The Exercise Mechanic Podcast

Power training isn’t just for athletes. Etienne Asselin and Brett Patterson explain what power is, how to train it, and why it matters for athletic performance, rehabilitation, and healthy aging.Key topics

• 05:23 — What power is and how to train it
• 06:48 — Power, force, and speed
• 09:59 — Plyometrics and the stretch-shortening cycle
• 14:11 — Upper-body and trunk plyometric examples
• 15:49 — Sport specificity and transfer to sprinting
• 19:29 — Power training, tendons, fascia, and bone health
• 20:25 — When to program power work in a workout
• 22:19 — Power training, balance, and cognitive benefits
• 27:03 — Applications for general fitness and rehabilitation
• 29:31 — Sarcopenia, aging, and fast-twitch muscle fibers
• 40:02 — Rebuilding power and confidence after injury
• 44:24 — Making power training accessible to women
• 47:55 — Practical takeaways for adding power to training

A practical conversation for fitness professionals and anyone interested in building strength, speed, resilience, and confidence across different stages of life.

In this episode of The Exercise Mechanic Podcast, Etienne sits down with Dr. Vanessa Komarek — licensed clinical psychologist, strength coach, and founder of Adapt Psychological Services — to explore the intersection between trauma, PTSD, nervous system regulation, and exercise.

This conversation dives deep into:

• What trauma actually is,
• Why trauma-informed coaching matters,
• How exercise can support recovery,
• And how fitness professionals can better support clients navigating difficult life experiences.

Dr. Komarek brings a rare perspective to the table: blending evidence-based psychology with strength training and coaching.

If you’re a coach, trainer, rehab professional, or simply someone interested in human behavior, mental health, and resilience — this episode is packed with valuable insights.

Topics Covered

• The difference between trauma and PTSD

• Why trauma is more common than most people realize
• How traumatic experiences affect the nervous system
• The role of safety, autonomy, and consent in coaching
• Why exercise can be therapeutic
• Exposure, arousal, and desensitization through movement
• Trauma-informed coaching principles
• Why cueing language matters more than you think
• How shame-based motivation backfires
• Self-compassion vs toxic positivity
• Nervous system shutdown, dissociation, and grounding strategies
• Why best practices for trauma survivors are often just best practices for humans

This episode explores peak week strategies for natural and enhanced bodybuilders, emphasizing principles like muscle preservation, dehydration management, and psychological health. Ryan Taylor shares insights on carbohydrate, water, and electrolyte manipulation, highlighting the importance of understanding physiology and maintaining a principle-based approach.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Peak Week Strategies

01:50 Understanding the Study Design and Limitations

04:40 Natural vs. Open Bodybuilding: Drug Testing Insights

07:20 The Importance of Being Fat-Free Before Peak Week

10:04 Managing Stress and Its Impact on Physique

13:02 Carbohydrate and Water Manipulation Strategies

15:31 The Role of Hydration in Peak Week

18:13 Prioritizing Fat Loss and Stress Reduction

21:10 Exploring Different Loading Strategies

24:04 The Risks of Aggressive Loading Techniques

26:24 The Aceto Addison Peak Week Model

29:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts on Peak Week

33:22 Understanding Compounds and Their Effects

35:56 The Complexity of Bodybuilding Prep

39:22 The Importance of Fundamentals in Bodybuilding

42:34 Simplicity vs. Complexity in Training

46:37 The Long Game in Bodybuilding

52:02 The Cost of Bodybuilding and Athletic Identity

In this episode of The Exercise Mechanic, Dr. Katie Dabrowski shares her unique journey from neuroscience research to physical therapy and her innovative approach to rehab and training. Discover how she integrates neuroscience, power training, and health optimization to improve quality of life, reduce pain, and promote long-term well-being.

Chapters

01:20 Katie's Journey to Physical Therapy

05:06 The Importance of Non-Diagnosis Driven Care

10:28 Communicating with Clients About Diagnosis

14:37 Identifying Sinister Signs in Clients

18:07 Understanding Allostatic Load in Treatment

24:13 Neurological Underpinnings of Sarcopenia and Power Training

31:56 Lessons from Athletic Training for General Populations

33:52 The Importance of Generalization in Athletic Development

36:41 Power Training: Expanding Beyond Lower Body

38:45 The Role of High-Skill Movements in Cognitive Development

47:01 Hierarchy of Exercise Stimuli for Neurological Health

52:06 The Link Between Metabolic Health and Chronic Pain

56:34 Identifying Bottlenecks in Training and Rehabilitation

01:05:21 Graded Exposure vs. Calming Strategies in Rehab

01:08:32 Utilizing Physiology for Well-Being

01:10:27 The Concept of Unreasonable Hospitality

01:14:09 Creating Exceptional Experiences in Healthcare

01:22:45 Training as Healthcare: Bridging the Gap

01:25:11 Future Plans and Collaborations

Discover how Tim Walcott transitioned from self-taught CrossFit enthusiast to a successful fitness coach and entrepreneur. In this episode, he shares insights on embracing trial and error, systematizing client success, and leveraging psychology for sustainable business growth.

Main Topics Covered:

• Unconventional entry into the fitness industry without traditional gym memberships
• Developing a macro intuitive protocol to streamline client coaching
• The importance of systematizing client experience to enhance results and marketing
• Using trial and error data to craft scalable coaching systems
• The mental models and psychological shifts needed for business success
• How to adopt a candid, honest approach to growth and overcoming industry traps
• Strategies for balancing client results with client experience
• The role of iteration, pattern recognition, and run more plays mentality in business

In this episode:

• Tim describes his journey from CrossFit obsession to developing unique coaching systems
• Insights on building a scalable, client-focused business that aligns with life ambitions
• How to leverage AI and data analysis to better understand client psychographics
• The importance of authenticity, candor, and self-awareness in leadership
• Practical advice on systematizing onboarding, client communication, and marketing

Timestamps:

• (00:00) - Introduction and episode overview
• (01:12) - Tim's fitness journey: from self-directed CrossFit to coaching
• (03:21) - Getting obsessed with programming and fitness theories
• (05:15) - Overcoming substance abuse and rediscovering fitness passion
• (06:08) - Starting his own training space and building the business
• (09:02) - Transition from in-person to online coaching
• (11:05) - The obsession with client success and systematizing results
• (12:25) - The integrated approach: marketing and client fulfillment as one
• (14:20) - Balancing scalable systems with personalized client care
• (16:16) - The importance of experimentation and iteration
• (18:44) - Developing the macro intuitive protocol
• (19:12) - Using trial and error to create streamlined processes
• (20:25) - The value of transparency and vulnerability in industry
• (21:23) - Systematizing client experience for easier marketing
• (24:30) - Collecting data from sales calls to refine client understanding
• (25:51) - Putting oneself in the client's shoes for better onboarding
• (29:40) - The creative power of branding and systems
• (37:07) - Delivering results through systematized processes
• (44:20) - Avoiding over-delivery due to validation needs
• (47:35) - Client communication style adapts to busy professionals
• (54:19) - The importance of authenticity and candor
• (60:42) - The analogy of running more plays in hockey for success
• (62:47) - Taking more shots to increase success probability
• (70:46) - Final advice: stop complaining, start executing
• (73:46) - Modeling honesty and authenticity for influence
• (75:09) - How to connect and work with Tim Walcott

In this conversation, we discuss the importance of authenticity and personal values in the sales process for personal trainers. They share their experiences with sales, emphasizing the need to build relationships and provide value to clients. The discussion covers various strategies for structuring sales processes, navigating client interactions, and the significance of maintaining integrity in pricing and service offerings. The conversation concludes with key takeaways for trainers looking to improve their sales approach while staying true to their values.

Chapters

00:00 Perceptions of Success and Materialism

00:27 Cringe-Free Sales: Aligning Values with Selling

01:19 Transforming Relationships with Sales

12:00 Structuring the Sales Process for Authenticity

20:28 Navigating Client Relationships and Pricing Models

22:07 Technical Planning for Client Success

24:37 Addressing Emotional Barriers in Coaching

26:41 Sales Process: Building Relationships and Value

30:30 The Importance of Integrity in Sales

40:34 Key Takeaways for New Trainers

In this episode, we explore the deep connection between self-awareness, emotional regulation, and effective coaching. Jeb Stuart Johnston shares his journey through addiction, the power of internal family systems, and practical strategies rooted in behavioural science to help clients and coaches thrive.

Key Topics:

• Jeb's personal story of overcoming addiction and how it shapes his coaching approach

• The role of mental frameworks such as internal family systems and polyvagal theory

• Systematizing soft skills in coaching without losing the individual context

• The importance of vulnerability, curiosity, and creating safety in difficult conversations

• How to practice emotional sobriety and self-reflection as a coach and person

• The impact of moral absolutism and critical thinking in navigating divisive topics

• Strategies for mentors to foster trust and curiosity in clients and colleagues

• The significance of consistent effort over quick wins in building a successful practice

• Using humility and self-awareness to remain effective in a polarized world

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Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and episode overview

01:21 - Jeb’s background: Addiction, challenges, and lessons learned

06:33 - Recognizing symptoms versus root causes in client struggles

08:14 - Systematizing behavioral skills using dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)

11:25 - The "inner conflict" model: understanding protective parts

12:45 - Internal family systems and the concept of the "genius" in our demons

14:09 - Polyvagal theory and nervous system regulation

16:03 - Self-trust, vulnerability, and authenticity in coaching

20:24 - The importance of dialectics: holding paradoxes and multiple truths

24:21 - Managing nervous system energy and emotional sobriety

29:09 - Building rapport and safety to foster honest communication

33:57 - Challenges faced by coaches and how to overcome self-trust barriers

37:48 - The role of confidence, trust, and simplicity in advice

39:34 - Helping clients with drowning mentalities — even at small skill levels

45:48 - Handling shame and self-hatred in behavior change

55:05 - Navigating divisive social and political views consciously

61:06 - Critical thinking and recognizing manipulative narratives

66:14 - Approaching difficult conversations with calm and curiosity

68:23 - The importance of collaboration and problem-solving orientation

74:31 - The truth about consistent effort and inevitable long-term results

77:23 - How to connect with Jeb for mentorship or coaching

In this episode of The Exercise Mechanic, hosts Ryan Taylor and Etienne Asselin delve into the complexities of knee biomechanics, focusing on the functional anatomy and biomechanical properties of the knee joint.

They discuss common misconceptions surrounding knee injuries, particularly the fear associated with exercises like leg extensions and deep squats. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the kinematic and kinetic properties of the knee, including the roles of the patellofemoral and tibiofemoral joints, and how these structures interact during movement.

They also explore and debunk training myths that often lead to fear-based training & rehabilitation decisions.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Knee Biomechanics

05:21 Understanding the Knee Complex

13:00 Kinematic Properties of the Tibiofemoral Joint

27:27 Exploring the Patellofemoral Joint

36:45 Debunking Myths: Deep Knee Flexion and ACL Injuries

01:00:37 The Role of Shear Forces in Joint Function

01:09:10 Conclusion: Embracing the Resilience of the Human Body

In this episode of the Exercise Mechanic podcast, we explore the “12 Days of Mythmas”, debunking common fitness and nutrition myths. We discuss topics ranging from the mechanics of walking and running to the effectiveness of organic foods, the role of GLP-1 medications, and the misconceptions surrounding metabolism and rehabilitation. Each myth is examined in detail, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the truths behind these popular beliefs in the fitness community.

Here’s a list of the training myths that we covered:

1. Walking / running is a frontal plane movement
2. Exercise optimization is a waste of time, just keep it simple
3. Organic foods are healthier than non-organic
4. Peterson step downs train your VMO and a weak VMO is the driver of knee valgus
5. Glp-1’s aren’t necessary, just use discipline.
6. Anyone is capable of record-breaking achievements in any sport they choose.
7. You must press in the scapular plane to minimize injury risk at the shoulder (ex. Avoid excessive “hyper extension of the shoulder)
8. The carnivore diet is the best diet
9. You must use different rep ranges for different goals & muscle types (low reps for bulk, high reps for "tone”, and fast movements for fast twitch fibers)
10. Rehabilitation is fixing / altering of mechanical characteristics of the body
11. Anabolics do the work for you / make muscle gain easier.
12. Slow metabolisms are the reason why you’re not losing weight

In this episode, the hosts discuss the intricacies of structuring online and hybrid training programs. They explore how to define service offerings, understand client needs, and the importance of experience in coaching. The conversation emphasizes the need for flexibility in training packages, effective communication with clients, and the significance of a thorough intake process. Additionally, they touch on pricing strategies, the balance between client care and business needs, and the challenges of navigating social media as a coach. The episode concludes with insights on how to manage time effectively as an online coach and the importance of referring clients to other professionals when necessary.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Online Training Structure

02:29 Defining Your Service Offering

05:28 Understanding Client Needs and Niching Down

07:58 The Importance of Experience in Coaching

11:07 Iterating Your Service Model

13:53 Creating Flexible Training Packages

16:35 Balancing Client Care and Business Needs

19:15 Effective Communication with Online Clients

22:15 Intake and Assessment Process for Online Coaching

24:59 Referring Clients to Other Professionals

27:35 Pricing Strategies for Online Coaching

30:10 Structuring Your Day as an Online Coach

33:15 Navigating Social Media and Content Creation

35:53 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up