Episodes

Oct. 21, 2025

S5E62: Andrew Menter, Founder of Physmodo "Movement is the Forgotten component of Fitness"

Andrew provides an informative perspective, a bit of history on movement assessment and evolving technologies in the industry. We chat about how frequency of assessment is key to finding and addressing movement restrictions and issues. HIgh School and Collegiate Athletesathletes, high performance focused organizations and more. Episode Highlights: 1:25 Assessing human movement and the history of Physmodo 2:35 We were focused on creating something objective and fast 3:22 Computer vision, came...
Sept. 30, 2025

S5E61: "Brutes and Dancers" a passion for Coaching Throwing Athletes with Rick Gaylord

Listen as Coach Rick Gaylord joins Jeff and Mikki to discuss his passion for coaching youth, his athletic background and professional experiences. Including the tension and interplay of Power and Technique, how they may differ in women's and men's athletic development. Cross Training and Single Sport focus and their respective effects on athleticism, Raising and coaching a multi Sport National level, State Title winning athlete, Character development, "Travel ball syndrome" and more. Episode Hi...
June 1, 2025

S4E60: Send us your input for Season 5, We would love to hear what you want us to cover and any subjects you would like us to go deeper on, guests you'd like us to interview.

Send us your input for Season 5, We would love to hear what you want us to cover and any subjects you would like us to go deeper on, guests you'd like us to interview.
May 11, 2025

S4E59: Rachel Steadman of Ellipsis Training and Adventures Delivering "Robust Risk Management"

Rachel Steadman hops on with Mikki and Jeff to discuss a little "how we got here" CrossFit history, 2006, fish tacos, and some serious guidance. The community has grown up over the past two decades and Rachel's knowledge on how gyms can plan ahead to avoid "the risks of not managing risks" is pure gold. Episode Highlights: 1. 1:30 CrossFit and Rachel's Professional Background 2. 3:16 Message Boards and Painstorms 3. 4:45 Internet Friendships 4. 6:56 Level 1 at the OG Brand X® in San Diego ...
March 11, 2025

S4E58: U18 - Positive Coaching Through Growth Spurts

Keegan and Mikki share proven strategies for positive coaching through growth spurts. Keeping youth engaged when physiological changes and challenges can create extra adjustment for both the youth and the coach. Episode Highlights: 1. 1:31 "Early Bloomers" kindness, options, normalizing the experience and getting back to mastery 2. 3:29 Highlighting how their new body proportions have advantages 3. 6:32 Defining "Spend time in new positions" 4. 8:43 Awareness that the results of spending ti...
Feb. 16, 2025

S4E57: Dan Uyemura of PushPress "How transparency enhances culture, trust and resilience"

Dan Uyemura, Founder of PushPress joins Jeff and Mikki to discuss a myriad of topics from how fear of failure can be a real motivator, Glee Club and the positive outcomes of challenges, Staying humble, having true empathy and how a Coaches impact can be lifelong for youth. We discuss the similarities and differences in Adult and Youth Program needs, How actual human experience is still key for accurate data, and notably why PushPress is leading the way in SaaS for gyms with excellent products an...
Jan. 26, 2025

S4E56: U18 - "Some days you have a shovel and some days you have a spoon" Intensity in Training Youth

Keegan and Jeff share effective systems for appropriate Intensity when training Youth. They talk about what is ineffective, effective, dose response evaluation and the vast difference between training for health and longevity and training for competition. Episode Highlights: 1:58 Defining What is effective 2:42 Dose and Volume- Using speed, reps and load for positive effect. 4:04 Health & intensity, balancing goals, recovery and fun. 6:09 Effective Youth models differ from Adult models. 7:...
Jan. 8, 2025

S4E55: Farran Mackay, of Virtuous Coach Development- Making the fitness ecosystem more sustainable through exceptional member experiences

Mikki and Jeff host Farran Mackay to discuss her unique and client centric approach to creating success for gyms, coaches and clients. Sustainability is the goal through optimal member experience planning. Episode Highlights: 1:32 Teaching through love of Sport 2:43 Researching long term changes for positive practices in teachers 4:32 "Unless you can support the person in front of you to take the next steps in their growth, whatever it is then it doesn't matter what the content is" 5:41 St...
Dec. 9, 2024

S4E54: Controlled Adversity and Strength Training, with Stephen Kinsella of FSM Youths and "The Edge"

Jeff and Mikki talk with Stephen Kinsella of FSM Youth (Bray Ireland) about his recent project and ebook "The Edge" and the why behind helping this generation through adversity. Episode Highlights: 2:36 The Youth Mindset angle and asking the right questions 3:56 "The Edge"- 9 Lessons and exercising the mind 7:13 Post adversity discussion and moving to "What are we going to do about it now" 9:32 The gym as a safe environment, delayed gratification and perseverance 13:54 Trust and great coac...
Nov. 12, 2024

S4E53: U18 - Tips for building a Healthy Plate, with Jen Broxterman, RD

Jen Broxterman, who metaphorically is "the joyful food in your nutrition education menu" talks with Jeff and Mikki about how to build a healthy plate, how that works with youth, as well as addressing the sweet treats culture in schools and organizations as both reward and celebration- how much should we actually focus on that? Episode Highlights: 1:30 50% Vegetables, 25% Protein, 25% Carbohydrates and how to communicate individualizing to level of activity 5:06 Reviewing the Division Of Respo...
Oct. 29, 2024

S4E52: U18 - Fitness Testing In Schools, Standards and Memories with Connor and Keegan Martin

Physical Education, Inspiring motivation through standards. Keegan and Connor Martin discuss the starting point, we can't expect goal setting much less goal attainment without a destination. Episode Highlights: 1:41 From JFK and a base level of health to the ability to skip or sit out Physical education 5:07 In the early 2000's there were assessments, but no goals were shared with students. 5:32 How the standards to goals to motivation process has been muddied 12:18 Students dont need to ha...
Oct. 8, 2024

S4E51: Changes in Youth Fitness 1991-2024, Millennials to Gen Z with Connor & Keegan Martin

Connor and Keegan Martin discuss the many changes in Youth Fitness over their lifetimes, from perceived exertion to wearables and contactless training. Their experiences and what training looks like now for young athletes. Episode Highlights: 2:23 When we were kids, in our training all we really knew was "Go Hard and Go Fast". 3:29 As things evolved, integrating strength with high intensity, adding high skill gymnastics, hypertrophy. 4:41 The huge shift from perceived exertion to data at yo...
April 24, 2024

S4E50: U18 Brand X® Barbell Prep - What, Why and How is it different from teens?

In Part 1 of 2 U18 podcasts, Mikki & Jeff discuss Brand X® Youth Barbell Prep, and how it fits into a Youth Strength Training Program. How teaching use of the Barbell to younger kids in a safe, engaging, developmentally appropriate environment while leveraging Play created motivation and State and National records. Show Notes & Highlights: 1. 1:20 What is it and Why is it offered? 2. 2:57 Developmentally appropriate Goals & Methods 3. 4:35 Who is it for? Age, focus, competency 4. 7:37 Psych...
April 10, 2024

S4E49: U18 How to Bring Nutrition into your space in a sustainable way, with Jen Broxterman RD

Description: Jen Broxterman RD, the amazing energy behind Prosper Nutrition Coaching, shares actionable advice and steps to create positive outcomes. Her use of Play to engage both parents, Coaches and youth through Games and metaphors is pure gold! Take her Free LIFT OFF course. Episode Highlights: 1. 1:48 How to Bring Nutrition into your space 2. 3:00 WIN What's important now? 3. 4:02 The LIFT OFF Course and Play 4. 5:12 Championing Vegetable intake and the Rainbow Game 5. 8:59 Baby Cr...
March 26, 2024

S4E48: U18 - Five Essential Actions for a Thriving Youth Program- #5 Developing a great Customer Relationship

Our partners at PushPress recently hosted a webinar, where we outline 5 Essential actions for a Thriving Youth Program. In this five part series, we will discuss each of those five actions in short under 18 minutes episodes. In the 5th episode, we discuss the details of the Customer relationship in Youth Fitness Programs and how communication and actions differ from Adult Programs. Episode Highlights: 1. 1:15 Customer v. Client 2. 2:19 Understand the Goals of both Customer & Client 2. 3:14 ...
March 5, 2024

S4E47: U18 - Five Essential Actions for a Thriving Youth Program - #4 Use Progressive programming, specifically designed for youth with known outcomes.

Our partners at PushPress recently hosted a webinar, where we outline 5 Essential actions for a Thriving Youth Program. In this five part series, we will discuss each of those five actions in short under 18 minutes episodes. In the fourth of the five, we discuss using youth specific programming. Check out our NEW Brand X® Kids & Teen Class Programming now available on PushPress Train https://www.pushpress.com/partners/brandxmethod Episode Highlights: 1. 1:07 Professional Organizations and Res...
Feb. 20, 2024

S4E46: U18 - Five Essential Actions for a Thriving Youth Program- #3 Creating a Child Friendly Environment

Our partners at PushPress recently hosted a webinar, where we outline 5 Essential actions for a Thriving Youth Program. In this five-part series, we will discuss each of those five actions in short under 18 minutes episodes. In the third of the five, we discuss Creating a Child Friendly Environment. Check out Brand X® Kids & Teen Class Programming now available on PushPress Train https://www.pushpress.com/partners/brandxmethod Episode Highlights: 1. 1:12 Is your youth program hiding? 2. 3:06...
Feb. 6, 2024

S3E45: U18 - Five Essential Actions for a Thriving Youth Program- #2 Youth Specific Education

Our partners at PushPress recently hosted a webinar, where we outline 5 Essential actions for a Thriving Youth Program. In this five part series, we will discuss each of those five actions in short under 18 minutes episodes. In the second of the five, we discuss Youth Specific Education. Episode Highlights: 1. 1:51 Who goes to that mechanic! 2. 3:14 Maximizing potential 3. 4:06 Sub-optimal decisions 4. 5:18 Safety, maximizing potential, retention Hashtags and links:  #youthfitnesstrain...
Jan. 23, 2024

S3E44: U18 - Five Essential Actions for a Thriving Youth Program- #1 Define Your Goals

Our new partners at PushPress hosted a webinar, where we outline 5 Essential actions for a Thriving Youth Program. In this five part series, we will discuss each of those five actions in short under 18 minutes episodes. In the first of the five, we discuss Defining Your Goals. Episode Highlights: 1:51 the benefits of defined goals 2:45 you must drive the program to go to disneyland 3:58 finish prerequisites before med school Hashtags and links: #youthgyms #kidsgym #youthprogramsuccess ...
Dec. 12, 2023

S3E43: Autism Spectrum Youth: A family, a gym, and a supportive welcoming community

Chappie Hunter of Alpine Ranch CrossFit, Westin and his parents Joe and Shelly join Jeff and Mikki to discuss Westin's journey into fitness and the myriad benefits that experience has created for both Westin, Chappie and the CF Alpine Ranch community. Episode Highlights: 1. 1:34 Alpine Ranch CrossFit, Brand X® and the Young Warriors, Teen Gladiators programs 2. 2:38 Fitness, Sport, CrossFit perception and the reality at Alpine Ranch CrossFit 3. 3:52 Coach and student learning, how focus and ...
Nov. 28, 2023

S3E42: U18 - Maximizing Youth Performance and enhancing the sport experience

Coach Jeff, Keegan and Mikki discuss Maximizing Performance for Youth Sport, maximizing potential and enhancing the sport experience through a focus on Movement Skills & Quality, Positional consistency, Injury prevention, Skill acquisition and power production. Starting at the Foundation in Base and Building mobility alongside Stability. Episode Highlights: 1:17 Sport IS Performance and the focus of performance is how we are doing in our sport. 2:25 Maximizing Potential in the Boost Phase and...
Nov. 14, 2023

S3E41: U18 - Tips for Raising Active Children, fostering a physical culture at home

Keegan, Jeff and Mikki talk simple straightforward strategies to foster a physical culture at home. Episode Highlights: 2:31 Consciously fostering a culture where kids want to move 3;10 Daily modeling & scheduling of physical activities 6:45 Seeing the family moving motivates kids to join and copy 7:28 Incorporate things they already enjoy 8:25 Move together as a family, let them lead and stay playful 10:25 Leverage sport interests through playful skill practice 10:58 Choosing within fam...
Oct. 24, 2023

S3E40: Dr. Cate Shanahan M.D., Avoiding Toxic Vegetable oils, The Hateful 8 and "The Fatburn Fix"

Description: Jeff and Mikki are joined by NYT best selling Author Dr. Cate Shanahan who explains and discusses why all humans (especially parents!) need to be aware of the "profound and powerful" effects of seed oils, and understand just how toxic they are to our health. She acknowleges the science of nutrition having become very controversial and gives some history and ideas about why that may be. Dr. Cate advises all of us to pay attention to "The Hateful 8" and provides lots of tips for famil...
Oct. 3, 2023

S3E39: U18 - "Teaching coaches to be better nutrition coaches"

Jennifer Broxterman Registered Dietician and Founder of Prosper Nutrition Coaching joins Mikki and Jeff in a lively metaphor-rich conversation to talk Nutrition Coaching for Coaches and gives excellent advice concerning youth and nutrition discussions. Episode Highlights: 2:59 Becoming a better coach 4:07 Elevating skills, complex to simple as a behavior change facilitator 5:25 Sherpas, climbing mountains and a clients definition of success 7:26 Planting seeds, youth and the power of words...