The OGX Podcast

In the final episode of the year, Ashley Sunshine and Laura McDonald explore the challenges surrounding pitching, pain, and return to play. They discuss why pitching requires sport specific understanding, how pain is often mishandled in athlete environments, and why return to throw protocols must reflect real training demands. The conversation highlights the importance of communication between coa...

Pitchers face unique demands that require more than traditional strength training. In Episode 80 of The OGX Podcast, Ashley Sunshine, Laura McDonald, and Jamnes Cameron explore how movement quality, fatigue, and strength conditioning shape pitching performance. They discuss why strength coaches play a critical role in both performance and injury prevention and how tracking resilience can help pitc...

Krista Swip and Laura McDonald break down the science behind force plates, pressure mats, and the biomechanics that shape hitting performance. They discuss what these tools measure, how to interpret the data, and why understanding impulse, stability, and posture matters for athlete development. Key ideas covered: • Differences between force plates and pressure mats • How ground reaction forces inf...

In Episode 78 of the OGX Podcast, Krista Swip, Ashley Sunshine, and Laura McDonald tackle one of the most misunderstood topics in sports: the balance between mental and physical challenges in performance. They explore how athletes are often labeled as having “mental blocks,” when in reality, physical patterns and mechanics are at the root of the issue. The discussion dives into how perception, dec...

Pitching success starts with arm adjustability. In Episode 77 of the OGX Podcast, Ashley Sunshine and Laura McDonald break down how biomechanics, plyometrics, and arm action all work together to create better pitchers. They explain how rigid mechanics and traditional training can hinder development and why adaptability, movement quality, and command are essential for long-term success. Save 10% on...

Pitchers have unique training demands, and managing them the right way can be the difference between progress and burnout. In Episode 76 of the OGX Podcast, Ashley Sunshine leads a discussion with James and Laura McDonald on the intersection of pitching and strength conditioning. They break down how to balance workload, recovery, and performance while improving communication between pitching and s...

Bat speed or perfect mechanics, which one truly separates great hitters? In Episode 75 of the OGX Podcast, Krista Swip and Kealia Wysocki explore hitting mechanics, strength, and bat speed, sharing insights from biomechanical data and real coaching experience. They discuss why chasing perfect form often limits performance and how balancing speed, power, and simplicity can unlock true hitting poten...

When should athletes start training? In Episode 74 of the OGX Podcast, Krista Swip and Laura McDonald explore the timing and readiness of athlete training. They discuss emotional and social maturity, individualized training, and how athletes can take ownership of their development journey. This episode offers valuable insight for coaches, parents, and athletes navigating the path from team-based t...

What does September 1st really mean for athletes? In Episode 73 of the OGX Podcast, Krista Swip, Ashley Sunshine, and Laura McDonald discuss the misconceptions around September 1st and the pressure young athletes face during recruiting. They share how data, development timelines, and communication can help reshape how coaches and players approach the recruiting process. Watch here:  https://youtu....

How much can force plates really tell us about pitching? In Episode 72 of the OGX Podcast, Krista Swip and Laura McDonald explore how data from force plates is changing the way pitchers train and perform. They discuss stride foot dynamics, energy transfer, timing, and the effects of recent rule changes on softball pitching. Learn how understanding impulse and biomechanics can help athletes move mo...

In Episode 71 of the OGX Podcast, Krista Stoker, Ashley Sunshine, and Laura McDonald share insights from their recent college road tour and explore how data is shaping the future of athlete development. They dig into the nuances of performance metrics, the differences between youth and college athlete training, and the role of coaches in interpreting data. The conversation highlights the importanc...

In Episode 70 of the OGX Podcast, Krista Stoker, Ashley Sunshine, and Laura McDonald take a deep dive into pitching and hitting assessments, focusing on the concept of inefficiencies. They unpack how biomechanical assessments can identify areas for growth while also warning against boxing athletes into rigid categories. The conversation emphasizes the importance of athlete goals, context, and the...

In this episode of the OGX Podcast, Krista Swip and Laura McDonald dive into the evolution of OGX’s college partnerships and how they are transforming athlete development. They discuss how self-sufficiency is being built within programs, the integration of advanced technology for training, and the role of data-driven coaching in player development. The conversation emphasizes that while technology...

In this episode of the OGX Podcast, Laura McDonald and Jamnes Cameron dive into the role of strength and conditioning in softball and how it directly connects to pitching performance. They highlight the importance of collaboration between coaches and strength trainers, the challenges within college athletics, and the role of the "Big Five" movement qualities in maintaining athlete perfor...

Ashley Sunshine and Laura McDonald recap Pitchstock 2025, highlighting the most important lessons for coaches, parents, and athletes. From addressing the physiological changes in female athletes to integrating data into coaching decisions, they outline how to close gaps in pitching education and elevate player development. You will learn: Why pitching and strength training must be more connected H...

Recorded live at Pitchstock 2025, this episode brings you straight into the heart of softball’s ultimate pitching conference. The OGX team and guest speakers share candid insights on player development, coaching strategies, and the evolving role of performance data in the sport. You will hear discussions on: How to turn data into real on-field results Building individualized pitching programs The...

Krista, Ashley, and Laura are back together in this episode to break down the  real  reason cookie-cutter training plans fall short. From strength and conditioning to pitching and hitting development, they share what true individualization looks like and how coaches can actually apply it. Topics Covered: How individualization impacts pitching and hitting development Why strength and skill need to...

In Episode 64, Ashley Sunshine and Laura McDonald take a deep dive into the off-season realities for high school athletes. They break down how to help athletes recharge, reassess, and re-enter training with purpose. This episode focuses on recovery, biomechanics assessments, and creating smarter training plans that prioritize long-term performance and athlete well-being. Whether you're a coach...

Returning to the mound after injury takes more than rest. It takes a proven protocol, a strong communication loop, and a deep understanding of biomechanics. In this episode, the OGX team breaks down what that process should look like. They cover the difference between a real return to pitching protocol and just playing catch, why understanding the kinetic chain matters, and how sports medicine and...

How much is too much for youth pitchers? In Episode 62, we’re digging into the messy middle of youth softball and baseball development. From pitch count guidelines to the physical toll of puberty, this episode is for every parent, coach, and young athlete navigating the early stages of competitive sports. We break down: Why pitch counts matter—but aren’t the full answer What puberty does to mechan...

In Episode 61 of the OGX Podcast, the team explores the layered role of data in coaching and player development. From system-wide training models to individual athlete assessments, they break down how data can elevate performance when paired with experience and context. The conversation addresses the realities coaches face in adapting to the evolving sports science landscape and why data collectio...

In Episode 60, the OGX team reflects on the podcast journey and digs deep into the role of biomechanics and sports science in athlete development. They break down why actionable data matters, the disconnect between coaches and labs, and how substance always outweighs style when it comes to performance metrics. You'll hear insights on the importance of partnerships in data collection, understan...

In Episode 59 of the OGX Podcast, Krista Stoker, Ashley Sunshine, and Laura McDonald dive into the importance of using the right  tools, assessments,  and  training strategies  to support athlete development. They break down how strength and conditioning impacts skill acquisition, why feedback loops are essential, and what coaches can do to adapt training environments for each individual athlete....

Pitchstock is more than an event, it’s a movement shaping the future of softball pitching. In this episode, Krista Stoker, Ashley Sunshine, and Laura McDonald take you behind the scenes to explore how it started, what makes it different, and why every coach should be paying attention. Get a glimpse of the collaborative, action-driven energy that makes Pitchstock a can't-miss opportunity for so...

In this episode, Krista, Ashley, and Laura dive into the momentum building behind women’s sports. From NIL expansion to MLB’s investment in the AUSL, the game is changing fast. They unpack what this growth means for athletes, coaches, and the systems surrounding women’s sports. With professional models emerging and new resources taking shape, it’s time to rethink how we support the next generation...