The Starting Block Podcast

In this guest episode John and Chris welcome back Dr. Jen Perez from Gait Happens. They discuss the importance of foot health in athletic performance, the impact of footwear on foot function, common foot problems faced by athletes, and the significance of proper foot care and strength training. The conversation also delves into the causes of bunions and the importance of preventative care to avoid surgery. Dr. Perez also discusses various aspects of foot health, including the importance of muscle strength in foot function, the connection between ankle sprains and foot pain, and the relationship between pelvic floor health and foot function. Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Starting Block Podcast02:30 Welcoming Dr. Jen Perez Back03:18 Gate Happens: Mission and New Products05:15 Foot Health Education for All Practitioners06:04 The Impact of Foot Function on Overall Health08:35 Footwear and Its Effects on Athletic Performance11:10 Strategies for Foot Health and Recovery13:29 Introducing the Foot Health Kit16:33 Assessing Toe Strength and Function19:34 Common Foot Problems in Athletes21:06 Understanding Bunions and Their Causes28:57 Improving Foot Function and Aesthetics30:52 The Importance of Muscle Strength in Foot Health33:40 The Connection Between Ankle Sprains and Foot Pain36:04 Pelvic Floor and Foot Health40:26 Orthotics: When to Use and When to Avoid45:25 Rehabilitation and Return to Sport52:31 Foot Health Practices for Athletes**John, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims to be. The information provided in this show is not intended to be medical advice & should not be misconstrued as such. You assume all risk & liability by implementing any of the information shared on this show. You should seek the opinions of a qualified healthcare provider in your state/country before using any of the information provided in this show*

In this week's guest interview, John and Chris are joined by Michael Fahey, the director of Westside vs the World and Co-Founder of OVR Performance. The conversation explores Michael's journey from film to sports, the creation of his documentary, and the innovative approach of OVR Performance in revolutionizing athletic training through affordable and effective velocity-based training tools. Michael shares insights on the importance of coaching, the evolution of training methodologies, and the challenges faced in the sports industry.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Starting Block Podcast02:35 Guest Introduction: Michael Fahey03:32 Michael's Journey into the Industry10:52 The Impact of Forks Over Knives12:55 Transitioning to NFL Network and Beyond16:26 Creating West Side Versus the World18:13 The Experience of Filmmaking22:52 OVR Performance and Velocity-Based Training31:45 The Framework of Lifting and Coaching36:01 Learning from the Greats: Insights from Louie Simmons40:41 Transitioning from Filmmaking to Coaching44:50 OVR Performance: Revolutionizing Training Technology51:59 Innovative Jump Systems and Their Impact01:00:04 The Future of OVR: Apps and Connectivity**John, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims to be. The information provided in this show is not intended to be medical advice & should not be misconstrued as such. You assume all risk & liability by implementing any of the information shared on this show. You should seek the opinions of a qualified healthcare provider in your state/country before using any of the information provided in this show*

In this week's Q & A, John & Chris discuss focusing on how to measure progress beyond just weight. They emphasize the significance of proper positioning in training, the role of velocity and intent in movement, and the foundational aspect of position in achieving athletic performance. The conversation highlights the need for a holistic approach to training that prioritizes movement quality and injury prevention.**John, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims to be. The information provided in this show is not intended to be medical advice & should not be misconstrued as such. You assume all risk & liability by implementing any of the information shared on this show. You should seek the opinions of a qualified healthcare provider in your state/country before using any of the information provided in this show*

In this week's guest interview John & Chris welcome back a regular to the show, David Buer. The guys tackle a number of topics including: the power of mentorship in shaping youth athletes, authenticity in coaching, System X, discipline, navigating stress with emotion resilience and much more.**John, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims to be. The information provided in this show is not intended to be medical advice & should not be misconstrued as such. You assume all risk & liability by implementing any of the information shared on this show. You should seek the opinions of a qualified healthcare provider in your state/country before using any of the information provided in this show*Chapters00:00 The Importance of Mentorship in Youth Development03:03 Embodiment and Authenticity in Coaching06:14 System X: A New Approach to Training09:08 The Role of Discipline in Execution11:58 Handling Stress and Emotional Resilience15:12 The Critical Nature of Execution17:50 Mental Health and Discipline in Society24:25 Cultural Shift Towards Meritocracy25:27 Understanding Physical Execution and Mental Engagement27:52 The Importance of Recovery in Training33:46 Integrating Advanced Training Modalities40:24 Preparing for Real-Life Demands46:11 The Balance Between Performance and Recovery

In this week's Q & A, John and Chris answer you questions regarding: Does extreme or exaggerated range of motion help you to improve force production?Do you recommend red/infrared therapy? *John, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims to be. The information provided in this show is not intended to be medical advice & should not be misconstrued as such. You assume all risk & liability by implementing any of the information shared on this show. You should seek the opinions of a qualified healthcare provider in your state/country before using any of the information provided in this show*Chapters00:00 Introduction to Athletic Development01:35 Exploring Extreme Ranges of Motion06:01 The Balance of Range of Motion and Force Production09:36 Understanding PAILs and Rails in Training14:12 The Benefits of Red and Infrared Light Therapy19:11 Bridging the Gap: Technology and Athletic Performance

In this guest interview, John & Chris are joined by Team USA Paralympian, Tyson Gunter. Tyson represented the United States in the 2016 Rio Olympics, and also has two World Championship Silver Medals. Tyson shares his experiences representing the United States as well as providing insights on his current framework for training athletes. He also discusses the role of various supplements like creatine, caffeine, and collagen in enhancing athletic capabilities. *John, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims to be. The information provided in this show is not intended to be medical advice & should not be misconstrued as such. You assume all risk & liability by implementing any of the information shared on this show. You should seek the opinions of a qualified healthcare provider in your state/country before using any of the information provided in this show*Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Starting Block Podcast04:10 Welcoming Tyson Gunter: A Paralympian's Journey06:00 Tyson's Athletic Background and Discovery of Paralympics11:00 Overcoming Challenges: Vision Impairment in Sports13:55 The Impact of Vision on Performance18:55 Nutrition: Simplifying the Complex29:53 The Role of Supplements in Athletic Performance31:24 The Necessity of Supplements in Modern Nutrition32:21 The Importance of Sleep for Athletes36:54 Key Supplements for Athletic Performance42:14 The Role of Collagen in Recovery48:28 Optimizing Protein Intake for Young Athletes53:29 The Balance of Supplements and Real Food58:40 Simplicity in Athletic Training and Recovery

In this athlete spotlight, John and Chris are joined by Ava Goodin. Ava currently plays soccer at Northwestern University and has been an ELP athlete for a little over two years. In this episode, Ava shares her soccer journey as well as how using the principles commonly discussed on this podcast helped prepare her for collegiate soccer.

In this weeks Q & A, John and Chris tackle: GOATA vs Movement: Back Chain Dominance in Sprinting Adding Load in TrainingGOATA & EvoChaos Training *John, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims to be. The information provided in this show is not intended to be medical advice & should not be misconstrued as such. You assume all risk & liability by implementing any of the information shared on this show. You should seek the opinions of a qualified healthcare provider in your state/country before using any of the information provided in this show*

In this week's guest interview, we welcome Ryan Paul, Founder of New Athlete. Located in Vancouver, Washington, New Athlete is one of the premier sport performance facilities in the country. Ryan and his team have produced some of the most elite talent to ever come out of the Northwest part of the United States. In this episode, Ryan shares his approach and philosophy to athletic development and much more.

In this week's guest interview, John and Chris are rejoined by Dr. Rob Luckey of Pittsford Performance Care. The guys discuss the complexities of athletic development, focusing on the increasing prevalence of concussions in youth sports. They explore the factors contributing to this rise, including changes in training intensity, nutrition and the impact of screen time on brain health & more!

In this week's guest interview, John and Chris are joined by Dr. Alexis Cowan; PhD from Princeton and Host of the "Undoctrinate Yourself" podcast. The crew discusses the importance of light in athletic performance and overall health, as Dr. Cowan explains how the modern indoor light environment, which is enriched in blue light, can negatively impact mitochondrial function and overall health.

In this week's guest interview we welcome Coach Tony Holler. Tony is one of the most highly regarded and sought after speed coaches in the world. His program "Feed The Cats" revolutionized speed and sprint training.In this episode we cover:Tony's Book & ApproachFeed the Cats Challenges in Youth SportsThe Atomic Speed WorkoutThe Role of Lifting for Speed & Much More!In you got value out of this show please remember to pay your dues and share the show! Help support this mission of helping our athletes, coaches and parents WIN!

In this Friday Fire & Fact episode, John and Chris discuss censorship, misinformation and how what we're witnessing in our own country relates to the industries we work in.

In this week's guest interview John & Chris are joined by Josh Richardson (CEO) & Luke Schultheiss (Director of Athletic Development) of Velocity Athletic Development in Canton, GA. Josh and Luke share their company's approach to providing a 360 degree experience for their athletes. Topics include: using force velocity profiling, various load management techniques & the lessons that come through trial and error both as an athlete and a coach.

In this week's Q & A, John and Chris answer your questions about:Bicep soreness in a throwers; can I still train size and not lose function?What separates good athletes from world class athletes? *John, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims to be. The information provided in this show is not intended to be medical advice & should not be misconstrued as such. You assume all risk & liability by implementing any of the information shared on this show. You should seek the opinions of a qualified healthcare provider in your state/country before using any of the information provided in this show*

In this week's guest interview, John & Chris are joined by one of John's earliest mentors, Elliot Young. Elliot was a former collegiate track athlete and Olympic Decathlete. Elliot introduced John to the world of elite performance training, and introduced him to many of the great names in our industry; including Dr. John Pietila and many more. "This episode is dedicated to Elliot Young's late brother, Galen Young. Galen's determination and competitive spirit lives on with all of us who were fortunate enough to know him. Thank you to Elliot, Galen and the Young Family for everything." - John

In this episode, John and Chris are joined by Ole Miss pitcher Xavier Rivas. Xavier shares his story to becoming Ole Miss's Friday starter, his time with John at ELP as well as the lessons and experiences he's learned along the way!

In this week's Friday Facts episode, John breaks down weaknesses in the bench press and deadlift and provides you with simple solutions to address those weaknesses. This is a "quick & to the point episode" with practical instruction that the athlete, parent or coach can immediately implement in their training.

In this week's guest interview, John and Chris are joined by Coach Stewart Venable! Coach V is the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach at Northstar High School & a 2 time Nebraska Coach of the Year. Coach V has a unique style of training athletes that emphasizes neurological development to influence physical performance. His programs are influenced by a number of systems including: Square 1, DNS, traditional Olympic Lifting & much more! This is a great episode of every athlete, parent and coach! *John, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims to be. The information provided in this show is not intended to be medical advice & should not be misconstrued as such. You assume all risk & liability by implementing any of the information shared on this show. You should seek the opinions of a qualified healthcare provider in your state/country before using any of the information provided in this show*

In this week's Q & A John answers your questions about:The Use of Creatine - using research from ELP Team Members & 1st Phorm, John explains the pros/cons of creatine.Lower Back Problems - we discuss a variety of causes and commonalities w/ various lower back problems and how the coach can help.Why you're lacking back side mechanics on the mound and how its causing you to lose velo; and what you can do about it.*John, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims to be. The information provided in this show is not intended to be medical advice & should not be misconstrued as such. You assume all risk & liability by implementing any of the information shared on this show. You should seek the opinions of a qualified healthcare provider in your state/country before using any of the information provided in this show*

Garrett Salpeter, Founder of NeuFit & the Neubie, rejoins John & Chris for a part 3 episode. In this episode the guys discuss the Neubie and its application in a training and performance environment. *John, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims to be. The information provided in this show is not intended to be medical advice & should not be misconstrued as such. You assume all risk & liability by implementing any of the information shared on this show. You should seek the opinions of a qualified healthcare provider in your state/country before using any of the information provided in this show*

With great power, comes great responsibility... In this Friday Fire & Fact episode, John shares his personal story and talks about what it means to be on this mission together, as well as the obligations we have to each other, our athletes, our clients and our country. *John, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims to be. The information provided in this show is not intended to be medical advice & should not be misconstrued as such. You assume all risk & liability by implementing any of the information shared on this show. You should seek the opinions of a qualified healthcare provider in your state/country before using any of the information provided in this show*

Brad Arnett, coach to JJ Watt, TJ Watt & numerous other NFL, Pro & Collegiate Athletes rejoins John & Chris to take a deeper dive into how to build an athlete! Topics include: NFL Combine/Pro Day Prep, Building Strength & Speed, and Strongman work. *John, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims to be. The information provided in this show is not intended to be medical advice & should not be misconstrued as such. You assume all risk & liability by implementing any of the information shared on this show. You should seek the opinions of a qualified healthcare provider in your state/country before using any of the information provided in this show*

In this week's Q & A John and Chris answer your questions about how ankle dysfunction can lead to a shoulder problem in throwers; along w/ auto-regulated training for strength & speed. *John, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims to be. The information provided in this show is not intended to be medical advice & should not be misconstrued as such. You assume all risk & liability by implementing any of the information shared on this show. You should seek the opinions of a qualified healthcare provider in your state/country before using any of the information provided in this show*

In this week's Q & A, John and Chris welcome back special guest David Buer to help tackle your questions. Questions covered include: 1)How Do Extreme Slow Movements Qualify as High Velocity 2) How Does Learning to Land Safely From Height Improve Our Vertical/Speed... and more!

In this guest interview, John & Chris welcome former Chicago Cubs organization & Ole Miss Pitcher Wyatt Short. Wyatt and John work together at a baseball training facility called The Farm in Oxford, MS; where Wyatt serves at the locations Pitching Director. This is a great episode for our athletes to listen to as Wyatt shares his baseball and training journey from youth ball to Triple A ball.

In this week's Q & A, John and Chris answer your questions about shoulder impingements in throwers, as well as whether or not you can improve speed without being in the weight room.

In this guest interview John & Chris welcome Jennifer Childers PA-C to the show! Jennifer is a Physician Assistant at Delta Orthopedics, a Collierville based Orthopedic Clinic. Jennifer specializes in osteoporosis management & general orthopedics & has worked in Orthopedics & Sports Medicine since 2012. In addition to her Physician Assistant Studies she furthered her training by performing an independent fellowship w/ a metabolic bone Endocrinologist & was certified as a Fracture Liaison by the National Osteoporosis Foundation in 2014. Jennifer is also one of John's healthcare advisors for ELP (John's company) in the state of TN. This is a great episode for any coach or practitioner in the fields of neuromuscular re-education.

In this week's Q & A John & Chris answer your questions about using FRC principles such as CARS & Pails/Rails in your training, and addressing Quad dominance in iso positions.

In this FFF episode, John shares his thoughts on the rapid growth of AI and its impending impact on the athletic & strength & conditioning fields. Referencing Mo Gawdat, author of Solve for Happy, this episode provides information provided from one of the world leaders in AI development.

In this guest interview, John & Chris are joined by Denver Nuggets nutritionist Abbey Lathrop Korn. Abbey gives the guys a glimpse into the daily life of a sports nutritionist working with NBA athletes, along with providing into into different nutritional approaches and methodologies for all athletes.

This is a redo of our original episode on isometrics (ep. 4). We dive into iso extremes, yielding, overcoming isometrics and more!

In this week's Guest Interview, John and Chris welcome back Dr. Jack Kruse; world renowned neurosurgeon & health educator! If you have not listened to Part 1, we encourage you to listen to it before listing to this episode. You can find Part 1 on Episode 57 on this feed!

In this week's Q and A, John and Chris answer your questions about implementing speed work with middle distance runners, and why muscles shut down and methods of addressing it.

In this week's episode we welcome back David Buer for the final episode of our three part series. We're also joined by special guest Elijah Holyfield, former University of Georgia & NFL running back.

In this guest interview we welcome author, comedian & natural health educator TC Hale to the show! TC has done incredible work in the fields of health and gut function and shares his information along with practical applications for coaches, parents and athletes at all levels!

This is the second part of a three part series with Coach David Buer. We encourage you to listen to the first episode before listening to this.

Today is Friday Fire & Fact. In today's episode, John discusses confidence and why its king regardless of what your goals are. Are you confident or arrogant? Do you know the difference?

Part 1 of 3. In this week's guest interview, we are pleased to be joined by world renowned coach, David Buer. David has coached some of the biggest names in the world, and brings a very tactical and introspective approach to human performance & neuro-optimization. In addition to his resume, David spent many years working with and alongside Jay Schroeder of Evo UltraFit (Episode 7) and shares his experiences, lessons and more in this 3 part series...

In this week's Q & A episode John and Chris answer your questions about youth athletes. Topics include: where & how to start the strength/speed process, proper progressions and how to manage expectations.

In this week's guest interview we are pleased to welcome back Garrett Salpeter. Garrett is the Founder of NeuFit and developer of the Neubie. This is Garrett's second time on the show, so we encourage you to listen to Part 1 (Ep. 18) before this episode. In this episode John and Garrett discuss groundbreaking new research on the Neubie and the massive impact it is going to have on the health and performance industries.

In this week's Q & A John and Chris discuss when coaches should implement slower movements for learning purposes, and the unique properties of the tib/fib joint and its influence on performance and recovery.

In this week's guest interview Dr. Mat Boule rejoins the show! John, Chris & Dr. Mat discuss the current global idealistic culture, its impact on healthcare both in America & Canada along with how we can ultimately take our freedom back.

In this week's guest interview John and Chris are joined by Santa Monica College Head Strength/Speed Coach Matt Hank! The guys dive into multiple topics including: back leg training, training with bricks, arches & discuss the concepts of hit/roll vs punch/hammer. Pay Your Dues and Share the Show!

In this week's Q & A, John and Chris take your questions about "knowing when it is time to drop a sport" and dealing with knee pain in the squat. Don't forget to Pay Your Dues and Share the Show!

Shawn Sherman of Square 1 rejoins the show to take a deeper dive into the inner workings of the Square 1 system. John, Chris and Shawn discuss case studies, new advancements in the system and more. If you got value out of this episode Pay Your Dues & Share the Show!

In this Friday Fire & Fact, John shares 4 qualities that 6 of his highest achieving athletes all collectively exhibited, how it took them from throwing mid 80s to 100 mph in high school & how isos, drops & blue light all played a role in their careers.

In this week's Q & A, John and Chris review recent interviews from Dr. Kruse and Carrie Bennett and begin to break down potential starting points for athletes, parents & coaches.

This week marks 1 year for The Starting Block Podcast! As a thank you to everyone we're releasing an special early guest episode with Carrie Bennett! Carrie is a Quantum Health Educator and Clinician and Founder of Carrie B Wellness! She joins us on this episode to talk about things Quantum Biology, Light and Much More!!

In this week's guest interview we're joined by the Founder of the Neuro-Training Institute, Markus Schreyer. Markus shares his opinion on how he believes neuro based work should be practically applied and its influence on everything from posture, to strength to tight muscles and more.

In this week's Q & A, John and Chris explain the difference between Strength Training and Training for Sport. As coaches our job is to help athletes prepare for their sport; not pursue their powerlifting and bodybuilding goals. Although there's a time and place for strength under a bar, those numbers aren't the objective.... The objective is for us to develop them into absolute units who dominate on the field. As coaches we've collectively failed these athletes. We need to fix this and do right by our athletes.