Whole Team Eats Podcast

On this episode, we Dive into the world of NFL off-season training as AJ shares his expertise on performance programming and motivation techniques. Discover how top athletes like Derrick Henry prepare for the season, the importance of intentionality and routine, and the role of mental strength in achieving peak performance. Whether you're an athlete or a fan, this episode offers valuable insights into the dedication and strategies behind the scenes. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that goes beyond the field.

Growing up outside of Detroit, Brandon saw football as a way to receive a scholarship and was the number two ranked linebacker prospect in the state of Michigan. Brandon decided to stay close to home where he played college football at the University of Michigan. Michigan’s track record of success and football environment helped prepare Brandon for the NFL where he was selected 13th overall by the Philadelphia Eagles. On the show we discuss Brandon's Achilles injury in year 12, and how training helped him both physically and mentally to come back and have a career year. Brandon has had many on field accomplishments such as the strip sack on Tom Brady to win the Super Bowl, but his believes that starting a family has been most important to him over the past 15 years.

Growing up in South Florida, Josh was always playing sports and was passionate from a young age. Josh would go on to receive a scholarship to Louisiana Tech where he played football. After enduring several injuries during his playing days and going through multiple surgeries it eventually led Josh into training. Training had always been something that Josh truly loved doing. On the show we discuss, the impact that his dad had on his work ethic by instilling a first one in last one out mentality. This mentality has played a pivotal role in starting and growing his training business into what it is today. Josh talks about his process to keep his athletes at the top of their game year round. Josh works with professional athletes such as George Kittle, TJ Hockenson, and Oren Burks. 

Taylor was a great athlete growing up and his passion was focused on soccer. Taylor spent a period of time in England where he had an opportunity to play abroad. After experiencing soccer abroad, Taylor decided to return home and play soccer in college at UT Tyler. Taylor used his competitiveness and passion for sports to launch a career in training. On the show we discuss Taylor needing an internship to graduate and how he came to find APEC. APEC trainer Bobby Stroupe who is well known for training Patrick Mahomes and was crucial in Taylors development and progression as a trainer. Taylor later left APEC for an opportunity at Kula Sports Performance where he now partners with Brian Kula who is one of most highly touted trainers in the industry.

Growing up in St. Louis Lily didn’t play organized sports but was always active as a kid. Lily started to realize her passion for training when she went to the University of Florida. Upon graduating from Florida, Lily earned a degree in kinesiology and specialized in both biomechanics and exercise science. At first lily thought about physical therapy, but that quickly changed once she received an internship with a sports performance facility in Atlanta.  On the show we discuss the challenges as a female in the sports performance industry over the past 20 years. In 2009 Lily made the decision to bet on herself and opened her own training facility. Since then, Lily has established herself as one of the top trainers in the industry. She trains notable athletes such as Jalen Brown of the Boston Celtics, Anthony Edwards Minnesota Timberwolves, and Quincy Williams of the New York Jets.

Growing up in Moorestown, Albert reflects on what it was like to have a community that showed him support from a young age. He was a highly touted athlete and by the time his high school career was over, he held the rushing record in South Jersey. Albert describes what the recruiting process was like for him, and how things have changed with NIL. On the show we discuss Alberts current role as a coach, and how he uses his experiences to mentor his players. He believes that the mental aspect of football and sports is something that youth athletes should focus on in addition to physical training. Albert talks about the evolution of training and how some things over the last two decades have remained the same. In the past few years Albert has coached all levels of football including high school, college, and has spent time with both the Chiefs and Commanders in the NFL.

Growing up in Italy, Ursula was enamored by sports from a young age. Ursula even took up horseback riding at the age of five and was a show jumper. Although sports as an athlete didn’t come to fruition for Ursula, she was determined to help others achieve their dreams. This required several year of endless studying, taking a chance on an internship and then taking a risk by leaving her home country to further her career in training. On the show we discuss several set backs that Ursula faced leaving Italy and how that in a way helped her get to where she is today. Ursula has worked with several prominent athletes in a variety of sports. She is part of the NFL combine training program at Official Sports Academy and trains the Cavinder twins as they train for basketball. 

Growing up in Louisiana, Christian found a passion for sports early on. Christian was highly motivated from a young age into a career in football following his fathers footsteps who played collegiately. Christian went on to realize his dream when we committed to Northwestern State University to play football. After his playing days at Northwestern, Christian was fortunate enough to participate in an NFL pro day. Although it wasn’t the outcome he had hoped for at the time, it was at this moment that he realized a pivot into training athletes was his path forward. On the show we discuss Christians background in sports and how he transitioned from being a player to a professional performance specialist. He emphasizes the importance of building relationships with athletes and treating them as individuals first before training. Christian also shares his goals for the future and offers advice to his younger self.

Growing up in Orange Texas, Kerry was immersed in the football culture early on. Kerry held records in both powerlifting and long jump in the state of Texas and would later go on to play running back at Stephen F. Austin State University. After a few injury plagued years in the NFL playing for the Washington Redskins, Kerry went back to his roots in Texas to start training athletes. On the show we discuss how Kerry started training a few athletes for the combine and how that eventually evolved into the training business that he has today. Kerry’s work ethic and attention to detail with athletes has helped several play professionally. Kerry works with future hall of famers like Mike Evans to keep him at the top if his game, but also plays a big role in the next generation of athletes in his work building a foundation for youth athletes.

Growing up in Arizona, Justin was heavily involved with sports. During this time one thing in particular that Justin gravitated towards was training. At a certain point, Justin knew that training is what he was passionate about and made it his mission to do everything he could to launch his career in training. On the show we discuss how world-renowned trainer Charles Poliquin inspired Justin and how he used him as a mentor to model his training after. After spending years learning under other trainers, Justin took the opportunity to bet on himself and put his knowledge and training philosophies to the test. Built Better is quickly becoming a household name in the training industry.