Filmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien Swaby

Ep 256: Jason Walsh: Training Bradley Cooper & Transformation Truths


Listen Later

Guest: Jason Walsh — Strength & Performance Coach
Mentors & background (as stated in the episode):
  • Worked under Greg Gatz at the University of North Carolina (Olympic athlete S&C environment).
  • Mentored by Luke Richardson (respected strength coach).
Selected clients & projects mentioned in the episode:
  • Bradley Cooper — American Sniper: Discussed as a standout “all-in” transformation Jason was involved in (“the transformation that we did in American Sniper”), including addressing tendon issues from prior high-volume work and rebuilding capacity more intelligently.
  • Also discussed (not presented as clients): Jake Gyllenhaal (praised for exceptional discipline); Jennifer Aniston (raised by Damien as a comparison point for training history), Chris Kyle referenced as the role target in American Sniper.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
  • Foundations over fads: Why movement quality, progressive overload, and recoverability beat “miracle” plans.
  • Load management done right: Practical ways to prevent overuse and tendon flare-ups when volume spikes or schedules get hectic.
  • The creative athlete: How filmmakers and crew can train for long days—grip/carry strength, posture endurance, and simple maintain-during-shoot protocols.
  • Mindset & longevity: Program to the job, not the trend—sleep, steps, protein, and stress become programmable variables, not guesswork.
  • Beginners vs. trained: How Jason onboards true beginners vs. those with training history (same fundamentals, different starting loads, tighter guardrails on volume and intensity).
Episode Sponser: https://starwalkerorganicfarms.com

My Review: Essential Provisions


Rise311

  • Use Promo Code "FILMMAKINGSWABY" for all my deals or just click the link:
    • 25% Off More Labs
    • https://www.morelabs.com/discount/FILMMAKINGSWABY

    • 20% Off Strong Coffee Company
    • https://strongcoffeecompany.com/discount/FILMMAKINGSWABY

    • 15% Off Tussle
    • https://www.tusslegear.com/discount/FILMMAKINGSWABY

    • 20% Off Eric Javits
    • https://ericjavits.com/discount/FILMMAKINGSWABY

    • 25% Off Quantum Energy Square
    • https://quantumsquares.com/discount/FILMMAKINGSWABY

    • 20% Off Long Table
    • https://longtablepancakes.com/discount/FILMMAKINGSWABY

    • 20% Off HyperNatural
    • https://hypernaturalstyle.com/discount/FILMMAKINGSWABY

    • 20% Off wearplayground
    • https://wearplayground.com/discount/FILMMAKINGSWABY

    • 15% Off STAND+
    • https://www.standshoes.com/discount/FILMMAKINGSWABY

    • 10% Off Molly Bz
    • https://mollybz.com/discount/FILMMAKINGSWABY

    • 41% Off Cozy Earth
    • https://cozyearth.com/discount/FILMMAKINGSWABY
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Filmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyBy Damien Swaby

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

18 ratings