Upper Hand Podcast

Tom Morris, a fitness junkie, is the Director of Athletic Performance at Indiana University, where he develops strength and conditioning programs for IU’s 24 men’s and women’s teams. However, in May of 2012, Tom broke his neck in a mountain biking accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. We dive into Tom's story, his road to recovery, and how to make today better than yesterday.

Today's podcast guest is Ray Newland from Just 4 Keepers. After a 10 year professional career in England and Scotland, Ray started his goalkeeping training company. Ray's program provides aspiring coaches with the resources and connections necessary in independent goalkeeping training. His program has taught 50,000 keepers across 30 countries. Ray’s company has proudly groomed 1000 keepers to reach professional teams. Ray has also released a series of books focused on translating a sports mentality to daily life.

Today’s podcast guest is Ganon Baker, the owner, operator, and skills development coach at Ganon Baker Basketball. For the past two decades, Ganon has grown his company to include personal skills training, coaching mentorship, online tutorials, and public speaking. Recently, Ganon paired with a company in China, committing to educating coaches, trainers, and players in the emerging Chinese basketball market. Ganon has worked and shared the court with players such as Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Chris Paul, Kyrie Irving, and many more.

Sam Kuhnert joins the Upper Hand Sports Pod. Sam Kuhnert was born different. Born with only one hand. Due to his perseverance, dedication and leadership, he became a successful athlete, role model and coach. At the young age of 18 he founded the national nonprofit organization Nubability Athletics. Today Sam leads a team of 80 coaches with NubAbility Athletics Foundation and serves as the CEO. Same develops adaptive devices for the limb-different athletes.

Randy Orisma the founder of FORCE Basketball and Stephen Schwarz the Director of Business Operations join the Upper Hand Sports Pod. FORCE Basketball is New York City’s fastest growing Youth basketball program. They give student-athletes an opportunity to develop their talents and skills with some of the most experienced former players and coaches in the AUU circuit. Powered by SuperMe Performance, FORCE Basketball benefits from the guidance and expertise of a comprehensive strength and conditioning program specifically tailored to youth basketball athletes by certified trainers- improving overall athleticism and reducing the likelihood of injury. Force prepares student-athletes for the high demands of high school, collegiate and professional basketball.

Mike Palumbo join us on the Upper Hand Sports Pod and is the Director of Business Development for Philadelphia Baseball Training, who is experiencing massive growth with even bigger plans for 2019! Additionally, Mike handles the customer experience at Philadelphia Baseball Training as well as coach for the program.

Joseph A. Luxbacher, PhD joins the Upper Hand Sports Pod. Dr. Joseph Luxbacher has more than three decades of experience in the fields of health, fitness and competitive athletics. A former collegiate and professional athlete (soccer), he holds a PhD in Health, Physical and Recreation Education from the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Luxbacher has authored more than a dozen books and numerous articles on health, fitness, and sports performance.

Joseph A. Luxbacher, PhD joins the Upper Hand Sports Pod. Dr. Joseph Luxbacher has more than three decades of experience in the fields of health, fitness and competitive athletics. A former collegiate and professional athlete (soccer), he holds a PhD in Health, Physical and Recreation Education from the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Luxbacher has authored more than a dozen books and numerous articles on health, fitness, and sports performance.

Kevin Whitted joined the Upper Hand Pod to talk about his work at Kevin Whitted Basketball Services. Kevin is the founder and Master Trainer at Kevin Whitted Basketball Services (KWBS), a year-round player development curriculum and training camp. Kevin brings experience to the court as both a player and a coach. After playing in the NBA for the Dallas Mavericks and playing professionally overseas, Kevin has gone on to work with other top professional athletes, including LeBron James, Amare Stoudemire, and Vince Carter.

This weeks guest is Max Rossiter. Max is a former professional baseball player with the Pittsburg Pirates who throughout his playing career was not only a stand out on the field but also off it. Now Max is passing along the training tips that enabled him to be a pro and the leadership traits that made him a team captain. He is the co-founder of Top Tier Training which has come a long way from his mother's garage to their new state of the art 3,000 sq foot facility.