Daniel Back is a highly respected performance coach known for blending biomechanics, science, and real-world coaching to help athletes jump higher, sprint faster, and build explosive power. In this episode, we break down the misunderstood foundations of athleticism and why strength alone won’t make you a better athlete.

We talk about what actually transfers to sport: sprinting, jumping, submaximal movement, and variety. Daniel shares how his early obsession with jump training led to a career spent developing athletes across basketball, track, and field sports. He explains why the gym shouldn't be the starting point for most athletes and how to rebuild the athletic pyramid from the ground up.

If your goal is to run faster, jump higher, or train smarter, this episode will reshape how you think about getting there.

Highlights:

• Why strength ≠ force (and how that impacts speed)
• What most programs miss: submaximal movement and variety
• Sprinting and jumping as universal athletic skills
• How general play and movement challenges build true athleticism
• The problem with specializing too early
• Strength training’s place in the performance pyramid
• The neurological cost of always lifting heavy
• What fascia training gets wrong (and right)
• Tips for improving sprint mechanics and ground contact
• How to know when your athletes need less strength work, not more

CONNECT WITH DANIEL BACK:
Instagram: @2xathlete & @jump.science
YouTube: 2X Athlete
Programs: 2xathlete.com

CONNECT WITH JUDD LIENHARD:
Instagram: @juddlienhard
Train with Judd: juddlienhard.com

This episode is brought to you by LMNT.

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The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers unfiltered conversations with elite athletes, military leaders, and top coaches, exploring performance, mindset, and resilience. From NFL vets to Special Forces operators, each episode is packed with real-world lessons on training, leadership, and pushing limits.

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