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In this episode of Muscles and Management, Gerry welcomes back Ben Brewster, founder of Tread Athletics, to discuss the evolving landscape of pitching development, strength training, and how technology and social media are shaping modern training methods.

Ben shares insights on the advancements in pitch tracking technology, how social media influences training trends (for better or worse), and the role of strength training in pitching performance. He also breaks down the pitfalls of over-relying on training gadgets, how athletes should filter out misinformation, and why understanding biomechanics is critical for long-term success.

They dive into the balance between strength training and skill development, the importance of movement quality, and why "sports-specific" training often misses the mark. Ben also reveals his “toothpaste tube” analogy for squeezing out every last bit of performance potential and shares lessons from his personal journey—from a 150-pound high school freshman to a 98-mph professional pitcher.

All that and more on this episode of Muscles and Management!

Timestamps:

0:00 – Introduction to the Episode and Guest, Ben Brewster
3:17 – The Evolution of Pitching and Strength Training
7:39 – How Technology Has Transformed Training
12:10 – Social Media’s Role in Training Trends
15:35 – The Problem with Over-Specialization in Youth Sports
19:54 – The Spread of Training Misconceptions Online
23:37 – The Debate on Strength vs. Skill-Specific Training
26:23 – Finding the Right Balance Between Lifting and Throwing
30:24 – The Role of Movement Quality and Injury Prevention
39:46 – Misconceptions About Strength Training in Pitching
44:15 – How to Train Smarter and Avoid Overtraining
51:01 – The “Toothpaste Tube” Analogy for Peak Performance
54:11 – Final Thoughts: Maximizing Every Training Opportunity

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In this episode, Gerry welcomes Quentin Wiley, a Doctor of Physical Therapy and strength coach at the University of North Carolina, to discuss the intersection of rehab and performance training. Quentin shares insights on the growing hype around fascia-based training, movement variability for injury prevention, and the balance between treatment, recovery, and foundational training principles. They also explore the role of social media in shaping training trends, common misconceptions in strength and conditioning, and how to bridge the gap between rehab and performance.

Quentin breaks down why movement variability is key to reducing injury risk, the overuse of passive recovery modalities, and why training should focus on long-term athlete resilience rather than gimmicks. He also dives into the role of strength training in injury prevention, how manual therapy is often misunderstood, and why many athletes overcomplicate recovery instead of prioritizing sleep, hydration, and nutrition.

All that and more on this episode of Muscles and Management!

Timestamps:

0:00 – Introduction to the Episode and Guest, Quentin Wiley
3:17 – Quentin’s Background: From UNC Lacrosse to Physical Therapy
7:39 – Transition from Athlete to Strength Coach and DPT
12:10 – Social Media’s Role in Strength and Rehab Trends
15:35 – The Problem with Over-Specialization in Youth Sports
19:54 – How Training Misconceptions Spread Through Social Media
23:37 – The Debate on Movement Variability for Injury Prevention
26:23 – Strength Training vs. Rehab: Finding the Balance
30:24 – Fascia Training Hype: Science vs. Pseudoscience
39:46 – Why Passive Recovery Methods Are Overrated
44:15 – The Role of Manual Therapy in Pain Management
51:01 – How Strength Training Builds Resilience and Injury Prevention
54:11 – Final Thoughts: Smart Training, Recovery, and Avoiding Gimmicks

Get A 7 Day FREE TRIAL On Onlystrength! - https://www.onlystrength.training/podcastoffer

Do you want a GUARANTEED 0.2-0.5 seconds off your 60 time in just 8 weeks... just in time for baseball season?

Click the link to access the Diamond Speed Protocol, a speed program designed by Gerry to get you the fastest you've ever been! - https://www.onlystrength.training/podcastdsp

Support the show

Send us your questions, or thoughts on today's episode!

In this episode, Gerry welcomes Brandon Davis, a strength and conditioning coach, to discuss vertical jump training and performance strategies. They dive into the importance of altitude drops, resisted sprints, and the role of eccentric training in athletic development. Brandon shares insights on common training misconceptions, including the misuse of VertiMax, overcomplicating jump training, and the obsession with sport-specific gimmicks. The discussion also covers how social media influences training trends, the challenges of coaching in different settings, and the effectiveness of loaded jumps and Olympic lifts.

Brandon explains why he prioritizes eccentric overload and altitude drops for injury prevention and performance, as well as his shift away from Olympic lifts in favor of resisted sprinting and alternative jump training methods. The conversation provides valuable insights for coaches and athletes looking to enhance power, speed, and jump mechanics.

All that and more on this episode of Muscles and Management!

Timestamps:

0:00 – Introduction and Podcast Recognition
3:39 – Welcoming Brandon Davis and Episode Overview
5:28 – Common Misconceptions in Jump Training and Performance
7:39 – The VertiMax Debate: Effective or Overhyped?
12:10 – The Problem with Sport-Specific Training Gimmicks
15:35 – Issues with Speed Ladder Training for Athletic Performance
17:25 – The Rise of Fascia-Based Training: Overhyped or Useful?
19:54 – How Social Media Affects Strength and Conditioning Trends
23:37 – Box Jumps for Conditioning: Misuse and Proper Application
26:23 – Why Altitude Drops Are Essential for Athletic Development
30:24 – Addressing the Fear of High Drop Landings
34:12 – Progressing Athletes to Maximal Landings and Drop Heights
37:36 – The Role of Eccentric Strength in Vertical Jump Development
41:36 – Why Basic Training Works for a Long Time in Young Athletes
45:37 – Stimulus Rotation vs. Sticking with the Basics
50:35 – Olympic Lifts: Are They Necessary for Power Development?
57:50 – The Best Loaded Jump Variations for Vertical Jump Gains
1:02:14 – The Drawbacks of Trap Bar Jumps and Setup Constraints

Get A 7 Day FREE TRIAL On Onlystrength! - https://www.onlystrength.training/podcastoffer

Do you want a GUARANTEED 0.2-0.5 seconds off your 60 time in just 8 weeks... just in time for baseball season?

Click the link to access the Diamond Speed Protocol, a speed program designed by Gerry to get you the fastest you've ever been! - https://www.onlystrength.training/podcastdsp

Support the show