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*Checkout the free practice guide at the end of the show notes!

Alan Dunton is a lecturer in Coaching Science and Skill Acquisition at Munster Technological University (MTU) in Cork, Ireland. A former Taekwondo athlete and coach, Alan has spent his career exploring how people learn, adapt, and perform skill under dynamic conditions. In this conversation, we unpack metastability — what it means, how to design for it, and why adaptability is the hallmark of expert performance.

In This Episode:

• Alan’s background in Taekwondo and how it shaped his approach to coaching
• Understanding metastability: from theory to practical application
• Exploration vs. stability — what do athletes really need?
• Designing training environments for adaptability
• The launch of the new MSc in Skill Acquisition for Sport at MTU

This episode is heavy and theory AND applied information, and I know you will benefit from giving this a listen!

Download your Free Practice Design Checklist!

Referenced Links:

• Free Coaching Guide Download → Get it here
• MTU MSc in Skill Acquisition for Sport → https://www.mtu.ie
• Alan Dunton on X → https://x.com/alandunton
• Emergence → https://www.emergentmvmt.com
• The Adaptable Athlete Podcast on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@thecoachjav

Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io

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IG: @thecoachjav

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Adam Singer is the head coach of SBG Athens, where he and his brother Rory have been developing fighters for over 25 years. 

A longtime practitioner of ecological dynamics in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA, Adam has coached multiple athletes to the highest levels of competition, including two world champions.

 He’s also a co-author of a landmark paper on ecological dynamics in combat sports with Shawn Myszka, Tyler Yearby, Scott Sievewright, and Andy Grahn.

 Known for blending sharp insight with humor (and reminding everyone he’s both handsome and funny), Adam brings a unique perspective to coaching and skill development.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why coaching is about relationships and culture first — and how SBG Athens has built that over decades
• Stories from the gym: balancing intensity with care, developing fighters responsibly, and lessons learned across 25+ years in MMA
• The role of exploration and aliveness in training, and why “sloppy” doesn’t always mean wrong
• Why there are no shortcuts in adopting an ecological approach, and the pitfalls of surface-level buzzwords
• How Adam’s philosophy challenges traditional pad-work, drill-heavy coaching, and emphasizes problem solving in context

 If you’re a coach or practitioner interested in skill acquisition, practice design, and building adaptable athletes, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

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].

Referenced in this episode:

• SBG Athens
• Ecological Dynamics in Sport Combat — Paper (ResearchGate link)
• Emergence
• Watch full podcast episodes on YouTube → youtube.com/@thecoachjav

Episode Resources:

• CSAS Certification
• Adam Singer on IG 

 If you’re a coach or practitioner interested in skill acquisition, practice design, and building adaptable athletes, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io

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Twitter: @thecoachjav
IG: @thecoachjav

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Shawn Myszka  (the “Movement Miyagi” )  returns to the pod to discuss the theme he and his NFL athletes embraced this offseason: Wu Xin, or “no-mindedness.” It’s an idea that runs throughout skill acquisition — how athletes can free themselves from rigid intentions and better attune to the “what is” in front of them. 

From there, we dig into his new book, Enhancing Skill in American Football: Revolutionizing Practice Design for Transfer to Game Day, and the golden thread of movement behavior as problem solving. 

Along the way, we cover why Shawn calls it “partnering” with athletes instead of “owning” them, what Barry Sanders can teach us about adaptability, and some hot takes on the NFL Combine, traditional speed training, and preseason football.

Episode Resources

• Shawn Myszka’s Book: Enhancing Skill in American Football: Revolutionizing Practice Design for Transfer to Game Day
• Emergence: emergentmvmt.com
• Shawn Myszka Blog Post – Wu Xin: Turning Off the Mind to Solve More Problems on the Field
• Barry Sanders NFL Top 100 Segment: Barry Sanders on “just reacting” (NFL Films)
• Ep 86 w/ Shawn

Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io

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Twitter: @thecoachjav
IG: @thecoachjav

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Garrett Baker, Skill Acquisition Specialist and pitching coach with the New York Mets, returns to the Adaptable Athlete Podcast to dive deep into the realities of skill development in baseball.

In this episode we discuss:

• Why breaking free from “perfect mechanics” often unlocks better performance
• Why pitching velocity isn't everything
• How reframing pitchers as “out-getters” changes the way we think about training
• The pitcher-batter relationship and its central role in pitching success
• The impact of conviction and intention on the mound
• Why variability and “serious play” are critical to 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:

• Garrett Baker’s previous episode: Pitching Beyond the Metrics
  
  
• POST Framework Paper 
  
  
• Jesus Luzardo breakdown with Dallas Braden – Slab Lab
  
  
• Certified Skill Acquisition Specialist (CSAS) Info

Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io

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Twitter: @thecoachjav
IG: @thecoachjav

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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

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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 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

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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

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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