GT Performance Podcast

Timestamps 00:00 – Intro & Mental Deep Dive: Being Right vs. Being Effective 05:04 – Training Deep Dive: The Logic of Alpha School & Knowledge Gaps 08:05 – Physical Literacy Curriculum V1.0: Speed Standards for Ages 3–8 12:50 – Sprint Mechanics & Technical Cueing: Standards for Ages 9–14 14:55 – Elite Speed Metrics: Standards for High Schoolers (Ages 15–18) 18:35 – GT Performance Facil...

Dr. Zach Guiser delivers a packed four-part episode starting with a hard-hitting mental reflection on why missing out on your biggest goals—including his own dream of competing for an NFL roster spot—might actually be a form of protective divine intervention . In the training segment, Zach takes a deep dive into the physiology of peptides to bust open the viral internet hype surrounding BPC-157 (t...

Dr. Zach Guiser introduces a brand-new, four-part episode format covering facility updates, a myth-busting training deep dive, reflections on youth sports parenting, and a psychological look at optimal learning thresholds. Zach celebrates major college commitments and staff additions at GT Performance before tackling the widespread misconceptions surrounding in-season, game day lifting. Pulling fr...

Dr. Zach Guiser dives into the polarizing world of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) , a treatment that rose to fame after Super Bowl heroics but remains largely uncovered by insurance By breaking down the specific growth factors, which he likens to a construction crew, Zach explores why some studies show "miracle" results while others find no benefit. The key, according to 2025 research, lies in the dos...

Dr. Zach Guiser challenges the "microwaved" approach to athletics, arguing that optimizing for short-term wins, such as over-specializing at age 12, destroys long-term development and leads to burnout . He draws parallels between failed retail giants and improper sprinting mechanics to show that "slow-cooking" your infrastructure is the only way to eventually "slingshot" past the competition. The...

In his most "exhilarating and profound" episode to date, Dr. Zach Guiser provides a four-step blueprint for achieving high-level success by moving beyond traditional, "realistic" advice. Using his own journey from a tiny town with more cows than people to becoming a Division I football captain, alongside historical examples like the Wright brothers and James Dyson, Guiser argues that the path to a...

Dr. Zach Guiser tackles the inevitable rise of shin splints as spring sports seasons begin, categorizing the condition (medically known as medial tibial stress syndrome ) as a classic load management failure . He explains how violent muscle contractions create bending stress on the tibia and offers a two-pronged solution: manipulating the workload through the Acute to Chronic Workload Ratio (ACWR)...

Dr. Zach Guiser argues that for teenage athletes, strength is the "rising tide that lifts all ships," providing a higher return on investment for speed and health than almost any other training modality . He outlines five specific exercises—primarily unilateral—designed to prepare the body for the 600+ pounds of force required during elite sprinting and change of direction . The episode concludes...

Dr. Zach Guiser introduces the "mastery of the mundane" before diving into Graded Exposure , the essential rehab principle he realized was missing from his previous writings. He simplifies the recovery process into two paths: providing the body with the optimal environment to heal itself and intentionally building capacity by doing what you are capable of today before adding small increments over...

Dr. Zach Guiser explains that while sprinting is the ultimate tool for speed, peak performance is limited by the "weakest link" among various musculoskeletal and neurological subsystems. He details how sensory inputs from the eyes, inner ear, and joints are processed by the brain to determine how much power the motor cortex is allowed to output. The episode concludes with a nine-point training fra...

IF YOU JUST WANT THE TAKEAWAYS, JUMP STRAIGHT TO THE 43:35 MARK! Dr. Zach Guiser and John trace the evolution of dry needling from ancient Eastern acupuncture to modern Western "trigger point" therapy, examining whether the practice is truly safe and effective for athletes. 00:00 – Introduction and the history of Acupuncture, "Chi," and Meridians 02:31 – Wet Needling vs. Dry Needling: JFK’s physic...

Use the swing planner for free at gtperformance.co/swingplanner . Dr. Zach Guiser addresses the disproportionately high rate of preventable low back injuries in softball by explaining the concept of Acute to Chronic Workload Ratio (ACWR). He highlights a dangerous volume discrepancy where athletes take up to five times more swings in a single practice or lesson than they do on game day, often lead...

Dr. Zach Guiser addresses the overwhelming "noise" of modern nutrition advice by introducing a structured six-level checklist designed to help athletes build near-automatic competency in their fueling habits. The progression begins with foundational habits like meal frequency, protein intake, and hydration before advancing to more technical strategies such as nutrient timing, AI tracking, and prec...

Dr. Zach Guiser introduces Jesse Itzler’s framework of "Misogis" and "Mini-Adventures," providing a structured way to build toughness and meaningful memories through one massive annual challenge and six scheduled life-enriching experiences . He then details Peter Attia’s Centenarian Decathlon , a goal-setting method that shifts the focus of physical training toward maintaining ten specific, high-v...

In this entry of the Athlete Development Journal , Dr. Zach Guiser outlines a six-bucket framework for in-season training designed to maintain maximal speed, power, and compound strength while addressing specific injury risks through isolated exercises . He concludes by discussing the "burden of the reward," emphasizing that high-level success requires an acceptance of the specific struggles and t...

In this entry of the Athlete Development Journal, Dr. Zach Guiser introduces three powerful mental models to improve athletic performance and perspective. He begins with Occam's Razor , urging athletes to avoid unnecessary complexity in training and rehab, noting that the simplest explanation is usually the correct one. Next, he introduces his own concept, "Zach's Law" (The Law of Mechanical Idiop...

In this entry of the Athlete Development Journal, Dr. Zach Guiser helps you train your mind, build your body, and fuel your soul. First, he tackles Training Your Mind by distinguishing between process and outcome. He explains that in a complex world, you can do the wrong thing and get a good outcome (or vice versa), but you shouldn't confuse luck with a good strategy . He warns against "history re...

In this entry of the Athlete Development Journal, Dr. Zach Guiser helps you train your mind, build your body, and fuel your soul, specifically addressing the athlete who thinks they are "too busy" for in-season training. First, he tackles Training Your Mind by reframing "busyness" not as a negative, but as a necessary stressor to build work capacity. He uses the analogy of a waitress in a small to...

In this episode, Zach Guiser and John Tropeano kick things off with Turkey Bowl preparations. This leads to the main topic: a deep dive into Ashwagandha . Is it a miracle supplement for stress and gains, or does it just turn you into an "emotionless zombie"? Zach breaks down the three proposed physiological mechanisms: HPA Axis Modulation: Reducing cortisol by calming the hypothalamus GABA Agonist...

In this entry of the Athlete Development Journal, Dr. Zach Guiser helps you train your mind, build your body, and fuel your soul. First, he tackles Training Your Mind by arguing that robust athletic development from ages 0–18 is more valuable than a massive trust fund. He explains the concept of the "Don't Screw It Up Years" (starting around age 25) and why building a strong physical base early in...

In this episode, Zach Guiser and John Tropeano kick things off with John's full recap of his first Ironman, battling the wind, and his caffeine strategy for the 13+ hour race . This leads to the main topic: a deep dive into whether teenage athletes should consume caffeine. Zach breaks down the science, explaining that caffeine doesn't create energy (ATP) but rather blocks the brain's sleep-pressur...

In this entry of the Athlete Development Journal, Dr. Zach Guiser tackles Training Your Mind by sounding the alarm on a growing public health issue: the rise of sports betting among young athletes. He discusses the "illusion of control" that makes athletes particularly vulnerable and why this is a danger hiding in plain sight. Next, he dives into Building Your Body with a deep exploration of dynam...

In this episode, Zach Guiser and John Tropeano kick things off with John's taper anxiety for his upcoming Ironman before diving into the wild NBA betting scandal involving Terry Rozier, Chauncey Billups, and a secret poker ring with characters like "Albanian Bruce". This leads to the main topic: a deep dive into supplements. Zach lays down the single most important rule— the FDA does not regulate...

In this entry of the Athlete Development Journal, Dr. Zach Guiser provides a framework for training your mind, building your body, and fueling your soul. First, he tackles Training Your Mind by exploring the concept of "High Agency" and asking whether you are someone who happens to the world, or if you let the world happen to you . Next, he dives into Building Your Body with a comprehensive answer...

In this episode, Zach Guiser and John Tropeano kick things off with a discussion about the staggering physical and mental excellence of Taylor Swift's 149-show Eras Tour. They then pivot to a new, in-depth format, tackling one major question: Are artificial turf fields more dangerous than natural grass? Zach breaks down the scientific literature, explaining the difference between minor injuries an...