While working with VertiMax in the sports performance business, I’ve had the opportunity to work with some extremely creative and knowledgeable coaches, trainers, business owners and really great overall PEOPLE. These individuals are giving back to their communities and helping shape the youth of our country.
I’ve been fortunate of the information and insight they’ve shared with me and I want to give you all the opportunity to hear some of it as well. A few of the last conversations I’ve had have been with Patrick Nolan, Jose Boesch and Davlin Marshall.
We covered a number of topics, and I want to highlight certain things you may find valuable as business owners, coaches, trainer's and fitness fanatics.
I’m sure you’ve heard the proverb, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” But, have you heard the saying about microwaved pulled pork versus crock pot pulled pork?
I couldn't give that explanation justice so I will let you hear it from the source. More on that in a little...
Have you ever spoken with someone about a topic they were extremely passionate about? Well, let’s just say there were multiple topics of conversation and I am going to highlight a few in the Q & A’s below.
What do you see as key trends that have emerged in recent years?
Coach Gil: Recovery protocols. Both from the Medical and Non-medical community the recovery protocol options have increased exponentially. In the past RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) was the gold standard. Now A.R.T, Chrio, Soft and Deep tissue work, dry needling and acupuncture are just the tip of the iceberg.
Just at our center (GLS) we have derivatives of R.I.C.E. We have Cryo Machine (cold), NormaTec compression boots, electro stimulation, deep tissue myofascial or trigger point units like the Theragun and whole body vibration plates. And now there are injections like NAD.
What do you find to be most important as a business or training approach to separate yourself from others?
Coach Gil: Its clear and simple the education in the coaching community does not reflect the most important characteristic of a valued athlete at every level. Which is, locomotive fluidity that comes from quality G.O.A.T.A. & The GLS (Goata locomotive interval system). The GOATA principles created by my partner is based on the most dominant athletes ever born. They were not the biggest, strongest or even the fastest. Athletes like Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali, Roger Federer were just normal size human beings in stature compared to the leagues in which they competed, but their true talent was hidden in the connective tissue, not the muscle. The connective tissue is what rules the agile roost. MJ was fluid, Lebron is not, Ali was cat-like Foreman was not, Deion Sanders and Ed Reed were both explosive with wicked balance and they just normal looking in their layman attire. Stodgy size, strength, and goofy speed means nothing if you can't get to, pitch to, jump to, or run to THE SPOT. MJ could leap slam dunk and make a sandwich before the defense could get the rim.
Coach Gil also shared some insight in listening to your body when it’s trying to tell you something...
“Pain is the signal from your body that you are moving wrong most of the time. Post workout discomfort should always be in the meat of the muscle primarily if a joint aches post workout or into your sleep that is your body alarm system LEARN TO LISTEN OR ELSE it will start to scream at you.” - Jose Boesch
What are your thoughts on culture and what does it mean to your environment?
Coach Nolan: Establishing a culture and making a positive impact on young men and women is extremely important for the growth of the next generations and creating a path to success. Watching the athletes you train become successful 10 years after your last interaction/training session with them is far more important than any game winning shot or state championship.
I always use the analogy of pulled pork when training and mentoring young athletes. Microwavable pulled pork might satisfy your instant hunger because it was quick and easy but, pulled pork you prepared in the crockpot is going to taste way better. The crockpot pulled pork is going to require work and a process but in the long run it is going to be juicy with full of flavor.
Coach Patrick Nolan said, "I always use the analogy of pulled pork when training and mentoring young athletes. Microwavable pulled pork might satisfy your instant hunger because it was quick and easy but, pulled pork you prepared in the crockpot is going to taste way better. The crockpot pulled pork is going to require work and a process but in the long run it is going to be juicy with full of flavor."
Similar to young men and women, if we instantly help them fix issues and problems and don’t let them problem solve themselves we are just helping them out for that one situation but if we teach them how to work hard and enjoy the process, they are going to be successful human beings way past their playing careers.
How does the weight room play into your coaching approach?
Coach Nolan: In terms of the weight room, I always believe the biggest transferable trait from the weight room to the field of play is not “how much you squat or bench?” or “how fast is your 40 time?,” it is confidence. If we can build confidence in young athletes, they are going to trust themselves when it gets to crunch time and whether it is successful or not they will still have confidence that they will be able to bounce back and move on. My running joke which I believe is actually true is when a young athlete walks in the weight room and looks at a weight they get stronger simply because they gained confidence. The confidence you see when a young male flexes his arm in the mirror and puffs his chest up or the confidence you see when a young female does her first true pull up by herself and has a bigger smile on her face than the one she will have on prom, truly goes farther than any weight lifting record board or on field performance. That is confidence that is now instilled in them and they will take that with them to college, their first job interview and the time they need to ask their loved one to spend the rest of their life with them.
As a high school strength coach that does not dictate anyone’s playing time, high school athletes are more open to approaching me on all different topics such as boyfriend/girlfriend issues, grades, parents, frustration in the sport itself, etc. The ability we have as coaches to have a positive impact on these young athletes lives are very crucial because it can and usually does stick with the athletes for the rest of their life on how they handle certain situations. So as coaches, we need to be a positive role model and lead these young men and women so they can grow up being respectful citizens.
What do you see as key trends that have emerged in recent years?
Coach Marshall: In recent years I have noticed that sports performance facilities have put more energy into recovery and digital measurements for strength and power. There has been an increase in the effective ways to help athletes recover faster and in a safe manner. So devices such as the compression boots, recovery boots, cryo chambers and portable massaging devices now make facilities more attractive than before.
Also, companies such as Push and Myotech have wearable devices that digitally measure athletes strength and power levels during workouts. These devices keep providers honest with measurements and they are then able to better apply smart and effective rest times during workouts and can make proper adjustments with resistance or load if applicable.
What do you find to be most important as a business or training approach to separate yourself from others?
Coach Marshall: My personal background in medicine and experience working with chiropractors who specialize in Neurology and Sports Performance gives me a clearer and more detailed picture of the human body and how to better help individuals perform.
1. Our approach is brain/spine first - All of our workouts will contain aspects of balance, coordination, unilateral strength training, unilateral power training enhancement. We can then maximize and strengthen underdeveloped neural pathways with Interactive Metronome Training. (Interactive Metronome Training) allows us to train how well clients/athletes can plan and execute very specific movements. Healthy brain = healthy body. We also encourage our clients/athletes to use postural fitness with our affiliates at Alignmed. Their under-garments utilize neuroband technology to maximize body movements and keep joints healthy and in proper alignment.
2. Prehab and vibration exercises - We use Troy Prehab exercises combined with exercises on (Vibeplate) to keep the body injury free and ready to perform. Proper vibration training keeps muscles healthy and firing on all cylinders while increasing bone strength and maximizing blood flow.
3. Client Service - At the end of it all; make sure clients/athletes are treated as humans; complete people and not just how good they may make our company look. There is always a physical, mental, and emotional understanding that goes into how we service our clients. This type of comprehensive approach keeps workouts meaningful and effective.