The OCR Underground Show

My first podcast since the Spartan North America Championship Race in Lake Tahoe. It was an awesome race with a great venue and beautiful scenery. Unfortunately though this one left me with a pretty significant injury. I talk all about what happened and what the next steps are for me.

In the Inside Mike's Mind, I talk more about adversity. I figured I share some of the mindset shifts I am going through dealing with my injury. Most of us are hit with something at some point in our life. Shit happens and things don't go according to plan. It is time to regroup and decide on the next step. It can be a positive one or a negative one. The choice is completely up to you. Listen in as I share some tips on dealing with these struggles.

My research review looks at the squat. There are hundreds of different types of squats that have different benefits. This study looked specifically at the goblet squat and the landmine squat. I discuss some of the difference found in this study with which muscles are being worked more and how it might be important for women in particular and those with knee injuries.

And finally I have a great chat with SGX Coach Adam Holt. I interrupted Adam's vacation so he can chat more about some really cool things he has been doing. He was getting ready for the Ultra in Utah when we recorded this, so we chatted about him prepping for it. Adam also started a really cool program called Outsiders Anonymous. This is a program designed to help struggling addicts. He offers free fitness programs and Spartan Race training for those recovering.

Full show notes at www.ocrunderground.com/episode-85

I recently made a pretty big mistake in running workout. It was a mistake and my performance suffered from it. but there were quite a few takeaways I wanted to share. I am hoping you don't make this same mistake or you at least understand why you might want to make it. Confused yet? In todays episode I share my mistake and how it may relate to your training.

In my research review I discuss running economy. Economy of movement is a critical aspect of improving endurance performance and it is something you can train to improve. Since you never hear anyone talking about it though I figured I would share some research on the topic and a simple strategy you can use to improve yours.

I also had the pleasure of chatting with SGX Coach Jason Archer. Coach Jason is with Crossfit North Phoenix.

He got into Spartan through a friend in the gym, and failed his first race (the Beast in big Bear), then vowed to do every race spartan offers at some point of another. That was in 2019. Since then I've done close to 50 races both virtual and live, gotten my SGX 1 and 2, and encourage Spartan in my gym as a way of doing hard things. He also developed the lifestyle brand, HardWodder and host his own podcast, HardWodder Radio. This interview as a little different than my normal training interviews and I really think you will enjoy it. Check it all out in this episode. Full show notes: www.ocrunderground.com/episode-84

The OCR Underground Show has another great episode to help you train for your next obstacle course race. In this one I share my experience recently at the Spartan Super in Asheville. Plus I share two exciting new announcements.

In the Inside Mike's Mind segment I discuss the concept of adaptation versus demonstration. Sometimes we get confused a little with where our focus should be. We train hard for a reason. To see that carry over into our performance. But often we can get carried away and the goal shifts to simply training hard for no other reason. This segment shares my thoughts on how to focus on quality over quantity.

In my research review I discuss a study looking into ankle mobility and it impact on injuries. Plus I share a simple ankle assessment and exercises to help you improve it.

Finally I have SGX Coach Brad Lane on for a chat. Brad is the owner of It Starts Here Fitness in Warwick Rhone Island. Brad uses OCR training to help develop his culture and community at his facility. Brad shares his insight on all aspects of Spartan Race training from mental toughness, to preparing for terrain, grip, and strength. We discuss a recent article he wrote for Spartan Race on how to take your training to the next level.

Full show notes: www.ocrunderground.com/episode-83

Another podcast episode to help you train that much better for your next race. As I get ready to head out on a vacation to North Carolina and prep for the Asheville Super, I wanted to get one more episode out for you before I check out for a week.

In this one I chat about some of my go to strategies to avoid burnout and plateauing in your training. When you push hard all the time, you are bound to break. But with better planning I think most of these issues can be avoided.

In my research review I share two studies that show you more is not always better. When training you need to follow a plan and not just workout hard all the time. There is a big difference. Training harder and harder can lead you to move less throughout the rest of the day. Check out these really interesting studies on how you change your energy expenditure based on how you train.

I am also excited to have on the show SGX Coach Ryan Baxter. Ryan is a software engineer turned health coach and obstacle course racer. He lives in New Hampshire with his wife, seven year old daughter and three year old son where he operates RJB Health Coaching. Ryan's interest in obstacle course racing began in 2015 when he ran the Spartan Stadium race at Fenway Park in Boston. After crossing the finish line he was hooked.

Not being an athlete growing up, he began to search for resources on how to optimize his performance in the multifaceted sport. He discovered people like Ben Greenfield, Mark Sisson, Robb Wolf, and many others in the ancestral health and wellness space.

Over the next few years Ryan combined what he learned about ancestral health and training to optimize his performance as an athlete in obstacle course racing. Wanting to share what he learned, Ryan became a certified Primal Health Coach and then a certified Spartan SGX coach.

Full show notes: www.ocrunderground.com/episode-82

Through his health coaching business, he strives to help athletes achieve their own goals both on and off the race course using an ancestral model for health and exercise.

Ryan shares his coaching strategies and talks about how many of our current health issues are due to ancestral mismatching.

Back with another great resource for your OCR Training needs. Summer is here and we are seeing more and more races which is a sight for sore eyes.

In this episode I share some insight on how you can embrace the suck. We hear things like this all the time, but reading a quote online or meme, often doesn't really help us at all. So I share some strategies that will teach you how to improve the skill of suffering from the book The Brave Athlete. If you find yourself backing down when things get hard, you will want to listen in.

Ice baths and other water therapies have become more and more popular. In my research review I share a study comparing 3 different water therapies and their impact on recovery. Should you do cold, hot, both? Listen in to see what the research says.

Finally I have o

n SGX Coach Heather Binns from Rennov8 Fitness to discuss her passion of inspiring her clients to help find the athlete within. As a Health & Fitness Strategist and OCR Coach, Heather helps people shatter self-imposed glass to reach their fullest potential and unprecedented levels of fulfillment! She does this through physical and mental transformation and is best known for helping people shed fat and becoming strong. She endorses a positive mental attitude, creating an ongoing sense of accomplishment for clients backed by undeniable and realistic results.

Heather shares some of her strategies she uses with clients to realize their full potential, plus some of her tips for starting a fat loss program.

Full show note at www.ocrunderground.com/episode-81

All this and much more.

Freshly back from NY after visiting family and running the Spartan Sprint in Bethel, NY. This was the site of Woodstock back in 1969. It was a first time at this location and hopefully they will continue having it here. It was a great venue and a fast course. Looking forward to more great Spartan Races the rest of this year.

In this episode I share some insights on preparing for racing at altitude. While many are concerned with finding ways to improve performance at higher altitudes, sometimes the focus should be on to simply prepare your body for the increase stress it is about to go through and avoid altitude sickness. I share some of the most important strategies to consider when preparing for a high altitude race.

In my research review, I share an interesting study on caffeine. Caffeine is one of the most studied ergogenic aid. It has been shows to be beneficial for some (although not all) for endurance events. In this research we specifically look at using caffeine when exercising in hot temperatures.

In this episode Coach's Corner, I have on SGX Coach Rose Dey.

Rose has a background in Krav Maga, boxing and gymnastics. She has been in the fitness industry for 25 years coaching and managing facilities in New York, New Jersey and North Carolina. She is a NASM certified Personal Trainer, Precision Nutrition Level 1 coach, Spartan SGX and Deka coach with specialties in senior fitness and obesity. She is currently the Spartan and Deka Coach at Aestus Fitness in Fuquay-Varina, NC and will be the Health and Fitness Science Instructor at Johnston Community College starting Fall 2021.

She started Obstacle Course racing in 2011 and obtained Spartan Race podium spots in both Master Elite and Age Group categories, as well as earning a spot in the Spartan Elite World Championship Series in 2016. She owned and operated her own facility specializing in functional strength/conditioning and race preparation for 6 years in New Jersey before moving to NC where she was introduced to Crossfit. She has just earned her mark with Deka Strong as a 4th place holder in Age Group.

Rose's passion for fitness starts at home where she raised 3 children who have healthy fitness habits. She believes in a healthy lifestyle with proper nutrition at its core. Her passion is seeing others succeed in accomplishing goals and believes a person's mindset is their greatest asset. "BELIEVE that you can, TRAIN like you should, and CONQUER your goals.

Coach Rose shares some great insight into training, specifically overcoming obstacles and challenges. She shares her incredible comeback story and shares how you can move past challenges in your way.

Full Show Notes: www.ocrunderground.com/episode-80

Today's episode is full of training tips and strategies to help you train for any obstacle course race.

In this one I share my tips from a recent webinar I did on preventing back pain in your training routine. If you tend to suffer from back issues or just want to make sure you avoid them, follow these 5 steps I share.

Once you learn how to move better you are ready for metabolic resistance training. Many make an important mistake when it comes to this type of training. In my research review, I share some insight on Kettlebell Training and an important factor to consider.

Finally, I chat with SGX Coach Gary Lombardo from Crossfit High Power. Gary competes in both long-distance and short distance endurance events, including having completed 3 Ironman triathlons, 4 Ultra distance OCR races, numerous running marathons, long-distance swim events, and long-distance bike events, and has qualified for OCR Worlds from 2015-2019.

This year Gary is taking on the Death Race and shares some of his strategies for preparing for this race. Even if you aren't planning on doing a Death Race, he shares strategies that will apply to all types of OCR.

Check this out plus much more.

Full show notes: www.ocrunderground.com/episode-79

Thank you for making the OCR Underground a training resource for your OCR success. This episode is jam packed with useful tips and strategies for your next obstacle course race.

In the Inside Mike's Mind Segment, I share my key concept for staying injury free. We can't eliminate all injury risk, but there are some really simple things you can do to reduce your risk dramatically. If you frequently find yourself dealing with chronic injuries you will want to listen in.

In my Research Review, I found a great article looking at hundreds of studies on static stretching. We have all bought into the idea that you should never static stretch before exercise, but is that really true. Like many things, it depends. I share when it may be appropriate and when it might not be.

And finally I have an awesome interview with SGX Coach Francis Gennarelli from Mud Sweat Tears Crossfit in Verona, NJ. Francis Gennarelli, owner of Mud Sweat Tears / MST CrossFit in Verona, qualified and competed in all 3 Spartan Ultra World Championships in Iceland and Sweden taking 2nd place in his AG in 2019. Death Race finisher, Goruck Team Assessment finisher. CPT, Spartan SGX Coach, and CrossFit L1 trainer.

In this interview I chat with Coach Francis on some of his keys to being successful from a mindset perspective and training perspective when planning for an Ultra Beast or if you are up for a Death Race. He shares why training just can't take place at the gym and your whole like becomes a training ground.

There are some really great nuggets in this one from Coach Francis Gennarelli.

full shownotes: www.ocrunderground.com/episode-78

Man, I had a lot to talk about in this episode. This one is pack with some really useless tips for your OCR Training. In this one I share some cool info on a new FREE grip training series. You can check out some of my favorite and most effective ways to train your grip here.

And more exciting news my new, and first, the book is now available! The book is Fuel & Fire and is a step-by-step guide on how to properly train for an obstacle course race and how to set up your nutrition to properly fuel your workouts. I packed everything into this easy read, plus give you a starting program to work with.

This project has been in the works for 3 years so I am super excited that it is finally ready. You can pick up a copy through the link below or on Amazon:

http://outskirtspress.com/FuelandFire

In the inside Mike's Mind segment I discuss what the difference between an A and B race are. I have talked about this before and recently was having a discussion with a client that was understanding why you would have a B race. I clear up any confusion and discuss how you can properly plan for your race season.

I also discuss research comparing circuit training and running looking at how you can't always use how you feel to determine how good a workout is.

And finally I discuss the most important recovery strategy you can implement. Not only that but practical ways you can put it in place.

Full shownotes: www.ocrunderground.com/episode-77

After a much too long break from the last episode, I'm back with a jammed show. 2021 is here and hopefully, we see some OCRs get going more and more.

In this episode, I share my strategy for planning out my 2021 race season. If you need help laying it out, make sure you check out the Venga CBD's training calendar.

Do you use HIIT for your OCR training? Most miss the mark when they are using intervals. I discuss the point behind why you should use interval training and where so many go wrong.

In my research review, I share really interesting research on a jumping test that can predict your running speed. If you want to make the most out of your training to improve your running speed, you will want to listen to this one.

And finally, I interview Dr. Brianne Showman from Get Your Fix Physical Therapy. Brianne has a unique background as a therapist and a performance coach, so I was excited to get her on. We discussed some of the common areas that OCR athletes go wrong leading to an increased risk of injuries. I particularly enjoyed the topic of racing versus training and how these should look different. Brianne also shared some of her insight on barefoot training explaining how and how not to incorporate it.

Full show notes at www.ocrunderground.com/episode-76