Elitefts: Iron Subculture

When the discussion turns to training for muscle growth, we have assembled three men that can speak on the subject with authority: Ben Pakulski (top-ranked IFBB Pro bodybuilder), training and nutrition expert John "Mountain Dog" Meadows, and elitefts™ owner Dave Tate. This is one of the best discussions on the topic of building muscle and training in general.

Interview with Todd Hamer Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Robert Morris University There are coaches in our field who have made tremendous sacrifices to help their athletes and their assistants to improve in every aspect of their lives.  Todd Hamer not only understands the importance of developing and mentoring student-athletes from a physical standpoint; but takes pride in facilitating them to make a positive impact in all facets of their maturing process. Todd Hamer is a friend and mentor who is continually combining a global life-long learning process with real world experiences which have made him one of the wisest strength & conditioning coaches in our field.  His track record of weight-room management, long-term development of athletes, and the holistic preparation of assistant coaches is second to none. I have invited Coach Hamer to speak at the Central Ohio Strength & Conditioning Clinic on three separate occasions and have watched him coach at Robert Morris University and at the Elitefts™ Learn to Train seminars.  There has not been an interaction with Todd that I have not learned something about coaching athletes, mentoring people, and bettering myself. This is an interview we did together at the Learn to Train 7 Seminar in November of 2013. elitefts.com This is an interview we did together at the Learn to Train 7 Seminar in November of 2013.

Interview with Cam Davidson Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach Penn State University There aren't many strength & conditioning coaches that get the opportunity to work with national championship teams or athletes. Cam Davidson has been a part of them in three different sports. Davidson, who is an assistant strength and conditioning coach for the Nittany Lions' Olympic Sports has worked with men's ice hockey, track and field, the four-time national champion women's volleyball team, and the three time national champion wrestling team among others.  Davidson also trains three time national champion and Olympic hopeful shot-putter, Ryan Whiting. I had the privilege of witnessing Cam's wisdom and his passion for strength and conditioning during his presentations, hands-on coaching, and his own training. He spoke at the Central Ohio Strength and Conditioning Clinic in May of 2012 on Max Effort training for female athletes where he displayed incredible knowledge of the scientific foundations and the practical application of his training modalities. Cam has the uncanny ability to communicate complex training methodologies in a very clear and enthusiastic manner. This summer, while training at The Columbus Weightlifting Club, Cam visited the S4 compound and coached me through the Olympic lifts.  He was also the key contributor on Olympic Lifting for Athletes: Using Static Holds to Improve Technique article here at elitefts.com. Cam Davidson is a friend and mentor and an outstanding strength and conditioning coach.  It was a pleasure to do this interview. Topics Covered in this Podcast 1. Cam's Career Path 2. Transitioning from Small School Head Coach to Big School Assistant 3. Max Effort Training for Females 4. Being New to an Already Successful Program 5. Olympic Lifting Progressions for First year Players 6. Four Stage Squat Progression for Throwers 7. Training Athletes at the Highest Levels of Competition 8. Cam's Biggest Challenges in the Profession 9. Athletes' Impressions of the Coach's Training

Interview with Tom Palumbo, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Flagler College I first met Tom Palumbo in 2006 when he visited The United States Military Academy at West Point. I was an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Army and Tom was the Associate Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at The Ohio State University, a position he held until the Spring of 2012. As the Director of Strength and Conditioning at Denison University, I had decided to intern for Tom at Ohio State in the summer of 2007. Tom's passion for getting his athletes better, his diligence and practical application of anecdotal research, his tenacious work ethic, and his unwavering integrity has made him one of the most respected coaches at the collegiate setting. Tom has used his experiences from the University of Georgia, The Pittsburgh Pirates and The Ohio State University to organize and institute Flagler College's first ever strength and conditioning program. In this interview from the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Conference in Kansas City, Missouri last May; Tom and I discuss is journey and transition through the coaching field as he goes into detail about programming, internships, and frustrations in the industry. I have witnessed firsthand, Tom Palumbo coaching in the weight room, mentoring interns, and presenting at conferences. I asked Coach Palumbo to present at three consecutive Central Ohio Strength and Conditioning Clinics as well as many other regional and national conferences. As an internship coordinator, I would schedule multiple professional development trips each year. These were integral to the learning process for our student coaches. One of those trips was always to elitefts. The other was to the Ohio State University to visit with Tom. Here is a list of the topics covered in this interview: The career path The Challenges of starting a program from scratch Transitioning to a smaller school Using accommodating resistance Both sides of internships Off-season programming The stressors of the profession Dealing with sport coaches

I had the opportunity to sit down with three strength & conditioning coaches that I have the utmost respect for.  Not only are these three gentlemen outstanding coaches, but they have been friends and mentors to me. I was introduced to Tim Kontos a bunch of years back through elitefts™ columnist Todd Hamer.  Tim is one of the most respected strength coaches in the industry and his work ethic, practical knowledge, and unwavering integrity are unparalleled. I have known Chad Scott since the Spring of 2010 when they came to Denison University for a USA Weightlifting Certification and met Jon-Michael Davis a few months after.  In the summer of 2011, I brought my interns on a professional development trip to Elitefts and to Eastern Kentucky University.  At the time, Chad Scott was still an assistant at EKU and he, Coach Davis, myself, and all of my interns spent the day talking shop.  It was an invaluable learning experience for my guys as we talked about real-life coaching issues with brutal honesty.  We also had a chance to poke fun at every stereo-typical coach, athlete, and NARP until I laughed so hard my face hurt.  Chad and Jon-Michael are great men and role models for young coaches. We all sat down in the lobby of the hotel during the Collegiate Strength & Conditioning Coaches Association National Conference in Kansas City Missouri in May. We talked about how each of them go their start in the field, advise for young strength & conditioning coaches trying to break into the profession, and the biggest challenges of being a strength & conditioning coach. Chad Scott Director of  Strength & Conditioning Coach at Charleston Southern University Tim Kontos Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Performance at Virginia Commonwealth University Jon-Michael Davis Head Strength & Conditioning Coach at Eastern Kentucky University

Nutrition expert and elitefts.com columnist Fred Duncan discusses some of the pros and cons of popular dieting trends, such as fasting/intermittent fasting, IIFYM (if it fits your macros) and carb cycling protocols. He also explains his interesting theories of nutrition blocks (with specific goals, similar to training block periodization) and the importance of nutrient timing. Fred advocates differing approaches based on both the individual psychology, goals and starting points of his clients.

We talk to three of powerlifting's top analysts about whaich lifts from last year were the most impressive.

The sixth episode of the Iron Subculture Podcast kicks off with a mix of power, pro wrestling, bodybuilding and attitude. The show presents a mix of information and inspiration that is sure to drive you to the gym with renewed purpose. SHOW NOTES    0:00      Recorded Intro    2:19      UPA Iron Battle on the Mississippi   10:51      Show ID (The Warrior)   11:44      NPC Masters Nationals   30:39      Show ID (AJ Roberts)   31:13      Interview with JL Holdsworth 120:36      Closing

To make this more interesting we asked Dave to do these right after his training session. Perhaps the best thing about this three part series is how Dave is sweating like a pig, out of breath, constantly repeating himself, forgets the questions, and is obviously speaking before thinking about what to say. This might not have been the best idea but it made us laugh so we’re posting it up. This one may not be safe for work.

Dave shows up pretty riled up. He feels the need to say some things so we knock out a quick, unplanned and unrehearsed interview. With Dave Tate, it tends to always be uncensored. He answers your questions and hold nothing back. In this episode:    •    The current state of his training    •    Hidden values of kettlebells    •    Bloated PL Dave vs. lean bodybuilder Dave    •    The secret anabolic properties of soy sauce    •    Business strategies    •    All about his recent hunting safari    •    LTT Seminar schedule    •    Damn industry copycats!And so much more!Running time: 1 hour, 17 minutes

In this episode, Steve Colescott talks to Brian Carroll about his evolution as a lifter and future plans. Julia Ladewski talks about the future of women's powerlifting and how she combines career, family and training. Garry Bartlett shares his memories of recently departed MuscleMag International publisher, Robert Kennedy...and more!

This episode of The Iron Subculture Podcast is packed full of industrial-strength, practical info guaranteed to enrich your training, health and life with all the subtlety of a punch-in-the-face! Top powerlifting trainer Josh Bryant shares some of his Metroflex Powerbuilding secrets. In a second feature interview, licensed counselor, pro athlete and diet expert Kori Propst discusses The Psychology of Dieting. Elitefts™ team member Jeremy Frey talks about his powerlifting journey. I call England to speak to WNBF drug-tested Mr. Universe Richard Gozdecki. Dan Dague talks to us about his plans for the XPC and how he hopes it will be a unifying force in powerlifting. Jeremiah Forster tells me how he transitioned from nationally-ranked bodybuilder to competitive eater (as well as some tips if you want to become a binge eating champion). We also hear briefly from Brian Carroll, Clint Darden and Mike Francois.  Elitefts: Iron Subculture Podcast brought to you by Elitefts.com and hosted by The Guerrilla Journalist, Steve Colescott.