August 2019 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 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!”]

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July 2019 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 July. 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!”]

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You Probably Aren’t Really Squatting

Can improving your movement options and all this breathing stuff help with muscle growth?This is the fundamental question that myself, Ben House, and Ryan L’Ecuyer sought to answer on his most recent Bro Research Radio. In this podcast, we discuss all types of wild and crazy things. Some of my favorite topics were: Why you likely hinge when you squat The relationship between hypertrophy and movement variability Is it worthwhile modifying your main lifts How ego can negatively impact muscle gains Why it’s ok to break professional lanes and so much more Ben and Ryan are some of the foremost experts on hypertrophy, nutrition, and strength that I know. They are my go-to guys for improving body composition, and our peeps I readily seek advice from in this realm. You do not want to miss out on the conversation between the three of us. Click the link below to give it a listen. Bro Research Radio Episode 9 with Dr. Zac Cupples – You Probably Aren’t Really Squatting Where are your hypertrophy struggles? Comment below and let the fam know!

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Mandibular Retrusion, GIRD, and Distance Assessment – Movement Debrief Episode 85

Movement Debrief Episode 85 is in the books. Below is a copy of the video for your viewing pleasure, and audio if you can’t stand looking at me. Here is the set list: What is the relationship of mandibular in relation to the head and spine? What could be a negative consequence of the retruded mandible? What treatment strategies would you use to improve it? What is GIRD? Does my hierarchy for improving movement change with someone who has GIRD? How would you improve GIRD? How do I perform an assessment with a distance client?

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Elevated Heels, Pelvic Floor, and Identifying with Medical Labels – Movement Debrief Episode 79

Movement Debrief Episode 79 is in the books. Below is a copy of the video for your viewing pleasure, and audio if you can’t stand looking at me. Here is the set list: Why is it useful to elevate the heels during squatting? Why do I coach “holding in gas” during inhalation? How does this cue impact pelvic floor? Is there a difference between holding in gas and kegeling? What is my educational approach like for someone who identifies with a medical label?

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Iliotibial Band Syndrome, Shoewear, and Quick Assessments – Movement Debrief 75

Movement Debrief Episode 75 is in the books. Below is a copy of the video for your viewing pleasure, and audio if you can’t stand looking at me. Here is the set list: What is IT band syndrome? What factors must we consider for treatment of IT band syndrome? What keys do I look for in a good shoe? What in my assessment would lead me to selecting certain shoes? Does shoewear matter for different contexts such as walking or sport? When short on time, what 3 key assessment pieces do I use to make decisions? What assessments would you use in larger group sessions?

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Top 10 Posts of 2018

At the end of each year, I like to see what you beautiful…sexy…outstanding people liked. What the fam….recognized (fam). This year, it seems like errbody was loving all of the movement-based work that was discussed. You want practical application as a coach or clinician, you got it! I also loved how all the guest posts I had this year made the top 10. There were some rock solid contributions from my fellow colleagues. Guess I’m going to need more album features if you know what I’m sizzlin’. I want to thank you, the fam, for making 2018 an outstanding year. It has been all the comments, questions, stories, and praise that keeps me outputting content for you. I think we will keep doing this another year. Why not? 😉 But enough rambling. Let’s check out the top 10. First off… 10. The Reckoning: Part Deux Course Review This was an excellent seminar that was run by two of my favorite doctors in the game: Pat Davidson and Ben House. The topics covered were a great variety of areas I needed more exposure in. If you want to learn how our movement limitations are evolutionary, the ins and outs of hypertrophy or fat loss, blood sugar regulation, you’ll just scratch the surface of what this course covered. If you ever get a chance to hear Pat or Ben in person, do so. In fact, you can hear Pat, myself, and Seth Oberst in February.  9. Why You Need Sun Exposure My man Iordan

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Breathing Strategies for Training, Hip Clunking, and Common Knee Issues – Movement Debrief Episode 71

Movement Debrief Episode 71 is in the books. Below is a copy of the video for your viewing pleasure, and audio if you can’t stand looking at me. Here is the set list: What breathing strategy do I advocate for lifting? How does the breathing strategy change at moderate and high intensities? Are the breathing mechanics different at high intensities vs. basic exercises? What causes hip clunking? Are there any treatments to reduce clunking? What are some common knee issues seen in most people? What qualities should be focused on to maximize knee health If you want to watch these live, add me on Facebook . They air every Wednesday at 7pm CST. Enjoy! and the audio version… Here were the links I mentioned: Check out Human Matrix promo video below Below are some testimonials for the class Want to sign up? Click on the following locations below: February 2nd-3rd, 2019, New Providence, NJ (early bird ends January 4th) SIGN UP FOR THE REVOLUTION featuring myself, Pat Davidson, and Seth Oberst February 9th-10th in Boston. MA June 8th-9th, 2019, New York, NY (early bird ends 5/10/19 at 11:55pm) August 24th-25th, 2019, Vancouver, BC (early bird ends July 26th at 11:55pm) September 21st-22nd, Raleigh, NC (early bird ends 8/23/19 at 11:55pm) Or check out this little teaser for Human Matrix home study. Best part is if you attend the live course you’ll get this bad boy for free! Here’s a signup for my newsletter to get nearly 3 hours and 50 pages of content, a

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Respiration and Posture for Better Sprinting and Lifting

Want to help your clients and athletes perform at a higher level by incorporating breathwork? I recently did a q&a over at Simplifaster, where we discussed all things breathing, performance, and training. Below is a list of the questions I answered: The difference between the breathing patterns seen in strength training and in dynamic athletic performance. How breathing on the ground transfers to what happens when standing and moving around? The top priorities in training an athlete’s trunk and midsection How to deal with common “thoracic spine mobility” deficit in athletes How to use “big lifts” for athletes, squatting and deadlifting, in light of muscle activation and posture How to progress single leg exercise progression Click on the link below to check it out Respiration and Posture for Better Sprinting and Lifting

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Influential Studies, Piriformis Syndrome, and Screwing the Feet – Movement Debrief Episode 59

Movement Debrief Episode 59 is in the books. Below is a copy of the video for your viewing pleasure, and audio if you can’t stand looking at me. Here is the set list: What are the top two studies that have influenced my practice? What is piriformis syndrome? How do I treat piriformis syndrome? What is screwing the feet? What position should the foot be in for squatting? If you want to watch these live, add me on Facebook or Instagram.They air every Wednesday at 7pm CST. Enjoy! and the audio version…                    Here were the links I mentioned: Sign-up for the Human Matrix in Seattle, WA on September 15-16th here Sign up for the Human Matrix in Kansas City, KS on October 27-28th here   Sign-up for the Human Matrix in Portland, OR on November 10-11 here Read here to learn more about Human Matrix Coordinative variability and overuse injury Pat Davidson Mechanics of the respiratory muscles Here is the debrief on hip extension Below is a good move to improve hip internal rotation Below is a good move to improve hip external rotation Below is the slump test Eric Oetter Below is an excerpt from a message I got from a bright PT student and zaccupples.com employee, Kris Camelio (Instagram, Twitter), in regards to the “foot screwing out” piece. I thought you may enjoy. Pronation during squat makes the foot segment mobile and thus offers less stability for the rest of

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The Most Important Cues for the Fundamental Movements

Finding that one cue that completely changes a client’s movement quality is beyond gratifying. A cue that makes an exercise go from cringeworthy to oh so pretty. But with so many available moves to choose from, it can become challenging to find the right cue for each individual exercise. Thus, attempting to condense moves into similar buckets may reduce the amount of cues we need. A good cue produce results across similar movements. One concept that Pat Davidson has really made me think about is the concept of a movement archetype. That is, a typical example of a given activity. Regardless of which variation you choose, there are certain qualities that make a squat a squat. You will never confuse a squat with a pushup. These similarities pose a question then. Can I devise an archetypical cue? A cue that would address a particular quality of a given movement task across all variations? That is what my mentee Aadil has challenged me to do, and is going to be a major part of my course: Human Matrix. So today, we are going to look at the following moves: Squat Hinge Reach Pull Press Accessory (aka “core”) What I am going to provide for you today is one cue that you can use for each of these base moves. A cue that is useful among all variations, and ought to maximize performance in each of these endeavors. Let’s dive in.

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Costa Rica Underground S&C 2018 Retreat Review

I recently had the opportunity to attend a strength and conditioning retreat hosted by none other than the legendary Ben House at his Flo Retreat Center. The retreat consisted of a morning filled with meditating, writing, thinking, and of course learning. Afternoons were time to bro down with fellow bros at the beach, on hikes, and exploring all the wonders that Costa Rica has to offer. The experience was life changing for me. Very rarely do I get a chance to be a part of a community like we had in Costa Rica, especially as a mercenary PT. I had the opportunity to learn from great people, share phenomenal moments, and make new friendships that I hope last a lifetime. If you want to get schmarter, meet amazing people, or simply get away from the riggers of a overconnected environment, I strongly encourage you to sign up for one of these retreats. I’m hoping to be there again next year. Without further adieu, if you want some knowledge bombs from the heavy hitters who were there, check out the review below.  

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