Physical Preparation Podcast Archives - Robertson Training Systems

My friend you’re in for a treat today! In this episode, we’re bringing back the man, the myth, the LEGEND – Joe Kenn, aka Big House Power. It’s been so cool watching this guys’ journey over the past 15 years. From top-tier D1 football S&C coach, to his time in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers, and now to his newest iteration of himself as a strongman coach, Joe is always thinking and learning. And in this episode, we’re going to dive into a ton of different topics. From strongman comps, to how he’s programming nowadays, to why he’s doing away with “average” velocity in his VBT work, I know you’re going to love this episode. Let’s do this!   Quotable Quotes: The art of coaching elite strength is rooted in purposeful intent   Conditioning is about building adaptable capacity through tailored, phase-based training   Peak velocity training elevates mental focus and shifts the athlete’s perception of effort     This Week on the Physical Prep Podcast: Joe’s journey from D1 strength coach, to the NFL, and now into the world of strongman coaching A “Behind the Scenes” view of what it’s really like to coach a professional strongman How strongman competitions work, and why strategy is such a key piece of the puzzle Joe’s strongman training blocks: Capacity, Push, and Taper The “On-Season” training concept explained How significant the differences are in training a team-sport versus individual strength athlete Arguably the MOST IMPORTANT muscle in strongman (I guarantee it’s not what you think) Why Joe is focusing less on average velocity in his VBT training, and what he’s using instead What the future holds for the one and only Joe Kenn!     Connect with Joe: BigHousePower.com Joe on Instagram Conditioning for Strongman Book   Supercharge Your Decision-Making and Program Design with Hawkin Dynamics Force Plates! Hawkin Dynamics designs and builds performance hardware and software the right way. Their dual wireless force plates give you the most accurate, real-time data on athletic performance. You’ll have the ability to performance test your athletes in a matter of seconds, and give them immediate feedback on their strengths, weaknesses and readiness for that day’s training session. Their software is designed in house and continually updated to ensure the interface is clean, intuitive and easy to use, so both you and your athletes can visualize what’s going on and how to improve their performance. And Hawkin Dynamics is built around their customers and provide industry-leading support and training services to ensure you get the most out of their solutions. With options to lease or buy, coupled with a 5-year warranty, Hawkin Dynamics force plates can take your performance facility to the next level. To learn more, head over to HawkinDynamics.com or follow them on Instagram @HawinDynamics.   Subscribe, Rate & Share! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website. Thanks so much for your support – love and appreciate you! The post Joe Kenn on Strongman Training, Strength Development, and Velocity-Based Training appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

Well it only took 500-some episodes, but I finally made it happen! Today we welcome the one and only Megan Young to the Physical Prep Podcast. This conversation was so much fun, especially learning more about her journey from reluctant track and field thrower, to collegiate strength coach, to cancer survivor, and then finally with her success with the MLS’ Seattle Sounders. Meg’s resilience and passion for S&C are truly inspiring, and I know you’re going to love learning more about her, as well as what she’s up to these days. So without any further ado, let’s do this!   Quotable Quotes: Success in performance coaching increasingly comes from cultivating a broad, curious mindset rather than hyper-focusing on a single niche   Prioritizing internal validation and purpose over external markers like titles or wins transforms coaching into a meaningful, sustainable career   AI’s most significant role in coaching is in handling large data sets and synthesis, freeing humans to focus on contextual interpretation and nuanced decisions   This Week on the Physical Prep Podcast: Meg’s journey from reluctant track and field thrower to high-level performance coach The power of curiosity and continuous learning in achieve elite performance How strength and conditioning evolved from bodybuilding, powerlifting and Olympic-lifting into what it is today Why mentors and an awesome peer group are such a critical piece of coaching development How being diagnosed with cancer impacted not only Megan’s coaching career, but her outlook on life as well The process she went through at the end of every year, and why she ultimately decided to step away from pro sports this year What she’s excited about and working on now that she’s never shared before! The advice she would give to young, up-and-coming coaches who want to attain high-levels of success throughout their career     Connect with Megan: Megan Young on Instagram Megan Young on LinkedIn   Grow Your Fitness Business or Gym with Push Press! Gym owners and coaches, have you heard about PushPress? It’s the best gym management software company and it’s revolutionizing the fitness world. So check this out: PushPress is built BY gym owners. They understand the ins and outs of running a fitness business because they’re “in the trenches” in their own gyms every single day. Key products like Core, Grow, and Train are designed to help you with everything from billing and scheduling to lead generation and progress tracking. Built on the “help first” ethos, PushPress places an exceptional focus on prioritizing client needs, listening to feedback from their community, and using it as the impetus for its ever-evolving, innovative features. And here’s the strongest plug I can give them – I’ve actually switched to PushPress for all of my clients and athletes. Getting things set-up and running smoothly is not only easier, but also far more intuitive than many other solutions. So if you’re interested in learning more, just head over to pushpress.com/ppp.   Subscribe, Rate & Share Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website. The post Megan Young on Personal Growth, New Challenges, and Curiosity Voyages appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

If you’re a strength coach or personal trainer right now, there’s a good chance a client or athlete has come in and said something like this: “Yo Mike… what do you think about PRP?” Or, “My doctor mentioned stem cells.” Or, “I’ve had two (or 6 or 10) surgeries already—should I look into regenerative medicine?” And the honest answer is… maybe? I have some athletes who swear PRP or stem cells changed everything. And others spent a ton of money and got absolutely nothing out of it. So as a coach, you’re stuck in the middle—trying to help, trying to be responsible, but without a clear framework for what actually makes sense. When you understand the right use cases—and the common mistakes—a lot of the noise disappears. And to help us sort all this out, I’ve got my guy Adam Loiacono on the show. Adam is a former medical director for the Phoenix Suns and a guy who has spent the bulk of his professional career working in high-stakes environments with high-performers. And he’s a guy who has really dove head first into regenerative medicine, helping athletes make smart decisions instead of expensive guesses. So In today’s episode, we’ll discuss Does regenerative medicine actually work? The differences between PRP and stem cells for athletes and active adults And who regenerative medicine is really for—and who should probably save their money If you work with older clients, or athletes who’ve been through multiple injuries or surgeries and are trying to get back to elite-level training, this conversation will give you a much clearer lens for navigating these decisions.   Quotable Quotes: Some people have success and some people don’t, even though they get the same stem cell injection or PRP injections   The moment I stepped out of team sports, questions changed because my position changed.   With regenerative medicine, you’re trying to avoid that surgery by enhancing the cell environment through external means   This Week on the Physical Prep Podcast: Adam’s background in physical therapy, S&C, and how he got into the world of regenerative medicine Is regenerative medicine just rebuilding tissue? Or is there more to the equation than that? Why do some people get awesome results with orthobiologics, while others see minimal – or no – benefit? Explaining the “Alphabet Soup” of regenerative medicine options: PRP, BMAC, etc. The role that rehab, therapy and training play in the results you get Why do some people go out of country? And what are the differences between what you can get here in the US vs. abroad? What does the research tell us about outcomes? And what role should serial radiology (x-rays, MRI’s, etc.) play here? Arguably the single biggest factor on what options you should look into Final thoughts on how to get the most bang-for-your-buck out of whichever regenerative medicine option you choose!     Connect with Adam: Adam on Instagram Adam’s Website Auragens Website   Level Up Your Program Design with Train Heroic! Are you tired of using clunky, antiquated program design tools like Microsoft Word or Excel? Are you ready to level up your programming, and make it far more engaging to your clients and athletes? If so, you need to check out Train Heroic. I’ve been using TrainHeroic for years now both here at RTS and at IFAST, and I can tell you the user experience both as an athlete and coach is truly second to none. To learn more and start your free 14-day trial, just follow this link to learn more about Train Heroic. Not only will you get your first 14 days free, but it’s just $10/month to get started officially after that. So don’t wait any longer – head over trainheroic.co/rts and start crafting beautiful programs your clients and athletes will love TODAY!   Subscribe, Rate & Share! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website. Thanks so much for your support – love and appreciate you! The post Adam Loiacono on PRP, Stem Cells, and the Truth about Regenerative Medicine appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

If you’re a strength coach or personal trainer and you’ve worked with a golfer, you can probably relate to one – or ALL – of these. You want to unlock their mobility, so their swing feels effortless and smooth. You want to help them hit the ball farther. And ultimately, you want them to crush it when they get on the course. So a lot of coaches default to general rotational work, med ball throws, and getting stronger — and just hope it carries over. But today, we’re going to make this clear and easy to understand. Because golf swing biomechanics are not reserved for PhDs and tour-level labs. You just need to understand what actually produces power, what’s measurable, and what truly matters. And that’s exactly why I’m excited for today’s show with Jack Wells. Jack DOES have a PhD in Biomechanics and Strength & Conditioning for Golf, where he developed force plate assessment methods that are now used to profile some of the world’s best golfers. And his work revolves around golf biomechanics, strength and conditioning, and force plate analysis — but what I love about Jack is he’s also someone who truly cares about making all this practical. By the end of this show, you’ll understand how power is produced in the golf swing, what separates meaningful assessment from guesswork, and you’ll walk away with practical tools you can apply immediately. Let’s do this!   Quotable Quotes: For me, I fundamentally believe that you have got to have a really good understanding as to why you are doing something   Golf is not a velocity sport. It’s not a power sport. It’s a momentum sport.   The irony here is that many golf-specific movement screen lacks any form of specificity, and it’s really problematic   This Week on the Physical Prep Podcast: A little overview of Jack’s background in biomechanics, strength conditioning, and working with both pro tours and golfers with disabilities The importance of rationale in selecting both your assessments and interventions How to “Reverse Engineer” golf swing performance by analyzing club head speed and ball velocity Impulse: What is it? Why is it important? And how can you we measure it? What a tour-level golf swing assessment might look like using all the tech and data you can imagine… …and then how YOU can assess your golfers using only your iPhone and a bathroom scale! Why movement screens can be a blessing and a curse in golf Arguably the BIGGEST mistake we’re making with “golf-specific” screens What Jack’s learned during his time working with golfers with disabilities and physical limitations And finally, the importance of curiosity, questioning tradition, and integrating science into coaching     Connect with Jack: Jack on Twitter Jack on Instagram Jack on LinkedIn   Supercharge Your Decision-Making and Program Design with Hawkin Dynamics Force Plates! Hawkin Dynamics designs and builds performance hardware and software the right way. Their dual wireless force plates give you the most accurate, real-time data on athletic performance. You’ll have the ability to performance test your athletes in a matter of seconds, and give them immediate feedback on their strengths, weaknesses and readiness for that day’s training session. Their software is designed in house and continually updated to ensure the interface is clean, intuitive and easy to use, so both you and your athletes can visualize what’s going on and how to improve their performance. And Hawkin Dynamics is built around their customers and provide industry-leading support and training services to ensure you get the most out of their solutions. With options to lease or buy, coupled with a 5-year warranty, Hawkin Dynamics force plates can take your performance facility to the next level. To learn more, head over to HawkinDynamics.com or follow them on Instagram @HawinDynamics.   Subscribe, Rate & Share! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website. Thanks so much for your support – love and appreciate you! The post Golf Swing Biomechanics & Power Assessment Explained with Jack Wells appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

If you work with athletes who travel, tell me if you’ve seen this before. They fly across the country, and when they show up, something just feels off. Reaction time is slow. They’re moody and irritable. OR they’re just tired flat when it really matters. And we usually treat it like it’s just a sleep problem – but deep down, we know it’s more than that. Jet lag isn’t just about being tired: It’s about your athlete’s internal clock being completely out of sync with when they’re supposed to perform. They might be awake, but their nervous system, hormones, and decision-making speed are still operating in a different time zone. So today we’re diving deep into this with someone who has lived this at the highest level of sport. Tom Clark has spent over a decade working in elite performance — primarily in Formula 1 — supporting drivers and teams in one of the most demanding travel schedules in global sport. He’s operated in a multifaceted performance role, helping athletes manage preparation, recovery, and sustained excellence under constant travel and pressure. And he’s also a doctoral candidate specializing in jet lag, travel fatigue, and circadian disruption — researching how global travel impacts physiology, decision-making, and performance. If you coach athletes who travel, or you want to optimize your own performance across time zones, this podcast is going to help you right now!   Quotable Quotes: Effective circadian adjustment hinges on strategic light exposure and sleep timing, not merely on increasing sleep hours.   Traditional advice – like maximizing sleep or exercising immediately after travel – may actually hinder adaptation if misapplied.   Manipulating light, timing sleep, and behavioral adjustments are more reliable and cost-effective than supplements or ‘quick fixes.’   This Week on the Physical Prep Podcast: Tom’s background in F1 racing, and how that got him started in sleep science and circadian rhythm Learn how your circadian rhythm and body’s internal clock affects both sleep and performance What jet lag is, and how it can negatively impact physical and mental performance Why jet lag may not get the attention it deserves Practical strategies for minimizing jet lag and synching your internal clock in new time zones “Traditional Advice” for dealing with jet lag that may actually make things worse! How light exposure can help speed up (or slow down) your body’s internal clock Do supplements like melatonin help? Last but not least, a few more practical strategies to make travel better and sleep more effectively when you’re on the road!     Connect with Tom: Tom on Instagram Tom on LinkedIn Tom’s Company Phaze   Level Up Your Exercise Selection and Technique with Whatsthatstrap! Are you looking for ways to coach more effectively while cuing less? Or getting your clients and athletes into the right position WITHOUT overwhelming them with 35 cues every set? If so, you need to check out Whatsthatstrap! What’s That Strap makes specialty cable machine attachments that are specifically designed for rotation and multidirectional movement. The 3D Strap is amazing for driving separation between the hips and shoulders like you would in tennis, golf, baseball or even basketball, but it can also be used to resist rotation in standard weight room exercises like squats and lunges as well. And while the 3D Strap is awesome, I also find myself using their chop handles all the time as well. Whether it’s for exercises like chops and lifts, or just using them as a bonus sled dragging attachment, I absolutely love their versatility. To learn more about Whatsthatstrap or pick up a 3D Strap or chop handles, head over to WhatsThatStrap.com and use the discount code RTS at checkout to get free shipping on all US orders. I know you’re going to love training with their attachments!   Subscribe, Rate & Share Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website. Thanks so much for your support – love and appreciate you! The post How Elite Athletes Manage Jet Lag and Travel Fatigue to Optimize Performance with Tom Clark appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.