The Layback Episode is back for episode 123 with Chase Herrell, right handed pitcher for the University of Southern California Trojans. The hurler from Cincinnati, OH threw in a Nick Martinez-esque role for USC, logging innings as a bridge reliever, starter and even closer. Herrell discusses his continued development as a pitcher, overcoming injury through aggressive, yet creative rehab approaches, and transferring schools. The rising redshirt junior also discusses the highs and lows of the regionals and supers.

George Zirkel, Unlimited Academy's Managing Director of Baseball, joins the Layback Podcast for episode 122. Zirkel's passions lie in player and human development, as he and Unlimited look to create long-term performance development plans for their athletes and work to help them become the best people possible as well. Recently taking the dive into mental skills training, Zirkel incorporates mental skills days as a key part of his program structure and has seen massive benefits with his athletes so far. Zirkel has also been influential in the return to throw / performance space, working as a champion for objectively guided programs.

Adam Moreau is solo again as he is explores an issue he sees all too commonly in the player development world—tracking data does not automatically lead to player development. Many coaches, facilities, and teams preach data-driven development, but they never use the data they are collecting to influence decision-making or athlete programming. In episode 121 of The Layback Podcast, learn how FlexPro Grip relies on data to influence an athlete's development plan.

Cam Dietz, Head Strength Coach for University of Cincinnati Baseball, joins The Layback Podcast for episode 120. After a quick conversation on the local cuisine of southwestern Ohio, Adam and Cam dive deep on navigating the college baseball training schedule, long term athletic development, and the purpose of a strength and conditioning program. The Colorado native also shares a look at how the Bearcats staff collaborates to support their athletes. Adam and Cam cover the roles S&C and social media play in the modern age of recruiting.

Episode 119 of The Layback Podcast features Texas Christian University's Assistant Director of Human Performance, Anthony Adams. Adams assists renowned S&C coach Zach Dechant with the Horned Frogs baseball program, while also serving as the head coach for women's tennis. The PNW native played baseball collegiately at Pacific Lutheran University, while simultaneously beginning his career as a strength coach. The conversation revolves around motor learning, movement exploration, program design, and the role of performance training in collegiate athletics.

Adam Moreau handles episode 118 of The Layback Podcast solo to present a valuable athlete case study. This specific story showcases the butterfly effect that occurs with small changes elsewhere in the system, creating a call to action in the workload space.

Emily McFerran, formerly Emily Ferree, owner of Rival PT Lab in Irvine, CA, stops in once again on The Layback Podcast (episode 117). The bulk of the discussion centers around Emily's case management, boutique-style care, and treating the person, not just the athlete. Additionally, we take a look at Emily's unique relationship dynamics with professional organizations as a personal PT.

Dr. Matt Fury, orthopaedic surgeon with the Louisiana State University, returns to The Layback Podcast for episode 116, this time to discuss the hot in the streets "nanoscope" procedure (think Tarik Skubal and Blake Snell), FEVER view MRI's, arthrograms, and hybrid UCL reconstruction. At the cutting edge (pun mildly intended) of sports medicine, Dr. Fury offers insights on where the field is headed.

Cian Hamell-Kelleher, recent graduate of Stonehill College where he served as student assistant with the baseball program, joins episode 115 of The Layback Podcast to discuss his senior project, THROW. THROW is an app designed as a workload monitoring tool for pitchers with additional recovery, arm care, and pitching development features. After building and testing the app on himself and a few friends this past spring, he is looking to scale THROW in his role Pitching Development Coach role with the Newport Gulls of the New England Collegiate Baseball League. This will be Cian's second season in the role. Follow along with Cian's journey via instagram: @kelleher_pitching.

The Layback Podcast (episode 114) welcomes Detroit's very own, Joe Neal. Neal is a strength coach (CSCS*D), as well as CEO and Founder of 2sp Sports in Southeast Michigan. Conversation revolves around Joe's journey into the space, long term athletic development (especially for youth athletes), connections between hockey and baseball, and career advancement. Joe's unique experience shines through as he shares stories from across his career, highlighting athlete success and cutting edge programming decisions.