The Physical Preparation Podcast is designed to help trainers, coaches and athletes take their performance to the next level. Featuring some of the brightest minds in our industry, we’ll dive in to deconstruct smart training, and help you or your athletes maximize results!
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I’ve got a good one for you today my friend! Bill Hartman brings 35 years of experience, and more importantly, a totally unique way of thinking about rehab, performance, and movement. In our conversation, we take a deep dive into how he moved from standard, rule-based systems to a principle-driven framework called the UHP that helps him make better decisions with less guesswork. Along the way, we get into the bigger ideas behind his model—why shape and position matter, how the whole system influences performance, and why the best solutions often come from understanding movement in context rath
Okay my friend, we’re back for Round #2 this week! Last week, I had some AWESOME questions for the show, so that made for a fun episode that got a ton of positive feedback. But I got so many good questions about assessments and return to play, I wanted to put all those into a second Q&A episode for this week! Here we’ll not only cover my assessment process for both gen pop clients and athletes, but also take a deep dive into return to play – and how to navigate those waters with both a ton of OR minimal technology and resources. There’s a ton of ground to cover here so let’s dive in! Quotable
I asked, and you answered the bell! In fact, I got SO MANY questions from this Q&A podcast that I had to break it up into two separate episodes. In today’s show, I put 45-minutes on the clock and knock out as many questions as I can get to. So whether you’re interested in learning more about mobility, speed training for young athletes, or why I charge for my mentorship programs and services, I cover a TON of materials in this quick hitting and informative show. Let’s dive in! Quotable Quotes: The best programs are vertically integrated, but think of them as levers or dials? Not all of them are
Tanner Care is the Director of Performance for both the BC Lions and the Vancouver Bandits, and over the past couple of months, I’ve really enjoyed learning more about his thought process and approach. So why not bring him on the podcast and dive a little deeper? In this episode of the show, Tanner outlines his comprehensive approach to training basketball players. Whether it’s using force plate assessments to drive his program design, or simply being more effective with our in-season and foot/ankle specific training, I really think there’s something in the episode of everyone. Let’s dive in!
I’m baaaaccckkkk! Did you miss me? It’s been a minute since I did a solo show, so I figured it was time to jump back in and hit you with some of the good stuff. Here we’re going to dive into seven things I’ve been thinking about lately, which are sandwiched between some random work and life updates as well. So without any further ado, let’s dive in and talk shop! Quotable Quotes: I think one of my goals with IFAST Basketball is to just help the next generation of hoopers move better than we did You can’t let athletes get hurt in the weight room. Like Joe Ken and I used to say, we (the strength
In this episode, Austin Ulrich shares how a curiosity-driven approach transformed his understanding of movement and patient care. His journey from powerlifter to clinical innovator reveals how traditional education often falls short, and how a mindset of lifelong learning is key to growth. For Austin, questioning traditional biomechanical models and diving into foundational sciences like physics, biology and chemistry have lead to more effective treatment strategies – and better outcomes. This episode will inspire you to to rethink movement, reimagine your PT practice, and reignite your passio
Today I’ve got the man, the myth, the LEGEND Eric Cressey on the podcast. Now you may know Eric as the Director of Player Health and Performance for the New York Yankees, or for his incredibly successful gym, Cressey Sports Performance. But in case you didn’t know, Eric and I go waaaaayyyy back. If you watch the video, you’ll see I actually pull out the old DVD’s we created together back in the early 2000’s and 2010’s. But now that we’ve both been in the game 20+ years, what have we learned along the way? How are young athletes more broken than ever before? How can we use technology to positiv
With over 30 years in high performance sport, Ben Sporer has seen what it takes to be successful at the highest level of sport. From Canadian Olympic athletes to the Vancouver Whitecaps of the MLS, Ben has made a career on being clear and intentional about the goals of his program. So where do we go wrong when writing programs? Are we too caught up in the 1% that we’re missing the long hanging fruit? Or are we too enamored with cool recovery modalities that we’re actually NOT getting the training adaptations we want? We cover all that – and much more – in this week’s episode of the Physical Pr
Here are a couple of questions I’ve been thinking a lot about lately… What should “longevity” training look and feel like? Is early specialization as bad as we make it out to be? And how do we ensure better success with our rehab and return to play athletes? If you’re curious about any of these topics, you’re going to love this episode with Resilient Performance and PT founder Doug Kechijian! One thing I love about Doug is that he’s not going to simply go with the flow – he’s always going to take a practical and balanced viewpoint on different subjects. So if you’re interested in using common
Andy McDonald is a strength and conditioning coach turned rehab innovator. He’s the founder of Gameplan Performance, and host for the Informed Performance Podcast. In this episode, Andy and I attempt to unravel the complexities of athlete recovery. He challenges the traditional “three-phase rehab model” of return to play, and advocates for a more nuance and collaborative approach. We talk about how important terminology and language are in the rehab process, versus throwing around buzzwords like “strength” or “power.” And most importantly, we talk about the synergy that needs to occur between
Are you interested in learning about velocity-based training (VBT)? Have you heard of it before, but maybe not quite sure what you can do with it? Or are you someone that’s currently using it and looking to take your skills to the next level? If so, this episode with Travis Mash has you covered! Here we cover tons of reasons why you might consider adding VBT training into your program, as well as best-practices to make sure you’re getting the most out of it. Let’s do this! Quotable Quotes: The biggest thing with VBT is that immediate feedback encourages athletes to push throughout the entire r
If you wanted to become a better coach… …open your own gym… …or just be happier and more successful in life, how amazing would it be to learn from someone with 20+ years practical, in-the-trenches experience? My guess is pretty darn valuable. And lucky you, but that’s the entire theme of today’s show! In this episode, Luka and I go back and forth on the biggest lessons we’ve learned in business, coaching, and life, and I guarantee you’re going to love it. Let’s do this! Quotable Quotes: There’s coaching and then there’s the business of coaching. And when you start a business, you kind of reali
It has been an AWESOME week my friend! I’m just wrapping up Spring Break here in Arizona, and needless to say, it’s been an awesome experience. Between the zoo, hiking, Jeep tours and some amazing food, Team Robertson has definitely had a week to remember. But now it’s time to get back to the grind, as I’ve got a podcast to drop today and a workshop to dominate this weekend. So without any further ado, let’s dive in! This Week on the Physical Prep Podcast: Andy McCloy on the power of reading, writing and speaking to become a better communicator Wil Fleming on knowing yourself and how to PUT yo
I’ve been asked some iteration of this question A LOT lately… “Yo Mike – what’s new? And why haven’t you been posting as much?” And frankly, I wish the answer were something short and sweet! But sometimes life just isn’t cut and dry. Sometimes there are layers, nuance and depth to what’s going on. So today, I’m going to give you a little history tour on how I got started in this space, what the past 20+ years has looked like, and where I’m headed in the future. You might not be taking furious notes from this one, but I hope it gives you some insights as to where I’m at in life! This Week on th
My friend you’re in for a treat today! In this episode, we’re bringing back the man, the myth, the LEGEND – Joe Kenn, aka Big House Power. It’s been so cool watching this guys’ journey over the past 15 years. From top-tier D1 football S&C coach, to his time in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers, and now to his newest iteration of himself as a strongman coach, Joe is always thinking and learning. And in this episode, we’re going to dive into a ton of different topics. From strongman comps, to how he’s programming nowadays, to why he’s doing away with “average” velocity in his VBT work, I know y
Well it only took 500-some episodes, but I finally made it happen! Today we welcome the one and only Megan Young to the Physical Prep Podcast. This conversation was so much fun, especially learning more about her journey from reluctant track and field thrower, to collegiate strength coach, to cancer survivor, and then finally with her success with the MLS’ Seattle Sounders. Meg’s resilience and passion for S&C are truly inspiring, and I know you’re going to love learning more about her, as well as what she’s up to these days. So without any further ado, let’s do this! Quotable Quotes: Success
If you’re a strength coach or personal trainer right now, there’s a good chance a client or athlete has come in and said something like this: “Yo Mike… what do you think about PRP?” Or, “My doctor mentioned stem cells.” Or, “I’ve had two (or 6 or 10) surgeries already—should I look into regenerative medicine?” And the honest answer is… maybe? I have some athletes who swear PRP or stem cells changed everything. And others spent a ton of money and got absolutely nothing out of it. So as a coach, you’re stuck in the middle—trying to help, trying to be responsible, but without a clear framework fo
If you’re a strength coach or personal trainer and you’ve worked with a golfer, you can probably relate to one – or ALL – of these. You want to unlock their mobility, so their swing feels effortless and smooth. You want to help them hit the ball farther. And ultimately, you want them to crush it when they get on the course. So a lot of coaches default to general rotational work, med ball throws, and getting stronger — and just hope it carries over. But today, we’re going to make this clear and easy to understand. Because golf swing biomechanics are not reserved for PhDs and tour-level labs. Yo
If you work with athletes who travel, tell me if you’ve seen this before. They fly across the country, and when they show up, something just feels off. Reaction time is slow. They’re moody and irritable. OR they’re just tired flat when it really matters. And we usually treat it like it’s just a sleep problem – but deep down, we know it’s more than that. Jet lag isn’t just about being tired: It’s about your athlete’s internal clock being completely out of sync with when they’re supposed to perform. They might be awake, but their nervous system, hormones, and decision-making speed are still oper
A lot of coaches and serious lifters know VO2 max matters… but they’re not totally sure how to train it correctly. Some people are hammering HIIT circuits and hoping that’s enough. Others are living in Zone 2 because that’s what the longevity crowd is preaching. And a lot of strength coaches are stuck in the middle, wondering if pushing conditioning harder is going to cost them strength, power, or muscle. So you end up with confusion. Mixed messaging. Programs that make people tired… but don’t necessarily move the needle on either lifespan or performance. If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I actuall
Okay my friends, today we’re trying something 100% and completely NEW with this podcast! Yes, even after 500 episodes, I’m still looking for ways to keep it fresh and exciting, so I really hope you enjoy it. In today’s MR Training Talk, we’re going to dive deeper into some of my most popular articles and social media posts in recent memory. For example… What are the biggest mistakes coaches make when writing in-season programs? How can you optimizing a client or athlete’s training based on their unique physical characteristics? And what the heck is a “Buffer Zone?” And why are they so importan
If you train young athletes, this episode is for you! Here I’m going to share 7 powerful insights from my 25 years of coaching young athletes. Whether it’s customizing your communication, monitoring your energy, or practical strategies to motivate and connect with your young athletes, I know you’ll take something away from this podcast that will help you level up. So without any further ado, let’s dive in! Quotable Quotes: Understanding each athlete’s unique character, interests, and mindset is crucial for effective coaching. Tailoring your approach enhances engagement and development The goal
Dr. Marc Lewis is the Director of Applied Sports Science for the Houston Texans, and prior to his time in the NFL, he also had stints at Penn State, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech and the University of South Carolina. Now today’s show is obviously going to focus on sports science, because that’s kind of his jam. But I’d argue even if you aren’t hard core about sports science, there’s a ton to be learned here. For instance, would you be interested in how a small wrestling team using a $347 set-up outperformed a bigger school with fancy tech? Or the big questions you should ask yourself FIRST, befor
What a year it was in 2025! Serious growth with IFAST Basketball. The gym is humming along. And my kids are getting BIG! But even with all the good stuff, there’s always a need to look back and reflect. Sure some things went right – but I definitely wasn’t perfect. Where did I miss the mark? And what can I do better in 2026? I cover all that – and some lessons I learned along the way – in this week’s episode! Quotable Quotes: It’s not about giving my kids more stuff. It’s about making memories and doing things that they’ll remember and cherish for a lifetime If you build it, they will come. We
Are you a smaller college, facility or business owner who is looking to take their sports performance program to the next level? If so, you’re going to LOVE today’s episode. Dr. Anne Beethe currently serves as the Director of Peak Performance at Colby College, a high performance model housing Sports Medicine, Strength and Conditioning, Mental Performance, Nutrition, and Sport Science. And in today’s episode, we’re going to talk about how she built an amazing high-performance program with limited people, funds and resources – something I’m sure many of us can relate to! Quotable Quotes: The mor
