In this episode of Muscles and Management, Gerry welcomes back two highly respected performance coaches, Brendan Thompson and Joseph Potts, for an unfiltered conversation on the state of strength and conditioning. The trio dives into pressing topics such as the role of social media in coaching, the rise of "guru" trainers, and the increasing reliance on over-assessment in sports science.

Brendan and Joseph share insights on in-season and off-season training philosophies, discuss whether max-speed training is overrated, and explore the importance of contextualizing KPIs rather than chasing arbitrary numbers. They also analyze the dangers of misinformation in the industry, particularly around speed development and force plate data, and how young athletes can navigate today’s recruiting landscape.

The conversation is packed with real-world examples from professional sports, including NFL, MLB, and collegiate athletics, offering listeners a raw and insightful look at what truly matters in athlete development.

All that and more on this episode of Muscles and Management!

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Episode Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction to the Episode and Guests, Brendan Thompson & Joseph Potts
3:06 The Role of Social Media in Coaching & the Rise of “Gurus”
7:14 The State of the Strength & Conditioning Industry: Misinformation & Overcomplication
12:30 The Problem with Over-Assessing Athletes & Data Overload
17:09 Strength vs. Speed: Do Heavy Lifts Actually Make You Faster?
23:26 Chasing KPIs: Why Context Matters More Than Arbitrary Metrics
28:15 Overuse of Force Plates, Readiness Testing & Tech Gimmicks in Training
35:00 The Warm-Up as an Assessment: Why Simplicity Wins
39:02 The Fine Line Between Testing & Over-Testing
41:37 The Changing Landscape of College Recruiting & NIL’s Impact
50:00 The Truth About Football Combines & Baseball Showcases
56:41 In-Season Speed Training: How Much Is Necessary?
57:46 Is Max Speed Training Overrated? The Science & Debate
1:07:00 Preventing Hamstring Injuries with Strategic Sprinting
1:10:00 Final Thoughts on Building Better Athletes & Avoiding Industry Pitfalls

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