Youth Athletes
FEATURED / COACHING / INJURY / MINDSET / NUTRITION & RECOVERY / STRENGTH / MOBILITY / PROGRAMMING / RECIPE / SPEED
Our blog is a collection of articles that make up our doctrine on everything performance.
We are not beholden to corporate sponsors, influencers, or powers that be. Our commitment is to our readers; the coaches, athletes, and enthusiasts that come to us for our honest assessments, analysis, and opinions.
Our pledge to you is that we will do the heavy lifting! We go to battle with bullshit and cut to the chase. If you’re looking for honest information, you’re in the right place.
RECOMMENDED READING
Youth Athletes
Eat The Week Ep 6: Stop Chasing Quick Results
Want your kid faster, stronger and better at their sport? Matt Sullivan joins Ben to explain why chasing quick results could be holding them back and what young athletes actually need to improve.
The Difference Between Strength and Athleticism
You might be stronger than ever… but are you actually becoming more athletic? It’s a question most lifters never ask. Learn the key difference between strength and athleticism, why elite athletes train movement qualities instead of collecting exercises, and how to make every training session transfer beyond the weight room.
The Soviet Secret Worth Stealing
Forget the propaganda. Forget the politics. Strip away the ideology and one thing remains: a training system decades ahead of its time. Here’s what today’s athletes and coaches can steal from the Soviets without repeating their mistakes.
Ep 841 – Minimize Injury & Maximize Performance w/ Scott Hogan
Scott Hogan, author of Built or Broken, joins John to explore how athletes can train smarter, protect their joints, and stay in the game longer. They discuss the often-overlooked role of tendons in performance, how injuries cascade when dysfunction goes unaddressed, and why addressing pain early is critical. Scott also dives into the importance of broad athletic development in youth sports. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or parent, this conversation is packed with insights to help you build strength that lasts and keep your body performing at its best for the long haul.
Only The Weak Fear the Barbell
Tired of chasing aesthetics over actual strength? Discover why most young athletes stay weak, the programs that build real power, and how to train go muscles not show muscles.
Ep 810 – Building Young Warriors: Jiu Jitsu, Coaching & Fatherhood
Jiu Jitsu isn’t just a martial art, it’s a framework for life. Arash Soofiani returns to share how the lessons learned on the mat shape how he coaches kids, raises his own family, and leads from the front. From building toughness in youth MMA to the deeper strategies behind the roll, this episode connects combat sports to confidence, character, and the kind of leadership the world’s running short on.
Ep 809 – Fixing Broken Athletes w/ Henry Abbott
Journalist, author and amateur athlete, Henry Abbott, breaks down what’s really behind the rise in youth sports injuries. From the dangers of early specialization to the failure of modern coaching, Abbott shares insights from his new book Ballistic and explains why Ballistic Movement is the key to keeping athletes healthy, resilient, and in the game.
Ep 805 – Kyle Ruth on How to Build Real Athletes
Everyone thinks they’re training hard, but most are just spinning their wheels. John sits down with coach and athlete, Kyle Ruth, to dissect what’s gone wrong with modern training. From the decline of real strength work to why Olympic lifting has become a lost art, they’re pulling no punches.
When To Go Hard & When To Hold Back
Unlock the secret to long-term athletic success! Certified Power Athlete Coach David McKercher shows us how to apply the perfect amount of training stress to supercharge your progress. Discover the performance hierarchy and the proven sequencing strategy that ensures sustainable gains in strength, power, and speed, without the risk of overtraining or injury. Don’t miss out on the essential principles that will take your athletic development to the next level.
The Foundations of Long-Term Athlete Development
Want to build unstoppable athletic performance that lasts? Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) is the key to unlocking strength, resilience, and adaptability at every stage. Learn how structured training shapes elite athletes, prevents burnout, and maximizes potential for long-term success. Don’t just train, train with purpose.
