The MTI Podcast

The statistics are grim: young men are falling behind their female peers in graduation rates, employment, and relationships—and leading in depression, suicide, and social isolation. In this episode, we share these numbers with four men in their 20s—MTI Coach Emmett Shaul (29) and three current MTI interns—and ask for their honest reactions. What do these stats reflect about their generation? Are t...

Solo episode today. Founder Rob Shaul answers emailed Questions from athletes concerning preparing for SWAT selection, overcoming plateaus in strength training, and scheduling programming for a multi-sport, often traveling mountain athlete. 

Rob and Charlie discuss the concept of mental fitness, exploring its core attributes, the importance of self-correction, and the triggers that indicate a lapse in mental fitness. They delve into practical applications, the role of emotions like frustration and defeat, and the challenges of training mental fitness across different modes. The discussion emphasizes the need for awareness and the abil...

Rob, Brian, and Dan challenge the conventional wisdom around "mental toughness" by redefining it as mental fitness—a trainable, perishable, and multidimensional attribute. Drawing from military, athletic, academic, and corporate experiences, they explore how key traits like perseverance, resilience, emotional control, mental endurance, and cognitive flexibility interact—and sometimes break down—un...

Charlie, Seung, Jackson, and Sam discuss July's mini-study designs, focusing on velocity-based training, rucking strategies, and climbing training. The participants discuss the purpose and protocols of their studies, comparing traditional strength programming with velocity-based approaches, and examining the effectiveness of different rucking strategies. They also delve into climbing training, emp...

In this episode, MTI's interns conducted a Q&A Rob Shaul covering key principles in strength and conditioning. Rob discusses his most unique coaching experience—whitewater kayakers—highlighting the upper-body-focused training and sport-specific programming he developed to meet their needs. He explains the rationale behind his TLU (Total Lower and Upper) complex training method, which pairs hea...

MTI Athletes Dan and Derrick join Rob and Charlie to explore the multifaceted nature of fatherhood, discussing what it means to be a good dad, the emotional connections with children, and the responsibilities fathers hold for their children's successes and failures. They delve into personal experiences, the impact of their own fathers, and the balance between being a provider and being emotionally...

In this conversation, Rob and Charlie dive into the Marine Corps' strategic shifts towards small craft and rapid deployment, the importance of junior officers in military discourse, and the challenges of aerobic training for mountain athletes. Additionally, they share personal experiences in bear hunting and explore the integration of AI in athletic programming. The discussion concludes with insig...

Catherine, a tactical strength coach with a diverse military background, shares her journey through various branches of the military, highlighting the differences in training approaches and the challenges of implementing effective strength conditioning programs. She discusses the importance of understanding the unique needs of each branch, the role of data in shaping training, and the impact of we...

Rob and Charlie discuss various topics, including MTI's new gym in Ogden, to his experiences with the carnivore diet and insights on supplements. They also delve into a study on shooting performance in law enforcement, with insights surrounding law enforcement shooting proficiency, the application of stress in shooting training, and the difficulties faced by part-time SWAT teams. Rob and Charlie a...

In this conversation, Rob Shaul, Brian Reed, and Dan Stuewe discuss various aspects of fitness and the identity of being an athlete, particularly in the context of military service and coaching. They explore the evolution of fitness training, motivations, and how personal experiences shape their definitions of athleticism. The discussion also touches on the importance of leadership in promoting fi...

Rob and Charlie discuss the establishment of MTI's new training workshop in Ogden, Utah, focusing on innovative training methods and the integration of lab rats for testing. Rob shares insights on polar training for older athletes, balancing strength and endurance, and highlights the journey of athlete Wyatt as he prepares for a challenging ascent of Denali. The conversation also introduces new me...

In this conversation, Rob Shaul and Brian Reed discuss the evolution of fitness and training for military personnel, particularly focusing on the importance of endurance, mobility, and nutrition as they age. They explore the H2F program, the significance of qualifications like the Ranger tab, and the transition from military to civilian life. Brian shares insights on crisis leadership from his exp...

In this episode, Rob Shaul speaks with Command Sgt. Maj. Brandon Riley, currently serving as the senior enlisted leader for 3-66 Armor Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. Riley discusses the real work of a battalion CSM—managing standards and discipline, mentoring company-level leaders, and maintaining unit readiness. He explains the dynamic between officers and NCOs...

Rob and Charlie discuss the establishment of a new fitness lab in Ogden, Utah, focusing on programming and training for athletes. They explore the target audience for lab rats, updates to the Ranger School Training Plan, and the implications of Ranger tabs on leadership and bias within the military.  Rob covers innovative training methods for uphill movement, focusing on recent research and testin...

In this episode, I sit down with Jonathan Edwards, a tech consultant and elite ultra marathon runner based in Sandy, Utah. We discuss his experience racing the Belgian Waffle Race in Scottsdale, Arizona—an intense 104-mile gravel race with nearly 7,900 feet of elevation gain. Jonathan shares insights into race strategy, gear selection, and overcoming technical challenges on the course. Beyond cycl...

In this episode, I sit down with Chris Judy, an elite strength and endurance coach with experience in rugby, obstacle course racing, and high-level endurance training. Chris shares his coaching journey, from building a strength program for the University of Utah Rugby Team to training world-class OCR athletes and personal training at high-level gyms like Equinox and Ultimate Performance. We dive d...

In this episode, I sit down with Michael Schofield, a former MLB strength coach turned tactical performance specialist. Schofield spent over a decade in professional baseball, working with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, and New York Mets before transitioning to first responder fitness.   We dive into how training differs across pro baseball, police, and fire academies, the biggest progr...

Rob Shaul and MTI Athlete Derrick, an active duty Air Force Officer based in Santiago, Chile, discuss Derrick's recent experiences with fitness assessments, particularly the Alpinist fitness assessment and the V-SUM for rock climbing. They explore Derrick's training progress, the outdoor culture in Chile, and the impact of military service on outdoor activities. The discussion also touches on lead...

In this episode, I sit down with Crystal Wright, two-time Freeride World Tour Champion, founder of Wright Training, and strength coach for mountain athletes. From her early days ski racing with the U.S. Ski Team to dominating freeride competitions and building one of the top strength training programs for skiers, Crystal shares her journey, insights on training for performance, and the challenges...

Note: Ian's recording in this discussion was disrupted which led to some of his points being cut out of the original episode. We were able to recover the original audio in full. Today's Guests: Ian is a shooting instructor, hunter, and prior USMC Scout Sniper ( @ianminer2013 ) Adam is an MTI Athlete, defense industry program manager, hunter, and prior USMC Infantry Officer (@durango_simon) This co...

In this episode, Rob sits down with Brian Reed, a retired U.S. Army Brigadier General whose 38-year career spanned deployments to Haiti, Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan, as well as leadership roles at every level, culminating as Chief of Staff at West Point. Brian shares powerful insights on leadership, decision-making under pressure, and the complexities of modern military operations. He re...

Rob breaks down the 357 strength progression, a training method that combines strength training with short work capacity efforts. He explains its origins, design, and practical applications, as well as the results of a study comparing it to other training methods. The discussion highlights the effectiveness of 357 in improving both strength and endurance, making it suitable for various athletes. C...

This conversation delves into the complexities of training tactical power for athletes, particularly for tactical athletes. Rob discusses the challenges of defining tactical power, the importance of assessments, and the methodologies used in a recent study aimed at improving power development. The conversation highlights the results of the study, which showed significant improvements in various po...

Wyatt Jobe shares his experiences living in Valdez, Alaska, a hub for ice climbing and mountaineering. He discusses the history of the climbing community, the accessibility of climbing routes, and the transition to backcountry skiing. Wyatt also reflects on his paramedic work in remote areas of Alaska and his time in Antarctica, highlighting unique experiences and the challenges of working in extr...