In this episode, we sit down with Andy, a NYC native who was born and raised in Queens, New York. Andy’s journey from the streets of Queens to earning his doctorate in physical therapy is nothing short of inspiring. With a bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Buffalo and a doctorate from the University of St. Augustine, Andy has developed a deep understanding of the human body and mind.

Throughout his career, he’s worked with a diverse range of clients—from youth athletes and weekend warriors to Olympic and professional-level competitors. In our conversation, we dive deep into topics like injury, injury prevention, and the importance of recovery. When Andy isn’t helping athletes reach their peak, he’s exploring new places, diving into a good book, or enjoying a refreshing IPA. Tune in to gain insights from one of the best in the field!

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On Episode 8 we welcome special guest, Sylvain Bruneau. Sylvain has had an impressive career in tennis coaching, having served as the coach for Team Canada at the Billie Jean Cup from 2004 to 2009. He then captained the team from 2010 to 2018. Over the years, he has worked with some of Canada's top talents, including Bianca Andreescu, Eugenie Bouchard, Leylah Annie Fernandez and Aleksandra Wozniak. We're excited to dive into his experiences and insights today.

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Dr. Emily Splichal, a Functional Podiatrist and Human Movement Specialist, Founder of EBFA Global, Creator of the Barefoot Training Specialist® Certification, Author of Barefoot Strong, and CEO/Founder of Naboso Technology, joins us on the Tennis Fitness Podcast. With more than 23 years of experience in the fitness industry, Dr. Splichal has focused her medical career on researching postural alignment and human movement in relation to barefoot science, foot to core integration, and sensory integration.

Dr. Emily delves into the science behind Naboso Technology, a company she founded that specializes in proprioceptive insoles and surfaces designed to enhance sensory stimulation and improve movement efficiency. Dr. Emily Splichal's wealth of knowledge and experience in the field of podiatry and human movement make her a valuable resource for athletes and fitness enthusiasts looking to optimize their performance and prevent injuries.

https://www.naboso.com

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Jim Harp and I explored the crucial role of fundamental movement in tennis players. We emphasized the importance of developing a strong foundation of movement skills, such as agility, coordination, balance, and speed, in order to excel in the sport. Jim, being a USTA High Performance Coach and a PTR Master Professional and Certified Tennis Performance Specialist, shared his expertise on how these fundamental movement skills contribute to a player's overall performance on the court.

Furthermore, we touched upon the atmosphere within a tennis academy. Jim, being the proprietor of Harp Performance Tennis, provided valuable insights into creating a positive and supportive environment for young players to thrive. We discussed the significance of fostering a culture of hard work and discipline within the academy. Jim emphasized the role of coaches in creating a nurturing and motivating atmosphere that encourages players to reach their full potential.

Lastly, we delved into the topic of early specialization in junior players and its impact on their development. Jim expressed his concerns about the increasing trend of young athletes focusing solely on tennis at an early age, neglecting other sports and activities. We discussed the potential drawbacks of this approach, including burnout, overuse injuries, and limited overall athletic development. Jim emphasized the importance of a well-rounded athletic foundation and encouraged young players to engage in a variety of sports and activities to enhance their overall physical abilities. In addition to discussing fundamental movement and early specialization, we also explored the topic of fitness programming for tennis players. Jim shared his insights on designing effective training programs that target specific physical attributes required for tennis, such as strength and power. We discussed the importance of tailoring these programs to individual players' needs and goals, taking into consideration their age, skill level, and physical condition.

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The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) is an independent body established in 2021 by the ATP, ITF, WTA and Grand Slams to promote, encourage, enhance and safeguard the integrity of their professional tennis events worldwide. The ITIA works closely with the sport, to prevent potential corruptors negatively impacting the game and to administer an effective anti-doping and testing programme. As coaches and players, it is not enough to simply possess knowledge and skills; we must also be fully aware of the guidelines and regulations that govern tennis. Understanding and adhering to these guidelines is not only essential for maintaining a level playing field but also for ensuring the safety and well-being of all involved.

Coachlife: https://coachlife.com/?ref=DEANH

Jeanna's expertise in nutrition goes beyond just the basics. She delves deep into the fundamental aspects of nutrition, exploring the intricate relationship between food and athletic performance. With her extensive knowledge and experience, she offers valuable insights on pre and post-match nourishment that can make a significant difference in an athlete's performance.

Jenna Fisher is a Registered Dietitian (RD). She has worked closely supporting a wide range of clients from endurance athletes to individuals managing chronic diseases.  Leveraging her personal background as a former competitive track and field athlete, triathlete, swimmer, and soccer player, provides her with valuable insights into the diverse demands of various sports. Prior to her career as a dietitian, she had the opportunity to coach competitive swimming, enhancing her understanding of optimal nutrition for athletic performance. Jenna’s passion is crafting tailored nutrition strategies to meet each client’s unique needs, guiding them towards their health and performance goals. 

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DM Performance, led by renowned performance coach Damian McDoom, is dedicated to helping individuals of all backgrounds unlock their full potential and achieve peak performance. With a focus on optimizing both physical and mental health, Damian empowers elite-level athletes, devoted parents, and anyone seeking a healthier, higher-performance lifestyle.

Daman employs a systematic approach that has been proven to enhance human performance. His innovative programming creates a unique training environment, exposing athletes to situations and movements they are likely to encounter in their specific sport. By ensuring athletes are prepared both physically and mentally, Damian instills confidence and helps them perform at their best, leading to remarkable achievements, including even national-level athletes securing gold medals.

Paul Annacone is a world renowned tennis coach and former touring professional tennis player. He is the former coach of 20-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer, 14-time Grand Slam winner Pete Sampras, and 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens. Paul is currently a commentator at Tennis Channel, and works with Taylor Fritz. 

Paul was also a successful tennis player. He achieveda career best singles ranking in 1985 of world No. 12 and US No. 6. as a pro playing doubles, he captured 14 tournaments and achieving a high ranking in 1987 of world No. 3

Peter Twist: The pioneer of Functional Training, ground-breaking industry innovator, teacher of the trainers, sport scientist, author and CEO, Twist’s positive leadership scaled several sport & fitness businesses globally. A trusted and inspiring educator skilled at securing passionate buy in of early adopters.

Twist coached for 11 years in the National Hockey League. Built and operated 12 Sport Training Centers in 4 countries. TWIST Conditioning has developed 20,000 college & high school athletes, 2,000 pro & Olympic athletes, and 5 major league MVPs. Twist was selected by the China Government to lead modernization of training for the summer and winter China Olympic Programs.

He shifted the fitness and sport industries’ training paradigms when introduced world's first 3 Functional Training certification courses. Produced 22 certification courses. Built TWIST education and product business to 330 global distributors. Selected Under Armour's Global Education Partner. Brought the iconic IDEA World brand to Shanghai China.

Peter has delivered over 1,500 lectures and over 100 motivation keynotes. Authored 20 books, 44 DVDs. Multi course author for American Council on Exercise. Recipient NSCA President's Award, IDEA Programmer of Year & Inspiration Awards, China's Most Inspiring in Fitness Award, CFP Presenter of Year Award. Published researcher on brain + body neuromuscular training adaptation.

https://twistuniversity.inspire360.com

On Episode 26 we welcome Emma Wells. Emma and I dive into everything that is junior tennis and how proper coaching impacts junior development. Emma is head of PTR (Professional Tennis Registry) for the UK, and she is the first female to hold this international director position. With over 17 years of experience in the Sports and Leisure industry she has made a significant impact in both public and private sector as well as sports development. She is the sole owner of Emma Wells Tennis, a successful Tennis Club in Wimbledon Park which has over 700 weekly players and operates 365 days a year. Earlier this year she expanded and opened a sister site in Roehampton (London) with a team of 6 full time coaches. As an experienced tutor and a trainer for the LTA and PTR and has worked closely with the LTA in developing & rolling out Tennis For Kids program from 2015-18 as well as managing the implementation of other LTA programs. 
Emma is a public speaker and has delivered several international symposiums for PTR, she has delivered clinics for the USTA at the National Campus as well as speaking at other events including The Tennis Australia 2023 Virtual Conference, Evolve 9, WTCA, Coach the Coaches, etc. She has worked with Women’s Health Magazine and was interviewed live on national TV on different occasions. Her most recent appearances were on ITV This Morning show with over 1 million viewers and BBC, which broadcasted the Cinch Championship Draw in Emma's newest venue earlier this year. Emma's biggest passion is junior development and seeing players new to tennis, gain the love for the game and ultimately be able to play the sport for life!