Trent Salo is a widely respected physical therapist, strength & conditioning coach, and high-performance strategist and consultant.

He is the founder of The Tendon Lab, located in Traverse City, MI, where he leverages advanced tendon imaging to monitor Achilles and patellar tendon health, and then drawing up customized rehabilitation solutions for his athletes and clients.

Prior to The Tendon Lab, Trent served as the Senior Director of Performance for the Detroit Pistons, and later as Vice President of Player Health & Performance for the Charlotte Hornets.

Currently, Trent is pursuing a PhD focused on tendon health learning from the world’s leading researchers in human tendon health and adaptation.

In this episode we chat about all things tendons - the assessment tools available and adapting the current research frameworks into practical management strategies.

Be sure to look up Trent's work:

• Personal work: www.trentsalo.com
• The Tendon Lab: www.thetendonlab.com
• Traverse City Tendon Summit: https://www.traversecitytendonsummit.com/

00:12 Career Background and Tendon Health Insights

02:14 Current Focus on Tendon Science

04:30 The Tendon Lab: Bringing Professional Service to the Public

06:25 Diagnosing Tendinopathy: Imaging and Symptoms

10:58 Tools for Examining Tendon Health

15:28 Mechanical Properties and Function of Tendons

24:08 Metabolic Health and Tendon Pathology

26:19 Loading Interventions for Tendon Adaptation

28:14 Understanding Tendon Load Responses

28:44 Feedback Loops and Models in Tendon Training

30:44 Practical Applications and Proxies

33:12 Pain Monitoring and Tendon Adaptation

36:35 Loading Prescriptions and Methods

43:05 Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) in Tendon Health

45:35 Off-Season and In-Season Tendon Management

51:25 Upcoming Tendon Summit and Final Thoughts

In this episode, Dr. Matt Jordan joins the show to discuss his journey and insights into sports science, with a focus on the evolution of force plate technology and its application in athletic training and rehabilitation. Matt reflects on his career steps, mentorship experiences, and pivotal moments that shaped his research and practical approaches. The conversation delves into the specifics of testing and training eccentric qualities, particularly reflexive eccentrics, and the methodologies for improving athlete performance post-injury.

Matt also shares his latest projects and the valuable resources available on Jordanstrength.com for practitioners looking to enhance their knowledge and application of strength and conditioning principles.

00:48 Early Career and Mentorship

02:54 Discovering Force Plate Technology

05:02 Advancements in Return to Sport

07:33 Challenges in Return to Play Testing

14:18 Innovative Testing and Training Approaches

20:55 Asymmetries and Benchmark Standards

25:56 Kinematic Assessments and Practical Applications

30:09 Kinematics and Mechanics in Athletic Training

30:53 Exploring Eccentric Abilities in Athletes

31:30 Innovative Robotic Leg Press for Force Measurement

32:36 Challenges in Measuring Eccentric Strength

32:58 Longitudinal Study on Eccentric and Concentric Force

34:22 Understanding Eccentric Force Output

35:19 Braking Mechanics and Injury Prevention

40:36 Reflexive Eccentrics in Rehabilitation

49:11 Future Directions and Exciting Developments

IG: @jordanstrength

Website: www.jordanstrength.com

Matt Aldred is the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for Michigan Men’s Basketball. Prior to Michigan, he was the Director of Basketball Health and Performance at Furman for six seasons. In that role, he also worked with Furman’s men’s golf and men’s and women’s cross country. Before Furman, he spent a season at the University of Florida as an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach, working with both men’s and women’s basketball programs.

In this episode, Matt recounts his unique journey from soccer to becoming a strength coach for basketball teams in the U.S. He discusses the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and humility in his professional journey. He also delves into the intricacies of individualized training programs, the impact of NIL on athlete management, and the practical application of fascial mechanics for sports. Throughout, the focus remains on making the weight room a place of growth and enjoyment for athletes while adapting training techniques to meet individual needs and roles within the team.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background

03:31 Early Coaching Experiences

09:48 Strength and Conditioning Philosophy

15:00 Individualization and NIL Impact

19:09 Fascial Mechanics and Archetypes

26:53 Seasonal Training Focus

27:48 Force Plate Testing Insights

29:03 Athlete Performance Metrics

29:58 Training Adjustments and Feedback

34:33 In-Season Training Strategies

41:53 New Equipment and Testing Methods

44:52 Future Plans and Professional Development

47:32 Fascial Mechanics Course Overview

Contact Matt on IG: sc_aldred

Fascial Mechanics for Sport course: https://ruderockstrength.thinkific.com/courses/fascial-mechanics

Adam is the Executive Director of Player Health and Performance for the Seahorses Mikawa in Japan's B League. He shares his career journey, which took him from the high school, collegiate, NBA, and now overseas. The discussion covers his approach to entering and leading a new department (with a language barrier). We also delve into his research on change of direction performance in basketball athletes, the methodologies involved, and the implications of these findings on training and performance. Additionally, we discuss the integration of biomechanical and tactical insights into coaching, the role of technology in performance analysis, and his book 'Basketball Mechanics,' which examines the key factors in the games' top performers. The conversation provides valuable insights for anyone interested in sports performance, biomechanics, and basketball coaching.

00:15 Adjusting to Life in Japan

03:50 Establishing Leadership in a New Role

07:26 Career Journey and Passion Projects

09:48 Research on Change of Direction Performance

26:43 Developing a Needs Analysis for the Team

31:03 Key Performance Tests for Basketball Players

39:44 Understanding Asymmetries in Athletic Performance

45:00 Future Trends in Sports Performance and Technology

46:43 Insights from the Book 'Basketball Mechanics' 50:42 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Contact Adam at:

[email protected]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-petway-166a01b7/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/adampetway/

In this episode, Dr. Jordan Sabourin, Head Strength Coach for the Detroit Pistons, shares his journey from playing college basketball, to a professional career in Germany, and transitioning into coaching in the NBA. Jordan discusses his initial exposure to high-performance training in the league, his diverse professional experiences, and adapting to the evolving landscape of sports science and conditioning within the NBA. Reflecting on his 13-year tenure with the Detroit Pistons, Jordan emphasizes the importance of developing strong relationships with athletes and details his balance of traditional strength training with modern techniques like blood flow restriction (BFR). Highlighting the completion of his PhD and its focus on BFR, Jordan reveals key findings regarding fatigue management and its practical applications in an NBA setting. He also previews his upcoming comprehensive BFR course aimed at bridging academic knowledge with real-world sports application.

01:10 Jordan's Basketball Journey

02:22 Transition to Strength and Conditioning

06:04 Joining the Detroit Pistons

08:30 Evolving Role of Strength Coaches

10:17 Building Player Relationships

18:19 Pursuing a PhD

26:03 The Value of a PhD in Today's World

28:22 Introduction to Blood Flow Restriction (BFR)

29:27 Implementing BFR in NBA Training

36:19 Practical Applications of BFR

42:43 Managing Tendinopathy with BFR

49:39 Future Endeavors and Contact Information

Contact Dr. Sabourin:

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jordan-sabourin-phd-713a1628

X.com: @jsabs44

Mike Robertson is, and has been, a leader in the physical preparation industry for over two decades. Mike is the co-owner of Indianapolis Fitness and Sports Training (IFAST), the creator of Robertson Training Systems, and one of the most respected performance coaches in the field with experience training NBA pros as well as leading the physical preparation of young developing basketball athletes.

Mike Robertson shares his journey and expertise in the field of physical preparation, discussing his move from a powerlifting and soccer background to focusing on basketball training. He emphasizes the importance of foundational training, recovery strategies, and the integration of movement assessments. Mike also covers the challenges faced by young coaches today and the importance of mentorship in the current world of endless information. Additionally, Mike sheds light on his current projects and the value of in-person workshops for optimizing learning and training methods.

01:24 Transition to Basketball

05:15 Working with Developmental Athletes

08:03 Assessment and Intake Process

12:24 Movement and Performance Testing

20:04 Training Strategies for Pros and Young Athletes

24:26 Summer Training Success Stories

24:55 Managing Tendinopathies in Athletes

28:57 Off-Season Training Blocks

32:34 Balancing Training and Court Time

41:16 Advice for Young Coaches

45:00 Resources and Future Projects

Robertson Training Systems: https://robertsontrainingsystems.com/

IFAST Basketball Insiders: https://ifastbasketballinsiders.com/

Contact Mike:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/robtrainsystems/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RobTrainSystems

In this episode, Ramsey Nijem, delves into his career journey from being the youngest Head Strength Coach in the NBA to joining Kansas University men's basketball as the Director of Sport Performance. He discusses his career path, the nuances of off-season strength training, and how he builds meaningful relationships with his basketball athletes.

Ramsey emphasizes the importance of a solid foundational training block, evolving with new technologies and testing methods, and how to adapt coaching styles as one progresses in their career. He also touches on the challenges young coaches face in the era of information overload and underscores the value of critical thinking over credentials. Additionally, Ramsey talks about his Applied Performance Coach course and other upcoming projects aimed at improving training methodologies in basketball.

00:38 Early Career and NBA Journey

01:21 Basketball Passion and Training Philosophy

02:38 Testing and Profiling New Players

05:16 Evolving Testing Methods

10:00 Force Plate Technology and Applications

13:03 Interpreting Force Plate Data

22:32 Offseason Training Program

27:12 Relationship with Coach Self

27:43 Managing Player Workload

29:13 Building Relationships with Players

29:37 Challenges of the Transfer Portal

30:06 Transparency and Accountability

33:03 Adapting to Generational Changes

38:07 Developing Quality Coaches

41:52 Creating the Applied Performance Coach Course

45:19 Future Projects and Personal Life

Applied Performance Coach courses: https://www.appliedperformancecoach.com/

Contact Ramsey:

Website: ramseynijem.com

IG: @dr.ramsey.nijem

Legendary Strength Coach, Erik Helland, who has a storied career spanning both the NBA (including the iconic 90's Chicago Bulls) and collegiate basketball at the University of Wisconsin, shares invaluable insights into the evolution of coaching, the importance of mentorship, and building team cohesion.

Helland reflects on his time spent bonding with athletes and coaches, his appreciation for the influential mentorship of Al Vermeil, and the crucial transition moments in his career. He emphasizes the significance of consistent, high-quality training, effective communication, and creating a culture that prioritizes both athletic and personal development.

Helland also touches on the administrative challenges of the expanding staff sizes in today's league, the interplay between athletic training and strength conditioning, and the timeless qualities necessary for becoming a successful coach.

Erik's Email: [email protected]

00:58 Mentorship and Professional Growth

03:04 Impact of Al Vermeil

06:56 Chicago Bulls in the 80s and 90s

11:41 Training Philosophy and Team Culture

14:40 Challenges of Modern NBA Staffs

20:24 Collaboration with Training Staff

23:15 Injury Rates and Factors

24:56 Innovative Team Lifts in the NBA

25:37 Consistency and Quality in Training

28:23 Challenges and Adaptations in Collegiate Coaching

31:39 Building Strong Relationships with Athletes

36:23 Timeless Art of Coaching

44:15 Current Endeavors and Future Plans

Dr. Jess Elis is the founder of Rehab Code, and the former Vice President of Player Health with the New York Knicks and before that the Director of Player Health and Performance with the Trailblazers. He is someone that has mastered both the science and art of high-performance sports medicine and leadership.

In this episode, Jess shares his journey from starting with minimal network connections to leading multiple departments in the NBA. The discussion covers key moments in his career, the value of sacrifice, being realistic in your education pursuits, and avoiding the arrogance that comes with the titles.

Jess also highlights the underbelly of the NBA, the real challenges professionals face in high-performance settings, and not tying your identity to your job.

We wrap up discussing his company, Rehab Code, aimed at offering community-based sports rehab education and mentorship as well as his other initiatives.

Rehab Code: https://www.therehabcode.com/

Jess Elis on Instagram: @physio_elis

00:00 Introduction

00:51 Journey into Professional Sports

02:02 Breaking into the Industry

04:43 Challenges and Sacrifices

12:10 The Importance of Personality in Pro Sports

16:36 Arrogance vs. Mastery

20:10 Communication and Collaboration in Pro Sports

22:31 Staff Size and Role Definition

25:13 Player Relationships and Role Dynamics

25:47 Athlete-Led Experience vs. PT-Led Model

28:22 Realities of Working in Pro Sports

33:36 Mentorship and Professional Growth

37:02 Introducing Rehab Code

39:46 Future Ventures and Opportunities

42:39 Connecting with Rehab Code

Maggie Bryant, President of Performance, Health, and Wellness for the LA Clippers joins us today to share her career story and how she has evolved to lead a highly reputable medical & performance department within the league.

Maggie discusses her early interest in basketball, the injuries that led her to physical therapy, and her progression through various roles within the NBA.

She provides deep insights into handling complex relationships and communication strategies within the team. The conversation also explores the importance of role clarity, continuing education, and the use of biomechanics to enhance player performance and injury prevention.

Maggie's experience and strategies offer valuable lessons for both current and aspiring professionals in the field.

This episode is brought to you by Vald and Teambuildr

Contact Maggie:

Email: [email protected]

IG: maggsb55

X: bryant5maggie

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:45 Entering Professional Sports

04:09 Role with the Clippers

06:14 Staff Development and Team Dynamics

11:50 Handling Player Relationships

16:35 Challenges and Strategies

21:45 Communication and Decision Making

29:08 Innovations and Future Directions

34:22 Personal Insights and Advice

36:22 Conclusion and Contact Information