Performance Talk

We’re bringing back a powerful conversation in this Encore Episode of Performance Talk 🎙️ Dr. Ewell Gordon reconnects with Joe Drake—fitness educator and co-founder of a training and performance company based in Boca Raton, Florida—for an in-depth discussion on how exercise science has evolved and where it’s headed. Together, they explore why building a strong foundation is critical for athletic s...

In this episode of The Performance Task, we sit down with JP Echeverria, Minor League Strength & Conditioning Coach with the Boston Red Sox, for a deep, honest conversation about what it really means to develop athletes. JP reflects on his first 10 years in the profession—finding his coaching identity, staying in his lane, and shifting from “rah-rah coaching” to an athlete-centered, habit-driven a...

In this powerful and perspective-shifting episode of Performance Talk, host Dr. Ewell Gordon welcomes Dr. Mike Israetel—renowned sports scientist, professor, co-founder of Renaissance Periodization, and competitive athlete. From high school wrestling roots to academic mastery in performance science, Mike shares his journey through education, self-discovery, and relentless pursuit of truth in train...

In this episode of Performance Talk, Dr. Ewell Gordon sits down with John Flagg, founder of Rebuild Stronger, to discuss the differences between powerlifting, Olympic lifting, and strongman training. John shares his journey from athletic training to coaching elite strength athletes and how he helps them recover from injuries while maximizing performance. Tune in for expert insights on training, in...

In this episode of Performance Talk, Dr. Ewell Gordon welcomes Dan Pope, a physical therapist and strength coach, to discuss the intersection of strength training and rehab. Dan shares his journey from fitness enthusiast to PT, the misconceptions about strength training in rehabilitation, and how the industry is evolving. 

Episode Overview Join host Dr. Ewell Gordon on this episode of Performance Talk as he welcomes guest, Dr. Steve Nightingale, a sports scientist and performance coach with the NHL's New Jersey Devils. Key Topics Discussed: Steve’s Journey: From being a passionate but not-so-great ice hockey player in England to becoming a performance coach for various international teams. Breaking into Sports Scien...

What does the next era of sports psychology look like? In this special roundtable, Dr. Hillary Cauthen, Dr. Brent Hogarth, and Dr. Eddie O’Connor join Performance Talk to break down where the profession is headed—covering trust-building with coaches and athletes, the rise of the CMPC, and why service, self-awareness, and collaboration are redefining what it means to perform at the highest level.

What happens when elite performance meets real-life resilience? Dr. Amy Athey brings 25+ years of experience—from NCAA programs to Navy SEALs—to Performance Talk with insights on building trust, sustaining peak performance, and leading through service. 🎧

Performance is evolving—and Craig Lane is helping shape the next generation. In this return visit to Performance Talk, Craig unpacks the growing role of sports science, why coaching still matters most, and how confidence, context, and collaboration drive athlete success.

Dr. Ewell Gordon welcomes Mauricio Elizondo, Director of Sports Medicine at Austin FC to this episode of Performance Talk. With nearly two decades of experience spanning minor league baseball, professional tennis, and now Major League Soccer, Mauricio shares insights into building comprehensive high-performance teams. The conversation explores the evolving relationship between physical therapists...

From soldier to sports psych pro, Dr. Sean Green joins Performance Talk to unpack the powerful intersection of mental strength and physical readiness. In this deep-dive with Ewell Gordon, they explore athlete identity, injury recovery, neuroscience, and why performance is more than just what happens on the field.

Can a sleep mask actually boost performance? In this eye-opening episode of Performance Talk, Ewell Gordon sits down with Lori Oliver and Jill MacRae of The Inactive Company to explore how science-backed sleep tools are revolutionizing recovery for athletes, tactical professionals, and high performers everywhere. 🔗 Learn more about The Inactive Company: https://inactiveco.com/

Anna Reddington of Belmont University joins Performance Talk to share her journey from private-sector performance coaching to teaching the next generation of strength professionals. From big moves to big lessons, hear how she’s bridging the gap between theory and practice in S&C.

Can clinical research shape elite performance? Dr. John Farrell of Texas State University joins Performance Talk to explore how adaptive sports, athlete monitoring, and interdisciplinary teamwork are transforming sports science from the lab to the weight room—and why curiosity, collaboration, and community are key to long-term success.

Seton Hall’s Angelo Gennarelli joins Performance Talk to reflect on 20 years in college strength & conditioning, why climbing outward can be just as powerful as climbing up, and how to truly impact athletes beyond the weight room. A must-listen for coaches, parents, and future pros. #PerformanceTalk #StrengthAndConditioning #SportsPerformance #CoachingWisdom #LongGameLeadership #NSCA #HumanPerform...

What does it take to grow a two-credit class into a robust, multidisciplinary performance program? Dr. Joni Boyd of Winthrop University returns to Performance Talk with Ewell Gordon to share how she's helping redefine strength & conditioning education. From curriculum expansion to a $21M facility and a soon-to-open performance lab, this conversation dives into the evolution of exercise science, ba...

“Recovery isn’t a pause — it’s part of the plan.” In this global edition of Performance Talk, Dr. Jo Brown joins Dr. Ewell Gordon to break down the clinical-performance continuum, why individualized recovery matters, and how elite athletes can stay consistently healthy and competition-ready. If you're a coach, clinician, or athlete, this episode will change how you think about performance. #Perfor...

In this powerful episode of Performance Talk, Dr. Ewell Gordon sits down with Mark Christiani, a seasoned strength and conditioning coach embedded in the Army Reserve's Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) Program. They unpack the evolution of military fitness, the rise of human performance initiatives in the armed forces, and what it takes to train soldiers in both active and reserve settings. From...

On this episode of Performance Talk, Dr. Ewell Gordon welcomes Andrew Menter — athlete, innovator, and CEO of Physmodo — to dive into the intersection of personal pain and cutting-edge performance tech. After years of competing at a high level in tennis, rugby, and Ironman events, Andrew’s body hit a wall — and the recovery process exposed a glaring gap in how we assess movement and prevent injury...

In this powerful and perspective-shifting episode of Performance Talk, host Dr. Ewell Gordon welcomes Dr. Mike Israetel—renowned sports scientist, professor, co-founder of Renaissance Periodization, and competitive athlete. From high school wrestling roots to academic mastery in performance science, Mike shares his journey through education, self-discovery, and relentless pursuit of truth in train...

Performance begins in the kitchen! In this episode of Performance Talk, Dr. Ewell Gordon sits down with Rachel Muse, an elite performance chef, to discuss the critical role nutrition plays in an athlete’s success. Rachel shares her journey from private chef to fueling top athletes, the importance of meal timing, and how proper nutrition impacts performance on and off the field. 🔔 Subscribe for mo...

In this episode of Performance Talk, Dr. Ewell Gordon sits down with John Flagg, founder of Rebuild Stronger, to discuss the differences between powerlifting, Olympic lifting, and strongman training. John shares his journey from athletic training to coaching elite strength athletes and how he helps them recover from injuries while maximizing performance. Tune in for expert insights on training, in...

In this episode of Performance Talk, Dr. Ewell Gordon welcomes Dan Pope, a physical therapist and strength coach, to discuss the intersection of strength training and rehab. Dan shares his journey from fitness enthusiast to PT, the misconceptions about strength training in rehabilitation, and how the industry is evolving.  🔔 Subscribe for more insights on performance and mental toughness! Spotify...

Dr. Rob Schinke, a former elite equestrian and top sports psychologist, joins Dr. Ewell Gordon to discuss mindset, confidence, and performance consistency. With experience in eight Olympic Games and extensive work with elite athletes, Dr. Schinke shares key insights on overcoming self-doubt, handling pressure, and building mental resilience.  Don't miss this deep dive into the psychology of high p...

In this episode of Performance Talk, Dr. Ewell Gordon sits down with Joe Drake, a fitness educator and co-founder of a training and performance business in Boca Raton, Florida. They discuss the evolution of exercise science, the importance of foundational fitness for athletes, and how to approach training young athletes effectively. 🔔 Tune in for valuable insights into the ever-growing world of p...