The Starting Block Podcast

In this Guest Interview, John and Chris welcome Rett Larson, a world renowned volleyball strength and conditioning coach. Rett has gold medals in the 2016 Olympics and 2015 World Cup amongst many other accolades. His 'No Zombies' approach and innovative warmups have taken social media by storm in the S&C field. In this episode, the guys discuss cultural differences in sports training, and prac...

In this Guest Interview, Dr. Brandon Walley rejoins the show to discuss the latest advancements in red light therapy for eye health, vision processing, and athletic performance. He shares insights on how light frequencies impact vision, the importance of early detection of visual deficits in athletes, and practical tips for optimizing eye health and performance. **J ohn, Chris and many of the show...

In this guest interview, John & Chris are joined legendary coach and co-founder of the 1080 Sprint, Rolf Oman. Rolf shares cutting edge insights into athletic performance, speed development and the science behind training elite athletes. Rolf also discusses how technology, biomechanics, and scientific principles can revolutionize training methods. **J ohn, Chris and many of the show's guests a...

In this Guest Interview, John and Chris welcome back Elijah Holyfield and David Buer to discuss athletic development, the transition from football to WWE, and the importance of isometric training. They explore the misconceptions surrounding strength training, the role of the nervous system, and the need for discipline and proper execution in training. The conversation emphasizes the significance o...

In this guest interview, John and Chris welcome dietician, personal trainer and author, Kayla Girgen. Kayla joins the show to discuss her new book, "Ruck Fit" as well as share her journey from the corporate world to the fitness industry and more. **J ohn, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims to be . The information provided in this show is...

In this week's Q&A, John and Chris discuss the use of training with water based tools, how isometric lunges impact speed and protein supplementation. **J ohn, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims to be . The information provided in this show is not intended to be medical advice & should not be misconstrued as such. You assume all ri...

In this weeks Guest Interview, John and Chris welcome Coach Anthony Cellitti to the show. The guys discuss various topics, including the importance of building relationships with athletes, the effectiveness of the 1x20 training system, and the challenges associated with training athletes in todays society due to the influence of social media and more. **J ohn, Chris and many of the show's guests a...

In this week's Q & A John and Chris dive into the importance of leg power in pitching, the role of blood flow in enhancing recovery & recurring hamstring injuries. **J ohn, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims to be . The information provided in this show is not intended to be medical advice & should not be misconstrued as such....

In this weeks episode, hosts John Nelson and Chris Scarborough reconnect after a summer break to discuss their training experiences and their summer of coaching athletes. They delve into the importance of evaluating fitness content on social media, identifying effective training methods, and the significance of structured programs in athletic development. The conversation emphasizes the need for c...

In Athlete Spotlight episode, John and Chris welcome Drake Meeks, a talented pitcher from the University of Southern Mississippi. They discuss Drake's journey from a youth baseball player to eventual collegiate athlete. Topics include: the importance of body control in pitching, and the mental toughness required to succeed. Drake also shares his experiences with injury and recovery, including his...

In this episode, John and Chris discuss the multifaceted nature of athletic injuries, particularly focusing on the recent surge in Achilles tendon injuries in professional sports. They explore various factors contributing to these injuries, including training methods, the impact of modern technology and light exposure, and potential links to COVID-19 vaccinations. The conversation emphasizes the n...

In this episode John and Chris discuss various aspects of athletic development, focusing on the relationship between weight gain and speed loss, the differences between yielding isometrics and iso-extremes, and addressing common injuries like brachialis pain in pitching. Chapters 00:00 Welcome Back to the Starting Block Podcast 06:00 Understanding Weight Gain and Speed Loss 16:01 Isometric Trainin...

In this guest episode John and Chris welcome back Dr. Jen Perez from Gait Happens. They discuss the importance of foot health in athletic performance, the impact of footwear on foot function, common foot problems faced by athletes, and the significance of proper foot care and strength training. The conversation also delves into the causes of bunions and the importance of preventative care to avoid...

In this week's guest interview, John and Chris are joined by Michael Fahey, the director of Westside vs the World and Co-Founder of OVR Performance. The conversation explores Michael's journey from film to sports, the creation of his documentary, and the innovative approach of OVR Performance in revolutionizing athletic training through affordable and effective velocity-based training tools. Micha...

In this week's Q & A, John & Chris discuss focusing on how to measure progress beyond just weight. They emphasize the significance of proper positioning in training, the role of velocity and intent in movement, and the foundational aspect of position in achieving athletic performance. The conversation highlights the need for a holistic approach to training that prioritizes movement quality...

In this week's guest interview John & Chris welcome back a regular to the show, David Buer. The guys tackle a number of topics including: the power of mentorship in shaping youth athletes, authenticity in coaching, System X, discipline, navigating stress with emotion resilience and much more. **John, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims...

In this week's Q & A, John and Chris answer you questions regarding: Does extreme or exaggerated range of motion help you to improve force production? Do you recommend red/infrared therapy? *John, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims to be. The information provided in this show is not intended to be medical advice & should not be mi...

In this guest interview, John & Chris are joined by Team USA Paralympian, Tyson Gunter. Tyson represented the United States in the 2016 Rio Olympics, and also has two World Championship Silver Medals. Tyson shares his experiences representing the United States as well as providing insights on his current framework for training athletes. He also discusses the role of various supplements like cr...

In this athlete spotlight, John and Chris are joined by Ava Goodin. Ava currently plays soccer at Northwestern University and has been an ELP athlete for a little over two years. In this episode, Ava shares her soccer journey as well as how using the principles commonly discussed on this podcast helped prepare her for collegiate soccer.

In this weeks Q & A, John and Chris tackle: GOATA vs Movement: Back Chain Dominance in Sprinting Adding Load in Training GOATA & Evo Chaos Training *John, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims to be. The information provided in this show is not intended to be medical advice & should not be misconstrued as such. You assume all ris...

In this week's guest interview, we welcome Ryan Paul, Founder of New Athlete. Located in Vancouver, Washington, New Athlete is one of the premier sport performance facilities in the country. Ryan and his team have produced some of the most elite talent to ever come out of the Northwest part of the United States. In this episode, Ryan shares his approach and philosophy to athletic development and m...

In this week's guest interview, John and Chris are rejoined by Dr. Rob Luckey of Pittsford Performance Care. The guys discuss the complexities of athletic development, focusing on the increasing prevalence of concussions in youth sports. They explore the factors contributing to this rise, including changes in training intensity, nutrition and the impact of screen time on brain health & more! *...

In this week's guest interview, John and Chris are joined by Dr. Alexis Cowan; PhD from Princeton and Host of the "Undoctrinate Yourself" podcast. The crew discusses the importance of light in athletic performance and overall health, as Dr. Cowan explains how the modern indoor light environment, which is enriched in blue light, can negatively impact mitochondrial function and overall health. *John...

In this week's guest interview we welcome Coach Tony Holler. Tony is one of the most highly regarded and sought after speed coaches in the world. His program "Feed The Cats" revolutionized speed and sprint training. In this episode we cover: Tony's Book & Approach Feed the Cats Challenges in Youth Sports The Atomic Speed Workout The Role of Lifting for Speed & Much More! In you got value o...

In this Friday Fire & Fact episode, John and Chris discuss censorship, misinformation and how what we're witnessing in our own country relates to the industries we work in. *John, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims to be. The information provided in this show is not intended to be medical advice & should not be misconstrued as suc...