The Robbie Bourke Podcast

By Robbie BourkeMedicine Health & Fitness Education

The Robbie Bourke Podcast episodes

January 25, 2018Episode 153: Phil Wagner - Sparta Science
This episodes guest is Phil Wagner of Sparta Science.

Phil spent 8 years as a strength & conditioning coach at University of California Berkeley and University of California Los Angeles, including 3 National Championships, as well as a performance coach for the Canterbury Crusaders and the New South Wales Waratahs (professional rugby teams in New Zealand and Australia). Following his coaching career, he graduated medical school as a physician from University of Southern California, focused on studying biomechanics at their School of Physical Therapy’s Biokinesiology Lab. Dr. Wagner founded Sparta Performance Science in the Silicon Valley as a facility to directly measure and enhance performance alongside athlete resilience to injury. This business evolved to include a larger technology business, Sparta Software Corporation (est. 2012), which provides an athlete data management platform to establish evidence based practices within sports organizations.

On this episode Phil and I discuss
Phil's background
How big is the sparta team currently
Phil discusses how he has gotten the entire team at Sparta to share the companies core values and vision
Why Phil decided to go back to Medical School
Phils's influences
What are the good and not so good things that Phil currently see's with the physical preparation profession, and what solutions would he offer for the not so good things he is seeing
Phil talks about the importance of how we preceive feedback and how we should learn the difference between disagree vs dislike
Phil discusses why he feels its important for coaches to develop empathy as this can help develop a greater degree of relateness with our athletes
Why did Phil call the company Sparta
Phil discusses why its so important to approach data with an open and critical mind
Phil talks about how the squat, deadlift, and bench press had the highest co-relation with eccentric RFD
Phil and I discuss about confirmation bias' within science
Phil shares with us the testing protocols that they utilize at Sparta
Phil shares with us the training system utilized at Sparta
Phil discusses the partnership that Sparta has with many other elite organizations around the world
Phil discusses the future of Sparta
Phil shares with us the biggest lessons he has learned so far in his career and life
Phil shares his top resources
Phil gives us his top advice to all the listeners
And if Phil could invite 5 people to dinner, dead or alive, who would he invite and why?

This was an outstanding episode with Phil guys, and I hope you really enjoy it.
Stay Strong,
RB

Show Notes:

Sparta Science Twitter

Phil Wagner Twitter

Show Sponsors:
Ultimate Performance Online Mentorship

To get INSTANT ACCESS to almost 20 hours of World Class online video Strength and Conditioning Information go to upmentorship.com

ALTIS
ALTIS 360

ALTIS Foundation Course

National Sports Performance Association
Certified Program Design Specialist
Certified Speed and Agility Coach

Cerfitied Weightlifting Performance Coach
Certified Sports Nutrition Coach

Athletes Acceleration

Complete Speed Training
Complete Speed Games

Complete Jumps Training

Complete Olympic Lifting

Complete Guide to Training the Female Athlete
Complete Core
Complete Sports Conditioning

Complete Sports Nutrition
Complete Program Design
Sports Camp Empire

Patreon
Help support the podcast by becoming a Patreon to the show here - Patreon
1 hr 17 min
January 18, 2018Episode 152: Nick Littlehales - All Things Sleep and Performance
This episodes guest is Nick Littlehales from sportsleepcoach.co.uk.

Nick is regarded as the leading elite sports sleep coach in world sport.
A leading industry expert with over 30 years experience in the world of sleep, sleeping habits, and product design and over 15 years dedicated to elite athletes and professional sport.
A former professional golfer, International Sales & Marketing Director of the Slumberland Group and Chairman of the UK Sleep Council, Nick has conducted many practical and clinical research projects into the varied sleeping habits adopted by the modern day sleeper and athlete. His unique and passionate techniques, products and proven approach are endorsed by leading professionals in world sport and business.

Nick is also the author of Sleep - The Myth of 8 Hours, The Power of Naps, and a New Plan to Recharge your Mind and Body.
On this episode Nick and I discuss:
Nicks background
Nicks influences
Nick and I discuss the first 5 of the 7 key steps to optimize sleep and restoration that he outlines in his book
Nick discusses why having a consisent wake time is an important daily anchor to possess
Nick discusses the importance of understanding what a circadian rhythm is
Nick discusses the importance of understanding your chronotype
Nick shares with us why it is more important to consider sleep in 90 minute cycles rather than hours
Nick talks about the importance of having a pre and post bed-time routine
Nick and I discuss about how the circardian rhythm that you were born into may potentially never leave your genetic make up
Nick tells us why he decided to use 90mins as his recommended cycle length
Nick talks about how the light blub changed our sleeping cycle from poly-phasic to mono phasic
Nick shares his thoughts on regulating sleeping patterns with the seasons
Nick shares his thoughts on using a day light lamp in the winter and other light regulation strategies
Nick tells us why that if "you don't snooze you will lose!", as he discusses why naps and multiple mini-mental breaks, (what Nick terms Controlled Recovery Periods [CRPs]), throughout the day are exellence strategies to enhance physical and mental performance
I ask Nick if he feels it is still a better strategy to get the majority of our sleep nocturnally

This was an outstanding episode with Nick guys, and I hope you really enjoy it.
Stay Strong,
RB

Show Notes:
Nick's Book - Sleep - The Myth of 8 Hours, the Power of Naps, and the New Plan to Recharge Your Body and Mind

Nick 7 Key Steps to Optimize your sleep, recovery and restoration
1. Understand Circadian Rhythms
2. Get to know your Chronotypes
3. Think of Sleep in Cycles not Hours
4. Have a Pre and Post Bed-Time Routine
5. Utilize daily breaks and naps to maximize performance
6. Designing your ideal sleep kit
7. Designing your ideal sleep environment

Show Sponsors:
Ultimate Performance Online Mentorship

To get INSTANT ACCESS to almost 20 hours of World Class online video Strength and Conditioning Information go to upmentorship.com

ALTIS
ALTIS 360

ALTIS Foundation Course

National Sports Performance Association
Certified Program Design Specialist
Certified Speed and Agility Coach

Cerfitied Weightlifting Performance Coach
Certified Sports Nutrition Coach

Athletes Acceleration

Complete Speed Training
Complete Speed Games

Complete Jumps Training

Complete Olympic Lifting

Complete Guide to Training the Female Athlete
Complete Core
Complete Sports Conditioning

Complete Sports Nutrition
Complete Program Design
Sports Camp Empire

Patreon
Help support the podcast by becoming a Patreon to the show here - Patreon
1 hr 23 min
January 06, 2018Episode 151: Fergus Connolly - Game Changer
This episodes guest is Fergus Connolly

Dr. Fergus Connolly has worked at the highest levels of Premier League soccer; international rugby; the NBA, NFL, NCAA, and elite military units . He is currently the Performance Director for Michigan Football, and his is also the author of a unique book, Game Changer, which was released in 2017.

On this episode Fergus and I discuss:
Fergus' background
Fergus' influences
What are the good and not so good things that Fergus currently see's with the physical preparation profession, and what solutions would he offer for the not so good things he is seeing
Fergus talks about why asking " the why" behind things is critical
Fergus and I discuss about the importance of understaning first principles when it comes to sports performance
Why an over reliance of the development of physical qualities at the expense of other key athletic traits is a flawed model
We discuss big data vs small data
Fergus discusses why all members of the sport performance staff should review the game together as a multi-disciplinary team
Fergus talks about why general "mental thoughness models" will not transfer to the specific mental skills that are needed to enhance sports performance
Why generalist's will inherit the world in sports performance
Fergus and I discuss Periodization schemes with sports performance and the importance of the weekly set up for athletic preparation
Fergus discusses the concept of synchronization within on-field/court performance in team based sports
Fergus discusses why controlling the factors that can be controlled is critical to allow the athlete to have a larger adaptative reserve to adapt to chaos of sport and to enhance the learning process
Fergus gives us his top advice and resources to all the listeners
And if Fergus could invite 5 people to dinner, dead or alive, who would he invite and why?

This was an outstanding episode with Fergus guys, and I hope you really enjoy it.
Stay Strong,
RB

Show Notes:
Game Changer The Book

Fergus' Podcast Interviews:

Strengthcoach Podcast
Resilient Performance Podcast

Rdella Podcast
Fergus' Twitter Handle

Show Sponsors:
Ultimate Performance Online Mentorship

To get INSTANT ACCESS to almost 20 hours of World Class online video Strength and Conditioning Information go to upmentorship.com

ALTIS
ALTIS 360

ALTIS Foundation Course

National Sports Performance Association
Certified Program Design Specialist
Certified Speed and Agility Coach

Cerfitied Weightlifting Performance Coach
Certified Sports Nutrition Coach

Athletes Acceleration

Complete Speed Training
Complete Speed Games

Complete Jumps Training

Complete Olympic Lifting

Complete Guide to Training the Female Athlete
Complete Core
Complete Sports Conditioning

Complete Sports Nutrition
Complete Program Design
Sports Camp Empire

Patreon
Help support the podcast by becoming a Patreon to the show here - Patreon
1 hr 26 min
December 14, 2017 Episode 150: James Smith - Dynamic Correspondence and Training Transfer
This episode we have James Smith from Global Sport Concepts back on with me for his monthly interview on the ATSW podcast.

On this episode James discusses utilizing the concept of dynamic correspondence to potentially enhance training transfer.

As always this was another monster episode with James.

Enjoy my friends.

Stay Strong,
RB

Show Notes:

You can connect with James for consulting services here.

James' outstanding books can be found here also.

Show Sponsors:
Ultimate Performance Online Mentorship
To get INSTANT ACCESS to almost 20 hours of World Class online video Strength and Conditioning Information go to upmentorship.com

ALTIS
ALTIS 360

ALTIS Foundation Course

National Sports Performance Association
Certified Program Design Specialist
Certified Speed and Agility Coach

Cerfitied Weightlifting Performance Coach
Certified Sports Nutrition Coach

Athletes Acceleration

Complete Speed Training
Complete Speed Games

Complete Jumps Training

Complete Olympic Lifting

Complete Guide to Training the Female Athlete
Complete Core
Complete Sports Conditioning

Complete Sports Nutrition
Complete Program Design
Sports Camp Empire

Patreon
Help support the podcast by becoming a Patreon to the show here - Patreon

1 hr 53 min
December 12, 2017Episode 149: Nick Shaw - Renaissance Periodization
This episodes guest is Nick Shaw from Renaissance Periodization.

Nick is the Founder and CEO of Renaissance Periodization, a training and diet services company for world-class athletes. Nick is also a competitive powerlifter and bodybuilder and has had the opportunity to work with numerous national level physique athletes as well as world class strength athletes. Nick holds a B.A. from the University of Michigan in Sport Management. Nick currently resides in Charlotte, NC with his wife and two kids.

On this episode Nick and I discuss:
Nicks background
Why Nick decided to start RP
Who are RP's main clientele
Nick shares with us some of the challanges of starting and running a business
Nick shares with us his biggest influences
Nick discusses the nutritional hierachies that RP has developed for both body composition and health goals and the why behind the differences between both hierarchies
Nick gives us his thoughts on Female Fat Loss
Nick and I discuss muscle gaining rates - what is realistic?
Nick and I discuss how many extra calories you really need to eat to gain weight
Nick talks about how important it is to make sure you have balance between work, training, and family in the marco scheme
Nick tells us about the biggest lessons he has learned so far in his career
Nick gives us his top advice and resources
And if Nick could invite 5 people to dinner, dead or alive, who would he invite and why?

This was an outstanding episode with Nick guys, and I hope you really enjoy it.
Stay Strong,
RB

Show Sponsors:

To get INSTANT ACCESS to almost 20 hours of World Class online video Strength and Conditioning Information go to upmentorship.com
Patreon
1 hr 34 min
December 06, 2017Episode 148: Nick Nilsson - "The Mad Scientist of Muscle"
This episodes guest is Nick"The Mad Scientist of Muscle" Nilsson of madscientistofmuscle.com and of fitstep.com.

For more than 25 years, Nick has been creating unique, new exercises and training techniques and putting together some of the most innovative muscle-building and fat-loss programs available anywhere.
To create these unique programs and exercises, Nick puts to work his degree in Physical Education, covering advanced biomechanics, kinesiology, anatomy and physiology. When you put his exercises and programs to work, you'll immediately see and feel exactly how this combination of science, practical knowledge, thinking outside the box and just a little bit of insanity really mesh together to maximize every aspect of your training.
Nick began his training career in high school as a 145 lb cross-country runner (and ectomorph), looking to build muscle and get bigger. Today, putting to work all the unique techniques and exercises he has come up, Nick weighs in at a rock-solid 200 lbs and single digit bodyfat.
These days, he uses his experience as a former skinny guy to help others build the bodies of their dreams, whether it be building muscle, losing fat or both. He has helped literally thousands of people accomplish their goals and achieve results above and beyond the reach of more traditional programs.
In addition to being published in a variety of magazines (like Ironman, Muscle & Fitness, Maxim) and thousands of training websites across the Internet, Nick is also the author of more than 20 bodybuilding books including: Metabolic Monsters, Muscle Explosion – 28 Days to Maximum Mass, Metabolic Surge – Rapid Fat Loss and The Best Exercises You’ve Never Heard Of series.
For more information about Nick’s unique training methods and how they can help you build muscle, get ripped and crush exercise boredom forever, visit madscientistofmuscle.com and fitstep.com.
On this episode Nick and I discussed:
Nicks background
Nicks Influences
What are the good and not so good things that Nick currently see's with the fitness profession, and what solutions would he offer for the not so good things he is seeing
Nick shares his training philosophy and system with us
Nick talks about how determing an individuals bodytype can help him in individualizing his program design for his clients
Nick talks about the manipulation and management of volume, intensity, and density over a liftes career
Nick and I discuss maximum recoverable volume
Nick shares with us his favor exercises to develop optimal hypertrophy for the entire body
Nick shares with us his biggest lessons so far in his career
Nick shares his top resources and advice.

This was an outstanding episode with Nick guys, and I hope you really enjoy it.
Stay Strong,
RB

Show Sponsor:
To get INSTANT ACCESS to almost 20 hours of World Class online video Strength and Conditioning Information go to upmentorship.com
Patreon
1 hr 23 min
December 06, 2017Episode 148: Nick Nilsson - “The Mad Scientist of Muscle”
This episodes guest is Nick"The Mad Scientist of Muscle" Nilsson of madscientistofmuscle.com and of fitstep.com.

For more than 25 years, Nick has been creating unique, new exercises and training techniques and putting together some of the most innovative muscle-building and fat-loss programs available anywhere.

To create these unique programs and exercises, Nick puts to work his degree in Physical Education, covering advanced biomechanics, kinesiology, anatomy and physiology. When you put his exercises and programs to work, you'll immediately see and feel exactly how this combination of science, practical knowledge, thinking outside the box and just a little bit of insanity really mesh together to maximize every aspect of your training.

Nick began his training career in high school as a 145 lb cross-country runner (and ectomorph), looking to build muscle and get bigger. Today, putting to work all the unique techniques and exercises he has come up, Nick weighs in at a rock-solid 200 lbs and single digit bodyfat.

These days, he uses his experience as a former skinny guy to help others build the bodies of their dreams, whether it be building muscle, losing fat or both. He has helped literally thousands of people accomplish their goals and achieve results above and beyond the reach of more traditional programs.

In addition to being published in a variety of magazines (like Ironman, Muscle & Fitness, Maxim) and thousands of training websites across the Internet, Nick is also the author of more than 20 bodybuilding books including: Metabolic Monsters, Muscle Explosion – 28 Days to Maximum Mass, Metabolic Surge – Rapid Fat Loss and The Best Exercises You’ve Never Heard Of series.

For more information about Nick’s unique training methods and how they can help you build muscle, get ripped and crush exercise boredom forever, visit madscientistofmuscle.com and fitstep.com.

On this episode Nick and I discussed:
Nicks background

Nicks Influences

What are the good and not so good things that Nick currently see's with the fitness profession, and what solutions would he offer for the not so good things he is seeing

Nick shares his training philosophy and system with us

Nick talks about how determing an individuals bodytype can help him in individualizing his program design for his clients

Nick talks about the manipulation and management of volume, intensity, and density over a liftes career

Nick and I discuss maximum recoverable volume

Nick shares with us his favor exercises to develop optimal hypertrophy for the entire body

Nick shares with us his biggest lessons so far in his career

Nick shares his top resources and advice.

This was an outstanding episode with Nick guys, and I hope you really enjoy it.

Stay Strong,

RB

Show Sponsor:

To get INSTANT ACCESS to almost 20 hours of World Class online video Strength and Conditioning Information go to upmentorship.com

Patreon
1 hr 23 min
December 03, 2017Episode 147: Zach Even-Esh - Building Mind-Set and Monsters!
This episodes guest is Zach Even-Esh of zacheven-esh.com and of Underground Strength Coach.

Zach Even-Esh is The Founder of The Underground Strength Gym (Locations in NJ with Manasquan & Scotch Plains), Creator of The Underground Strength Coach Certification & Author of the Best Seller, The Encyclopedia of Underground Strength & Conditioning.
Zach is also The Head Strength & Conditioning Coach for The Rutgers University Wrestling Team.
Since Zach began training athletes in 2002, Zach has served as The Strength & Conditioning Coach for The Lehigh University Wrestling Team & continues to work with & consult Strength Coaches around the world, D1 Coaches, Athletes & Programs.
Zach holds a BA in Health & Physical Education from Kean University and an MA in Health Education from Montclair State University. Zach began his own training in 1989 after his brother convinced him to join the wrestling team his freshman year at Edison High School.
Since 2002, Zach has been training athletes from all sports, the beginning of which started out of Zach’s parents garage and backyard, then, at his first home in Edison where he began molding losing wrestlers into All State wrestlers and average athletes into dominant athletes.

On this episode Zach and I discuss:
Zach's background
Zach talks about how to develop life skills through quality training
Zach talk's about the importance of mind-set and how he feels today's youth and population in general are lacking in their development of this key life skill
Zach's Personal and Professional Influences
Zach and I disccuss how delayed gratification is a key trait to develop to attain Mastery
Zach discusses the need to be obessed to become great
Zach tells us why comfort is the enemy of greatness
Zach tells us about the good and and not so good things that he is currently seeing within the physical preparation profession and what his solutions are for the not so good things that his seeing
Zach shares with us his mission for enhancing the stardard of the phyiscal preparation and physical education of youth athletes in Jew Jersey
Zach shares with us the "Andrea The Giant" story - This is classic!!
Zach shares his life philosophy with us
Zach and I discuss parenting and how getting a better understanding of human development and behavior can enhance you as a coach
And if Zach could invite 5 people to dinner, dead or alive, who would he invited and why

This was an outstanding episode with Zach guys, and I hope you really enjoy it.
Stay Strong,
RB

Show Notes:
An Iron Will - Orison Swett Marden

Show Sponsors:

To get INSTANT ACCESS to almost 20 hours of World Class online video Strength and Conditioning Information go to upmentorship.com
Patreon
1 hr 58 min
November 29, 2017Episode 146: Mladen Jovanovic - Training Philosophy, Periodization, Uncertainty in Planning, VBT and so Much More!
This episodes guest is Mladen Jovanovic of Complementary Training.

Mladen is a physical preparation coach from Belgrade, Serbia, grew up in Pula, Croatia (which he consider's his home town). Mladen was involved in physical preparation of professional, amateur and recreational athletes of various ages in sports, such as basketball, soccer, AFL, volleyball, martial arts and tennis.
In his free time he like to do Boxing/MMA and lift (sometimes heavy), along with reading about statistics and learning R programming language. Some consider Mladen to be an Excel wizard. He is also interested in predictive analytics/machine learning.

On this episode Mladen and I discussed:
Mladens give us an extensive insight into his background
How difficult it was for Mladen to to leave his position at Port Adelaide so he could be reunited with his son
Mladens influences both personal and professional
What are the good and not so good things that Mladen currently see's with the physical preparation profession, and what solutions would he offer for the not so good things he is seeing
Mladens overall training philosophy
Mladen speaks about the importance of being aware of the fact that there will always be uncertainties within our planning and to have contingencies in place
Mladen talks about the the potential to utilize an asymmetric risk/ reward model, often used in fileds like economics, for sports training and preparation
Mladen gives his thoughts on periodization
Mladen gives us insight into how he would run a sporting organization if he was given the responsibility to do so
Mladen speaks about how negative knowledge is more insightful and useful feedback then positive knowledge
We both speak about how Al Vermeils vertical integration model has influence both of us with our programming
Mladens gives his thoughts on Energy System Training
Mladen shares his thoughts on VBT
And if Mladen could invite 5 people to dinner, dead or alive, who would he invited and why?

This was an outstanding episode with Malden guys, and I hope you really enjoy it.

Stay Strong,
RB

Show Notes:
Bachelor Pad Economics - Aaron Clearly

Anti-Fragile - Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Black Swan - Nassim Nicholas Taleb

Show Sponsor:

To get INSTANT ACCESS to almost 20 hours of World Class online video Strength and Conditioning Information go to upmentorship.com
2 hr 8 min
November 12, 2017Episode 145: Dr. Michael Yessis - Soviet Sports Training System, Special Strength Training, and 1x20
This episodes guest is Dr. Michael Yessis.

Dr. Yessis received his Ph.D. from the University of Southern California and his B.S. and M.S. from City University of New York. He is president of Sports Training, Inc., a diverse sports and fitness company. Dr. Yessis is also Professor Emeritus at California State University, Fullerton, where he was a multi-sports specialist in biomechanics (technique analysis) and sports conditioning and training.
Dr. Yessis has served as training and technique consultant to several Olympic and professional sports teams. He has also trained hundreds of athletes in different sports and developed unique specialized strength exercises that duplicate what takes place in execution of the game skills. By doing these exercises athletes improve skill technique and the physical qualities (strength) specific to the technique. By doing these exercises athletes improve their performance on the field very quickly.
Dr. Yessis is considered this country’s foremost expert on sports technique. Dr. Yessis has written 17 books in the sports and fitness field including Biomechanics and Kinesiology of Exercise, Build A Better Athlete, Sports: Is It All B.S.?, and his latest, The Revolutionary 1x20RM Strength Training Program.
In addition, he completed four renowned DVDs; Exercise Mastery, Specialized Strength and Explosive Exercises for the Quarterback, Specialized Strength and Explosive Exercises for Baseball and Specialized Strength and Explosive Exercises for Softball, as well as the CD books Explosive Tennis: The Forehand, and Explosive Tennis: The Backhand.

On this episode Wil and I discussed:
Doc's background
How difficult was it for Doc to grow up in America with Russian parents during the Cold War
The Soviet sports training system and the influences of anabolic steriods
The coaching education system within the Soviet sports system
We talk about that in order to to be a great specialist you will first and also concurrently need to be a great generalist. This is a common trend I see with all masters of a specific craft. The stronger and more diverse one's general base, be that in the attainment of a physical capacity or of knowledge, the greater the mastery over the specific domain. Speciality is built off a general base. The greater the general base the greater the mastery of the speciality.
Doc's Influences
Doc's Training Philosophy - Skill execution is King!
How Doc differentiates between a physical capacity issue vs a skill issue
The roles of general strength and special strength training means over the course an athletes career and development
Doc gives us a detail description of the 1x20 method and how he came to formulate it
Doc discusses the criteria he uses in developing his prescription for special strength exercises
Doc talks about how he likes to program and organize the training process
Doc tell us about the biggest lessons his has learned over his career and life
What is Doc's current daily rituals and routines?
Doc's top advice and resources to all the listeners
And Finally - If Doc could invite 5 people to dinner, dead or alive, who would he invite and why?
This was an outstanding episode with Dr. Yessis guys, and I hope you really enjoy it.

Stay Strong,
RB

Show Notes:

doctoryessis.com

Show Sponsor:

To get INSTANT ACCESS to almost 20 hours of World Class online video Strength and Conditioning Information go to upmentorship.com
1 hr 39 min