I recently attended a class put on my dear friend Pat Davidson, a phenomenal strength coach and lecturer out of NYC. I’ve had many thought provoking conversations with Pat over the years, but this was the first time that I got to hear him teach. And whoa is all I have to say. With his knowledge, speaking style, and adeptness at mixing theoretical and practical application, Pat is one of the most engaging speakers I have come across in recent years. Pat is one of those people that you have to check out. Period. ’nuff said. When he’s not moving heavy weight, you can find Pat on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. I’d also be remiss to not gave a shout out to Dave Rascoe for making the entire trip and course possible. You are a dear friend, and glad you reached out to me earlier in the year. I also must give a shout out to all the wonderful people who I finally got a chance to meet in person, including Lucy Hendricks (thx for helping me wake the sleeping giant called my right butt), D-Wil and Tom Cooper for the greatest training session of my life, Aaron Davis for sparking me to think about a wide variety of things, Brenda Gregory for #explaininglabs and being awesome, Paul Monje for teaching me about all things video , Teo for being the man, Patrick, Michael, and many more. Check out the video review below, and once you’ve done that, check out my notes.
Read MoreCategory: All Things Performance
SI Joint Pain, Slideboards, and Bulging Discs – Movement Debrief Episode 31
Movement Debrief Episode 31 is in the books. Here is a copy of the video and audio for your listening pleasure. Here is the set list: How does pelvic position influence SI joint pain? Is there a difference between right and left SI joint pain? Where do slideboard variations fit into the program? When are bulging discs relevant? When is flexion vs extension warranted in treating bulging discs? When ought to neurodynamics be performed with disc bulges Who are my top R&b artists If you want to watch these live, add me on Facebook, Instagram, or Youtube. They air every Wednesday at 7:30pm CST. Enjoy! Here were the links I mentioned: Michael Shacklock Clinical Neurodynamics Book Notes Clinical Neurodynamics BJ the Chicago Kid blackbear Anderson .Paak Musiq KCi & Jojo Ginuwine Case Joe R. Kelly Enhancing Life Method Strength Andy Mccloy Trevor LaSarre Here’s a signup for my newsletter to get nearly 3 hours and 50 pages of content, a free acute:chronic workload calculator, basketball conditioning program, podcasts, and weekend learning goodies: [yikes-mailchimp form=”1″ submit=”Get learning goodies and more”] SI Joint Pain Slideboards Bulging Discs
Read MoreDecember Links and Review
Every week, my newsletter subscribers get links to some of the goodies that I’ve come across on the internets. Here were the goodies that my peeps got their learn on in December If you want to get a copy of my weekend learning goodies every Friday, fill out the form below. That way you can brag to all your friends about the cool things you’ve learned over the weekend. [yikes-mailchimp form=”1″ submit=”Hell yes I want weekend learning goodies every Friday!”] Biggest Lesson of the Month I’ve been thinking a lot about generalism and specialism. Becoming a generalist involves implementing things with an individual that intend to have systemic effects, whereas the specialist implements things that intend to have a specific effect. Think about encouraging your clients to sleep effectively, eat more vegetables, and move effectively. Implementing these three strategies will lead to system-wide effects first and foremost, and may impact a specific goal that you have. These are the tools of a generalist On the flipside, consider a surgical procedure, medication, etc. These modalities have a higher likelihood of meeting a specific goal first and foremost, but the system-wide effect is less certain. Though upon careful reflection on this thought, really anything we implement as a generalist or specialist is riddled with uncertainty. Both types of practitioners are necessary to maximize health, longevity, and/or performance. Quote of the Month “Ego is about who’s right. Truth is about what’s right.” ~Mike Maples Jr Ego is something I’ve been working on getting
Read MoreManual Muscle Testing, Treating Powerlifters, Adductors Gotsta Chill – Movement Debrief Episode 30
Movement Debrief Episode 30 is in the books. Here is a copy of the video and audio for your listening pleasure. Here is the set list: If/when is manual muscle testing relevant and valuable What considerations should be made when manual muscle testing? Creative ways to improve variability in powerlifters What methods are useful for reducing adductor overactivity If you want to watch these live, add me on Facebook, Instagram, or Youtube. They air every Wednesday at 7:30pm CST. Enjoy! Here were the links I mentioned: Bill Hartman Pat Davidson Pre-existent vertebral rotation in the human spine is influenced by body position Right thoracic curvature in the normal spine Analysis of preexistent vertebral rotation in the normal spine Behavioral evidence for left-hemisphere specialization of motor planning Ipsilateral Hip Abductor Weakness After Inversion Ankle Sprain Here is the glute max fiber orientation (courtesy of Wikimedia Commons) Here is a video of the D1 Extension pattern Enhancing Life Method Strength Andy Mccloy Trevor LaSarre Here’s a signup for my newsletter to get nearly 3 hours and 50 pages of content, a free acute:chronic workload calculator, basketball conditioning program, podcasts, and weekend learning goodies: [yikes-mailchimp form=”1″ submit=”Get learning goodies and more”] Manual Muscle Testing Treating Powerlifters Adductors Gotsta Chill
Read MoreTop 10 Posts of 2017
At the end of each year, I like to see what you beautiful…sexy…outstanding people liked the most from the jazz I be putting out. I want to understand you. Let me in!!!! While most of the top 10 were in the exercise-specific realm, I didn’t really see a common trend. It seems as though my fam have eclectic tastes. It’s probably why we get along so well! I want to thank you, the fam, for making 2017 an outstanding year. It has been all the comments, questions, stories, and praise that keeps me outputting content for you. I got some big things planned for 2018, and we may mix up the format a bit, but I think you will like the changes. But enough rambling. Let’s check out the top 10. First off… 10. Resilient Movement Foundations Course Review One of my favorite classes of the year, put on by my fam from Resilient. Here we learned all the fundamental keys to effective movement, how to perform the big lifts savagely well, and how to use specific movements to improve joint position in these lifts. Follow these guys, they are some of the biggest stewards of the profession. 9. Practical Pain Education My thoughts on pain education have morphed a substantial degree over the past year. While I think my understanding of pain’s complexities have enhanced, I’ve worked on simplifying my education paradigms. I’ve often found that going down the neurophysiological rabbit hole is completely unnecessary, and providing simple examples
Read MoreRecommended Resources
I oftentimes get asked what resources I recommend. The resources listed below have been essential at putting me down the path that I am currently going, and have shaped how I practice today. The cool thing about this list? None of these are set in stone. If I find a better resource, or one of the blogs I recommend starts to resonate with me less, it leaves the list (no pressure). I want to give you guys the most up-to-date resources as humanly possible, so please check back here frequently. If you’d like articles and such that are tripping my trigger as of late, you may want to sign up for my newsletter. You’ll also get some access to almost 3 hours and 40+ pages worth of exclusive content on pain and breathing. [yikes-mailchimp form=”1″ submit=”Oh wow, free stuff? Absolutely!”] Here are my resources: Foundational Sciences Video series Makemegenius – A youtube page dedicated to explaining scientific concepts that a kid could understand. Crashcourse – Another series of short videos explaining complex scientific topics and more in 15 minutes or less. I wish I had this in undergrad. Books Gilroy Atlas of Anatomy – Easily the best paper anatomy atlas you can find in the land. The angles drawn, the clarity of pictures, this atlas has it all. Wait until you see the subocciptals from the side. #mindblown Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology – Easily the best and most comprehensive physiology textbook in the land, the depth at
Read MoreRespiration Revisited Preview
Respiration, and how it impacts movement, is a topic of dear interest to me. I scoured a bunch of resources to better understand how this process works, and I figured I’d record a talk on how I am applying these concepts. Basically, I do the work, you reap the results #tistheseason Here were some of the topics I discussed in this talk: The anatomy of respiration The physiology of respiration Alterations in physiology and anatomy as respiratory demands increase How to simply assess how movement is affected by respiration Easy to implement treatments to favorably impact movement If you want immediate access to the remainder of the nearly 90 minute talk, and a FREE 27 page PDF file of my talk notes, fill out the form below. [yikes-mailchimp form=”1″ submit=”Yes, a free talk and notes sounds like a sweet deal”] Without further adieu, here is the first 30 minutes of the talk.
Read MoreHypermobility, Pushups Over Quad Sets, and Lat Dominance – Movement Debrief Episode 28
Movement Debrief Episode 28 is in the books. Here is a copy of the video and audio for your listening pleasure. Here is the set list: How do testing considerations differ for people with joint hypermobility syndromes? What does treatment look like for the hypermobile client? Why I like pushups and other upper body exercises can be effective selections for lower body problems What “pain science” courses do I recommend What’s the deal with overbracing and cueing abdominal coordination? How can you reduce lat overactivity The clinical reasoning model that I am thinking of If you want to watch these live, add me on Facebook, Instagram, or Youtube. They air every Wednesday at 7:30pm CST. Enjoy. (sorry about the audio delay, still making some tweaks on my new computer) Here were the links I mentioned: Here is the first way I assess coordinative variability The next test assess coordination, power, and fatigability of joint variability: Noi Group Explain Pain Course Notes Graded Motor Imagery Course Notes Mobilisation of the Nervous System Course Notes Therapeutic Neuroscience Education Course Notes International Spine and Pain Institute “All Gain No Pain” by Bill Hartman Enhancing Life Method Strength Andy Mccloy Trevor LaSarre Here’s a signup for my newsletter to get a free acute:chronic workload calculator, basketball conditioning program, podcasts, and weekend learning goodies: [yikes-mailchimp form=”1″ submit=”Get learning goodies and more”] Hypermobility Pushups Over Quad Sets Overbracing Lat Dominance
Read MoreNovember Links and Review
Every week, my newsletter subscribers get links to some of the goodies that I’ve come across on the internets. Here were the goodies that my peeps got their learn on from this past August. If you want to get a copy of my weekend learning goodies every Friday, fill out the form below. That way you can brag to all your friends about the cool things you’ve learned over the weekend. [yikes-mailchimp form=”1″ submit=”Hell yes I want weekend learning goodies every Friday!”] Biggest Lesson of the Month Don’t beat yourself up if you aren’t hitting perfection day in and day out. Consistent progress over time is the key. There have been many days where I wasn’t motivated to stay on task, and faltered. The key to getting back on the proverbial horse the next day was to not beat myself up. Instead, acknowledge that these things happen, understand I’m human, and get after it the next day. You’d be amazed at what this shift in perspective can do. Quote of the Month “Greatness is a lot of small things done daily” ~ MJ Demarco MJ Demarco again takes the cake this month. This quote made me reflect a lot on just how many small, quality habits, can make an impact on life. What small things can you do to become great? Hike of the Month A late steal this month, but got a chance to check out Death Valley National Park. I wasn’t really sure what to expect with this
Read MoreKyphosis, Post-Rehab Total Hips, and Coordinating Three Planes- Movement Debrief Episode 26
Movement Debrief Episode 26 is in the books. Here is a copy of the video and audio for your listening pleasure. Here were all the topics: What treatment parameters should be considered when working with someone who is overly kyphotic What to look at when assessing a total hip arthroplasty What training pieces should be considered and focused on with a total hip arthroplasty Should anything be avoided on the training floor with a total hip arthroplasty? How do I restore shoulder flexion How do I use cervical rotation to restore cervical lordosis What exactly do I mean by restoring sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes? How do I assess the three planes How do I restore the three planes Can the ribcage and t-spine act independently? If you want to watch these live, add me on Facebook, Instagram, or Youtube. They air every Wednesday at 7:30pm CST. Enjoy. Here were the links I mentioned tonight Enhancing Life Bill Hartman An Anatomic Investigation of the Ober’s Test The Ultimate Guide to Treating Ankle Sprains Ipsilateral Hip Abductor Weakness after Inversion Ankle Sprain Method Strength Andy Mccloy Trevor LaSarre Jeremy Hyatt Here’s a signup for my newsletter to get a free acute:chronic workload calculator, basketball conditioning program, podcasts, and weekend learning goodies: [yikes-mailchimp form=”1″ submit=”Get learning goodies and more”] Kyphosis Post-Rehab Total Hips Shoulder Flexion Cervical Rotation Coordinating Three Planes
Read MoreGenu Recurvatum, Geriatric Power Training , the Problem of PT School, and Professional Communication – Movement Debrief Episode 25
Movement Debrief Episode 25 is in the books. Here is a copy of the video and audio for your listening pleasure. Here were all the topics: How do I treat someone with genu recurvatum What activities I select to improve power in geriatric clients, and where I’m thinking of going Why PT school hasn’t been fixed What the real problem is with bettering the physical therapy profession How to effectively communicate with professionals who don’t speak the same language or have the same thought process as you If you want to watch these live, add me on Facebook, Instagram, or Youtube. They air every Wednesday at 7:30pm CST. Enjoy. Here were the links I mentioned tonight Enhancing Life Method Strength Andy Mccloy Here’s a signup for my newsletter to get a free acute:chronic workload calculator, basketball conditioning program, podcasts, and weekend learning goodies: [yikes-mailchimp form=”1″ submit=”Get learning goodies and more”] Genu Recurvatum Geriatric Power Training The Problem of PT School Professional Communication
Read MoreMy Feature on Mike Robertson’s Physical Preparation Podcast
I was recently featured on my boi Mike Robertson’s Physical Preparation Podcast. It was quite surreal to be interviewed by a guy who I have tremendous respect for, and who has been a huge influence on me. MR was one of the people who I was initially exposed to when I got into this field. After reading all the cool things he wrote on t-nation, I bought most of his products, became a huge reader of his blog, and applied many of his teachings to my own training. Zac = fanboy. Can you imagine what it was like the first time I met him and Bill at IFAST? Like meeting rockstars, fam. Then he we are, having a conversation as peers. Point being with this story, if there was no Mike Robertson, we wouldn’t be having this conversation right now. The Life of A Mercenary PT Here were some of the things we discussed in this podcast: How I got started in the world of physical prep. What life is really like in the NBA/D-League, and what it’s like to transition from therapy to performance at the highest level. What skills I was comfortable with, and how he grew and evolved to take his coaching skills to the next level. My biggest struggles in pro sports. Movement Variability: What it is, and why you probably need more of it. What it’s like to transition from the biggest stages in sport, to working in a smaller setting with a more general
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