The Elitefts™ Sports Performance Podcast is the premier resource for strength & conditioning coaches, sports performance professionals, and athletes of all levels. Bringing you the best information from the scientific foundations to the practical application. Combining the latest cutting edge research, anecdotal evidence, and under the bar experience.
Mark Watts is The Director of Education at elitefts™ and the NSCA Ohio State Director. He also serves as an adjunct professor in the College of Professional and Applied Studies at Urbana University. He has a Masters Degree in Exercise Science & Health Promotion from California University of PA and a Masters Degree in Elementary Education from Clarion University of PA. Watts has worked with athletes in over 20 different sports at the Division I, II & III levels for over 15 years as a strength & conditioning coach at places such as Denison University, The United States Military Academy at West Point, Allegheny College and Clarion University. Watts competes in both powerlifting and strongman competitions. He is originally from Pittsburgh, PA and is a USMC veteran.
Bob Alejo
Topics Covered in the Podcast
The Bob Alejo File
Assistant AD/Director of Strength and Conditioning Bob Alejo oversees all of the strength and conditioning efforts of the department, and coordinates the day-to-day efforts of the men's basketball team.Prior to joining the Wolfpack staff in April, Alejo served as the Director of Strength and Conditioning for the Oakland A's, a position he also held from 1993-2001. In that role, he was responsible for all aspects of the organization's year-round physical preparation at both the major league and minor league levels. Prior to rejoining the A's, Alejo was the Director of Strength and Conditioning at UC Santa Barbara from 2005-2008. During that time he was also a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team as strength and conditioning coach for the Gold medal-winning men's beach volleyball team of Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser. From 1984-1993, Alejo served as strength and conditioning coach at UCLA where he worked with 23 men's and women's teams, including the men's basketball team while current Wolfpack head coach Mark Gottfried was an assistant coach. During his tenure in Westwood, the Bruins racked up 25 national championships and produced more than 100 All-Americans. Prior to joining the Bruins' staff, Alejo served as strength and conditioning coach for football at his alma mater, Chico State. He earned his B.A. in physical education from Chico State in 1982 and is a member of the Wildcats' Athletic Hall of Fame after a successful baseball career.An accomplished lecturer and author, Alejo is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (through the National Strength and Conditioning Association's Certification Commission) and holds the advanced NSCA Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach distinction. He has also been elected to three halls of fame: Chico State Athletics, Chico State Baseball (inaugural inductee) and the Chico Professional Baseball "Legends of the Diamond."
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Joe Hashey
Synergy Athletics
Fitness Business Empire
Topics Covered in the Podcast
How Joe got started
What do need to know to start the training process
A general look at the training philosophy
Relationship Building
What athletes really need
Teaching skills related to the business word
How professional development has evolved
Training Football Players
The Best advice for Trainers and Gym Owners
The Joe Hashey File
Certified Strength And Conditioning Specialist, NSCA (2007 – present)CPR and AED Certified (2006 – present)Masters in the Arts Of Teaching – Colgate University (2006)
Achievements:Youtube Partner – 8.2 Million Views on Fitness Videos.Men’s Fitness, Contributing Author (2012)Men’s Health, Contributing Author (2012)Speaker NSCA National Conference, Las Vegas (2011 and 2012)Speaker Central Ohio Strength Clinic (2011)Author “Powerful Muscle Recovery Manual” (2011)Speaker NSCA Vermont (2011)Author “Bull Strength Conditioning Manual” (2010)Speaker at Strength Coach 101 (2009)Contributing Author – EliteFts, Straight to the bar, Critical Bench(2008- present)Author “Bull Strength Training Manual” (2008)Secrets of Strength Development Seminar Attendee (2009)Head Modified Baseball Coach (2008 – 2009)High School Assistant Football Coach (2006 – 2009)Strength and Conditioning Coach – Hamilton High School (2005-2006)Semi Professional Football All-Star (2004-2005)Colgate University Football Player (2000-2002)
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Fred Eaves
Director of Wellness and Athletic Performance
Battle Ground Academy
Topics in this Podcast
Topics Covered in this PodcastHow Coach Eaves got started in the profession
Taking over a New Program
The Multi-Sport Athlete
In-Season Adjustments with the Tier System
Mentoring/ Character Development
How to contact you/ social media
The Fred Eaves FileFred Eaves is currently the Director of Wellness and Athletic Performance at Battle Ground Academy in Franklin, TN. He has 16 years of experience in the field that includes stops at UT-Chattanooga, the University of Tennessee, and Louisiana State University as well as multiple high schools in the state of Tennessee. Eaves was voted the 2013 Samson Equipment and American Football Monthly Central Region High School Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year. Battle Ground Academy’s Athletic Program has had tremendous success in the last year with state championships in men’s basketball, men’s soccer, Final Four appearances from baseball, women’s soccer, and a State Quarterfinal appearance from the football team. Eaves holds degrees from UT-Chattanooga, Tennessee Tech University, Lincoln Memorial University, and the University of Missouri. He currently serves as the Tennessee State Director for the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
Coach Fred Eaves is entering his second season as the Defensive Line Coach for the Wildcats. This is also Coach Eaves 16th year coaching overall. Coach Eaves coached three State Championship football teams and 1 state championship weightlifting team before coming to BGA. In addition to coaching, Coach Eaves is the Wellness and Athletic Performance Coordinator for all BGA students and athletic teams. Coach Eaves has trained 32 NFL Draft picks as well as 10 NCAA All-Americans. Among these players are Jerod Mayo, Arian Foster, and Randall Cobb. Coach Eaves has also been a featured author for American Football Monthly and Gridiron Strategies. He is also a featured speaker at the Hammer Strength clinic series. Coach Eaves has been a strength coach collegiately at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, The University of Tennessee, and Louisiana State University. He is married to Kristy Eaves and has two step children: Savanna and Grant Allen.
Mark McLaughlin
Topics Covered in this Podcast
Mark's Journey
Assessments
Balancing the athletes schedule with training
Communication with Sport Coaches
Training Youth Athletes
Long Term Athletic Development Model
HRV and other technology
Athlete Buy-In
What Athletes Need to Work on
The best advice for young coaches
The Mark McLaughlin File
Founder of Performance Training Center. Mark attended college at the College of Sante’Fe in New Mexico. He is a native Oregonian currently living in Portland. His passion of all athletics flourished throughout his teen years. He participated and competed on various teams and in a variety of sports. Through his years of participation in sports and later in his education, Mark developed a deep commitment not just to sport but also to the complete well being of the athlete. This passion and commitment leads to continual self-education in the field of athletic performance enhancement. Mark has been active in the field of athletic performance enhancement since 1997. Mark has trained over 700 athletes on every competitive level ranging from Olympic, professional (NFL, MLB, CFL), college, high school and grade school athletes. As well as working with individual athletes, Mark works and consults with professional organizations (NFL, MLB, NBA), NCAA universities, high school, club, and youth sport organizations. In addition to Mark’s training and consulting services, he conducts speaking engagements with various organizations locally, nationally as well as internationally.
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Chris Doyle is in his 16th year as strength and conditioning coach for the University of Iowa football program.
As the head of Iowa's strength and conditioning program, Doyle has helped the Hawkeye program participate in 11 bowl games since 2001, including the 2014 Outback Bowl. The Hawkeyes posted an 8-5 overall record in 2013, including a 5-3 Big Ten record to tie for second in the Legends Division. The Hawkeyes won bowl games following the 2008, 2009 and 2010 seasons, defeating ranked opponents in both 2009 and 2010. The Hawkeyes have ranked in the final top 10 of both major polls four times in the past 12 seasons.
Iowa has appeared in seven January bowl games since 2001. The Hawkeyes have won 6-of-11 bowl games under Kirk Ferentz and his staff, including four January bowl victories. The January Bowl wins have come over Florida (2004 Outback), LSU (2005 Capital One), South Carolina (2009 Outback) and Georgia Tech (2010 Orange).
Iowa has won 97 games over the past 12 seasons, including 57 Big Ten games. The Hawkeyes earned a share of the Big Ten title in both 2002 and 2004 and tied for second in 2009. Iowa has finished in the Big Ten's first division in 11 of the past 13 years.
Doyle is a certified strength and conditioning specialist with the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Association (CSCCa). He was presented with the certification of Master Strength and Conditioning Coach in May, 2013. The certification is considered the highest honor that can be achieved in the coaching profession of Strength and Conditioning, and represents professionalism, knowledge, experience, expertise and longevity in the field.
The NSCA named Doyle the Big Ten Strength Coach of the Year in 1999. He was one of 20 nominees for the Professional of the Year Award, given annually and selected by the NSCA membership. The award recognizes college professionals who have shown excellence in strength training and conditioning programs.
He served as director of strength and conditioning for the University of Utah in 1998. Under Doyle's direction the Utah basketball team played in the national championship game. While in Utah, Doyle also served as state director for the NSCA.
Doyle was assistant strength and conditioning coach at the University of Wisconsin from 1996-98. He oversaw the training programs for football and hockey teams during this time. The Badger football team participated in two bowl games (Copper and Outback) and the hockey team won the WCHA championship during his tenure.
As a strength and conditioning professional, Doyle has tutored 180 student-athletes who have advanced to the professional ranks in the NFL, NHL and NBA. Iowa has had a total of 40 players selected in the past 10 NFL drafts, including six in each of the 2010, 2011 and 2012 drafts, and three in the most recent NFL Draft.
Overall, 49 Iowa players have been drafted in the past 12 years, with six first round selections and nine players being selected among the top 50 picks. In addition, 53 additional Hawkeye players signed free agent contracts in the past 10 years. Iowa, since 2003, has seen five former walk-ons selected in the NFL Draft.
Over the past 12 years, 114 of 128 (89 percent) of Iowa's senior starters were selected in the NFL Draft or signed to an NFL free agent contract. Six Hawkeyes were selected in the 2012 NFL Draft, while six additional seniors signed free agent contracts immediately following the draft. Iowa and Alabama were the only two programs to have a first round draft selection in three consecutive years (2010-12).
Doyle has mentored 49 former assistants who have advanced in the field of Strength and Conditioning, with 19 becoming head strength and conditioning coaches.
Doyle served as offensive line coach at Holy Cross from 1992-95. He also worked as a graduate assistant at Notre Dame in 1991 and Syracuse in 1990. Notre Dame won the 1992 Sugar Bowl following the 1991 season and Syracuse won the 1990 Aloha Bowl.
Doyle was a three-year starter on the offensive line at Boston University from 1986-88. He served as a student assistant for the football program there in 1989.
Chris earned his B.S. in human movement from Boston University in 1990 and his M.Ed. in education from Boston University in 1991.
Doyle was born June 30, 1968. Chris is from Quincy, Massachusetts, and attended Boston College High School. He was inducted into the Boston College High School Hall of Fame in November, 2004. Chris and his wife, Tia, have three sons, Declan, Donovan and Dillon.
Strength and Conditioning Mission StatementThe University of Iowa Football Program is committed to providing the ultimate training experience for each student-athlete. Our focus is to build the total athlete while reducing the risk of injury through individual evaluation and program design. Developing strong relationships with each athlete is a fundamental building block essential to the success of Iowa Football.
Doyle's Coaching CareerIowa Head Strength & Conditioning Coach, 1999-presentUtah Director of Strength & Conditioning, 1998Wisconsin Assistant Strength Coach, 1996-97Holy Cross Offensive Line Coach, 1992-95Notre Dame Graduate Assistant, 1991Syracuse Graduate Assistant, 1990
Evan Marcus
Head Strength & Conditioning Coach
Minnesota Vikings
Topics Covered in this Podcast
How Coach Marcus got started
Challenges at coaching at the professional level.
No matter what level, coaches are there to help athletes
Character Development Your assessments, the biggest issues you face with athletes
Communication with private sector coaches
Communication with the Medical Staff
Training before and during OTAs
In-season training
Technology in terms of readiness
Staff development
Advice for young strength coaches.
The Evan Marcus File
Having joined the Vikings in 2014 as Head Strength and Conditioning coach, Evan Marcus enters his 9th NFL season this fall and has been in the field for 25 seasons.
In Marcus’ first offseason with the Vikings, he oversaw a complete transformation of the club’s weight training facility and revamped the strength and conditioning philosophies. Under Marcus’ direction, the club now uses a free weight based program, which places an emphasis on power, speed and quickness.
During his NFL career, Marcus has been a part of 2 Division Champions- New Orleans in 2000 and Miami in 2008. The 2000 Saints won their NFC Wild Card playoff game over St. Louis at the Superdome to give the franchise their 1st playoff win in the 34-year history of the club before advancing to the NFC Divisional Round against Minnesota. The NFC West title for the Saints was their 1st since the 1991 season and marked the 1st winning season for the club in 8 years. The 2008 Dolphins went 11-5 to win the AFC East, completing one of the great turnarounds in NFL history after going 1-15 the previous season. The 10-win improvement tied the biggest single-season jump in NFL history. The AFC East championship was the Dolphins’ 1st Division title since 2000.
Marcus oversaw strength and conditioning efforts at Virginia from 2011-13 as Director of Football Training and Player Development for the Cavaliers, marking his second stint in Charlottesville, the first coming as Head Strength Coach from 2003-06. Combined with his leadership at UVA, Marcus was head strength coach for the Miami Dolphins from 2008-10 and held the same position in 2007 with the Atlanta Falcons, where he worked with then DC Mike Zimmer.
Marcus began his NFL coaching tenure from 2000-02 as an assistant with the New Orleans Saints. His start in the field came at the college level with positions at Arizona State (1991-92), Rutgers (1993), Maryland (1994), Texas (1995-97) and Louisville (1998-99).
A 1990 graduate of Ithaca College, Marcus earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise science. As a student-athlete he lettered 3 times as an OL with the Bombers and was a starter on the NCAA Division III national championship team in 1988.
A native of Union, NJ, Marcus attended Cranford High School. He earned his master’s degree at Arizona State in 1992. Marcus and wife, Lori, have a son, Jake, and daughter, Anna.
Bio from Minnesota Vikings
Tobias Jacobi
Strong Rock Christian School
Topics Covered in this Podcast
Tobias Jacobi File
Past Job ExperienceStrong Rock Christian School; May 2014 - Current East Carolina University; January 2012-May 2014 Charleston Southern; May 2008-January 2012 Kent State; July 2006-April 2008 Western Carolina University; July 2002-July 2006 Elon University; June 2001-July 2002 North Carolina Chapel Hill; August 2000-May 2001 Cumberland University; November 1999-August 2000EducationCumberland University B.S. Physical Education 2000 minor Healthwww.elitefts.com
Mike Boyle
Mike Boyle Strength & Conditioning
Topics Covered in this Podcast
The Beginnings
How Coach Boyle got his Start
Having Mike Woicik as a roommate
Appointing himself as the BU Strength Coach
Training
Training for Hockey
Getting strong is getting strong regardless of sport
Why there is a steroid problem in Track & Field
Defining strength in an unconventional way
Unilateral Training for Sports
The Bilateral deficit research
The influence of Mark Verstagen
How a coach defines strong vs what is strong for their sports
Youth Training
What we are doing wrong
The Matheny Manifesto
The 10,000 Rule
Greg Rose's Cyclone Circuit
Basic Motor Qualities
Early Specialization
Soccer in Brazil and Baseball in the Dominican
The number 1 problem in youth sports....the parents
The responsibility of the strength coach
Staff Development
Pick the Right People
Get people that want to work
Educating through a solid set of resources
Book club for professional development
Making the coaches do the workout
Advice for Young Coaches
Unlike the rest of the business world
Make yourself invaluable
Whats our conversation going to be like when I see you
Recommending coaches for future jobs
Contact Info
The Michael Boyle File
Michael Boyle is one of the foremost experts in the fields of Strength and Conditioning, Functional Training and general fitness. He currently spends his time lecturing, teaching, training and writing. In 1996 Michael co founded Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning, one of the first for-profit strength and conditioning companies in the world. Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning exists for one reason: to provide performance enhancement training for athletes of all levels. Athletes trained range from junior high school students to All Stars in almost every major professional sport.
Prior to Co- founding Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning, Michael served as the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Boston University for 15 years, also for the past 25 years he been the Strength and Conditioning Coach for Men's Ice Hockey at Boston University. Mike also was the Boston Red Sox strength and conditioning coach in 2013 that won the World Series. In addition to his duties at Boston University and the Red Sox, from 1991-1999 Boyle served as the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League. Michael was also the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the 1998 US Women's Olympic Ice Hockey Team, Gold Medalists in Nagano and 2014 Silver medalists in Sochi, and served as a consultant in the development of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Michael has been a featured speaker at numerous strength and conditioning and athletic training clinics across the world and has produced 20 instructional videos in the area of strength and conditioning available through M-F Athletic. Michael has also lectured all over the world. In addition, Michael published Functional Training for Sports for Human Kinetics Publishers. Mike and his wife Cindy have 2 children, Michaela and Mark and reside in Reading.
Courtesy of MBSC
Ted Perlak
Assistant Athletic Director for Strength & Conditioning
University of Delaware
The Ted Perlak File
Ted Perlak, who spent the last 12 years as a strength & conditioning coach at the NCAA Division I level, has been named head strength and conditioning coach at the University of Delaware, Director of Athletics and Recreation Services Eric Ziady announced Friday.
Perlak, who most recently worked as strength & conditioning coach at Colonial Athletic Association newcomer Elon University, will begin his tenure at Delaware on May 19.
“We are excited to have Ted join the Blue Hens family and serve as the leader of our strength and conditioning program,” said Ziady. “This position is critical to the success of our athletics teams here at Delaware and we are confident that Ted’s knowledge and innovation in this area along with his hard work and dedication will help prepare our student-athletes for great success on the playing fields.”
At Delaware, Perlak will be responsible for the strength and conditioning efforts for Delaware's 21 sports programs and nearly 600 student-athletes, designing and implementing strength and conditioning plans for all of the Blue Hen men's and women's athletic teams. His primary role will be working with the UD football and volleyball programs.
“It’s a great honor to be named the head strength & conditioning coach at the University of Delaware,” said Perlak. “During the interview process I had the opportunity to see the vision of the administration and it is something I’m excited to be a part of. The opportunity to work with Coach (Dave) Brock and his staff along with all the other coaches makes this 100 percent a place my family and I want to be. I can’t wait to get started.”
Perlak spent the 2013-14 season at Elon, a current member of the Southern Conference that sponsors 17 intercollegiate sports, including football. The Phoenix will join the CAA as a full-time member in all sports this fall.
“I am really excited to welcome Ted and his family to the University of Delaware,” said Brock, who will begin his second season as head coach this fall. “This hire represents a great opportunity to upgrade one of the most critical areas of all successful football programs. I can't wait for Ted to get going with our players as we enter the summer phase of our strength and conditioning.”
Perak previously spent eight seasons at Fordham University, including the last six seasons as the head strength and conditioning coach. While at the Bronx, N.Y. school, he worked closely with the football, basketball, soccer, softball, and track and field teams.
Prior to his stint at Fordham, Perlak served as the director of strength and conditioning at Iona College for two years. While at Iona, he was responsible for the design, implementation and coaching of all varsity athletic programs. He also supervised and organized staff participation in off-season and preseason workout sessions.
Perlak served as the strength and conditioning coordinator at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia, Pa., in 2004 where he designed and executed the strength and conditioning program. He was also responsible for off-season and preseason workouts.
Perlak has been involved with the United States Olympic Training Center, serving as a strength and conditioning resident intern from January until May of 2004. In that role he assisted the staff in developing and implementing programs for Olympic, Olympic hopefuls, Pan-American, and Paralympic individual athletes and national teams.
A 2001 graduate of Worcester (Mass.) State College, Perlak was a four-year starter and two-time captain with the football team before earning a bachelor's degree in health science with a concentration in exercise science.
Following a year in which he served as the strength and conditioning coordinator at his alma mater, Perlak worked at Temple University as an assistant and earned his master's degree in sport administration there in 2004.
A native of Pittsfield, Mass., Perlak and his wife, Christine, have a daughter, Rueby Mae.
University of Delaware Athletics
Cory Schlesinger
Assistant Director of Sports Enhancement for men's basketball
University of Alabama-Birmingham
Topics Covered in this Podcast
The Cory Schlesinger File
Cory Schlesinger is an Assistant Director of Sports Enhancement to work with the Blazers' men's basketball program along with the men's golf program.
"Coming to UAB is a dream job and it is a destination," Schlesinger said. "Mainly because I get to work specifically with Coach Jerod Haase. I believe in Coach Haase, and I believe that he will win and win at a high level."
Schlesinger served a pair of internships at the University of North Carolina, in 2008 and 2009, while Haase was an assistant coach on Roy Williams' staff with the Tar Heels.
“Cory’s knowledge for strength and conditioning is something that I love,” Haase said. “He is always trying to learn and grow as a coach, but what he brings with his knowledge is what already really sets him apart from others. He is young and energetic like the rest of our staff and will fit right in. We have a chance to be really good in a lot of different ways and I think strength and conditioning is in good shape.”
Schlesinger plans to not only get the Blazers' men's basketball players in best possible shape for the upcoming 2013-14 campaign, but also have their bodies ready for the long, grueling season.
"One of my major goals is to impact the team in the offseason but also in season, when traveling with the team on the road," Schlesinger said. "Whether it be training, nutrition, supplementation or regeneration sessions, I want the guys recovered and ready for the next game."
Schlesinger, a native of Hillsville, Va., spent the last three years as Director of Strength and Conditioning at Santa Clara University, working with student-athletes on the men's and women's basketball teams.
Prior to joining the staff at Santa Clara, Schlesinger spent time at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. In addition, he was a sports nutritionist for the San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) along with being a certified strength and conditioning specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and also earned certification in United States Weightlifting.
Schlesinger earned his master's degree in education with a concentration in exercise science at Campbell University in 2011. During his time as a graduate assistant, he worked with the volleyball, men's soccer, swimming and diving, golf and tennis programs, while also assisting with football.
A former basketball player at Berea College in Berea, Ky., Schlesinger graduated with a bachelor of arts in physical education with a concentration in exercise science and sports medicine in 2009. During his time as an undergraduate, Schlesinger completed a pair of internships at Wake Forest in 2007 under strength coach Ethan Reeve and a pair of internships at North Carolina in 2008 and 2009.
At UNC he worked under strength coach Jonas Sahratian where he helped train the men's basketball team.
"None of my experiences and I would not be where I am at today without Coach Jonas Sahratian," Schlesinger said. "He's my mentor and biggest influence and I owe everything to him for helping and guiding me."
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