The Starting Block Podcast

In this Guest Interview, John and Chris welcome Rett Larson, a world renowned volleyball strength and conditioning coach. Rett has gold medals in the 2016 Olympics and 2015 World Cup amongst many other accolades. His 'No Zombies' approach and innovative warmups have taken social media by storm in the S&C field. In this episode, the guys discuss cultural differences in sports training, and practical tips for making warm-ups engaging and effective across various sports.

**John, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims to be. The information provided in this show is not intended to be medical advice & should not be misconstrued as such. You assume all risk & liability by implementing any of the information shared on this show. You should ALWAYS seek the opinions of a qualified healthcare provider in your state/country before using any of the information provided in this show*

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Starting Block Podcast

01:15 Meet Rhett Larson: A Journey in Strength Conditioning

04:43 Cultural Insights from Coaching Abroad

09:35 The Demand for American Coaches in Global Sports

12:44 Learning from Different Training Philosophies

19:58 No Zombies: A New Approach to Warmups

28:24 Thermogenic Warm-Ups and Injury Prevention

30:43 Cultural Adaptations in Coaching

33:57 Innovative Training Techniques

36:12 Creative Drills for Engagement

48:49 Fun and Functional Training Methods

In this Guest Interview, Dr. Brandon Walley rejoins the show to discuss the latest advancements in red light therapy for eye health, vision processing, and athletic performance. He shares insights on how light frequencies impact vision, the importance of early detection of visual deficits in athletes, and practical tips for optimizing eye health and performance.

**John, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims to be. The information provided in this show is not intended to be medical advice & should not be misconstrued as such. You assume all risk & liability by implementing any of the information shared on this show. You should ALWAYS seek the opinions of a qualified healthcare provider in your state/country before using any of the information provided in this show*

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back

02:03 Exploring Red Light Therapy

09:38 Vision and Sports Performance

20:49 Peripheral Vision and Depth Perception

21:31 Creating a Vision Performance Program

25:25 Navigating Vision Challenges in Aspiring Pilots

31:30 The Impact of Screen Time on Eye Health

43:02 Next Steps for Children's Eye Care

46:46 Finding the Right Eye Care Professional

47:39 SHOW INTRO MUSIC.mp3

In this guest interview, John & Chris are joined legendary coach and co-founder of the 1080 Sprint, Rolf Oman. Rolf shares cutting edge insights into athletic performance, speed development and the science behind training elite athletes. Rolf also discusses how technology, biomechanics, and scientific principles can revolutionize training methods.

**John, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims to be. The information provided in this show is not intended to be medical advice & should not be misconstrued as such. You assume all risk & liability by implementing any of the information shared on this show. You should ALWAYS seek the opinions of a qualified healthcare provider in your state/country before using any of the information provided in this show*

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Starting Block Podcast

08:52 The Science of Speed and Power Development

14:32 Dynamic Isometric Strength and Eccentric Training

21:57 Understanding Ground Contact Times

30:44 Measuring Eccentric and Concentric Phases

36:55 Over Speed Training and Its Implications

42:00 The Science of Repositioning and Injury Prevention

48:54 Training Elasticity: Can It Be Improved?

54:53 Periodization and Training Cycles

01:01:36 Understanding Resistance Training

01:08:13 The Mental Aspect of Elite Performance

In this Guest Interview, John and Chris welcome back Elijah Holyfield and David Buer to discuss athletic development, the transition from football to WWE, and the importance of isometric training. They explore the misconceptions surrounding strength training, the role of the nervous system, and the need for discipline and proper execution in training. The conversation emphasizes the significance of understanding the true purpose of training and the importance of being prepared for athletic challenges.

**John, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims to be. The information provided in this show is not intended to be medical advice & should not be misconstrued as such. You assume all risk & liability by implementing any of the information shared on this show. You should ALWAYS seek the opinions of a qualified healthcare provider in your state/country before using any of the information provided in this show*

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to the Starting Block Podcast

02:15 Elijah's Transition to WWE

05:13 The Rise of Isometric Training

10:23 Understanding Strength Beyond Numbers

15:18 The Importance of Proper Execution

20:16 Communicating Training Concepts to Young Athletes

29:53 The Evolution of Measurement in Sports Training

33:08 Understanding Nervous System Training

36:04 The Importance of Signal Clarity

40:20 The Role of Discipline in Athletic Training

45:02 Attention to Detail in High-Level Performance

51:16 The Cost of Compromise in Training

57:09 The Path to Mastery and Preparedness

In this guest interview, John and Chris welcome dietician, personal trainer and author, Kayla Girgen. Kayla joins the show to discuss her new book, "Ruck Fit" as well as share her journey from the corporate world to the fitness industry and more.

**John, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims to be. The information provided in this show is not intended to be medical advice & should not be misconstrued as such. You assume all risk & liability by implementing any of the information shared on this show. You should ALWAYS seek the opinions of a qualified healthcare provider in your state/country before using any of the information provided in this show*

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Starting Block Podcast

02:35 Guest Introduction: Kayla Girgen and Her Journey

06:12 Nutrition Insights and the Role of Registered Dietitians

12:04 Understanding Blood Sugar Management

19:58 Exploring Rucking: Benefits and Community Engagement

27:19 The Rise of Rucking and 75 Hard

28:32 Walking as Exercise: Debating Its Value

31:03 Progressing in Rucking: Weight and Challenge

33:55 Rucking Mechanics: Posture and Weight Management

36:13 Rucking for Athletes: Building Endurance

38:13 Rucking as a Gateway to Strength Training

40:16 Incorporating Strength Exercises into Rucking

41:25 Choosing Between a Backpack and Weighted Vest

47:00 Getting Started with Rucking: Tips and Resources

Preorder Ruck Fit on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4ggD4Ip 

Follow Kayla on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaylagirgenrd/ 

Sign up for Kayla's free weekly newsletter: https://wintheweek.gr8.com/

Kayla's go-to rucking set-up: GORUCK Rucker 4.0 & weight plates

In this week's Q&A, John and Chris discuss the use of training with water based tools, how isometric lunges impact speed and protein supplementation.

**John, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims to be. The information provided in this show is not intended to be medical advice & should not be misconstrued as such. You assume all risk & liability by implementing any of the information shared on this show. You should ALWAYS seek the opinions of a qualified healthcare provider in your state/country before using any of the information provided in this show*

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to the Starting Block Podcast

02:58 Athlete Development and Training Insights

06:09 The Importance of Female Athlete Training

08:03 Evaluating Training Tools: Water-Filled Balls

19:55 Iso-Extreme Lunges and Sprinting Speed

29:39 Nutrition and Protein Recommendations

In this weeks Guest Interview, John and Chris welcome Coach Anthony Cellitti to the show. The guys discuss various topics, including the importance of building relationships with athletes, the effectiveness of the 1x20 training system, and the challenges associated with training athletes in todays society due to the influence of social media and more.

**John, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims to be. The information provided in this show is not intended to be medical advice & should not be misconstrued as such. You assume all risk & liability by implementing any of the information shared on this show. You should ALWAYS seek the opinions of a qualified healthcare provider in your state/country before using any of the information provided in this show*

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Starting Block Podcast

03:06 Guest Introduction: Coach Anthony Saletti

05:59 Anthony's Coaching Journey and Philosophy

08:52 Ideal Athlete Qualities and Training Dynamics

11:51 Training Methodologies: The 1x20 System Explained

14:52 Practical Application of the 1x20 System

17:56 Challenges in Convincing Athletes to Train Differently

20:58 Bastardized Training Programs: Lessons Learned

24:31 Exploring Training Techniques and Recovery

30:12 The Challenge of Convincing Young Athletes

35:57 Building Relationships and Communication with Athletes

37:17 Innovations in Training Tools and Techniques

In this week's Q & A John and Chris dive into the importance of leg power in pitching, the role of blood flow in enhancing recovery & recurring hamstring injuries.

**John, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims to be. The information provided in this show is not intended to be medical advice & should not be misconstrued as such. You assume all risk & liability by implementing any of the information shared on this show. You should ALWAYS seek the opinions of a qualified healthcare provider in your state/country before using any of the information provided in this show*

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Starting Block Podcast

02:43 Understanding Athletic Development and Training Methods

05:17 The Importance of Leg Power in Pitching

11:24 Mechanics and Variability in Athletic Performance

16:56 The Role of Blood Flow in Performance and Recovery

20:36 Addressing Recurring Hamstring Injuries

In this weeks episode, hosts John Nelson and Chris Scarborough reconnect after a summer break to discuss their training experiences and their summer of coaching athletes. They delve into the importance of evaluating fitness content on social media, identifying effective training methods, and the significance of structured programs in athletic development. The conversation emphasizes the need for coaches to communicate clearly and monitor key performance indicators to ensure athletes' long-term success.

**John, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims to be. The information provided in this show is not intended to be medical advice & should not be misconstrued as such. You assume all risk & liability by implementing any of the information shared on this show. You should ALWAYS seek the opinions of a qualified healthcare provider in your state/country before using any of the information provided in this show*

Chapters

00:00 Welcome Back and Show Overview

05:00 Summer Updates and Training Insights

14:05 Evaluating Fitness Content on Social Media

17:08 Evaluating Athletic Training Techniques

20:01 The Importance of Structured Coaching

22:22 The Role of Repetition in Training

24:43 Balancing Entertainment and Effectiveness in Coaching

25:34 Monitoring Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

30:25 Understanding Progression in Athletic Training

In Athlete Spotlight episode, John and Chris welcome Drake Meeks, a talented pitcher from the University of Southern Mississippi. They discuss Drake's journey from a youth baseball player to eventual collegiate athlete. Topics include: the importance of body control in pitching, and the mental toughness required to succeed. Drake also shares his experiences with injury and recovery, including his Tommy John surgery, and emphasizes the significance of training and preparation. The conversation concludes with valuable advice for aspiring athletes and insights into the competitive nature of college baseball.

**John, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims to be. The information provided in this show is not intended to be medical advice & should not be misconstrued as such. You assume all risk & liability by implementing any of the information shared on this show. You should ALWAYS seek the opinions of a qualified healthcare provider in your state/country before using any of the information provided in this show*