In this guest interview, John and Chris welcome dietician, personal trainer and author, Kayla Girgen. Kayla joins the show to discuss her new book, "Ruck Fit" as well as share her journey from the corporate world to the fitness industry and more.

**John, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims to be. The information provided in this show is not intended to be medical advice & should not be misconstrued as such. You assume all risk & liability by implementing any of the information shared on this show. You should ALWAYS seek the opinions of a qualified healthcare provider in your state/country before using any of the information provided in this show*

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Starting Block Podcast

02:35 Guest Introduction: Kayla Girgen and Her Journey

06:12 Nutrition Insights and the Role of Registered Dietitians

12:04 Understanding Blood Sugar Management

19:58 Exploring Rucking: Benefits and Community Engagement

27:19 The Rise of Rucking and 75 Hard

28:32 Walking as Exercise: Debating Its Value

31:03 Progressing in Rucking: Weight and Challenge

33:55 Rucking Mechanics: Posture and Weight Management

36:13 Rucking for Athletes: Building Endurance

38:13 Rucking as a Gateway to Strength Training

40:16 Incorporating Strength Exercises into Rucking

41:25 Choosing Between a Backpack and Weighted Vest

47:00 Getting Started with Rucking: Tips and Resources

Preorder Ruck Fit on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4ggD4Ip

Follow Kayla on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaylagirgenrd/

Sign up for Kayla's free weekly newsletter: https://wintheweek.gr8.com/

Kayla's go-to rucking set-up: GORUCK Rucker 4.0 & weight plates

In this week's Q&A, John and Chris discuss the use of training with water based tools, how isometric lunges impact speed and protein supplementation.

**John, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims to be. The information provided in this show is not intended to be medical advice & should not be misconstrued as such. You assume all risk & liability by implementing any of the information shared on this show. You should ALWAYS seek the opinions of a qualified healthcare provider in your state/country before using any of the information provided in this show*

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to the Starting Block Podcast

02:58 Athlete Development and Training Insights

06:09 The Importance of Female Athlete Training

08:03 Evaluating Training Tools: Water-Filled Balls

19:55 Iso-Extreme Lunges and Sprinting Speed

29:39 Nutrition and Protein Recommendations

In this weeks Guest Interview, John and Chris welcome Coach Anthony Cellitti to the show. The guys discuss various topics, including the importance of building relationships with athletes, the effectiveness of the 1x20 training system, and the challenges associated with training athletes in todays society due to the influence of social media and more.

**John, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims to be. The information provided in this show is not intended to be medical advice & should not be misconstrued as such. You assume all risk & liability by implementing any of the information shared on this show. You should ALWAYS seek the opinions of a qualified healthcare provider in your state/country before using any of the information provided in this show*

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Starting Block Podcast

03:06 Guest Introduction: Coach Anthony Saletti

05:59 Anthony's Coaching Journey and Philosophy

08:52 Ideal Athlete Qualities and Training Dynamics

11:51 Training Methodologies: The 1x20 System Explained

14:52 Practical Application of the 1x20 System

17:56 Challenges in Convincing Athletes to Train Differently

20:58 Bastardized Training Programs: Lessons Learned

24:31 Exploring Training Techniques and Recovery

30:12 The Challenge of Convincing Young Athletes

35:57 Building Relationships and Communication with Athletes

37:17 Innovations in Training Tools and Techniques

In this week's Q & A John and Chris dive into the importance of leg power in pitching, the role of blood flow in enhancing recovery & recurring hamstring injuries.

**John, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims to be. The information provided in this show is not intended to be medical advice & should not be misconstrued as such. You assume all risk & liability by implementing any of the information shared on this show. You should ALWAYS seek the opinions of a qualified healthcare provider in your state/country before using any of the information provided in this show*

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Starting Block Podcast

02:43 Understanding Athletic Development and Training Methods

05:17 The Importance of Leg Power in Pitching

11:24 Mechanics and Variability in Athletic Performance

16:56 The Role of Blood Flow in Performance and Recovery

20:36 Addressing Recurring Hamstring Injuries

In this weeks episode, hosts John Nelson and Chris Scarborough reconnect after a summer break to discuss their training experiences and their summer of coaching athletes. They delve into the importance of evaluating fitness content on social media, identifying effective training methods, and the significance of structured programs in athletic development. The conversation emphasizes the need for coaches to communicate clearly and monitor key performance indicators to ensure athletes' long-term success.

**John, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims to be. The information provided in this show is not intended to be medical advice & should not be misconstrued as such. You assume all risk & liability by implementing any of the information shared on this show. You should ALWAYS seek the opinions of a qualified healthcare provider in your state/country before using any of the information provided in this show*

Chapters

00:00 Welcome Back and Show Overview

05:00 Summer Updates and Training Insights

14:05 Evaluating Fitness Content on Social Media

17:08 Evaluating Athletic Training Techniques

20:01 The Importance of Structured Coaching

22:22 The Role of Repetition in Training

24:43 Balancing Entertainment and Effectiveness in Coaching

25:34 Monitoring Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

30:25 Understanding Progression in Athletic Training

In Athlete Spotlight episode, John and Chris welcome Drake Meeks, a talented pitcher from the University of Southern Mississippi. They discuss Drake's journey from a youth baseball player to eventual collegiate athlete. Topics include: the importance of body control in pitching, and the mental toughness required to succeed. Drake also shares his experiences with injury and recovery, including his Tommy John surgery, and emphasizes the significance of training and preparation. The conversation concludes with valuable advice for aspiring athletes and insights into the competitive nature of college baseball.

**John, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims to be. The information provided in this show is not intended to be medical advice & should not be misconstrued as such. You assume all risk & liability by implementing any of the information shared on this show. You should ALWAYS seek the opinions of a qualified healthcare provider in your state/country before using any of the information provided in this show*

In this episode, John and Chris discuss the multifaceted nature of athletic injuries, particularly focusing on the recent surge in Achilles tendon injuries in professional sports. They explore various factors contributing to these injuries, including training methods, the impact of modern technology and light exposure, and potential links to COVID-19 vaccinations. The conversation emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to athlete health and injury prevention, urging coaches and trainers to consider all aspects of an athlete's environment and lifestyle.

**John, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims to be. The information provided in this show is not intended to be medical advice & should not be misconstrued as such. You assume all risk & liability by implementing any of the information shared on this show. You should ALWAYS seek the opinions of a qualified healthcare provider in your state/country before using any of the information provided in this show*

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Athletic Development

00:34 The Achilles Tendon Controversy

13:42 The Impact of Blue Light on Injuries

29:21 Exploring COVID-19 Vaccine and Musculoskeletal Disorders

In this episode John and Chris discuss various aspects of athletic development, focusing on the relationship between weight gain and speed loss, the differences between yielding isometrics and iso-extremes, and addressing common injuries like brachialis pain in pitching.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome Back to the Starting Block Podcast

06:00 Understanding Weight Gain and Speed Loss

16:01 Isometric Training: Yielding vs. ISO Extremes

28:03 Addressing Brachialis Pain in Pitching

**John, Chris and many of the show's guests are NOT licensed healthcare providers & make NO claims to be. The information provided in this show is not intended to be medical advice & should not be misconstrued as such. You assume all risk & liability by implementing any of the information shared on this show. You should seek the opinions of a qualified healthcare provider in your state/country before using any of the information provided in this show*