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

*SHOW TIMESTAMPS FEATURED AT THE END*

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

*SHOW TIMESTAMPS FEATURED AT THE END*

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