The Athlete Foundation

On Box Jumps I like using various box jumps as a tool to teach: - Intent... - Jump mechanics/sequencing - Rate of Force Production - etc. I don’t use them to test hip, or even spine mobility! Look at hip displacement as the gauge. (How far do your HIPS get off the ground) Once you’ve maximized that, there is no need to raise the box any higher. My rule of thumb. If your landing in a position you wouldn’t squat to, with a bar on your back, you’re doing it wrong. While landing force is reduced by jumping onto a box, there is still significant impact from that landing. If the body is in a ‘weak’ position, it’s not only pointless, it’s dangerous. See more

Reflection We should all do some reflecting on 2020 as we (happily) leave it behind us. What did we learn about ourselves? ... How did we deal with a level and type of adversity we couldn’t have expected or prepared for? Did you let it control you or did you find a way to pull some positives out of a very challenging year? Personally, I found a job, lost a job, found another job and ultimately expanded my training business. I’ve continued to train athletes but, of course, the gym has been closed or limited for much of this time. I wanted to thank @deansarich for bringing me on the the Last Call Beverages team where I was able to get back into a sales role with a super cool brand. Unfortunately that role didn’t survive all the way though COVID. As of December 1st, I joined @crossnetgame Full Time as the International Sales Director. I’ve been working with the brand for a while so it was nice to become a much larger contributor to the future of CROSSNET, worldwide. Thanks to @chrismeade, @woeismeade and @msdelpapa for bringing me on and also supporting my continued work with Athletes through The Athlete Foundation. CROSSNET is such a good fit, as a volleyball player, coach and educator, it’s a brand new way to introduce volleyball to players of all ages. I want to also thank @ova_updates for continuing to trust me to coordinate the physical development of our Team Ontario athletes with my amazing partners at @capital_strength_ts Thanks to my amazing friends, family and clients who have all been there to support, guide, listen and laugh with all year. Ultimately, I’m quite happy with how this year has ended up. I can’t wait to see what 2021 brings for everyone! Happy New Year! See more

Hamstring Training Having strong hamstrings is an important factor for overall lower body health in the athlete population. They stabilize the knee, help maintain hip position, add to speed and jump performance to name just some. ... Most also know that the gastrocnemius (upper calf) also crosses the knee joint and contributes to knee flexion. As athletes, we skew towards training movements vs. muscles. In some cases (prehab, rehab, muscular imbalances etc) we look to muscle isolation. In the above picture, you’ll see me doing a leg curl in dorsifelxion (ankle joint flexed up towards the knee) and in plantarflexion (ankle joint extended away from knee or toes pointed down) When in dorsifelxion, the calf muscles get much more involved, when in plantarflexion, less so. Neither of these is better or worse, just be clear on what you’re trying to accomplish and pick the right tool/variation. This would also apply to the exercises I program more for my athletes like Nordic Hamstring Curls, Glute/Ham raises. Deadlifts, the king time of posterior chain development doesn’t involve a significant degree of knee flexion/extension so this doesn’t apply there. Details matter. See more

, . The term ‘BUY-IN’ is used a lot by leaders of teams of any type. In general, buy-in is having a group of people motivated to move in the direction you lead them, because they trust that you will put them on a path towards your shared goal.... Buy-in is not automatic. You don’t earn in through your education, experience or track record. You don’t get it by just having a best-in class product, service or experience. So how is it achieved? Buy-in is built through the cultivation of relationships. As a leader you have to be aware of the group’s past experiences and current situations that could act as catalysts or barriers to the buy-in you’re trying to build. Buy-in is relationship building. It will be unique for each team and even each individual. It can’t be rushed or forced. It must be built from the foundation up. Listen more, talk less, and build relationships. Strong relationships create strong teams much better than the fancy, buzz worthy exercise you’re trying to come up with. Everyone wants to learn and grow. If they aren’t responding to you, look in the mirror and make some adjustments. #dumbbell, #fitness, #workout, #gym, #barbell, #crossfit, #kettlebell, #dumbbells, #training, #fit, #bodybuilding, #weightlifting, #exercise, #dumbbellworkout, #strength, #homeworkout, #motivation, #health, #squats, #muscle, #fitnessmotivation, #burpees, #fitover, #strong, #foot, #squat, #gymlife, #powerlifting, #dumbbellpress, #bhfyp" See more

Never Stop Improving I try to become a better trainer, every day, every session. Lately, my focus has been much less about learning new training techniques or systems. I think I have enough tools in that tool box. ... I’ve been focusing more on the people in front of me. The people trusting me with their physical development. - Learning more about them/listening more - Making sure we are fully aligned on what their training goals are - Understanding what motivates them - Reading physical cues - Debriefing after sessions These are some of the things that create long term relationships, trust and athlete buy-in. Most of us can write programs that will deliver results. The main X factor, is what the athlete brings to the session for us See more

You are NOT fragile When you treat your body like it’s fragile, it becomes fragile. When you treat your body like it’s the amazingly resilient and adaptable neurological/physiological system it is, it becomes strong. ... Strength is different for everyone. It doesn’t have to be slogging heavy weights daily but should involve some level of resistance training for EVERYONE. Don’t let unethical Trainers rope you in with their assessments that uncover how ‘broken’ and weak you are with testing that doesn’t resemble any natural movement. Build the strength you desire and require to live a fulfilling, pain free and active life. If you need any guidance during this new lockdown, please reach out. PS - I’m happy in this pic, just not a big smile-er for the camera. See more