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 #144 Why Training May Be a Better Word Than Rehab with Kelly Starrett

3/17/2021

Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/238054/8064625

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Kelly Starrett has been featured on 60 Minutes, the Joe Rogan Experience and is a best selling author. He joins Gerry on this episode of Muscles and Management to talk about the balance between training and rehabilitation and why quality training may be a better mindset then rehabilitation.

Additionally, Kelly gives tips about making your way into this field and how you can be a good coach AND make money.

From awesome and unique perspectives on training and more, this episode has it ALL!

Episode Timestamps

5:00 - Growing in Your Industry
12:00 - Who Do You Want to Attract?
18:10 - Making Money Outside of the Gym
27:40 - You Need to Be Obsessed
34:50 - Nic Gill and the All Blacks
39:15 - Training… or Rehab?
53:00 - Dynamic Correspondence & Gimmick Exercises
56:30 - Failed Therapy & Injury Recovery
1:10:00 - “Lot’s of Roads Lead to Rome”
1:17:00 - Final Thoughts

Episode #143 Everything You Need to Know About Creatine with Wendi Irlbeck

3/10/2021

Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/238054/8061009

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In this episode, Gerry welcomes Registered Dietitian Wendi Irlbeck to the show to discuss EVERYTHING you need to know about creatine.

Wendi starts the conversation with a bit of her background in the field and then gets into some tips for the average person and how they can navigate social media and some of the poor information that is put out.

Speaking of poor information, Wendi then gets into creatine and all of the misconceptions and misinformation about it. From "it bloats you," to "it is a steroid," Wendi and Gerry laugh about the ridiculous thoughts that circle the supplement and why they are simply not true.

From there, the conversation turns to the when, what and why of creatine and all you need to know about how it works, when you should take it and who it can benefit (everyone).

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

Episode Timestamps

4:49 - Wendi’s Background
6:30 - Broad Tips from Wendi
11:45 - Registered Dietitians & Guidelines
16:05 - Bad Info on Twitter
21:30 - Intro to Creatine
33:40 - Timing for Creatine
43:00 - Working with Youth
52:38 - Gerry’s Weightloss Journey
57:50 - Closing Thoughts

Episode #142 Joint Specific Training and Differing Demands of Each Leg for Rotational Athletes with Rob Hill and Steffan Jones

3/3/2021

Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/238054/8060991

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In this episode Gerry welcomes Rob Hill and Steffan Jones back on the show for another introspective episode aimed at building rotational athletes and throwers.

To start the conversation, Gerry has Rob and Steffan discuss anything that has changed for them in terms of their training philosophies over the past year while also shedding some light on things that interest them going into the future.

From there, things shift over to isolating particular ranges of motion that relate to the mechanics of pitching and throwing and how strength coaches and pitching coaches can collaborate to target needed areas in the delivery of a pitcher to improve performance.

To finish up, Rob and Steffan discuss the differing demands of the legs in pitching and how we might be seeing a shift in our thought process because of this when it comes to training advanced pitchers.

All that and more with two of the best throwing coaches in the world today!

Episode Timestamps

0:20 - Check-in with Gerry
7:20 - A Shift in Baseball & Its Similarities to Cricket
13:40 - Changes in Rob & Steffan’s Training
22:00 - In-Season Vs Out
32:30 - Technique Vs Force
42:00 - Conflicting Info in the Industry
51:20 - Learning New Things
55:50 - Isometrics

Episode #141 Jason Ochart: Creating Hitting Training Environments That Actually Prepare Hitters for Competition

2/24/2021

Episode #140 Dean Jackson: Everything to Know About Transferability and Specificity of Strength Training for Pitchers

2/17/2021

Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/238054/7463818

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On this episode Gerry welcomes pitcher AND pitching strength coach Dean Jackson to the show!

Dean has a very interesting background as he is still pursuing his own playing dreams of professional baseball as a pitcher while also doing some excellent work as a coach for various amateur and pro arms alike. Dean blends a terrific understanding of pitching and pitching mechanics along with a great grasp for strength and conditioning concepts which truly makes this a unique listen for pitchers, pitching coaches AND strength coaches.

After divulging a bit about his own background growing up and how that impacted him in terms of his knowledge in training, Dean gets into tips and advice for not only youth pitchers and athletes, but then discusses the specificities of strength training for advanced pitchers. This includes some of the characteristics he looks for when it comes to the movements specific to pitching and how that can shape subsequent strength training.

From there, the conversation turns to specificity and Gerry and Dean give their takes on what training transferability really means and how we can make sure we are giving our athletes what they need to succeed as pitchers and athletes.

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

Episode Timestamps

Episode #139 Programming: Individualization, Specification, Planning and Timing to Build Better Athletes with Zach Dechant

2/10/2021

Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/238054/7524187

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In this episode Gerry welcomes Zach Dechant back on the show! After an amazing first episode last year, Zach returns to talk everything regarding programming.

To start, Gerry and Zach talk about some benefits of lower sprint volume for athletes and preserving the nervous system throughout a training week, while also maintaining a balance of still providing stimulus.

From there, the conversation turns to individualization and changing loading vs. variations, programming for youth athletes and the real meaning of sport specificity.

For athletes and coaches alike, this is a must listen to understand the intricacies of program development to best serve athletic development.

Episode Timestamps

4:00 - What Is New with Zach
5:35 - Less Is More
12:30 - Holistic Approach
20:30 - Changing the Mindset of Coaches and Organizations
26:50 - Rotation
34:00 - Old Logic - Poles
44:25 - Loads for Different Athletes
49:30 - Youth Programing
57:33 - Preparing Athletes for Their Sport & Misconceptions
1:09:00 - Closing Thoughts

Episode #138 Philadelphia Phillies Minor League Pitching Coach Pat Robles: Skill Acquisition and Blending Skill Development and S&C for Pitchers

2/3/2021

Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/238054/7375003

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In this episode Gerry welcomes pitching coach Pat Robles. Pat is involved in player development for the Philadelphia Phillies and spent the last several years before as both the pitching and strength and conditioning coach at the Junior College level.

Pat discusses his time at the Junior College level and how being forced to oversee both pitching AND strength training helped him become better at the process of pitcher skill development involving the holistic approach of skill work and the intertwining of strength and power training.

From there, the conversation turns to balancing the volume of strength training with the demands of pitching and gives good insight on the overall balance between skill and strength work when it comes to daily, weekly and monthly loading on an athlete.

Then, the conversation finished up with a discussion on the stages of skill development and how Pat uses things like weighted ball training, velocity based training and constraint based training to bring athletes across the spectrum of skill development when aiming to improve performance and output in sport.

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

Episode Timestamps

4:00 - Pat’s Path to Pro Ball
9:00 - Sprinting & Role with the Phillies
17:00 - How to Not Overstep Strength Coaches
21:30 - Helping Pitchers in the Weight Room
27:10 - Is This Strength Coach Worth Going To?
28:00 - Volume for Pitchers
35:20 - Don’t Rush: Young Athletes
45:00 - What to Adjust in Higher Level Athletes
50:15 - Weighted Balls
59:00 - Run N’ Gun and Having Them Transfer
1:02:20 - Final Thoughts

Episode #137 Emily Bogaudo (RD): Protein Intake, The Impact of Alcohol on Nutrition and Reverse Dieting

1/27/2021

Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/238054/7374946

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In this episode Gerry welcomes on Emily Bogaudo. Emily is a Registered Dietitian and personal trainer who has developed quite the following in the fitness community with her educational and no-BS approach to nutrition. This approach has worked to help hundreds of clients reach their weight-loss and physique goals while maintaining sustainable and healthy habits.

To start the conversation, Gerry and Emily talked about Gerry's quest to "Make Gerry Ripped Again," and how Gerry has had success with his plan orchestrated by Challenger Nutrition Coach Julian Lo Casto. Everyone has routines and habits that work for THEM and Emily discusses the importance of building your own plan for success based on these habits.

From there, Gerry has Emily walk through some topics that are of big debate in nutrition. From fruit and whether or not it is "bad for you," to protein intake, the conversation tackles many important areas. How much protein can you eat in one sitting? How important is protein intake overall and are the general guidelines most use accurate?

To finish up, Gerry has Emily give a breakdown on reverse dieting and adding calories BACK into your caloric intake and having success with that as well as the impact of alcohol on overall nutrition and how to calculate it into your overall intake.

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

Episode #136 The Complete Process of Hitting Assessments and S&C for Baseball Players with Jeff Leach

1/20/2021

Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/238054/7374904

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In this installment of Muscles and Management Gerry welcomes on hitting coach Jeff Leach to talk the "ins-and-outs," of assessing hitters in the current age of burgeoning technological advancements in the game of baseball.

To start, Jeff talks a bit about his background both as a player and parent/coach and how that had an impact on his career as a hitting coach. Jeff then details a bit about his path in coaching and the various roles he has held up until this point in his career.

Then, the conversation turns to hitting assessments and the process in which Jeff assesses hitters in order to help them succeed in game situations. The process begins with basic movement assessments and works all the way up to point of contact analysis and a really interesting test used to find the "hole," in a hitter's swing.

Then, the episode finishes up with Jeff's take on the important things to look for when finding a quality strength coach to help in the development of a hitter and baseball player.

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

Episode Timestamps

4:40 - Jeff’s Background
10:10 - Cues for a Hitter
15:30 - Hitting Catching up to Pitching & Science of Movement
19:30 - Push Back in Baseball - Always Evolve
27:00 - Pricing for Clients
37:40 - Habitats, Not Cages
43:15 - Hitters Vs Swingers
48:00 - Finding Holes in a Player’s Swing
55:40 - Developing Confidence
1:00:45 - What Jeff Looks for in a Strength Coach
1:10:20 - Approach and Timing

Episode #135 Gena Bradshaw: Beyond the Barbell- How Coaches Can Better Handle the Psychological Component of Athletic Development

1/13/2021

Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/238054/7164391

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Muscles and Management welcomes Strength/Track & Field Coach Gena Bradshaw on the show for this installment!

Gena has beat cancer (TWICE!), competed in track and field at the collegiate level and now trains athletes as part of her family business, Bradshaw Personal Training.

The episode starts with Gena talking about her education and what it was like growing up with two parents who are strength coaches and personal trainers.

From there, both Gena and Gerry talk about handling the mental and emotional aspects of athletic development and several ways you can help improve your athlete’s performance by understanding how they feel, think and behave.

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

Episode Timestamps

5:00 - Gena’s Training Background
10:45 - Training Your Own Kids
19:00 - Specialization Vs Not
24:45 - Mental Side of Training
29:00 - Coaching Female Athletes
34:00 - Using the Scale When Training Young Female Athletes
40:45 - Gena’s Experience Working with Parents
45:50 - Getting out of Comfort Zone
49:00 - Gena’s Work as a Business Coach
55:00 - Gena’s Final Thoughts