Blog Posts - CHALLENGER STRENGTH

Muscles & Management Podcast

Muscles and Management takes an in depth look at all things training and business.

Gerry DeFilippo is a gym owner from northern New Jersey with a business degree in management from Rutgers University. He started his gym/sports performance business during his last semester of business school and almost three years later he runs the day-to-day business aspects of Challenger Strength as well as heading the strength training.

This podcast will take on any and all topics in both strength training, personal fitness and business and welcome the perspective of some of the best coaches and business minds in the industry. Whether you are an aspiring gym owner, athlete or coach you will enjoy all aspects of this podcast as we dive into the "ins and outs," of the sports performance industry as well as what it takes to excel in business.

Episode #113 Metrics, Measurement and How Measurement Technology is Changing Sports and Strength and Conditioning with Tyler Scuttaro of Pocket Radar

9/16/2020

Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/238054/5424964

*SHOW TIMESTAMPS FEATURED AT THE END*

In this episode Gerry welcomes on Tyler Scatturo of "Pocket Radar," to discuss the evolving landscape of technology and metric measurement in sports and sports performance!

Episode Timestamps

1:50 - Julian Nutrition Tip
5:15 - Tyler’s Start with Pocket Radar
8:40 - Early Goals and Vision for Pocket Radar
11:45 - Evolution of Radar Technology and Culture
16:00 - Getting People to Trust the Product
20:20 - Transition from a Secondary Product to the Go to Product
27:25 - Social Media Push for Promoting Yourself as an Athlete
34:15 - Social Media Goals
37:45 - Sprint Measuring
39:38 - Future of Pocket Radar
43:09 - Tyler’s Final Thoughts

Episode #112 Meathead Monday: Q&A (Proper Structure to Build Strength Movements, Lessons Learned to Help Young Strength Coaches and The Importance of Reasoning in Decision Making)

9/14/2020

Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/238054/5424187

Muscles and Management is back after a week off and Gerry is answering some of your questions from his DMs!

To start, Gerry discusses strength training and the idea of working up to heavier loads and lower reps to expose an athlete's nervous system to demands that require further recruitment of motor units. This will not only help drive up their overall weight lifted, but provide value in overall improvement of force output.

From there, the conversation gets real as Gerry talks about some self-doubt he dealt with this past week and how important it is to compare yourself to the top standard of the industry so you always continue to improve your knowledge and abilities. How can this mindset help build respect and a following for a young coach if paired with a steadfast effort to post quality content backed with thought provoking reasoning.

To finish, Gerry discusses cleans and burpees and how application is inevitably king, but that he may NEVER agree that a particular barbell lift is indeed BETTER for a team-sport athlete in terms of enhancing their speed, power and on-field ability.

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

Episode #111 Navigating "In-Season," Training and How to Prioritize Strength and Speed with Kevin Cronin

9/9/2020

Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/238054/5357956

In this episode, Gerry welcomes on UMass Lowell Head Sports Performance Coach Kevin Cronin to discuss some key topics in sports performance and strength and conditioning.

To start, Kevin details his career journey through the college ranks and how a move back to the east coast and "internship," under Mike Boyle lead to his current position at UMass. Kevin discusses what he learned from Mike in his brief time at MBSC and what it is like to be an intern after spending years of working at a high level as a coach. If you are in the field or looking to get into it you will not want to miss this!

From there, the conversation turns to two key topics in strength training. How to handle "in-season," training and when you should shift focus away from strength training and more towards speed and power training. Additionally, Kevin discusses anti-rotational training and core stability as it pertains to rotational power and ability.

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

Episode #110 Decision Based Programming Based on Individual Needs and Pitching Development with Lennon Richards

9/2/2020

*SHOW TIMESTAMPS FEATURED AT THE END*

In this episode, Gerry welcomes on Baseball Development Group Director of Pitching, Lennon Richards.

Episode Timestamps:

2:52 - Julian's Nutrition Tip
6:58 - Current Work Lennon Is Working On
11:40 - Process of Teaching
12:40 - Getting Job in Private Sector
15:15 - Working with Steve ______
20:30 - Throwing Distance for Drills
28:20 - Having a Curveball and a Slider
37:20 - Changing Arm Action of Big League Pitchers
41:25 - Weighted Balls
45:10 - Using Technology, Coaching
52:15 - Lennon’s Final Thoughts

Episode #109 Meathead Monday: The Fundamentals of Good Acceleration Mechanics (ft. Fernando Tatis Jr.)

8/31/2020

Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/238054/5215270

In this episode of Muscles and Management Gerry is back with another installment of Meathead Monday with a comprehensive breakdown of Fernando Tatis. Jr.'s acceleration mechanics.

This weekend, San Diego Padres phenom Fernando Tatis Jr. took an unorthodox approach to tagging up from third base on a fly ball and the video took the internet by storm. Gerry posted a breakdown of the quality aspects of his acceleration mechanics and wanted to use this episode to further discuss.

The conversation takes you through all aspects of the sprint and what Fernando does very well in his mechanics which help him have above average-elite speed. Additionally, Gerry discusses some means you can use to build your mechanics to be able to get into some of these advantageous positions if you aren't there already.

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

Episode #108 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Anthony Piroli

8/26/2020

Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/238054/5115178

*SHOW TIMESTAMPS FEATURED AT THE END*

In this episode Gerry welcomes on Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head of Strength and Conditioning Anthony Piroli. Anthony is a veteran strength and conditioning/sports performance coach with a wealth of experience in preparing athletes and improving their physical attributes.

To start, Anthony discusses the impact of COVID-19 on relations and protocol with his work with players and things that have changed as a result. He then sheds some light on his background, philosophies and path to working with the Buccaneers.

From there, the conversation turns to the keys to communication and collaboration between strength and sports staffs as well as what coaches can do when considering pace of sport for conditioning protocol.

To finish, Gerry and Anthony discuss testing athletes, preparing them for the field and more!

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

Episode Timestamps:

2:24 - Weekly Nutrition Tip with Julian
10:10 - Anthony’s Experience Dealing with Covid
12:34 - Balancing Player’s Freedoms
15:35 - Getting to Know Anthony Piroli
32:30 - Anthony’s Path to the Buccaneers
35:12 - Connection & Communication Between Strength Staffs and Performance Staffs
43:30 - Considering pace of Play as a Strength Coach and Simplifying Things for Yourself
50:37 - Testing Athletes
54:45 - Preparing Athletes for the Field
1:05:39 - Anthony’s Closing Thoughts

Episode #107 Meathead Monday: The TRUE Meaning of Individualized Programming

8/24/2020

Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/238054/5114776

In this episode Gerry discusses a hot topic in strength and conditioning, individualized programming.

The idea of changing or altering aspects of a program for the needs of an individual athlete has slowly turned into a token/novel idea, sometimes geared at boosting the perceived value of training.

The conversation starts with the inspiration for the discussion and the idea of token individualization and how many have the misconception that every exercise of aspect of a program needs to be changed for each individual. Gerry explains how to look at the general aspects of athletes (age and training age) and how experience can show what things are steadfast for athletes and need not be changed. It is not variations that make a program individualized, but rather load and how we determine what loading they need.

From there, the discussion turns to assessments (actually using them) and how you should combine assessments and general knowledge about athletes and their age range to make decisions on what specific needs they have. Then, to finish up, Gerry discusses tracking loads for individual athletes and assessing progress as programming continues.

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

Episode #106 Building Physical Tools to Help Hitters and EVERYTHING Hitting with Max Dutto

8/19/2020

Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/238054/5054669

*SHOW TIMESTAMPS FEATURED AT THE END*

In this episode Gerry welcomes on Philadelphia Phillies Consultant and Driveline Assistant Hitting Director, Max Dutto, to talk all things hitting. How strength coaches can help build physical tools for hitters, the mechanical and approach aspects of the game and everything in between.

To start, Max discusses basic goals of being a successful hitter as well as mental and mechanical approaches to be successful. From there, he touches on different tools that can be utilized to make adjustments (especially mechanically) that can help yield better production.

From there, Max and Gerry talk about Christian Yellich and some of the things he has done to improve in the box over the past few years and the different approaches needed to deal with the various levels of athletes.

To finish up, Max touches on how big of a role strength coaches play in the development of a hitter and things strength coaches can do to improve their movement ability in the box.

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

Episode Timestamps

3:30 - Julian Nutrition Tip of the Day
12:20 - Intro to Hitting. What Are the Goals?
15:22 - The Art of Hitting. Mechanics Vs Mentality
17:55 - Max’s Approach with Youth Players
23:27 - Overload & Underload
29:30 - Handle Loaded & End Loaded Bats
31:00 - Christian Yelich: Point of Contact & Launch Angle
33:28 - Out Front Vs Getting It Deeper
37:50 - Difference in Approach When Training Different Levels of the Athlete
42:45 - Mindset During an At-bat
48:59 - Dealing with Low Exit Velocity
55:32 - Mobility Issue or Strength Issue?
1:00:30 - Adjusting Programming as Players Progress
1:06:20 - Max’s Final Thoughts

Episode #105 Meathead Monday: 3 Things Strength Coaches Should NEVER Do and Mini Q&A

8/17/2020

Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/238054/5024135

In this episode Gerry begins with a discussion regarding scope of practice when it comes to strength coaches, athletic trainers and physical therapists.

There are certain things strength coaches SHOULD NOT do when it comes to their work with athletes and most of them involve things that physical therapists specialize in such as diagnosing, applying "stim," and performing manual therapy. Gerry also discusses when physical therapists and doctors should include or even defer to a strength coach.

From there, the discussion shifts to a mini Q&A covering areas such as how to build maintenance training around a sports schedule, conditioning, sprints and jumps for catchers, hypertrophy training, contrast training and MORE!

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

Episode #104 Foundations of Speed Training with Graham Eaton (@grahamsprints)

8/12/2020

*SHOW TIMESTAMPS FEATURED AT THE END*

In this episode Gerry welcomes on track and field coach Graham Eaton.

Graham has an extensive background as a sprint coach and joins the show to shed some light on what he does to help his athletes be successful and get faster.

To start, Graham discusses the coaches and biggest influences on his philosophies, as well as some changes he made in his mentality in coaching sprints and what prompted them.

From there, the conversation turns to teaching a coach to effectively coach sprinting, remaining consistent/sticking to the plan and all mechanical aspects of sprinting (acceleration AND top speed)

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

Episode Timestamps

3:04 - Weekly Nutrition Tip with Julian
7:30 - Background on Graham
19:22 - Graham’s Biggest Influences
26:05 - Graham’s Main Coaching Philosophies
30:20 - Biggest Changes in Graham’s Mentality
32:22 - How to Teach a Coach on Sprinting
40:20 - Getting Caught up in Constantly Switching Things for Athletes
58:35 - Static Vs Moving Starts When Sprinting
1:01:37 - Most Important Phases for Acceleration and Top Speed
1:07:05 - Arms in Sprinting
1:08:35 - Graham’s Closing Thoughts