My buddy Sean lived up the street from me and we were friends since 3rd grade when his elementary school closed down and joined my elementary school. Back then, the town we lived in wasn't so populated so our school district sold 2 elementary schools and consolidated their costs. Sean was a multi sport athlete; Football, Wrestling, Basketball and Baseball. His Dad had him in every sport as a kid. We would get to school 20 minutes early to play Football and Basketball. Sean was the first kid … [Read more...]
Program Design for Athletes: Are You Training for Sports or Powerlifting?
Last Friday an athlete I train pulled 500 on the trap bar. He is a 15 yr old high school Football player & LAX player. He was fired up that day and he said he wanted to go for it. On days when someone is ready emotionally AND physically to go hard, you Go for it. As long as the timing is right and safe, you go for it. In this Video I explain some context behind why I program the way I do for MOST athletes. Again, it depends on many factors and I never paint a broad brush, because times … [Read more...]
250: Jon Torine | Strength Coach & Life Lessons from 17 Years in the NFL
STRONG Life ep. 250. WOW, believe it or not, we're 25% of the way to 1,000 episodes :) Jon Torine spent 17 years as a Strength Coach in the NFL and then continued to work with NFL athletes when he was done coaching as a EXOS consultant to help players transition from pro sports to "the real world". John's first Strength & Conditioning job was with Buffalo and then 3 years later he was with The Colts making him the youngest head Strength & Conditioning Coach in the NFL. This was … [Read more...]
244 | Anders Varner of Barbell Shrugged | How the Barbell Transforms Lives
STRONG Life Podcast ep. 244 with Anders Varner of Barbell Shrugged! BOOM! What a GREAT convo about how the barbell can change your life and the lives of everyone else. This is a BIG time inspiring convo and you're gonna love it. Please enjoy, share and leave a 5 star review (I LOVE when you do that :) Here's some of the topics we chatted about: … [Read more...]
Texas Strength & Conditioning Interviews Zach on The Team Behind the Team
GREAT times chatting with veteran Strength Coach Donnie Maib (Assistant Athletics Director for Athletic Performance) and Michael Hanson, Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach at Texas. Well renowned coach, Zach Even-Esh, joins Donnie Maib and Mike Hanson to dive into Zach’s perspective as a veteran coach. Key topics discussed include coaching the modern athlete, the impact of training in different environments, benefits of being a multifaceted coach, and a lot more. As always, Coach … [Read more...]
STRONG Life: The Refined Savage with Mark Valenti
In this BONUS episode of The STRONG Life Podcast, I am interviewed by Mark Valenti on his podcast, The Refined Savage. This was a GREAT time with Mark after a LONG day of coaching and making it happen! Mark is the owner of Blind Dog Gym in Ohio and he is no stranger to boots on the ground, coaching, lifting and putting in the work. This makes for a great conversation from 2 guys who have a NO Excuses attitude. Here's just some of what We talk about in this BONUS episode of The STRONG … [Read more...]
7 Tips on Developing Superior Physical Conditioning + 19 Sample Underground Strength Workouts
I wrote about “Strong & Useless” in my Encyclopedia of Underground Strength & Conditioning. It’s when an athlete can move big weights on the barbell but can’t do basic bodyweight exercises such as lunges, pull ups, pushups, sprints, and jumps. I always say, Strong is Strong. This is why I don’t chase the 1 RM testing you see so often in high school weight rooms. The first athlete who demonstrated Strong & Useless to me held all the weight room records for his high school … [Read more...]
How to Build BEAST High School & College Athletes
I am amazed at times when an athlete feels he needs "another program" when he can't even squat 225, let alone bench 225. Or when a Sport Coach insists his athletes can Squat, Bench and Deadlift yet they struggle with push ups and a full range of motion bodyweight squat. What "special program" do you need if you can't perform light weights with the barbell basics and calisthenics? The answer is, you do NOT need a special program. You need to MASTER the bodyweight basics. Still arguing … [Read more...]
Max Effort Training Tips for Athletes & Sports Performance
Athletes need to be strong, there is NO question about it. With all the fads and gimmicks, some athletes think they need a program of all speed or all agility, and they believe they are “strong enough”. This is not the case. Heavy lifting and struggling take guts. It is HARD. It requires a strong mindset and being ready to fight and never give up. Speed work does NOT require this ‘never say quit’ attitude. Don’t fool yourself, you are NOT strong enough. It's NEVER a case of JUST speed … [Read more...]
Ep. 216 | Passion, Intensity & Training That REALLY Works
STRONG Life Ep. 216, here we GO! BOOM! This is a intense & passionate episode where I discuss the following topics: … [Read more...]