Physical Preparation Podcast

It’s not easy building one physical quality to a high degree, let alone two. But what happens when you’re testing not one, not two, but more like three of four physical capacities all in ONE DAY? Well that my friend is a tough program to write – and exactly why I brought Ryan Patrick back on the show. Ryan recently competed in APEX, a challenging event where your speed, strength,...

Today I sit down with my good friend Stephen Calarco to talk about what really helps gen pop clients make progress. We unpack a few key items in this episode: Why more gym time isn’t always the answer, How to get clear on what a goal actually requires, and Why nutrition habits, sleep, and life outside the gym matter just as much as the workout. We also dive into the human side of coaching: How you...

Today, I’ve got my good friend Joel Jamieson back for his final stop on the podcast! In this episode, we  explore the science and practice of training for a longer, healthier life. As the title implies we spend a great deal of time covering cardiovascular disease, but we also discuss the differences between high- and low-intensity cardio, how to optimize your training schedule, and the diffe...

Do you want to build a better coaching business? Level up your gym? Or simply take your game to the next level? If so, you need to listen to this podcast NOW! While I’ve had both Luka and Andy on numerous times before, it definitely takes it to another level when they’re on the show together. And in this episode, we’re going to dive into the three core competencies that every hig...

I’ve got a good one for you today my friend! Bill Hartman brings 35 years of experience, and more importantly, a totally unique way of thinking about rehab, performance, and movement. In our conversation, we take a deep dive into how he moved from standard, rule-based systems to a principle-driven framework called the UHP that helps him make better decisions with less guesswork. Along the wa...

Okay my friend, we’re back for Round #2 this week! Last week, I had some AWESOME questions for the show, so that made for a fun episode that got a ton of positive feedback. But I got so many good questions about assessments and return to play, I wanted to put all those into a second Q&A episode for this week! Here we’ll not only cover my assessment process for both gen pop clients...

I asked, and you answered the bell! In fact, I got SO MANY questions from this Q&A podcast that I had to break it up into two separate episodes. In today’s show, I put 45-minutes on the clock and knock out as many questions as I can get to. So whether you’re interested in learning more about mobility, speed training for young athletes, or why I charge for my mentorship programs and...

Tanner Care is the Director of Performance for both the BC Lions and the Vancouver Bandits, and over the past couple of months, I’ve really enjoyed learning more about his thought process and approach. So why not bring him on the podcast and dive a little deeper? In this episode of the show, Tanner outlines his comprehensive approach to training basketball players. Whether it’s using f...

I’m baaaaccckkkk! Did you miss me? It’s been a minute since I did a solo show, so I figured it was time to jump back in and hit you with some of the good stuff. Here we’re going to dive into seven things I’ve been thinking about lately, which are sandwiched between some random work and life updates as well. So without any further ado, let’s dive in and talk shop! &nbs...

In this episode, Austin Ulrich shares how a curiosity-driven approach transformed his understanding of movement and patient care. His journey from powerlifter to clinical innovator reveals how traditional education often falls short, and how a mindset of lifelong learning is key to growth. For Austin, questioning traditional biomechanical models and diving into foundational sciences like physics,...

Today I’ve got the man, the myth, the LEGEND Eric Cressey on the podcast. Now you may know Eric as the Director of Player Health and Performance for the New York Yankees, or for his incredibly successful gym, Cressey Sports Performance. But in case you didn’t know, Eric and I go waaaaayyyy back. If you watch the video, you’ll see I actually pull out the old DVD’s we created...

With over 30 years in high performance sport, Ben Sporer has seen what it takes to be successful at the highest level of sport. From Canadian Olympic athletes to the Vancouver Whitecaps of the MLS, Ben has made a career on being clear and intentional about the goals of his program. So where do we go wrong when writing programs? Are we too caught up in the 1% that we’re missing the long hangi...

Here are a couple of questions I’ve been thinking a lot about lately… What should “longevity” training look and feel like? Is early specialization as bad as we make it out to be? And how do we ensure better success with our rehab and return to play athletes? If you’re curious about any of these topics, you’re going to love this episode with Resilient Performance...

Andy McDonald is a strength and conditioning coach turned rehab innovator. He’s the founder of Gameplan Performance, and host for the Informed Performance Podcast. In this episode, Andy and I attempt to unravel the complexities of athlete recovery. He challenges the traditional “three-phase rehab model” of return to play, and advocates for a more nuance and collaborative approach...

Are you interested in learning about velocity-based training (VBT)? Have you heard of it before, but maybe not quite sure what you can do with it? Or are you someone that’s currently using it and looking to take your skills to the next level? If so, this episode with Travis Mash has you covered! Here we cover tons of reasons why you might consider adding VBT training into your program, as we...

If you wanted to become a better coach… …open your own gym… …or just be happier and more successful in life, how amazing would it be to learn from someone with 20+ years practical, in-the-trenches experience? My guess is pretty darn valuable. And lucky you, but that’s the entire theme of today’s show! In this episode, Luka and I go back and forth on the biggest...

It has been an AWESOME week my friend! I’m just wrapping up Spring Break here in Arizona, and needless to say, it’s been an awesome experience. Between the zoo, hiking, Jeep tours and some amazing food, Team Robertson has definitely had a week to remember. But now it’s time to get back to the grind, as I’ve got a podcast to drop today and a workshop to dominate this weekend...

  I’ve been asked some iteration of this question A LOT lately… “Yo Mike – what’s new? And why haven’t you been posting as much?” And frankly, I wish the answer were something short and sweet! But sometimes life just isn’t cut and dry. Sometimes there are layers, nuance and depth to what’s going on. So today, I’m going to give you a...

My friend you’re in for a treat today! In this episode, we’re bringing back the man, the myth, the LEGEND – Joe Kenn, aka Big House Power. It’s been so cool watching this guys’ journey over the past 15 years. From top-tier D1 football S&C coach, to his time in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers, and now to his newest iteration of himself as a strongman coach, Joe...

Well it only took 500-some episodes, but I finally made it happen! Today we welcome the one and only Megan Young to the Physical Prep Podcast. This conversation was so much fun, especially learning more about her journey from reluctant track and field thrower, to collegiate strength coach, to cancer survivor, and then finally with her success with the MLS’ Seattle Sounders. Meg’s resil...

If you’re a strength coach or personal trainer right now, there’s a good chance a client or athlete has come in and said something like this: “Yo Mike… what do you think about PRP?” Or, “My doctor mentioned stem cells.” Or, “I’ve had two (or 6 or 10) surgeries already—should I look into regenerative medicine?” And the honest answer is… maybe? I have some athletes who swear PRP or stem cells change...

If you’re a strength coach or personal trainer and you’ve worked with a golfer, you can probably relate to one – or ALL – of these. You want to unlock their mobility, so their swing feels effortless and smooth. You want to help them hit the ball farther. And ultimately, you want them to crush it when they get on the course. So a lot of coaches default to general rotational work, med ball throws, a...

If you work with athletes who travel, tell me if you’ve seen this before. They fly across the country, and when they show up, something just feels off. Reaction time is slow. They’re moody and irritable. OR they’re just tired flat when it really matters. And we usually treat it like it’s just a sleep problem – but deep down, we know it’s more than that. Jet lag isn’t just about being t...

  A lot of coaches and serious lifters know VO2 max matters… but they’re not totally sure how to train it correctly. Some people are hammering HIIT circuits and hoping that’s enough. Others are living in Zone 2 because that’s what the longevity crowd is preaching. And a lot of strength coaches are stuck in the middle, wondering if pushing conditioning harder is going to cost them strength, po...

Okay my friends, today we’re trying something 100% and completely NEW with this podcast! Yes, even after 500 episodes, I’m still looking for ways to keep it fresh and exciting, so I really hope you enjoy it. In today’s MR Training Talk, we’re going to dive deeper into some of my most popular articles and social media posts in recent memory. For example… What are the b...