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Welcome back to the Adaptable Athlete Podcast!

 In this episode, we dive into another edition of the 6 Minutes of Skill series — where Coach Jav breaks down a key skill acquisition concept in under 6 minutes (or close enough).

This time, we’re tackling a big one:

How does the weight room fit within an ecological approach?

The weight room and ecological dynamics can often feel like they're pulling in different directions. But in this quick-hit episode, Coach Jav unpacks:
 ✅ Why the weight room isn’t the enemy
 ✅ How to create meaningful links between strength work and skill
 ✅ How variability can be a secret weapon in the weight room
 ✅ Why being weight room strong doesn’t necessarily mean being skillful

If you like today's episode, leave a review here....If you want to reach me directly, contact me on social media or shoot me @[email protected].

Episode Resources

• Emergence Website 
• Emergence Weight Room Course

Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io

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Twitter: @thecoachjav
IG: @thecoachjav

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In this episode of the Adaptable Athlete Podcast,  I'm joined by Justin Ferguson — Director of Player Development at Minnesota United FC and a coach who’s deeply committed to modern coaching principles.

We dig into what it really means to rethink player development, why talent is not a linear process, and how coaches can better support athletes through complex, messy learning environments.

Justin shares insights from his work in professional soccer, including how Minnesota United is challenging traditional development models and creating learning environments that actually prepare players for the game.

Whether you're coaching elite players or youth athletes, this conversation will challenge your assumptions and give you new ways to think about growth, adaptation, and long-term development.

If you like today's episode, leave a review here....If you want to reach me directly, contact me on social media or shoot me @[email protected].

Resources + Mentions

• Minnesota United FC
• Justin's IG
• Emergence Website 
• Check out our other episodes

Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io

Let's Chat!
Twitter: @thecoachjav
IG: @thecoachjav

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This episode is a special repost of my conversation with Stu McMillan on the ALTIS Podcast, originally recorded as a lead-up to the ALTIS Speed Summit where I will be presenting.  

If you’re attending the Summit this weekend, this will give you a preview of what I’ll be covering in my talk on Saturday, June 7th. The session will be titled "This is Not a Drill: Developing Speed Through Problem Solving." 

We cover a wide range of topics—everything from designing adaptable athletes to unlearning rigid drill-based models. Whether you're new to ecological dynamics or deep into it, this conversation bridges theory and real-world coaching.

The ALTIS Speed Summit kicks off on Friday, June 6th, and my presentation is on Saturday, June 7th.

Key Topics Discussed:

✅ Why repeatable outcomes matter more than repeatable movements

 ✅ How to build learning environments that guide problem solving

 ✅ What coaches need to unlearn to truly develop adaptable athletes

 ✅ The role of perception, variability, and context in speed training

 ✅ Transitioning from traditional  models to ecological dynamics

Resources & Mentions:

• ALTIS Speed Summit Info: altis.world
• The Adaptable Athlete Podcast: theadaptableathlete.com
• Emergence Website: emergentmvmt.com
• “How We Learn to Move” – Rob Gray: Buy on Amazon

Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io

Let's Chat!
Twitter: @thecoachjav
IG: @thecoachjav

Send us a text

This episode is a special repost of my conversation with Stu McMillan on the ALTIS Podcast, originally recorded as a lead-up to the ALTIS Speed Summit where I will be presenting.  

If you’re attending the Summit this weekend, this will give you a preview of what I’ll be covering in my talk on Saturday, June 7th. The session will be titled "This is Not a Drill: Developing Speed Through Problem Solving." 

We cover a wide range of topics—everything from designing adaptable athletes to unlearning rigid drill-based models. Whether you're new to ecological dynamics or deep into it, this conversation bridges theory and real-world coaching.

The ALTIS Speed Summit kicks off on Friday, June 6th, and I’ll be delivering both a presentation and a practical session on Saturday, June 7th.

Key Topics Discussed:

✅ Why repeatable outcomes matter more than repeatable movements

 ✅ How to build learning environments that guide problem solving

 ✅ What coaches need to unlearn to truly develop adaptable athletes

 ✅ The role of perception, variability, and context in speed training

 ✅ Transitioning from traditional  models to ecological dynamics

Resources & Mentions:

• SMSC 2025 tickets 
• ALTIS Speed Summit Info: altis.world
• The Adaptable Athlete Podcast: theadaptableathlete.com
• Emergence Website: emergentmvmt.com
• “How We Learn to Move” – Rob Gray: Buy on Amazon

Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io

Let's Chat!
Twitter: @thecoachjav
IG: @thecoachjav

Send us a text

This episode of the Adaptable Athlete Podcast is part of our special SMSC 25’ Speaker Spotlight Series, highlighting some of the world-class minds presenting at the 2025 Sport Movement Skill Conference, June 26–27 in St. Paul, Minnesota.

We're bringing back a classic: Episode 8 with Michael Zwiefel, an impactful voice in our field and a longtime influence on how we approach athlete development. Formerly the founder of Building Better Athletes, Michael now serves as Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator at Wisconsin–La Crosse, where he applies ecological principles in a team setting.

Key Topics Discussed:

✅ Making warmups representative and engaging
 ✅ Transitioning from coaching with instructions to guiding with environment
 ✅ Working with youth athletes in a way that ignites passion, not burnout
 ✅ Progressing from 1v1 to more complex and chaotic movement problems
 ✅ Why strength coaches must understand tactical demands of sport
 ✅ Finding “aliveness” in warmups—starting sessions with real movement problems

f you work with athletes in any context—private or team, youth or elite—this one is packed with insight.

Register for SMSC 2025
Come see Michael live at this year’s in-person Sport Movement Skill Conference:
🔗 Register here

Resources + Mentions:

• Warm-Up Course: Reconceptualizing the Warm-Up
•  “Change of Direction vs. Agility” (Young et al., 2002)
• Origins Course
• Michael on X
• Emergence Website

Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io

Let's Chat!
Twitter: @thecoachjav
IG: @thecoachjav

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In this repost episode of the podcast, we revisit one of our most favorite conversations — a deep dive into combat sport skill acquisition with Scott Sievewright, founder of Primal MMA and host of the Primal MMA Coaching Podcast.

Scott brings an athlete-centered and constraints-led approach to his work with MMA athletes. In this conversation, we discuss how to design representative practice without traditional drills, how to keep intensity high while still respecting athlete safety, and why coaches should shift from cueing movement to shaping it through context.

Scott will be one of our featured presenters at the 2025 Sport Movement Skill Conference happening June 26–27 in St. Paul, MN. Get your ticket at:

🔹 Key Topics Discussed:

✅ What a live, constraints-led approach looks like in MMA

 ✅ Why Scott eliminated drilling entirely from his practice

 ✅ Managing contact, safety, and intensity in striking and grappling

 ✅ How ecological dynamics helps simplify coaching

 ✅ Why Scott avoids over-coaching and embraces organized chaos

 ✅ What it means to train perception and action together

📌 Resources & Mentions:

•  Primal MMA Coaching Podcast
•  Primal MMA Website
•  Scott’s Coaching Philosophy & Framework
•  SMSC 2025 Tickets & Info

💡Like what you hear? Then you’ll love what Scott brings in person at this year’s conference.

Register now and join us in St. Paul, MN – June 26–27, 2025.

Stay connected at The Adaptable Athlete for more great conversations.

Want to take your coaching to the next level?...check our our courses at Emergence.

Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io

Let's Chat!
Twitter: @thecoachjav
IG: @thecoachjav

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SMSC Speaker Spotlight: Garrett Baker

 In this episode, we’re highlighting one of our featured presenters for the 2025 Sport Movement Skill Conference — Garrett Baker, Skill Acquisition Specialist and Pitching Coach for the New York Mets. Garrett joins us to talk about the current state of skill development in baseball and why he believes coaches must move beyond traditional notions of “perfect mechanics.”

We dig into how Garrett blends theory and practice in the bullpen, what makes his learning environments unique, and how his approach helps athletes become more adaptable and attuned to the real problems they face in competition.

You’ll also hear:

• Why skill development in baseball needs to move beyond “perfect mechanics”
• How Garrett builds constraint-based bullpens that sharpen decision-making
• Coaching intent and perception: why the why matters more than the how
• The value of creating environments where athletes compete and adapt
• Why “error” in skill learning is a gift, not something to avoid
• What it looks like to coach with the athlete, not at them
• Garrett’s approach to designing reps that mirror the complexity of real games
• What to expect from his session at SMSC 2025 — and why it’s relevant across sports

Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io

Let's Chat!
Twitter: @thecoachjav
IG: @thecoachjav

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In this Speaker Spotlight episode, Coach Jav sits down with Dr. Rob Gray—renowned researcher, author, and podcast host—for a timely re-release of their impactful conversation on ecological dynamics, information, and movement learning. 

Rob is one of the featured speakers at the upcoming 2025 Sport Movement Skill Conference, taking place June 26–27 in St. Paul, MN. As the SMSC returns to its in-person roots, Rob shares a preview of the thinking that’s shaped his writing, research, and applied coaching work across sport and skill domains.

The episode explores the concepts behind Rob’s book Learning to Optimize Movement, as well as deeper takes on specifying information, variability in practice, and the athlete–environment relationship. If you’ve ever wondered how to make movement learning more meaningful—or want to go beyond drills and deepen your theoretical lens—this conversation is a must.

🔑 Key Topics Discussed:

✅ The purpose and origin of Rob's book Learning to Optimize Movement

 ✅ What Gibson really meant by “specifying information”

 ✅ The practical dangers of relying on non-specifying info (like cones or pitching machines)

 ✅ Why variability is the lowest-hanging fruit for most coaches

 ✅ The real secret sauce of coaching and when to intervene

 ✅ Movement efficiency, not just effectiveness

 ✅ Why skill lives in the relationship between athlete and environment

 ✅ What coaches can do to guide without over-prescribing solutions

 ✅ Shifting from acquiring skill to adapting skill

📚 Resources & Mentions:

• 📍 Register for the 2025 Sport Movement Skill Conference (June 26–27 in MN)
• 📘 Learning to Optimize Movement by Rob Gray — Available on Amazon
• 🎧 The Perception & Action Podcast – Hosted by Rob Gray: perceptionaction.com
• 📍 Register for the 2025 Sport Movement Skill Conference (June 26–27 in MN): theadaptableathlete.com
• ✅ Emergence Website: emergentmvmt.com
• 📖 Keith Davids & Duarte Araújo’s article: What is Acquired During Skill Acquisition? (Referenced in conversation)

Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io

Let's Chat!
Twitter: @thecoachjav
IG: @thecoachjav

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In this special episode of the Adaptable Athlete Podcast powered by Emergence, Javi welcomes back movement specialist and Emergence co-founder Shawn Myszka for the official preview of the 2025 Sport Movement Skill Conference (SMSC).

They break down what to expect at this year’s in-person event -including immersive learning sessions, athlete-led demos, roundtable discussions, and a new certification opportunity -all designed to help coaches better understand and apply ecological dynamics in sport. Shawn also shares what it’s like coaching elite NFL players, how to identify skill gaps in All-Pro athletes, and why 2025 is the year to return to face-to-face collaboration in the coaching community.

🗓️ The 2025 SMSC will be held June 26–27 in St. Paul, MN. Early bird pricing is available now.

 🔗 Register here: Sport Movement Skill Conference

🔹 Key Topics Discussed:

 ✅ How Sean identifies and addresses skill gaps in elite NFL athletes

 ✅ The value of ecological dynamics in high-performance coaching

 ✅ Why SMSC is returning to an all in-person format in 2025

 ✅ What coaches can expect from this year’s conference lineup

 ✅ The debut of the Certified Skill Acquisition Specialist (CSAS) program

 ✅ The real difference between theory and practice—live on the field

 ✅ Why learning in community is irreplaceable for growth

📌 Resources & Mentions:

• ✅ Register for the 2025 SMSC
• ✅ Emergence Website
• ✅ The Adaptable Athlete Podcast Website
• ✅ Article: The Value of Opposed and Unopposed Training

Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io

Let's Chat!
Twitter: @thecoachjav
IG: @thecoachjav

Send us a text

In this episode of the Adaptable Athlete Podcast, Javi sits down with performance coach Sean Smith, who shares lessons from a unique career that’s spanned elite collegiate volleyball and the high-octane world of IndyCar racing.

They dive into what it takes to support athletes across vastly different sports, why curiosity and communication are non-negotiables for great coaching, and how to create high-performance environments without losing the human element. From letting athletes have a say in their training to managing in-season fatigue, Sean offers practical strategies rooted in trust, adaptability, and an ever-evolving coaching philosophy.

🔹 Key Topics Discussed:

 ✅ Lessons from coaching in motorsport and NCAA Division I athletics

 ✅ How to support athletes when you're unfamiliar with their sport

 ✅ Building autonomy and joy into elite sport environments

 ✅ What “true integration” looks like across performance departments

 ✅ Why athlete wellness data must be actionable—not performative

 ✅ A nuanced take on early specialization vs. multi-sport development

 ✅ Sean’s personal shift into ecological and context-driven coaching

🔹 Resources & Mentions:

 ✅ Emergence Website

 ✅ Challenge Point Framework

 ✅ Drive to Survive on Netflix

 ✅ 100 Days to Indy

Whether you're in strength and conditioning, sport science, or skill acquisition, this episode will challenge your assumptions and help you think differently about what high performance really means.

Don't forget to reserve your spot for the IN PERSON 2025 Sport Movement Skill Conference.

💡 Enjoyed this episode? Share it on social media or leave a review to help spread the word!

Stay connected at The Adaptable Athlete for more great conversations.

Want to take your coaching to the next level?...check our our courses at Emergence.

Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io

Let's Chat!
Twitter: @thecoachjav
IG: @thecoachjav