Link: 
https://www.buzzsprout.com/238054/2604283-episode-57-becoming-a-success-in-strength-and-conditioning-research-vs-experience-and-the-importance-of-sprinting-and-in-season-training-with-mike-boyle

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In this episode Gerry welcomes on industry legend Michael Boyle to talk various topics in the world of strength and conditioning and sports performance.

To start, the conversation tackles the importance of an "authentic," approach to energy and enthusiasm for coaches and why it is important to carry yourself with professionalism in the field of strength and conditioning. From crazy sideline antics to ridiculous weight room environments put on "for the camera," the two discuss how critical it is to be a good coach and programmer FIRST and to make sure energy is authentic.

Mike then discusses his rise in the industry and topics like what it takes to "make," it, working hard in the "right," way and the misconception young coaches may have when trying to make their way in the industry.

From there, the conversation turns strictly to training and programming. From topics such as the battle of research vs. anecdotal experience (and how to balance the two), keeping speed training simple and some easy ways to build speed with athletes (prioritizing sprinting) and the importance of in-season training, Gerry and Mike cover a wide range of important conversations in strength training and sports performance.

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

Timestamps:

5:00- Tweet of the Week
9:50- Line Between Passion and Professionalism
13:49- “High Energy”
18:15- Perception of Strength Coaches
23:20- Getting Traction in The Industry
28:00- Embrace the Workload for Success
32:55- Working Long Hours (For The Right Reasons)
37:25- Working For Free?
45:17- Building a Business
47:00- “Evidence-Based Clowns”
55:23- Stretching
1:02:50- Overcomplicating Sprint Training
1:08:40- In-Season Training

Link:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/238054/2534446-episode-56-the-evolution-of-strength-training-and-the-importance-of-testing-and-tracking-progress-for-development-with-xan-barksdale

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In this episode Gerry welcomes former Ole Miss Catcher and current Eastern Tennessee and USA Baseball Development Coach Xan Barksdale.

To start, Xan provides some insight on his background and personal playing career, shedding some light on the college recruiting process and how Junior College can be a good avenue for those who are late to develop or need some time to seek further opportunities.

From there, Gerry has Xan walk through his strength training experiences from his early career, all the way up to his time at Ole Miss with a veteran and respected strength coach. Things have changed greatly when it comes to the landscape, readily accessible information and application of programming in strength training and Xan's experiences show just that.

To finish up, Gerry reads some of Xan's tweets regarding topics such as testing for strength and conditioning and the importance in determining athlete readiness, the need for tracking progress in strength training, sports and nutrition and why it is important to not think you always have all the answers. The two expand into deeper conversation on the tweets, giving some practical insight to help athletes and coaches.

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

Show Timestamps:

9:00- Tweet of The Week
12:52- Xan’s High School Training Experience
16:15- Transition to College Training
20:50- Xan’s Early Training Influences
26:10- Xan’s Hitting Training
34:27- Not Playing Division I is OK
41:18- Xan’s College Training
45:13- 1RM Testing?
51:00- Xan’s Take on the Shift in Training Today
52:30- Using Your BS Filter
57:25- Xan’s Philosophies
1:01:00- Discussing Xan’s Tweets
1:09:35- Behavior Change & Throwing Journal
1:15:30- Question Askers & Answer Givers

Link:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/238054/2490706-episode-55-the-new-frontier-of-developing-strong-powerful-and-effective-rotational-athletes-and-pitchers-with-rob-hill-and-eric-jagers

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In this episode Gerry welcomes on Los Angeles Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds Pitching Coordinators Rob Hill and Eric Jagers.

To start, Gerry has the two take a look back at their own respective baseball careers and what went in to their training, preparation and development. Rob and Eric discuss some of the things they did and how much protocol has changed in just the last five to ten years. Stories such as Eric not seriously strength training until college and Rob trying to perfect his balance on a 2x4 in his room as a high schooler.

From there, the conversation shifts to the importance of strength training for rotational athletes & pitchers, and how beneficial sprinting can be to all athletes, even those who don’t particularly sprint for their sport.

Gerry then has Rob and Eric give some specific insight on pitch design and developing better, more effective pitchers and shed light on where the game of baseball is heading.

The show captures an overall great discussion for building powerful rotational athletes and more specifically discussed the present and future of developing elite pitchers.

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

Timestamps:

6:45 - Rob & Eric’s Intro
9:25 - Rob & Eric’s Pitching Training in High School
16:00 - Ridiculous Drills Growing Up
23.25 - Rob & Eric’s Strength Training as They Progressed
29:59 - Importance of Sprinting for Pitchers
35:00 - Coaches Who Weren’t Elite at The Sport
39:55 - Rob & Eric’s Experience at Driveline & It’s Progression
46:25 - Adjusting as a Trainer & Evolving
51:20 - Spin Rate & Why It’s Important
58:00 - Benefits of Being a Short Pitcher?
1:01:50 - Pitch Tunneling
1:07:40 - Mariano Rivera
1:13:05 - Velocity & It’s Importance
1:15:00 - Pulldowns: Why Do They Get Hate and How Their Benefits/Use
1:22:40 - Addressing High Gaps Between Pitching Speed & Pulldown Speed
1:25:50 - Getting to The Next Level Velocity-Wise
1:27:40 - Weighted Ball Training
1:37:10 - Balance of Strength & Pitching Programs
1:49:10 - Hate The Application Not The Variation
1:55:00 - Common Coaching Mistakes 

Link:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/238054/2434403-episode-54-importance-of-strength-and-conditioning-in-athletic-development-with-tampa-bay-rays-catcher-erik-ostberg

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In this episode Gerry welcomes on Erik Ostberg, catcher in the Tampa Bay Rays organization.

To start, Erik and Gerry discuss baseball in the North-East and how Erik feels the cold weather in the Fall and Winter can impact training, development and progress. Erik discusses some of his early training experiences in high school and how they shaped his philosophies regarding strength training.

From there, the two discuss the importance of sprinting (short sprints specifically), plyometric/jump training and the immense importance of getting stronger (especially for youth athletes or new trainees in general). Additionally, the conversation turns to the benefits strength and speed training can provide for athletes in terms of gaining an edge in their sport and on the field of play.

To finish, Erik talks about his college training and playing experience at the University of Hartford and what his training currently involves while with a professional organization. He gives full insight on what is involved both in the in-season AND off-season as a big leaguer and sheds some light on how he uses what he has learned in strength training to help/trains athletes while at home during the off-season.

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

Timestamps:

12:00- Growing up In The Northeast and Northeast Baseball
15:45- The Culture and Evolution of Training
19:20- Success of Players from Your Area Can Increase Overall Exposure
21:00- Is the Northeast Have a Disadvantage?
25:50- Having an Offseason is a Good Thing
29:30- Erik’s Training Experiences Growing Up
32:50- Over Complicating Strength Programs 
39:30- Is the 60-Yard Dash Effective for Baseball?
42:30- Erik’s College Training Experiences
45:15- Is Static Stretching Useful?
49:25- College Recruiting
54:15- Erik’s Playing Career at the University of Hartford
1:02:48- Erik’s Training Influences
1:07:00- Erik’s Current Core Training Philosophy
1:20:30- Closing Thoughts

Link:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/238054/2378636-episode-53-assessing-the-current-state-of-strength-and-conditioning-with-kurt-hester-of-louisiana-tech-football-plus-bonus-q-a

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Season 2 and 2020 of Muscles and Management starts with a bang as Louisiana Tech Football Strength Coach Kurt Hester stops by fresh off an Independence Bowl win over University of Miami AND a mini rant by Gerry on the combination of technology and the basics of strength and conditioning.

To start, Gerry reads off a tweet of Kurt's regarding professionalism, and how the lack thereof can be problematic for the field as a whole. Kurt discusses the importance of bringing energy and enthusiasm to the field, but also maintains the position that there is a fine line between energy and maintaining professionalism, or losing it. The two discuss how theatrical coaches can negatively impact the perception of strength coaches, and how the ultimate goal of a coach should be developing athletes, not seeking attention.

From there, the conversation shifts to a full discussion of the "high performance model," an organizational structure that is starting to make its way to college and professional sports. Kurt gives a breakdown of what it is, and how having a position that directly oversees hiring and firing performance staff can make for an environment of continuity, collaboration and ultimate performance.

To finish, Gerry does a brief Q&A on volume guidelines for sprinting and gives a breakdown on the differences between his assessments of individual athletes vs. large teams (and what goes into both).

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

Timestamps:

00:43 - Please Keep Jeff Leach (@CoachJeffLeach) in Your Thoughts and Prayers
04:48 - Year in Review
11:30 - Tweet Rant of The Week (Mastering The Basics AND Utilizing Technology)
19:14 - Episode 53 Outline
22:40 - Chris Doyle
27:20 - The Landscape of Strength Coaches & Motivations
30:35 - Balancing High Energy and Professionalism
34:35 - High-Performance Model
39:40 - Old Dog, New Tricks
47:16 - The Problem with Being Stuck in Your Ways
48:56 - Kurt Hester’s Influences in His Career
52:52 - How Many Sprints is too Many?
58:38 - How to Assess Different Clients