SOFLETE Performance

How to Read Research Without Getting Misled

This episode is about how to evaluate research with more discipline and less hype. Giovani is joined by Coach Matt and Brent for a practical breakdown of what actually matters in a study, from sample size and methods to p values, R squared, study design, and whether the findings apply to real people in the real world.We discuss why abstracts are not enough, why observational research is not the same as prescriptive guidance, and how funding, publication bias, and participant selection can shape what a study seems to say.

(00:00) Why this episode is about evidence, not just opinions
 (02:19) Abstracts vs methods and what a study is really asking
 (03:55) Observational data is not the same as prescription
 (05:55) P value basics and why significance gets abused
 (07:25) How funding and grants shape research questions
 (09:09) Does this study even matter to your population?
 (13:21) Study design, control, and why bigger samples are harder to manage
 (15:28) Randomized controlled trials vs case studies
 (17:25) Meta analyses and review articles explained
 (18:58) Why medical research and performance research are not the same problem
 (21:06) R squared, measurement error, and why trends matter more than single numbers
 (24:00) Wearables, accuracy, and consistency over perfection
 (26:37) Citation count is not truth, but it is a clue
 (27:32) Correlation is not causation and why that distinction matters
 (29:39) Injury prevention vs injury mitigation in real coaching language
 (32:09) Why current goals should not override the full performance picture
 (35:04) Coaching experience as its own form of evidence
 (37:31) Raider, recovery, and scaling training for the right population
 (41:33) Pool training, underwater swims, and task-specific adaptation
 (49:19) Getting better by attacking the thing you suck at
 (54:51) Sooner vs faster in shooting and the task transfer tax
 (57:28) Publication bias and why negative results are harder to find
 (58:14) Reaching out to researchers and reading beyond the abstract
 (61:35) Homework: read one study this month and verify the source

Giovani hosts Coach Matt and Brent for a wide-ranging conversation that starts with Giovani’s first big Moab mountain bike trip and expands into training theory, endurance specificity, and tactical human performance. It’s a practical episode about how different demands shape preparation, from bike fitness and recovery to the reality of movement, load carriage, and mobility in the field.
In this episode, Giovani shares his current mountain biking build-up, Matt pressures him to explain the full context, and Brent adds firsthand Moab, racing, and tactical experience. The discussion moves naturally between sport and operational performance, with a strong theme of not over-specializing too early.

In this episode, Giovani, Brent, and Matt explore conditioning progressions, tactical training, and the importance of adaptability in athletic performance. They share practical insights for designing effective training protocols for military, law enforcement, and sports athletes.

Performance dietitian Ariah Fish joins Coach G and Coach Matt to unpack practical nutrition for athletes, tactical professionals, and anyone training hard. They cover fueling with carbohydrates, recovery nutrition, hydration and electrolytes, how to spot nutrition misinformation online, and why sustainable habits matter more than chasing trends.

Ariah also shares her work supporting professional athletes, including the Phoenix Mercury, and discusses nutrition for female performance, travel and sleep strategies, and a practical look at supplements such as creatine, fish oil, tart cherry, beta-alanine, and beet-based nitric oxide products.

https://www.fortitudesn.com/

Giovani Urrutia and Coach Matt debrief day three of Tactical Strength and Conditioning Association training, focusing on the ideas that actually change practice versus the ones that just sound good in a room. They compare culture, data, and coaching communication across tactical sport, military, and first responder settings, with a strong throughline of keeping things simple enough for stakeholders to use.In this episode, Giovani and Matt share lessons from the conference floor, from cultural change and common language to data interpretation, cognitive loading, and recovery tech. They also dig into what makes a coach effective when you are stepping into a new environment and why the best coaching often looks more like service than authority.

Periodization Is Not Dead: Tactical Training, Contrast Work, and Real-World Readiness

Coach Giovani, Coach Brent Phillips, and Coach Matt unpack the claim that “periodization is dead” and argue that the real issue is not periodization itself, but bad, dogmatic takes stripped of context. They connect training theory to tactical athletes, selection prep, and the practical reality that most people need a plan that balances readiness, recovery, and performance.We discuss why training must match the athlete’s environment, why contrast training can be useful for advanced athletes, and how intent, buy-in, and logistics matter just as much as the programming on paper.

Coach Giovani and Coach Matt unpack relatedness from self-determination theory and apply it to military, first responder, and civilian environments. They dig into how inclusion and exclusion shape behavior, why some people become “the other” in a group, and how leaders can use environment, accountability, and shared standards to help people shift from external motivation to real internal buy-in.

In this episode, Giovani also shares field examples from training special operations candidates, working with difficult Marines, and helping people rebuild identity and community after leaving service. Matt adds perspective on transition, belonging, and the value of finding the right tribe outside the military.

In this episode, Coach Matt and Coach Giovani delve into the implications of recent policy shifts toward testosterone screening in military and first responder communities. They discuss the potential benefits, risks, and logistical challenges, emphasizing the importance of lifestyle factors and ongoing research. The conversation also explores broader issues like preventative health, data collection, and the cultural aspects of fitness and medical intervention in tactical settings.

In this episode, we explore insights from the Sportsmith Conference, discussing the implications of AI in training, the unique value of high-level coaching, and distinctions between sports and tactical performance. We examine how expert experience cannot be replaced by machines and delve into advanced training techniques like oscillatory isometrics, tissue tolerance, and their practical applications.

Join Matt and G with as they explore the cutting-edge world of isokinetic training with Mark Small of Poseidon Strength. Discover how their innovative tools, from force testing towers to climbing ropes, are transforming injury prevention, rehab, and athletic performance. Tune in to learn about the practical applications, safety benefits, and future of functional strength training.