How do professional athletes stay strong, fast, and ready to compete all year round? At Westside Barbell, our athletes don’t have the luxury of long prep periods. They train at 90% of their best every day, so when the call comes—whether it’s for a title fight, a last-minute jiu-jitsu super fight, or an event—they’re ready.

In this episode, Tom Barry and Burley Hawk break down:

At Westside, MMA fighters, Jiu-Jitsu competitors, and our athletes don’t get 8-12 weeks to prepare. They have to be ready at all times—no excuses. Learn how we train, recover, and dominate using the principles taught by Louie Simmons and real-world-tested programming.

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In this episode of the Westside Barbell Podcast, Tom Barry and Burley Hawk break down Dynamic Effort Training, its role in building explosive strength, and how Westside has adapted it for powerlifters, MMA fighters, and Jiu-Jitsu athletes.

Topics Covered:

What is Dynamic Effort Training & how does it work?

"Train as strong as necessary, not as strong as possible." Westside Barbell continues to evolve Louie Simmons’ methods for today’s athletes.

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In this episode of Driven by Westside, join Tom Barry of Westside Barbell as he picks up former Ohio State linebacker, NFL athlete and renowned strength coach Anthony Schlegel for an in-depth, on-the-road conversation about all things training. From their days under legendary coaches like Louie Simmons, Jim Tressel, and Urban Meyer to the gritty environments of Metroflex Gym and Westside Barbell, this episode dives into the core principles that shape elite athletes.

Anthony reveals how a simple program, coached at an elite level, can outperform even the most “perfect” training protocols if they’re not taught with passion and precision. They discuss striking the balance between sports science and old-school toughness, building a raw and relentless culture, and guiding athletes to maximize their genetic potential. Whether you’re interested in strength training, football performance, or just want to learn how top-level coaches keep athletes driven and injury-free, this conversation delivers real-world insights you can apply immediately.

Tune in for candid stories about the impact of teamwork, the importance of recovery, and the mindset shift needed to transform good athletes into unstoppable champions. Don’t miss this high-energy “carcast” packed with practical tips, coaching hacks, and behind-the-scenes stories that bring the Westside Barbell ethos to life.

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On today's episode, using a recent training example in the gym, Tom & Burley discuss utilizing the conjugate method for strength training and how it impact's athlete's performance. They reinforce how important consistency is over PR's for an athlete and how vital training intent is.

Key Topics:

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Welcome to the first episode of the Westside Barbell Podcast for 2025. Tom & Burley recap the last 2 years at Westside. They discuss Louie's passing, his plans for the future of Westside, and his ongoing legacy. They also go over the current training approach at Westside and Westside's plan for 2025

Key Topics:

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In this episode, we're joined by Tommy Richardson, a former USMC Infantryman and Navy SEAL with a combined 26 years of service. Tommy is a Guest Contributing Writer at Westside and is passionate about shedding light on Louie Simmons' methods for both those active in the U.S. military and those seeking enlistment. Tommy is also the CEO of Divine Savagery, consulting firm that trains the characteristics of shoot, move, and communicate in order to effectively prepare an individual, group, team, or organization for success in all areas of action, business, and life.

We cover Tommy's military career, strength requirements for & the evolution of strength training in the military and his recovery from brain surgery, going from pressing 5lbs dumbbells to benching 500lbs a year later.

Key Points:

- The importance of listening and adapting training methods to individual needs, especially in a military context.

- The evolution of military training, highlighting advancements in fitness protocols and a more personalized approach to wellness.

- Tommy shares his personal experience of recovery from brain surgery, illustrating the significance of mental resilience and goal-setting.

Check out Tommy's articles on our blog

Follow Tommy: 

LinkedIn:  TD Richardson

http://www.divinesavagery.com/

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In this episode, we’re joined by Sarah Welsh, an expert in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), to explore how ABA is applied to enhance performance in professional athletes. We begin by discussing Sarah’s background, including her inspiration for getting into the field, and break down ABA into simple, digestible terms for our listeners.

From there, we dive into a real-world case study of a professional athlete struggling with consistency in high-pressure situations. Sarah walks us through her behavioral assessment process and how ABA techniques can be used to improve focus, consistency, and overall performance under pressure. We also discuss common misconceptions surrounding ABA and the challenges of applying it in high-performance environments like sports.

Finally, Sarah provides practical ABA techniques our listeners can apply in their daily lives and shares insights into the future of ABA, particularly in sports psychology.

Key Points:

 • Sarah’s background and what led her to ABA

Follow Sarah here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SarahWelshBehavior Catalyst Behavior Project Website : https://catalystbehaviorproject.com/

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Westside Recap: Inside ADCC 2024, Athlete Highlights, UFC PI Tour & More

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Join Tom Barry in this episode of the Westside Barbell Podcast featuring elite grappler Dante Leon. Dive deep into Dante's journey as he prepares for the prestigious Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) Championship.

Discover how Dante balances his rigorous training regimen with competition strategy, his insights on selecting the right competitions, and the unique challenges he faces in high-stakes tournaments. Dante also shares his experiences training at Westside Barbell and the gym's critical role in his preparation.

This episode is a must-listen for both professional and aspiring athletes. It is packed with practical advice, personal anecdotes, and lessons on discipline and perseverance.

Key Highlights:

- Dante Leon’s training regimen and competition prep

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• Instagram: @DanteLeon

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• Website: Westside Barbell

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Discover how he navigates his post-retirement life, his insights on training and injury prevention, and his unique challenges throughout his fighting career. Matt also opens up about his first encounter with Westside Barbell, his training evolution, and the gym's critical role in his career.

This episode is a must listen for both professional and aspiring athletes. It is packed with personal anecdotes, professional insights, and lessons on discipline and perseverance.

Key Highlights:

• Matt Brown's weight gain and current training regimen

Follow "The Immortal" Matt Brown:

• Website: Immortal Martial Arts Center

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