The Human Advancement Podcast

Ep. 14 - Kent Maiman - Thru Hiking the Appalachian Trail

This episode marks the beginning of season 2 for the Human Advancement Podcast. 
During this episode, John Matulevich of Ruthless Performance talks to Kent Maiman, a long distance hiker from Colorado who recently completed the Appalachian Trail (AT).
Over the course of the hour-long conversation, John and Kent cover topics ranging from:
-Kent's life prior to hiking the AT
-Lessons learned from the trail (i.e. "Never Quit on a Bad Day")
-Trail gear and Kent's favorite pieces of equipment
-Footwear
-Kent's nutrition on the trail, particularly his vegetarian diet
-Skills learned on the trail
-Life lessons
-Trying to accomplish something as daunting as hiking the Appalachian Trail during the early days of COVID-19
 
More broadly this episode should serve as a pep talk to get your ass in gear if you're interested in accomplishing big things in 2021.
 
As always, follow Ruthless Performance on Twitter and Instagram (both @RuthlessPerform).
Visit RuthlessPerformance.com to learn more about how we train our athletes, specifically the online education tab.
Want to train with Ruthless Performance? Contact us at RuthlessPerformance.com/contact.

Ep. 13 - Kyle Fisher - Injury Prevention in College Athletics

In this episode, John is joined by fellow Bloomsburg University graduate, Kyle Fisher. Kyle's career has taken him throughout the United States, but he is currently an athletic trainer for Lebanon Valley College.
The conversation begins with Kyle briefly discussing his high school and collegiate football experience, which even led to some time as an NFL prospect. The discussion then transitions into John and Kyle's mutual interest and expertise in injury prevention.
Some subsequent topics include:
-Understading the PSAC conference and NCAA Division-2 athletics
-What athletic training actually is
-Athletic Training vs. Strength & Conditioning
-Care fore athletes vs. General Population
-Bottlenecks in sports rehab and recovery
-Avoiding injuries post-COVID
-Isometric Training
-How Kyle assesses athletes
-Concussions: rehab & prevention
-Vestibular training
-Addressing ACL injuries & high risk athletes
-Training athletes online -Icing athletes: does it work?
-Compression and its benefits
-Kinesiotape
-The fine line between safety and babying athletes
-The influence of helmets on concussions
In the conversation, Kyle mentions vestibular testing using the Brock string. 
You can follow Kyle on his Alternative Fish social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, and the VIP Facebook Page.
 
As always, follow Ruthless Performance on Twitter and Instagram (both @RuthlessPerform).
Visit RuthlessPerformance.com to learn more about how we train our athletes, specifically the online education tab.
Want to train with Ruthless Performance? Contact us at RuthlessPerformance.com/contact.

Ep. 12 - Ruthless Performance Ride America Q&A

This past Saturday (May 23, 2020) marks the 1-year anniversary of our announcement to plan, sponsor, and complete a 43-day, 4,000-mile cross-country cycling event. 
The ride started on August 24, 2019 in San Francisco, CA and ended on Saturday, October 5th, 2020 in Pottsville, PA. The ride was completed by the owner of Ruthless Performance, John Matulevich. Ultimately, the ride raised over $12,000 for Back in Black Dog Rescue and The Hillside SPCA.
The conversation today is a Q&A with John, where he is interviewed by Back in Black Dog Rescue representative Angel Cicero. The questions throughout were gathered from various supporters and sponsors.
In the interview, John answers questions including...
-What was your thought process coming up with the idea to bike across America?
-What was the goal? Did you ever think you wouldn't meet the goal?
-What was Day 1 on the road like? How did it feel to go across the Golden Gate Bridge?
-You were on your own for 43 days, was it lonely? Were you afraid?
-What did you eat?
-Where did you sleep? 
-Did you have bike troubles?
-How heavy was your bike? What did you carry with you?
-Is there anything you would do differently?
-What lessons did you learn?
-Physical vs. Mental ability
-On the trip, what surprised you about yourself?
-What would you tell someone who was thinking about riding solo across the US?
-What were your thoughts pulling into The Finish Line Event?
 
As always, follow Ruthless Performance on Twitter and Instagram (both @RuthlessPerform).
Visit RuthlessPerformance.com to learn more about how we train our athletes, specifically the online education tab.
Want to train with Ruthless Performance? Contact us at RuthlessPerformance.com/contact.

Ep. 11 - Nick Hair - Strength Through Data

In this episode John talks with Nick Hair. Nick is a personal trainer with a background in computer science. In this conversation, they discuss:
-Nick's personal experiences in high school and collegiate sports
-The value of collegiate exercise science programs
-1-Rep Max testing in athletes
-Modifying a program to suit the individual
-Science vs. Action
-General population training vs. athlete development
-Strategies for continuing education
-Tech, data and software in athlete development
-Grip Training
-The value of nasal breathing
-Tactical strength & conditioning, plus prepping for life in the marines
-Distance running training strategies and misconceptions
You can follow Nick on Instagram & Twitter with the handle @Nick2Hair.
In the podcast, Nick also mentions Camp4 Human Performance as a resource for grip training education, plus the Tension Climbing Flash Board. To learn more about nasal breathing, Nick recommended The Oxygen Advantage by Patrick McKeown and West's Respiratory Physiology book for learning more about breathing. Lastly, here is the instagram page for Nick's mentor Collin McGee.
 
As always, follow Ruthless Performance on Twitter and Instagram (both @RuthlessPerform).
Visit RuthlessPerformance.com to learn more about how we train our athletes, specifically the online education tab.
Want to train with Ruthless Performance? Contact us at RuthlessPerformance.com/contact.

Ep. 10 - Paige Stoner - The Long Path to Running Professionally

In this episode, John from Ruthless Performance interviews Paige Stoner, a fellow former Schuylkill County athlete who now runs professionally for the Reebok Boston Track Club. 
We detail Paige's career from high school to pro-athlete. We also discuss a multitude of running related topics like:
-Dirt road running for better health and running longevity
-The value of hill running 
-Sauna training
-Some of Paige's gear preferences
-Paige's favorite training recovery foods and strategies
-Marathon and Ultra-marathon running
-Race day dietary considerations
-Carbon-Plated Footwear
Follow Paige on Instagram (@PaigeStoner11) & Twitter (@PaigeStoner11). And follow Reebok Boston Track Club on Instagram (@reebokboston_tc).
 
As always, follow Ruthless Performance on Twitter and Instagram (both @RuthlessPerform).
Visit RuthlessPerformance.com to learn more about how we train our athletes, specifically the online education tab.
Want to train with Ruthless Performance? Contact us at RuthlessPerformance.com/contact.

Ep. 9 - Erica Suter - A Modern Approach to Strength & Conditioning for Soccer

In this release, John Matulevich of Ruthless Performance talks with Strength & Conditioning Coach Erica Suter.
Though the conversation is largely about Erica's expertise of strength & conditioning and athlete development for middle school - high school soccer, the conversation is wide-ranging and covers topics from:
-Erica's History in the Sport of Soccer
-How Erica began her first Strength & Conditioning regimen at a young age
-In-Season vs. Out-of-Season training considerations
-Injury Prevention strategies for soccer players
-The notion of sport-specificity training
-Some of Erica's favorite exercises for soccer players
-Turf vs. Grass in soccer
-College summer training packets
-Instilling stoicism in athletes
 
You can find Erica on Instagram (@FitSoccerQueen) and Twitter (@FitSoccerQueen).
 
As always, follow Ruthless Performance on twitter and instagram (both @RuthlessPerform).
Visit RuthlessPerformance.com to learn more about how we train our athletes, specifically the online education tab.
Want to train with Ruthless Performance? Contact us at RuthlessPerformance.com/contact.

Ep. 8 - Chase Senior - Excellence in Sports Broadcasting & Following Your Passions

In this episode John talks with WNEP Broadcaster and online personality Chase Senior.
Throughout the conversation John and Chase cover...
-Chase's new podcast project with former PennState QB Matt McGloin called 'The Underrated Hour'
-Performing interviews and broadcasting under the pressure of live television
-ESPN's new Last Dance Documentary
-Various considerations and injury prevention strategies for college and high school basketball
-The shortcomings of the bench press in football training
-Tom Brady's training methods
-The value and possibilities of following your passions from a young age
-John's favorite episode of Chase's show the 'Chase Down Podcast'
-The future of E-Sports
-How individuals can achieve anything with the right framework
-Staying motivated, goal-oriented, and focused
 
Follow Chase Senior on Instagram (@chase_senior20), on Twitter (@Chase_Senior), and check out his podcasts The Chase Down Podcast and The Underrated Hour.
 
As always, follow Ruthless Performance on twitter and instagram (both @RuthlessPerform).
Visit RuthlessPerformance.com to learn more about how we train our athletes, specifically the online education tab.
Want to train with Ruthless Performance? Contact us at RuthlessPerformance.com/contact.

Ep. 7 - Internal Program Review - Summer Strength Training for an Elite High School Swimmer

This video breaks down a complete month-long strength training program from Ruthless Performance's Athlete Development line during the summer of 2019.
I explain why we chose the exercises that we did, what programs look like at Ruthless Performance, and what makes this program so special. This is a learning tool only. We never recommend following any program that we designed for another individual.
I explain:
-General daily warm-up
-Why we selected certain activation drills for certain days
-How strength work should be programmed
-Conditioning ideas
-How we use circuit training to efficacy and efficiency
-Why certain exercises are better for certain athletes
 
As always, follow Ruthless Performance on twitter and instagram (both @RuthlessPerform).
Visit RuthlessPerformance.com to learn more about how we train our athletes, specifically the online education tab.
Want to train with Ruthless Performance? Contact us at RuthlessPerformance.com/contact.

Ep. 6 - Reggie Crawford - Transitioning from State Champion Swimmer to MLB Prospect

In this episode, John interviews Reggie Crawford. Reggie swam for North Schuylkill HS until after the PIAA State Championship meet of his junior year.
Reggie earned the gold medal that year in the 50-yard freestyle and silver in the 100-yard Freestyle with a time of 45.54. Since then, he’s held the PIAA Double-A 50 Yard Freestyle record at an impressive 20.45.
Immediately after High School Reggie was the 37th Round Draft Pick for the Kansas City Royals but instead he chose to play in college at the D-1 level for the University of Connecticut.
We discuss
-his swimming career
-why he chose to play for UConn
-how he copes with grueling nation-wide in-season travel
You can follow him on Instagram at @iamreggiecrawford and on Twitter @_Reginald_C
So be sure to give him a follow, I’m sure you’ll be hearing a lot more about Reggie over the coming years.
 
As always, follow Ruthless Performance on twitter and instagram (both @RuthlessPerform).
Visit RuthlessPerformance.com to learn more about how we train our athletes, specifically the online education tab.
Want to train with Ruthless Performance? Contact us at RuthlessPerformance.com/contact.
 
 

Ep. 5 - Colin Fedoriska - Strength & Conditioning for Combat Sports

In this episode, I chat with Philadelphia-based strength coach Colin Fedoriska. 
Our primary topic of discussion is strength & conditioning for combat sport athletes which includes MMA fighters, BJJ athletes, boxers, and more.
We also discuss corrective exercise strategies for this population, as well as some of Colin's favorite strength training exercises for fighters, plus his favorite conditioning tools for this population. 
Another topic is the common over-reliance on long-distance running for conditioning in the combat sports community.
Beyond its value for fighters, this episode is a great look at some of the nuances of strength and conditioning, including different training environments, in-season vs. out-of-season training, and more.
 
As always, follow Ruthless Performance on twitter and instagram (both @RuthlessPerform).
Visit RuthlessPerformance.com to learn more about how we train our athletes, specifically the online education tab.
Want to train with Ruthless Performance? Contact us at RuthlessPerformance.com/contact.