Building a Fighter

In this episode of "Building a Fighter," we discussed the importance of warmups, cooldowns, and mobility work. We emphasized that warmups are crucial to prepare the body for the workout and increase body temperature, which makes muscles more pliable. We also discussed various warmup exercises from shadow boxing to jump roping. In contrast, cooldowns help transition the body from a high-e...

In this episode of "Building a Fighter," we dive deep into the art and science of planning effective wrestling practices. We discuss the benefits of an 'ecological approach' to designing practice sessions. Our conversation focuses on creating drills that optimize learning, energy usage, and athlete progression, moving away from traditional formats of practice. We explore the impo...

In this podcast we discussed the valuable insights strength coaches can gain from becoming skill coaches, especially in MMA. We believe that understanding the sport on a deeper level allows us to be more thoughtful about our training strategies. We also emphasized the importance of a coach's ability to perform the exercises they're teaching, and the need for programming that reflects the s...

In this episode of "Building a Fighter," Dr. Austin Schoen and strength coach Alex Friedman discuss the importance of minimal effective dosing in MMA training. We explore how it's about achieving adaptation without overtraining and how it varies from athlete to athlete. We stress the importance of hard work, understanding energy systems, and applying these concepts effectively in pra...

In this episode, we delved into the differences between training for mixed martial arts (MMA) and individual martial arts like wrestling and jiu-jitsu. We agreed that the rule sets of individual martial arts can be quite different from those of MMA, which can affect the strategies and techniques used. For instance, a move that works well in wrestling might not be as effective in MMA due to the cha...

In our chat, we really focused on how important it is to prioritize quality over quantity when it comes to training. We talked about how crucial it is for athletes to get enough sleep and maintain a balanced lifestyle. We also debated that it's not so much about the specific exercises or routines you do in the gym, but more about the intention and effort you put into them. We stressed how vita...

In this engaging conversation, the speakers delve into the complexities of coaching and building efficient programs in wrestling and combat sports. They highlight the significance of allowing young athletes to explore multiple sports, while simultaneously recognizing the advantages brought by specialization as athletes mature and identify their core interests. The discussion notably underscores th...

In this riveting episode of "Building a Fighter", hosts Dr. Austin Schoen, a sports chiropractor, and Alex Friedman, a strength coach, sit down with Micah Schnurstein, a licensed clinical social worker and a part of the sports psychology department at the Performance Institute. Micah shares his journey from being a professional baseball player struggling with performance anxiety to becom...

In this episode of Building a Fighter, Dr. Austin Schoen and Alex Friedman discuss the key factors when choosing the right gym. They discuss the importance of a coach's adaptability and the necessity for coaches to communicate with each other, not just with the athlete. They stress the importance of finding a balance between training and personal life, underlining that a harmonious personal li...

The discussion revolves around the integration of technical and non-technical training in sports, specifically MMA. We look to emphasize the importance of understanding how these two aspects complement each other, and the role of effective communication in managing injuries and rehab. We also discuss the concept of periodization in an athlete's development and the potential development of an a...

The discussion revolves around the importance of bodywork and maintenance for athletes, particularly those in combat sports. Key points include the necessity of addressing injuries, the role of bodywork in recovery, and the importance of sleep, diet, and workload management. The conversation also touches on the financial aspect of healthcare, suggesting alternatives like massage guns, foam rollers...

Top 5 movements that you are missing in your MMA Strength training. We dive into some of the best specific mma strength and conditioning movements that we have seen. We value these movements for their variability, use toward MMA, and overall ergonomic benefit. All of these movements have very high transferability and a high movement specificity. The movements that you are missing are all progressi...

What is the difference between flexibility and mobility? How should we train each of them and why do they matter? We define these terms and identify the true value to getting more “flexible.” We articulate how to get there and for what purpose. This articulation includes best practices, theoretical gains, and live examples. We talk about specific mobility as it relates to mma and where these drill...

Freestylin’ for the people! Talking a ton about wrestling coaching, how to create a good influence as a coach and stay positive! Then we delve into some technique talk and how to coach wrestling through live situations. We talk about systematizing a wrestling plan and how to identify the flow charts that happen in your head to end up hitting YOUR move. This is an incredibly useful podcast talking...

Starting 2024 off with a banger! Phil Daru. Phil has been super influential in the mma strength training and performance space! We talk to Phil about everything related to training, his come up, his love with sports, and now even running a business. Phil is crushing the game in training and gives us good technical insights to training the MMA population as well as tips to keep growing and finding...

Back to it with the dynamic duo! We are talking about coaching as a whole! What does it mean to have these skills as a coach and how can we implement this into our practices. Now you dont have to have a master’s degree or even know the word “pedagogy” to have this. It does however necessitate some forethought and consideration into practicing this thing we call “coaching.” The art of coaching has...

Hello Mr. Matt Guffey! Thanks for joining us and sharing your perspective with us. Matt is  the owner of Victory Submission and Strength. Matt was referred to the podcast by a former guest and mentor Jordan Rudolph. Matt is also a BJJ brown belt. His insights into training for jiu jitsu, owning a business, and creating a good relationship with sport coaches is huge. It was a pleasure to have him o...

Welcome Gavin Pratt! Director of Strength and Conditioning at the UFC PI. Gavin is a bad ass in the field and has experience in everything from shark attacks to surfing, to strength and conditioning and preparing mixed martial artists. Gavin enlightens us to new approaches in preparing MMA athletes, and advances the team at the PI is making. Gavin also goes in on neck training. Gavin is a leader i...

Welcome Mr. Loren Landow! Loren is a legend in the strength game, owns a facility in Denver called Landow Performance, and was recently the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Denver Broncos. Loren has trained mixed martial artists for decades now and has even published a book on how to do so. Loren is a great coach and we enjoyed hearing his stories and lessons as he helped evolve prepar...

Welcome Mike Pierkarski aka Doctor Kickass. Mike is a Physical Therapist, Black Belt and strength coach. He has a huge insight into Jiu Jitsu, FRC, and Mixed Martial Arts Injuries. His page is a great follower as he breaks down major injuries and articulates scientifically backed information about how to prevent them. We had a great time discussing MMA common injury patterns, coaching while using...

Welcome Julian “the Cuban Missile Crisis”  Marquez! Julian is a UFC Middleweight. Julian is a fun and analytical athlete! We talk about everything from mma training to the love/hate relationship with strength and conditioning and even disc golf! Julian has trained with Alex at two various points in his career and the relationship building has led to a mutual benefit in their respective fields. Hav...

Welcome Dustin Jacoby! DJ is the #15 ranked UFC Light Heavyweight. This interview is a great insight into Dustin’s journey in resilience and ultimate success in MMA. Dustin shares personal stories of doubt, belief, and inspiration. Dustin and Alex met through training at Landow Performance where Alex serves as a strength and conditioning for DJ. Dustin points toward S&C as a key part of his longev...

Motivation. Inspiration. Consistency. Discipline. We take a deep dive into these characteristics and talk about what they mean and how they apply in our everyday life. On the more temporary side we have motivation and inspiration, these are great fuel sources for work and attitudes but they are also fleeting. So how do we capture these flames and make consistent or disciplined habits around positi...

Welcome Dr. Dino Del Mastro! Dino is a veteran in the field and works in California with many of the best mixed martial artists in the world. His passion for helping elevate the field is evident and he speaks to so many great points in our field. We were blown away with his knowledge and insights into professional and passionate care. Dr. Del Mastro is also a highly educated chiropractor having ac...

October Freestyle. We are talking about garage gyms, gym equipment/space, blending combat sports & S&C, and flat out wrestling coaching. This conversation was fun and we really dove into the weeds within training and coaching wrestling. What does next level coaching look like and how can we prepare to be there? Coaching doesn’t just happen on the tactical front, and its not just techniques either,...