
"The fitness industry was always something that was really central to my life." - Michael
"That's one of the most important things that we do here is try to work on the total athlete." - Michael
"What can we give them that can help them really make a difference, not only just as an athlete, but as a person." - Michael
"It's not about results, it's about the work that you put in." - Michael
"Building trust with the parents is ultimately going to lead to trust and growth and development in all areas of that child's life." - Dan
Tue, 29 Jun 2021 - 48min - 39 - Dr. Mark Cheng — Move Better to Feel Better
Dr. Mark Cheng is the Founder and Trainer of Tai Cheng and K3 Combat Movement Systems. Through a lifetime of passion, learning, honing, refining, and distilling methods and practices of both the Western and Eastern worlds, Mark has developed a system that helps people move better to feel better. He works with everyone from office jocks to top-performing athletes to C-suite executives, and his aim is to help people get strong, train smarter and feel better in a sustainable way for them.
In this episode hosted by Dan McDonogh, Mark shares more about how he has integrated Eastern and Western philosophies and principles into his work in fitness and training. He explains more about the need for balance in the pursuit of getting stronger and hitting athletic goals — knowing when to train vs when to test, when to apply the gas vs apply the brakes, and knowing when to stop. Mark has many great insights about how we can all move better and things to be mindful of in coaching, training and working with people on their health and fitness. Tune in to find out more.
Key Takeaways:
[:50] Dan introduces his guest for this episode — Dr. Mark Cheng.
[3:30] How has Mark been able to take his Eastern practices and integrate those principles and philosophies into what he currently does today?
[4:59] What does Mark mean when he says we need to know when to apply the gas and when to apply the brakes?
[7:00] What are some of Mark's tips for knowing when to test and when to train?
[9:07] Many people are brought up to mute their bodies, rather than listen to them. Mark explains what this means and the impact it can have.
[14:00] Mark shares some of his personal experiences of pushing himself too hard, and describes his 'Aha!' moment.
[17:29] What are some of the corrective exercises that Mark recommends?
[20:48] What's the best way to get athletes to buy into corrective exercises?
[23:38] This podcast is being sponsored by VertiMax.
[24:24] Getting buy in and building mutual trust is so important in coaching, and listening is key to this.
[25:43] How can we help people understand that it's not just about pushing through fatigue?
[28:54] Dan and Mark discuss the importance of athletes knowing when to stop.
[31:57] Mark explains more about why he believes healthy tissue should be soft and able to receive pressure.
[36:09] Why is breathing and relaxing so important?
[41:14] Dan reflects on the theme of this conversation.
[42:34] What does Mark mean by "fevery and failing" and how does it relate to the work of health and fitness professionals?
[45:22] How does Mark prioritize between different things?
Mentioned in This Episode:K3 CombatGrey Cook, Functional Movement Systems
Tweetables:
"Whether we choose to use an Eastern paradigm to describe and understand [our bodies], or a Western paradigm to understand and describe it, if it works, it works." - Dr. Mark Cheng
"Your hormones are a drug." - Dr. Mark Cheng
"My ego's not writing checks that my body can't cash." - Dr. Mark Cheng
"If you don't see improvement, ease." - Dr. Mark Cheng
"If we expect success, reward, pleasure at every turn, we're going to be sorely disappointed and very entitled." - Dr. Mark Cheng
Tue, 13 Apr 2021 - 52min - 38 - Matt Krause — Strength and Conditioning in Baseball
Matt Krause has been in the world of professional strength and conditioning in baseball for a long time. He was a former National Strength and Conditioning Association professional strength coach of the year, as well as a long time strength coach with the New York Yankees and Cincinnati Reds. Most recently, Matt has been named the first Administrative Director of the Professional Baseball Strength and Conditioning Coaches Society (PBSCCS).
Like in any other sport, strength and conditioning coaching in baseball has its own quirks. Matt shares more about his experiences as a coach in baseball through the years. He reveals his own personal journey of how he got into strength and conditioning, and how he got to where he is today, as well as the career progression one might take to achieve success in this industry. Matt also talks about the new initiatives being undertaken by PBSCCS and his goal for the organization going forward. Coaching in baseball is no mean feat, and Matt shares how he deals with the challenges that come his way to consistently stay on top of his game. Tune in to find out more.
Key Takeaways:
[1:48] Al Marez introduces his guest for this episode - Matt Krause.
[3:20] What got Matt into strength and conditioning coaching, and how did he get to where he is now?
[11:21] What are some of the initiatives that Matt will be spearheading for the PBSCCS?
[14:29] This podcast is being sponsored by Vertimax.
[15:17] How does Matt create the programs for the PBSCCS?
[16:31] Matt outlines the typical career progression of someone in this industry and the steps they would take to achieve success.
[23:07] What is the path Matt recommends to get into coaching in a particular sport?
[27:24] What was the process of becoming a GA like?
[29:16] Has Matt ever felt burned out after being in the industry for so long? How does he counter it?
[31:51] What are some of the not-so-glamorous parts of the baseball industry?
[33:58] What is one of the most gratifying things about being a strength coach for Matt?
[36:00] Find out more about PBSCCS and the work that Matt does via their website.
Mentioned in This Episode:National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
Professional Baseball Strength and Conditioning Coaches Society (PBSCCS)
Tweetables:
"We're trying to create quality education from the parent-coach to the high school coach to the college coach to the professional strength coach." - Matt
"We want to provide quality content for all levels of people trying to help athletes." - Matt
"In the industry, I've always found someone who was my peer to talk to." - Matt
Tue, 23 Mar 2021 - 38min - 37 - Adam Feit - Nutrition as a Part of Strength and Conditioning
Adam Feit is the Head Strength and Sport Psychology Coach at Precision Nutrition, world's largest online coaching and certification software company. He has a tremendous background in strength and conditioning, nutrition and coaching, and began his journey in the field as a coach in his undergraduate days. From there, he gained more experience and exposure in the field through other coaching internships and placements in many places across the country. Eventually, Adam went on to become a Co-Founder and Director of Reach Your Potential Training, where he trained hundreds of youth athletes, and worked with numerous colleges and institutions. Adam recently completed his PhD in Sport and Exercise Psychology, and works full time as a consultant for colleges and part time as a strength and conditioning coach at Springfield College.
In this episode hosted by Steve Leo, Adam shares more about his journey to where he is today, starting in 2006. He also explains how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted how he runs his business and the impacts he sees on the industry as a whole. Adam also has some business advice for new coaches trying to get to the next level, and insights about pricing and managing expectations. He shares more about nutrition and tips for working with younger athletes in this insightful interview as well. Tune in to find out more.
Key Takeaways:
[:33] Steve Leo introduces his guest for this episode - Adam Feit.
[1:35] Adam shares a bit about his background.
[7:44] How has COVID-19 changed how Adam runs his business?
[11:39] What are some of the impacts of having to adapt to living in a pandemic?
[15:52] What are some of the biggest differences Adam has noticed in the strength and conditioning coaching arena since he started?
[19:14] How has Adam dealt with balancing parents demands and the needs or abilities of youth athletes?
[23:04] What is some of Adam's advice for people who are trying to take their independent small business to the next level in these times?
[28:54] This podcast is being sponsored by VertiMax.
[29:40] Adam shares more how to create better clients and manage expectations.
[34:58] How does Adam deal with pricing in his business?
[40:47] What is Precision Nutrition and how is it relevant to younger athletes?
[46:03] What are some of the pros and cons of working with younger athletes?
[51:23] What advice would Adam give parents who need to help their children make some behavioral changes?
[57:25] Find out more about Adam and the work he does via social media or email.
Mentioned in This Episode:Adam Feit on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook
Crucial Conversations, by Al Switzler, Joseph Grenny, and Ron McMillan
Tweetables:
"I feel bad for everybody that's going through this time because they're not getting the ideal coaching situation." - Adam
"I've found that education is now more paramount, it's more bountiful and convenient. Anybody can learn at any time, and coaches can now use that to leverage the opportunities they have." - Adam
"What can I offer that can be very multi-faceted?" - Adam
"The flexibility comes not just in the price, but how you're going to deliver the programs. That's going to set up some interesting opportunities for revenue." - Ada
Tue, 16 Feb 2021 - 1h 00min - 36 - Chris Gorres — Education in the Strength & Conditioning Industry
Chris Gorres is well-known as one of the smartest and best trainers. Chris has always had a passion for fitness and was a high school and collegiate athlete in his youth. Today, he is the Lead Trainer and COO at Onyx Elite. In his career, Chris has acquired certifications with the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and continues to educate himself, making him one of the best and brightest in the field of performance coaching. He works with athletes on all different levels and sports, specializing in speed, power, strength, injury prevention, functional training, and rehabilitation.
VertiMax has invested a lot of time and money into creating education platforms, including the in-person certification program, a virtual course and the VertiMax app. In this episode hosted by Al Marez, Chris Gorres shares more about the importance of continuing education for strength and conditioning coaches and trainers in the health and fitness industry. He also shares the benefits to be had from learning from experts outside your organization and some useful resources to get started. Tune in to find out more about the educational opportunities with VertiMax and how you can get to the next level as a trainer and coach.
Key Takeaways:
[1:27] Al introduces his guest for this episode — Chris Gorres.
[3:19] Chris shares a bit about his journey to become one of the top strength and conditioning coaches.
[5:48] What are some of Chris's recommendations for people looking to further their education in this space?
[9:58] Who are some of the VertiMax Master Trainers and where are they located?
[14:34] Education is so important when dealing with a varied clientele.
[15:41] What are some resources for people looking to get started with training?
[18:14] Al explains why VertiMax decided to launch their own education platform.
[19:16] What happens in the VertiMax in-person certification course?
[21:36] This podcast is being sponsored by VertiMax.
[22:29] Chris shares more about how he conducts in-person certification courses.
[24:02] Who should attend the VertiMax trainings or courses?
[26:29] VertiMax recently launched virtual training to cater to a broader audience. What are the differences between in-person and virtual training?
[29:51] A parent asks what his daughter can do for training after an ankle fracture. Chris highlights some considerations around training with an injury.
[35:32] VertiMax also has an app as a part of the education platform. Al and Chris discuss some of the elements of the app.
[40:48] Follow Chris on Instagram and Twitter to learn more about his work.
Mentioned in This Episode:VertiMaxCertification Program and Virtual Training Course
National Strength Professionals Association
National Academy of Sports Medicine
Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning (Boston)
Athlete Fit, Scott Moody Overland Park Kansas
Core Performance, by Mark Verstegen
Everyday is Game Day, by Mark Verstegen
Tweetables:
"The real special ingredient that makes our team unique is the humility that everybody brings." — Chris
"When you're working with that vast of a group, education is so important." — Chris
"To me, that's what education is about. You get to learn from other people's experience and make yourself a genius." — Chris
Tue, 02 Feb 2021 - 43min - 35 - Trevor Anderson — Training with Passion and Purpose
Trevor Anderson is the owner and operator of the Better Everyday Performance Institutes in Orlando, Florida, and recently opened a second outlet of his facility, despite the pandemic. Trevor is a performance coach, focused specifically on the areas of professional football, baseball and basketball who works with everyone from pro athletes from NFL and Superbowl champions to his own children. He is talented in working with people of any age or ability in the area of sports performance, and as the creator of GOLFleticism®, Trevor has a special interest in training athletes in the golf industry. As a TRX master trainer and master trainer for SPRI, Trevor has many achievements under his belt, including being named one of the top 50 best golf fitness trainers by Golf Digest.
In this episode hosted by Dan McDonogh, Trevor shares more about how he developed his custom training program for professional golfers to become more athletic and why he believes that sport-specific training should be the focus only 30% of the time. Trevor also gives his take on speed and agility training for everyday athletes and shares his unique perspective on better movement. Tune in to find out more.
Key Takeaways:
[:38] Dan introduces his guest for this episode — Trevor Anderson.
[:58] Trevor's rallying cry is two claps. Where did that begin?
[2:45] Dan shares more about Trevor's background.
[4:32] What is GOLFleticism®?
[6:58] What are Trevor's thoughts on sport-specific training?
[9:51] Trevor has a unique take on speed and agility training for everyday athletes. He shares more about his perspective.
[12:28] The Better Everyday Performance Institute facilities are designed functionally, to have exactly what athletes need and not more. Trevor talks about some of the modalities he incorporates in his facilities.
[15:29] What are the benefits of elastic resistance?
[17:29] Dan and Trevor discuss the potential of the Raptor.
[19:14] What is the psychology that Trevor uses with his athletes?
[22:01] This podcast is being sponsored by VertiMax.
[22:47] When did Trevor understand the importance of better movement as it relates to an athlete's ability to perform better?
[26:37] Does Trevor do a movement assessment for his athletes and clients?
[30:05] Trevor talks about what he thinks the art of coaching is.
[31:38] What is Trevor's philosophy around managing a large group of people, knowing that they each have individual needs and wants?
[36:08] Being successful is about making connections and building relationships.
[38:41] Dan sums up some of the takeaways from this interview with Trevor.
[41:35] Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Mentioned in This Episode:Trevor Anderson on LinkedIn and Instagram
Tweetables:
"I started to see how important athleticism was in the game of golf." - Trevor
"The reality is you need to build a base foundation of athleticism, of functional movement, of foundational movements." - Trevor
"Loose is smooth, and smooth is fast. If you create unnecessary tension, it's hard for you to be fluid." - Trevor
"You get your mental toughness through your physical challenges." - Trevor
Tue, 05 Jan 2021 - 42min - 34 - Martin Rooney — Training with Passion and Purpose
Martin Rooney is the Founder of Training for Warriors. In his youth, he was a track and field athlete in college and a former US bobsledder. He went to medical school to become a PT and had a successful career as a PT, before taking the leap to pursue his passion in the strength and conditioning industry. Today, Martin is an internationally recognized trainer, speaker, author and pioneer in the strength and conditioning industry, and his Training for Warriors program is world-renowned. His passion and purpose lies in helping bring the athlete out in everyone, and also finds joy in coaching middle and high school track teams.
In this episode hosted by Steve Leo, Martin shares the origin story of how he got into the strength and conditioning industry. He reveals the huge risks he took, the hard work, time and effort he put in to build his business and a name for himself, and the eventual success he has enjoyed. Martin also has some great insights about why passion and purpose are his driving forces, and some valuable advice for coaches in the industry. Tune in to find out more.
Key Takeaways:
[:31] Steve introduces his guest for this episode - Martin Rooney.
[1:49] Martin shares a little about his background and how he got into the industry.
[3:40] How did Martin transition from being a PT to his current career?
[7:59] Don't be afraid to pursue your passions and your dreams.
[11:42] A lot of people get into the industry for the right reasons, but there are also those who want instant fame and recognition. Martin has some advice for them.
[15:26] What made Martin decide to switch gears and start working with adults and the general population, rather than professional athletes?
[17:24] This podcast is being sponsored by VertiMax.
[18:13] Training professionals is easy. It's a much greater challenge to help regular people unlock the athletes within them.
[20:45] Martin shares how his transition into training for adults was driven not only by passion, but also by purpose.
[22:43] Taking big risks were part of what helped Martin achieve success. He explains how fear can be a huge motivator for success.
[26:28] How has Martin's business grown since its inception?
[32:25] In order to be a good coach, you need to have passion, and you need to be able to help people believe.
[36:05] Steve and Martin discuss his latest book, Coach to Coach. What motivated him to write this particular book?
[44:27] Martin shares a bit more about the value of hard work and doing something hundreds of times in becoming great at what he does.
[48:22] Steve and Martin discuss how they got their children interested in sports, and their journeys.
[55:12] Get in touch with Martin on social media to learn more about him and his journey.
Mentioned in This Episode:Martin Rooney on Instagram, Facebook
Coaching Greatness Facebook Group
Coach to Coach, by Martin Rooney
Tweetables:
"Everybody gets in this industry dreaming that they're going to work with pros. But it's not all as rosy as it seems. If you want to make a greater impact, you do that with kids." - Martin
"Do what you love, do what you're passionate about, and if you push for it hard enough, it can happen." - Martin.
"Comparison is the thief of joy." - Martin
"There's an athlete inside of everybody, and the joy is bringing it out." - Martin
Tue, 01 Dec 2020 - 57min - 33 - Megan Young — A Woman in a Male-Dominated Industry
Coach Megan Young is the High-Performance Director with the Chicago Red Stars, and serving her second season in this role. She was previously part of the strength and conditioning program at the Auburn University Athletics Department for 11 years. She worked with student-athletes in the baseball and football programs, moving up in time to become directly responsible for year-long programming and implementation of all strength and conditioning related activities for the women’s soccer and basketball programs. Megan currently holds certifications from the NSCA, Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCA), USA Weightlifting (USAW), and USA Track and Field (USAWTF).
In this episode hosted by Al Marez, Megan shares the story of how she entered the strength and conditioning industry, as well as what it was like for her as a woman in a male-dominated industry. She explains how she has taken on the challenges in her life, both in her career and personally in her battle with cancer, and how that has shaped her outlook and goals in life. Megan also talks about how she has adapted to the changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, and how she feels about the future of the industry. Tune in to find out more.
Key Takeaways:
[1:12] Al introduces his guest for this episode — Megan Young.
[3:02] How did Megan get into the strength and conditioning industry initially?
[5:37] What are some of the challenges that Megan faced getting into strength and conditioning?
[8:47] More and more women are getting into the industry.
[9:38] What is Megan's role as High-Performance Director?
[13:51] How has COVID affected the training season this year?
[15:25] This podcast is being sponsored by VertiMax.
[16:11] How did Megan adapt to conducting trainings while the players were in lockdown because of COVID?
[18:41] What was Megan's dream as a coach?
[22:28] Megan shares more about what it means to "speak for those who can't".
[27:37] How has Megan's battle with cancer changed her trajectory in her career and life?
[29:52] How does Megan feel about more women getting opportunities in the industry?
Mentioned in This Episode:Megan Young on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter
Auburn University Athletics Department
Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCA)
Tweetables:
"You have to be willing to be the only one of you in the room." — Megan
"A lot of people feel the pressure to throw all technology and solutions into a system or organization without ever reading what the environment actually needs." — Megan
"You can learn a lot from players by asking them questions first." — Megan
"Dreams change with education and with experience and life." — Megan
"I want to change what it means to be strong, and being strong, besides physically, means to share your scars, it means to share the vulnerability, it means to share the hard things that actually made you who you are." — Megan
Tue, 10 Nov 2020 - 36min - 32 - Vinny Scollo — The Importance of Recovery in Training
Vinny Scollo is the Gold's Gym Sports Performance Director and Regional Fitness Manager in Middletown NY. As a strength and conditioning coach working with both amateur athletes and professional athletes in high school, college and the NFL, Vinny has over 12 years of experience in human performance.
In this episode hosted by Dan McDonogh, Vinny shares more about his perspectives and philosophy for recovery for his athletes. He shares more about his tried and tested methods and strategies to help athletes recover faster, and why sleep plays such an important role in effective recovery. Vinny and Dan also discuss the power of mindset and mindfulness in an effective training plan, and why a coach’s role and responsibility extends far beyond the time they spend actively training their athletes. Tune in to find out more.
Key Takeaways:
[:33] Dan introduces his guest for this episode — Vinny Scollo.
[2:08] The VertiMax Summit just took place over the past weekend. What were some of the highlights for Vinny?
[6:25] The real role and responsibility of a strength and conditioning coach extends beyond the time they spend with their athletes.
[8:48] What are some of the strategies and recovery hacks that Vinny is using with his athletes?
[13:00] This podcast is being sponsored by VertiMax.
[13:46] Dan shares some of his experience with recovery and some of his observations around breathing and recovery.
[18:28] Coaches need to learn before they teach, not the other way around.
[20:13] What are some of Vinny's recommendations around sleep habits and patterns?
[27:26] Vinny's three main aims for his mornings are mindfulness, movement and mindset.
[30:36] Keep it as simple as possible for your athletes.
[32:21] There is power in the life that our athletes are living outside the training room, and a lot of that has to do with positivity.
[35:02] Dan and Vinny discuss the importance of listening, not to respond, but to understand.
[39:59] Dan gives a short recap of some of the main themes of the discussion with Vinny.
Mentioned in This Episode:Tweetables:
"We see [our athletes] for an hour. The more important hours are the other 23." — Vinny
"A lot of times, we can get so much benefit and bang for our buck just off doing the simple things that we readily have access to, but as long as it's done consistently." — Vinny
"Success comes from what we do consistently." — Dan
"If you're just stretching but you're not breathing, you're just doing busywork." — Vinny
"What are your silver linings every day?" — Dan
Wed, 04 Nov 2020 - 45min - 31 - Daniel McKim — Finding the Joy in Training
Coach Daniel Mckim is a sales representative for Sorinex and a Hollywood movie star on Instagram. Coming from Northwest Missouri State University, Daniel competed in the shot put, and was a 15-time National Qualifier in five events. Currently, he works as a trainer and coach with high schools, colleges, universities, gyms, training centers, and professional teams to bring them innovative training solutions. Two of his passions are training and bringing joy to others, which he has combined into a unique career to become a sought-after athlete, speaker and author.
In this episode hosted by Steve Leo, Daniel shares more about his background and how he almost took a completely different path to pursue baseball instead. He also shares some of the inspiration for the work he does today, and how he got started making videos that poke fun at anything and everything in the strength and training industry. Daniel has some interesting insights about the impact of social media on the kids he trains, as well as how he landed a partnership with Little Debbie's Snacks. Tune in to find out more.
Key Takeaways:
[00:00:30] Steve introduces his guest for this episode — Daniel McKim.
[1:05] Daniel shares more about his background and his career.
[6:18] What inspired Daniel to get into the career he has now?
[9:08] How has Daniel's interactions with coaches and trainers from other spaces and specializations influenced his philosophies on training?
[12:22] Daniel and Steve discuss the influence that social media has on the kids that they're working with in terms of questioning their impact as coaches.
[13:44] What did Daniel learn as a collegiate athlete that has shaped him as a person now?
[16:47] What are some of the changes Daniel has seen since he started working with Sorinex?
[18:30] Daniel shares how technology has integrated with equipment in terms of training, particularly in relation to the VertiMax Raptor.
[20:24] This podcast is being sponsored by VertiMax.
[21:12] Daniel and Steve dig into how the weights room has changed to accommodate different athletes from different sports.
[23:08] How does Daniel deal with kids who want to emulate workouts and exercises that they see online?
[25:16] Daniel talks about Little Debbie and how he has incorporated that into his business.
[31:32] When he's working with Sorinex, which kind of clients does Daniel focus on?
[34:22] Check out Daniel's website for more information about his work.
[34:53] How does Daniel's faith help him in his professional career?
[37:15] Daniel shares some final thoughts about being in the strength industry.
Mentioned in This Episode:Daniel McKim on Instagram and Twitter
Northwest Missouri State University
Tweetables:
"Everyone takes themselves so seriously and we sometimes think everything is so serious, that we've got to take a step back and realize there's a lot of joy to be had in this world, and if we're not careful we're going to miss out on it." — Daniel
"We're here in this industry to improve lives, and sometimes that means we've got to step out of our comfort zone, sometimes that means we've got to get out and do things to have fun, to create joy and excitement for these kids." — Daniel
"It's been impressive to see how things are now custom. Everything is custom." — Daniel
"I want to share joy, and I want to have joy in all that I do." — Daniel
Tue, 13 Oct 2020 - 38min - 30 - Dwayne Paul — VertiMax Master Trainer in the UK
Dwayne Paul is the Founder of Limitless Training Club and LTC 2.0, and a VertiMax Master Trainer in the UK. His passion for training and fitness started at a young age during his adolescence in the Caribbean, and after a career in the military, Dwayne made the shift to the personal training and fitness industry. Dwayne then opened up his training facility and recently opened a second location with a focus on sports performance training.
In this episode hosted by Al Marez, Dwayne shares more about his inspiration for his training facilities, as well as the design and layout of the facilities. He explains the different focus he has for each location, and how the “conveyor belt” style helps keep things running smoothly. Dwayne also talks about how his business has been affected by the pandemic, how he has managed to keep clients engaged during the course of the shut down of his facilities, and how he is handling the reopening. As a Master Trainer, Dwayne also provides insights into the benefits he has seen and the impact of the relationships he has cultivated as a result. Tune in to find out more.
Key Takeaways:
[1:17] Al introduces his guest for this episode — Dwayne Paul.
[2:29] How did Dwayne get into the fitness industry?
[4:56] What inspired Dwayne to name his facility Limitless Training?
[7:32] Dwayne is just opening up a second location. What was his process in designing it and what made him decide to open a new location now?
[9:46] What is the difference between Limitless Training Club and LTC 2.0?
[10:45] What kind of training does Dwayne offer at each facility?
[11:53] Dwayne explains how the new facility is set up in a "conveyor belt" style.
[14:36] How is the UK handling the pandemic in terms of reopening training facilities?
[16:26] What was the biggest challenge that Dwayne faced when opening his first facility?
[19:03] This podcast is being sponsored by VertiMax.
[20:06] How is the UK dealing with the COVID pandemic? Dwayne shares how he was able to adapt to the changes that the pandemic brought and keep clients engaged.
[26:33] What are Dwayne's tips for parents training their kids at home?
[29:48] What does it mean to be a VertiMax Master Trainer?
[34:36] What does Dwayne think of cultivating relationships with other distributors and other Master Trainers from other regions?
[37:08] Follow Dwayne to find out more about the work that he does.
Mentioned in This Episode:Tweetables:
"The new facility gives a bit of a sports performance feeling to it." — Dwayne Paul
"We have a conveyor belt kind of rotation style for the facility." — Dwayne Paul
"You've got to keep something in reserve for hard times." — Dwayne Paul
"If they haven't been doing a lot, ease into it as you get back into it." — Al Marez
Tue, 29 Sep 2020 - 38min - 29 - Vinny Scollo— Gold's Gym Sports Performance Director and Regional Fitness Manager - Part 1
Vinny Scollo is the Gold's Gym Sports Performance Director and Regional Fitness Manager in Middletown NY. He is often imitated but never duplicated. A strength and performance coach with over 12 years experience in human performance, Vinny works with everyone from high school athletes looking to make professional sports their career, to current professional athletes, to busy business executives.
In this episode hosted by Dan McDonogh, Vinny talks about the key differences between purpose and passion, and testing and training. He gives us the inside scoop about what it’s like to work with Latavius Murray for many years, and why he considers it of utmost importance to be aware of the mental, emotional, and physical state of athletes when designing a training schedule to help them hit their goals. Vinny also shares more about education as a critical aspect of implementing a system successfully, and why he is such a firm believer in VertiMax. Tune in to find out more.
Key Takeaways:
[:40] Dan introduces his guest for this episode — Vinny Scollo.
[4:01] Every goal needs to have purpose and intent. What's the difference between purpose and passion?
[7:52] It is important for each movement to be done with intention.
[10:20] What is Vinny's coaching philosophy and how is he able to keep things simple and effective?
[14:24] This podcast is being sponsored by VertiMax.
[15:37] There's a difference between testing and training.
[16:49] How does Vinny work with Latavius and what is that relationship like?
[21:00] As coaches, we need to be aware of how our client is feeling and what they are ready to do.
[29:00] How can we identify unmotivated athletes vs someone who is just not feeling it that day?
[31:39] What made Vinny decide to get behind the VertiMax brand and the VertiMax as a tool?
[38:40] Education is a crucial part of implementing a system successfully.
[43:00] What are three things Vinny thinks people in the health and fitness industry should be doing on a consistent basis?
Mentioned in This Episode:Tweetables:
"If you have a passion, to me, it blends in with the purpose, because your passion is essentially your purpose." — Vinny
"What is the intention behind the movement?" — Vinny
"Everything really goes back to the basics. Everything is built from the basics." — Vinny
"The best ability is availability." — Dan
"Movement is the new medicine." — Dan
Tue, 15 Sep 2020 - 48min - 28 - Chad Coy — A Tailored Approach for Every Athlete
Chad Coy has had a long and illustrious career in the fitness space with 40 years of experience under his belt. He started training in 1980, with high school football and moved on to coaching as an undergraduate assistant strength coach at Purdue University. In 1995, he opened Powerhouse Gym, before going on to compete in multiple strongman competitions. Chad has also played semi-professional football, and is experienced in speed training with Parisi Speed School,
In this episode hosted by Steve Leo, Chad shares his insights about strength and conditioning training with athletes. He highlights some of the most important parts of strength training that athletes need to focus on, and why it is so important for coaches to do a full evaluation of the athlete’s needs before recommending training programs for them. Chad also shares more about stress and recovery, how to help athletes build confidence, and the key attributes coaches need to have. Tune in to find out more.
Key Takeaways:
[:30] Steve introduces his guest for this episode — Chad Coy.
[1:05] Chad gives a brief introduction to his background and career.
[4:54] What is the biggest difference Chad sees in his years of experience in the strength and conditioning area?
[6:52] What is the most important part of strength training that athletes need to focus on?
[9:47] How would Chad approach training female athletes?
[13:06] Chad recommends doing an evaluation to assess the needs of athletes to figure out an approach that works best for them.
[14:42] This podcast is being sponsored by VertiMax.
[15:29] How does Chad address parents who may be concerned about their child lifting weights?
[18:11] Confidence is a big issue with many athletes. How does Chad address this issue?
[21:10] How would Chad manage or modify training volume for athletes whose seasons have been cancelled?
[23:51] How has Chad incorporated VertiMax equipment and other devices into his training programs?
[26:50] What has Chad learned about recovery from his years of strongman?
[30:28] Chad talks about how he helps his athletes manage stress and recovery.
[32:35] How did Chad deal with stress when he was at the highest level of his sports and dealt with adversity?
[36:48] Chad shares his perspective on the key attributes coaches need to have.
[39:08] Connect with Chad on social media to learn more about strength and performance coaching.
Mentioned in This Episode:Tweetables:
"I didn't realize how strength affected speed, but it was huge." — Chad
"[Strength training] should lead to injury resiliency first, then performance." — Chad
"Confidence is a big issue." — Steve
"It's a fine line between pushing them and over-training them." — Chad
Tue, 18 Aug 2020 - 42min - 27 - Dan McDonogh - Experience the Equipment You Use
Dan McDonogh is a highly respected fitness professional with a very diverse background in the commercial fitness space. In his career, he has worked as a RP and Program Director for Les Mills, and with TRX in helping to take a unique functional training tool and democratize it for the fitness world through education, and has been instrumental in building a global training team with over 350 professionals with TRX.
In this episode hosted by Robert Dyer, one of the business partners of the VertiMax Group, Dan shares his experience using the VertiMax Raptor. As a strong believer that fitness professionals should experience and understand their equipment and products before recommending them to clients, Dan has a lot of experience in using VertiMax equipment. He shares some of the different applications of this equipment and the benefits to clients, as well as how commercial fitness centers can leverage them. Tune in to find out more.
Key Takeaways:
[:34] Robert introduces his guest for this episode - Dan McDonogh.
[6:27] Dan shares a little more about himself.
[8:23] From Dan's experience using the Raptor, how would he describe it?
[13:08] This podcast is being sponsored by VertiMax.
[13:55] Robert and Dan discuss how important it is to actually experience and use the equipment or products we are selling and promoting.
[19:10] Where can the Raptor be used?
[22:41] What is the feeling that Dan has when he is using the equipment, and what are the benefits to fitness clients?
[00:28:17] What are the different applications that Dan uses the equipment for?
[31:26] Dan's definition of a workout has completely changed over the years. He shares what he focuses on now.
[33:54] What's going to get people back into your facilities as things slowly start to reopen?
[35:19] How does Dan see equipment being used in commercial fitness centers?
[36:46] Dan shares a bit more about outdoor training.
[38:47] Dan will be taking over hosting the commercial fitness segment of the podcast.
[41:42] Dan has some advice about influence.
Mentioned in This Episode:Tweetables:
"It's a very, very, very small world. No matter how big it is, the industry is very small and it's very connected." - Dan
"It's important to learn before you teach, not teach before you learn." - Dan
"I'm a firm believer in the way you train should mimic the things that you love to do in everyday life." - Dan
"You can have the greatest piece of equipment in the world, you can have the greatest programming in the world, but if you don't have buy in and you don't have education, it's useless." - Dan
Tue, 04 Aug 2020 - 45min - 26 - Ted Butler - Creating Better Athletes
Ted Butler is the Owner, Operator and Trainer Extraordinaire at Operation Athlete in Lexington, Kentucky. He first started this training facility as a way to make his own children better athletes, and today, he works with athletes from the NBA, professional athletes overseas, Division 1 athletes, and more. He loves people with a passion who are pursuing something and has a great imagination for training to keep things interesting while still being intentional.
In this episode hosted by Steve Leo, Ted shares some of his strategies for training athletes in different sports and his beliefs about the role of a strength and performance coach. He reveals how he has integrated VertiMax into his training routines, how he manages expectations not just of the athletes he trains but also their parents, and how he can consistently deliver results. Ted also dives into his virtual training programs created to keep athletes making progress during the pandemic, and has some insightful advice for coaches and trainers. Tune in to find out more.
Key Takeaways:
[:29] Steve introduces his guest for this episode - Ted Butler.
[2:29] Ted's imagination for training is pretty amazing.
[4:50] Ted explains why athletes training with other athletes from different sports is so important.
[7:28] Some athletes will not be a fit for your training style and it's good to figure that out early.
[8:56] How has Ted utilized the VertiMax in his training program?
[11:42] This podcast is being sponsored by VertiMax.
[12:38] How does Ted set expectations up with young athletes (and their parents) when they start training with him?
[18:31] What are client's first impressions when they first see the VertiMax equipment?
[22:09] How does Ted fix his rates now in new market areas?
[24:31] What is Ted doing with virtual training and how did he figure out the pricing for that model? Ted shares some of the things he has learned from doing virtual training with his athletes in this pandemic season.
[32:48] Ted and Steve discuss the optimal length of virtual sessions.
[34:31] What is something Ted wishes he had known when he first started training?
[38:40] It's important to explain to your athletes the 'why' behind the 'what' to build trust with them.
[39:33] What advice would Ted give to other coaches during this time?
[41:32] Get in touch with Ted via Instagram or email to find out more
Mentioned in This Episode:Tweetables:
"Creating a better athlete was way more than just lifting heavy weights." - Ted
"Everything that we do, the whole premise is 'will this make them play their sport better.' that's it." - Ted
"I want to know what everybody's charging, and I want my rates to be at least 15-25% more because I think our training is at least that much better." - Ted
"You are better than you think." - Ted
Tue, 28 Jul 2020 - 43min - 25 - Dean Caputo - Coming Full Circle as a Gym Owner
Dean Caputo is the founder and owner of Powerhouse Gym in Streetsboro, Ohio. Dean has been in the health and fitness space for many years, starting with opening up a gym as a teenager, to becoming a very successful bodybuilder, transitioning to a long career in nutrition and supplements, before coming full circle and reopening Powerhouse Gym. He has influenced a lot of people and athletes through his career, and is on the podcast to share more about his journey.
In this episode hosted by Al Marez, Dean outlines his personal journey in the health and fitness space. He shares some of the changes he has undergone in his life, and about how gyms in general have changed since his first venture. Dean also gives us some insight into the supplements industry compared to being a gym owner, and his inspiration for reopening hsi gym. His new venture features a unique concept with different training zones to cater to the whole family. He explains how this has boosted his gym memberships as well as how he is dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Tune in to find out more.
Key Takeaways:
[:55] Al introduces his guest for this episode - Dean Caputo.
[2:49] Dean shares a little more about his background.
[4:10] Did Dean know that being in the health and fitness space was going to be his long-term career when he opened his first gym as a teenager?
[6:38] How has Dean changed from his days as a competitive bodybuilder?
[7:56] How did Dean get into the business of supplements?
[9:38] What was Dean's experience in the supplements industry vs being a gym owner?
[10:34] This podcast is being sponsored by VertiMax.
[11:21] How did Dean get the idea to reopen his gym?
[13:41] What did Dean learn from his first experience of gym ownership that he was able to apply to reopening his gym?
[15:22] When he designed the gym, Dean wanted it to be different from other gyms. He shares how they set it up to stand out.
[16:08] Dean walks us through the different training zones at his gym and how that caters to different people.
[19:05] Having different zones brings people into the gym together as families.
[21:41] How does Dean incorporate VertiMax into the fitness space?
[22:55] Dean and Al discuss how COVID-19 has impacted the business.
[24:26] What is the sentiment among clients and how they are reacting to the reopening of gyms?
[26:52] What type of training does Dean see adults training more of?
[28:39] Dean shares some things that have stood out to him in the reopening of his gym.
[30:53] Is it possible for a 12-year-old to use the VertiMax?
[32:17] Al shares a comment from a user about Dean's gym.
Mentioned in This Episode:Dean Caputo’s Powerhouse Gym, Streetsboro, Ohio
Dean Caputo’s Powerhouse Gym on Facebook
Tweetables:
"My passion has always been in the gym business." - Dean
"A lot of it's different - it's way better today than it was back in the day." - Dean
"We thought 'How can we get all these different markets into one gym?'." - Dean
Tue, 21 Jul 2020 - 34min - 24 - Casey Lee - Reopening after the Lock Down
Casey Lee is the Director of Fitness and Performance at The Edge Health Club based in Vermont. Apart from training athletes and other professionals, the team of 26 trainers and 4 performance coaches with Parisi Speed School, work with a variety of individuals from age 7 to 70s. Casey is also the host of the 3 Things Podcast, and has almost a decade of experience in the industry, despite his young age.
In this episode hosted by Steve Leo, Casey shares more about his unconventional path into the fitness industry, and his experience leading The Edge during this pandemic. He reveals how they have managed to maintain their relationship with their members during this time, and how they are preparing for the fall season with their athletes. Steve and Casey also discuss the importance of strength in performance training, overcoming mindset issues when coaching others and why it is so important to keep learning from others. Tune in to find out more.
Key Takeaways:
[:33] Steve introduces his guest for this episode - Casey Lee.
[2:07] How did Casey get into the training business?
[6:48] In light of gyms and health centers reopening, what has Casey found about people's sentiments?
[9:35] What did Casey do to maintain relationships with his members during the lock down, and how has that worked?
[11:48] What are Casey's thoughts on virtual training? Is it here to stay in some form?
[15:01] Casey shares more about his experience of being contracted as a strength coach at a local school.
[18:53] This podcast is being sponsored by VertiMax.
[19:41] How is Casey helping athletes who have to prepare for the fall season without knowing what the future holds?
[23:21] Casey and Steve discuss strategies for resuming training with athletes in the first couple of days and weeks.
[27:09] What are some things that have really had great benefits as far as working in the performance training area?
[30:32] Casey and Steve share more about what their role is in sports performance and how that translates into their training plans.
[37:15] What are some of the mindset obstacles that Casey has had to overcome as he was growing his craft as a coach?
[40:06] How does Casey balance being confident in what he has to offer against being humble enough to know he doesn't have all the answers?
[44:40] Steve reflects on his experience of learning from others and why it is important.
[46:38] What would Casey tell his younger self?
[49:29] Find out more about Casey on social media and check out his website for more information.
Mentioned in This Episode:3 Things Podcast with Coach Casey Lee
Casey Lee on Facebook and Instagram
How to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie
The Four Agreements, by Don Miguel Ruiz
Tweetables:
"You'll know really quick when you open if you have a transactional business or if you have a relationship business." - Casey
"We did these calls that were centered around helping our athletes become better athletes in a true form, not just physically, but mentally, emotionally and helping them through this period." - Casey
"You've got to control what you can control." - Casey
"The exercise isn't the outcome." - Casey
"When you have that view of leadership that your age and experience dictates your ability to lead, then you're already taking 4 steps backwards." - Casey
Tue, 30 Jun 2020 - 51min - 23 - Emily Hutchins — A Candid Chat with a Trainer & Facility Owner
Emily Hutchins is the owner of On Your Mark Studios located in Chicago, Illinois. Emily opened her facility 13 years ago, and operates with a strong team of trainers who have expertise in varied areas such as strength & conditioning, and high level performance. Her facility caters to everyone from elite athletes to the general population, where she aims to provide a high level of service and experience to all her gym users.
In this episode hosted by Al Marez, Emily shares how she has built her training facility and how she has managed to create a space that caters to users of all levels and abilities. She also talks about the impact that COVID-19 has had on her business, how she has adapted to the current situation, and how she will be moving forward in the post-pandemic phase. Emily also has some great tips for trainers looking to open their own facility, recommendations for further education, and general insights on her approach to mobility, flexibility and movement. Tune in to find out more.
Key Takeaways:
[1:01] Al introduces his guest for this episode — Emily Hutchins.
[2:23] Emily shares more about herself and On Your Mark.
[3:47] It can be challenging to try to do a little bit of everything. How does Emily manage catering to everyone from pro-athletes to the general population?
[7:05] Al and Emily discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic has raised people's awareness about their health.
[8:00] What is Emily's #1 tip for someone who is trying to make the leap from being a trainer to opening their own facility?
[10:41] How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected Chicago and Emily's business?
[13:59] This podcast is being sponsored by VertiMax.
[14:47] What has Emily implemented anything that will carry on for the long term?
[16:28] How has COVID-19 affected Emily personally?
[19:25] What does movement mean to Emily and why does she care so much about it?
[22:44] What are some education opportunities that Emily recommends?
[24:46] How has mobility and flexibility played a role in your training with clients during these times? How important is it to slow down to ease back into training?
[29:20] Emily shares some final thoughts and advice.
[30:08] How does Emily balance and prioritize her own training with her responsibilities at On Your Mark?
[31:16] What products does Emily use in her hair?
Mentioned in This Episode:Tue, 16 Jun 2020 - 33min - 22 - Itam “I.T.” Antigha — Serving the VertiMax Community
Itam “I.T.” Antigha is one of the members of the VertiMax Team as part of the Inside Sales and Client Support team. He serves on the front lines of VertiMax by interacting with clients and prospects and introducing them to the full potential of VertiMax. In serving the VertiMax community, he helps achieve the company mission, vision and values.
In this episode hosted by Al Marez, I.T. shares more about his role as a part of Team VertiMax as a front line staff member. He explains how he shares his expertise and knowledge with clients and prospects to create value for them, and who he focuses on reaching through his outreach programs and client visits. Tune in to find out more.
Key Takeaways:
[:35] Al introduces his guest for this episode - Itam “I.T.” Antigha.
[1:30] What is I.T.’s background and how did he end up joining VertiMax?
[3:48] What does I.T. do at VertiMax?
[4:34] How does I.T. approach his job at VertiMax of educating the community and helping the end user be more knowledgeable about what VertiMax can offer?
[5:48] What kind of clients is I.T. looking for?
[7:20] I.T. describes a typical visit with a potential client.
[8:57] This podcast is being sponsored by VertiMax.
[9:44] I.T. is highly focused on meeting the needs of people he is meeting with.
[10:47] What are some of the highlights for I.T. so far?
[12:21] What are some upcoming trips for I.T.? He and Al discuss how he has expanded his reach over time.
[13:50] What have been some of the client reactions to I.T.’s visits?
[16:46] I.T. shares more about the VertiMax mission and his role in contributing to it.
[18:00] Connect with I.T. via email or Instagram.
Mentioned in This Episode:Itam "I.T." Antigha on LinkedIn
Wed, 15 Apr 2020 - 18min - 21 - James Morgan — Preparing for the NFL Scouting Combine
This time of year, all the focus is on the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. James Morgan is a quarterback from Green Bay, Wisconsin who now plays on the FIU team. In this episode hosted by Al Marez, James shares more about his sports background and his career in football, as well as his grad transfer journey. He explains his training routine in preparing for the Shrine bowl, and how he is preparing for the upcoming NFL Scouting Combine and the season beyond that. Tune in to find out more.
Key Takeaways:
[:34] Al introduces his guest for this episode — James Morgan.
[1:23] What is James's sports background and playing career?
[2:21] James shares more about his grad transfer journey.
[3:46] What was James's experience making it to the Tampa Shrine Bowl?
[5:04] This podcast is being sponsored by VertiMax.
[5:55] Al congratulates James on his achievements.
[6:37] What was it like to train for the Shrine Bowl?
[9:30] How was Jame's experience learning how to interview?
[10:28] What additional work is James doing in addition to performance based training?
[11:12] In terms of getting signed on, what has James's experience been?
[12:18] After the combine, what are James's plans for training?
Mentioned in This Episode:Wed, 08 Apr 2020 - 14min - 20 - Garrett McCoy — Stress + Rest = Growth
Garrett McCoy is a one of the co-Founders and the Director of Operations at Pure Strength & Movement, in Tampa, Florida. Garrett has over 15 years of experience in the fitness industry, which he brings to his unique facility. The facility's dedication to building the “Mind, Body and Spirit” comes cross in their specialized training programs which connects physical fitness with personal excellence, and emphasizes the importance of exercise, health and fitness beyond just how good you look.
In this episode hosted by Al Marez, Garrett shares his journey into the fitness industry and how he decided to start his own facility. He highlights some of the unique aspects of Pure Strength & Movement, and the thinking behind them, as well as his own take on how to achieve growth through stress and rest. Tune in to find out more about the habits and practices Garrett recommends to create growth and success.
Key Takeaways:
[:35] Al introduces his guest for this episode - Garrett McCoy.
[1:44] What is Garrett's background and what was the path he took the led to him opening up his own fitness facility?
[5:39] What is the meaning of the motto "Mind, Body, Spirit" of Pure Strength and Movement?
[7:37] What was the thinking behind how the facility is set up?
[10:35] This podcast is being sponsored by VertiMax.
[11:23] The routines and workouts offered by Pure are always changing and providing customers with different programming each time.
[12:33] Stress + Rest = Growth. Garrett shares some of his thought process behind this formula.
[14:24] What are the 7 habits that Garrett talks about in his article?
[19:59] These habits and practices that lead to growth are easy, but we need to be intentional in sticking to them.
[23:23] Connect with Garrett online via his social media and app.
Mentioned in This Episode:Pure Strength & Movement on Instagram and Facebook
Article by Garrett McCoy
Thinking, Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman
Thu, 02 Apr 2020 - 24min - 19 - Yo Murphy - Behind the Scenes at Combined Prep Season
Yo Murphy is a former professional football player who has participated in multiple professionals leagues, including the NFL, the Canadian Football League and NFL Europe. He has developed some extremely high level sports performance training systems that cater to athletes from a variety of sports, including major league baseball players, NFL vets, and more.
On this episode hosted by Al Marez, Yo gives us an inside look into what goes on during these few months of preparing for the combined prep season. He shares more about his own personal journey from professional athlete to high level sports performance trainer, and how he caters to the needs of each athlete that he works with. He also explains the behind-the-scenes of the combined prep season and how he approaches the season to set his clients up for success. Tune in to find out more.
Key Takeaways:
[:33] Al introduces his guest for this episode - Yo Murphy.
[1:26] Yo shares more about his sports background and the path that he took to become a high level sports performance trainer.
[3:31] What caused Yo to shift gears from his career as a professional athlete to become a trainer?
[4:59] Helping one person can have a huge impact on the community and the world.
[5:51] Who are Yo's clientele now and what goes into training the different types of athletes he works with?
[9:52] This podcast is being sponsored by VertiMax.
[10:38] How does Yo tackle preparing athletes for the combined prep season?
[14:56] Al and Yo discuss more about how athletes can bring their best self to the combine.
[16:28] What is the year-round process for the lead up to this event?
[20:25] How does Yo's training for his athletes change depending on where they are in the season?
[22:18] What is the relationship like between Yo and the team's strength coaches?
Mentioned in This Episode:Tue, 10 Mar 2020 - 25min - 18 - Live from the VertiMax Summit 2019
This is a very special episode recorded live in Tampa, Florida at the VertiMax Summit 2019, an annual event that brings together everyone in the VertiMax Community for a full day of education, hands on experiences and learning from the best in the Fitness and Sports Performance space.
On this episode hosted by Al Marez, a series of guests come on the podcast to share their experiences with VertiMax, and their takeaways from attending the annual summit. Steve Leo, Kerry Bennett, Dario, Dave Abernethy, and Jenna Morfeld share their insights from the summit and how they have harnessed the VertiMax tools to produce impressive results, on this jam-packed episode. Tune in to find out more.
Key Takeaways:
[:34] Al introduces one of the guests for this episode — Steve Leo.
[2:25] Al shares some impressive statistics about the VertiMax trainings.
[3:08] Steve shares some of the content he will be presenting at the event.
[4:11] Steve explains how he incorporates VertiMax as a tool into his training.
[6:24] The next guest is Kerry Bennett.
[7:16] What are Kerry's thoughts on the summit?
[8:39] Kerry shares a little about his experience as the Beast Bus Man.
[10:43] Kerry gives a quick overview of the workout he is teaching at the summit.
[11:51] Dario is the next guest.
[12:16] What are some of the differences Dario is seeing between his first year attending the summit, and this year?
[12:45] Dario has a unique way of utilizing his VertiMax Equipment.
[13:32] What was Dario's biggest takeaway from Dana Santas' presentation?
[14:24] Dave Abernethy is a distributor-partner of VertiMax, and one of the guests at the summit.
[15:27] What's unique about VertiMax is the diverse community.
[17:00] This podcast is being sponsored by VertiMax.
[17:47] Dwayne Paul is attending the summit from England.
[19:43] What brings Dwayne back to the summit?
[22:15] What is something Dwayne took away from the presentations at the summit?
[23:24] Jenna Morfeld is the Director of Sports Performance at RedLine Athletics
[24:09] What has Jenna's experience been with RedLine?
[29:03] What has been Jenna's biggest takeaway from the summit?
[30:57] Vinny Scollo is the next special guest on this episode.
[32:19] What workout did Vinny do at the summit?
[33:31] It's always about simplicity and easy movements, and technique and basics.
[36:17] What was Vinny's biggest takeaway from the summit?
Mentioned in This Episode:Steve Leo, on Instagram @coachsteveleo
VertiMax Vive Podcast Episode 05: Kerry Bennett — Beast Bus, A Unique Business Model
Kerry Bennett on Instagram @trainerkb
Dario Colovic on Instagram @dario_colovic
Dave Abernethy on Instagram @coachab1
Jenna Morfeld on Instagram @straightstrong
VertiMax Vive Podcast Episode 017: Brad Hinkle — Insights into RedLine Athletics
Vinny Scollo on Instagram @vinnyscollo
Mon, 02 Dec 2019 - 38min - 17 - Brad Hinkle — Insights into RedLine Athletics
Brad Hinkle is the Vice President of Operations at RedLine Athletics, a company that runs youth athletic performance training centers and has been working with VertiMax since 2012. VertiMax has been a big part of the RedLine Athletics programming, and they have grown tremendously over the last few years to over 20 facilities across the US, with each facility showcasing VertiMax equipment. Brad himself is a former two-sport college athlete in basketball and baseball who started off as an intern and trainer at RedLine Athletics, and today oversees operations of the company.
On this episode hosted by Al Marez, Brad shares insights into RedLine Athletics, including what it takes to be a good trainer, and how each workout is formulated in a way that makes the system easy to scale. Brad also reveals how they use VertiMax equipment in their programs and processes, and breaks down the franchisee model that RedLine Athletics uses which has contributed to its rapid growth and expansion across the country in the last few years. Tune in to find out more.
Key Takeaways:
[:36] Al introduces his guest for this episode — Brad Hinkle.
[1:31] Brad talks a bit about his background and how he got started with RedLine.
[3:57] What is RedLine Athletics?
[6:11] Brad and Al discuss what it takes to be a good trainer.
[6:57] What does the RedLine workout look like?
[10:36] The way each workout is formulated makes the system scalable.
[12:10] What were some of the challenges of implementing a franchising model?
[14:30] This podcast is being sponsored by VertiMax.
[15:42] What are some things that went easier on this business journey?
[17:23] What were some of the biggest changes that RedLine has made in the past few years.
[20:56] What is the top priority for RedLine as the company grows?
[22:34] RedLine Athletics uses a regional developer model. Brad explains how that model works.
[25:38] What are some regions that are available for franchisers looking to get into the industry?
[28:20] Get more information about franchising and RedLine Athletics at their websites or email Brad!
Mentioned in This Episode:Tue, 12 Nov 2019 - 30min - 16 - Shawna Gordon — Elevating Women’s Soccer
Shawna Gordon is a former professional soccer player, a trainer and mentor to youth and college athletes, and social media influencer. Growing up, Shawna depended a lot on her father to help her practice and train, honing her soccer and athletic skills even though she didn’t have a formal coach off the pitch. She went on to play soccer professionally within multiple women’s leagues, and eventually became a coach, trainer and mentor.
On this episode hosted by Cameron Lynch, four-year NFL vet, Shawna shares how and why she started a female mentoring clinic, specifically to coach younger female athletes and give them the guidance she didn’t have in her early years of playing the sport. Shawna explains some of the finer techniques in soccer, her recommendations and style as a coach, as well as reveals her hopes for the future of the women’s soccer league and the sport in general. Tune in to find out more.
Key Takeaways:
[:46] Cam introduces his guest for this episode — Shawna Gordon.
[1:42] What is "The Beautiful Game"?
[2:31] What are some of the questions that come up the most in Shawna's female mentoring sessions?
[3:35] What is Shawna's drink of choice?
[4:46] Shawna shares a little about her pre-game meals, and how it has changed over time.
[6:34] What are some things Shawna does to hone her skills?
[8:44] What are some of the fundamentals of a training session with Shawna?
[10:25] What is the proper way to kick a ball?
[11:37] What is Shawna's style of play?
[14:20] Cam shares a personal anecdote on why warm up is so important to injury prevention.
[15:39] What are some things that Shawna recommends to prepare for games at the college level compared to the youth level?
[16:21] This podcast is being sponsored by Vertimax.
[17:36] Shawna shares her motivation for doing what she does now.
[19:35] Shawna provides some insights into the national women's soccer team.
[20:40] The viewership and media recognition towards the women's soccer team has not been great. Shawna shares her thoughts on what needs to be done to grow the game.
[24:50] Shawna describes her journey with professional soccer.
[28:32] What would be Shawna's advice to her younger self?
[30:00] Get in touch with Shawna via Instagram.
Mentioned in This Episode:Tue, 29 Oct 2019 - 31min
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