Performance Talk

Ewell & Chris
  • 5.0 (20)
  • Fitness
  • Updated Daily

Performance Talk addresses key issues, opinions, theories within the modalities of strength and conditioning, nutrition, sports psychology, rehabilitation, etc... Our national and international guests are recognized for their aggressive approach to improving the world of human performance in sport.

  1. 2d ago

    Beyond the Injury: Building Better Athletes Through Purposeful Rehabilitation

    From breaking his arm during PT school to becoming a board-certified specialist working with elite athletes, Brent Rachall's journey is a masterclass in resilience, humility, and lifelong learning. In this episode of Performance Talk, Dr. Ewell Gordon and Brent Rachall explore what separates good clinicians from great ones, why mentorship matters, how rehabilitation is about people—not just protocols—and why true performance comes from collaboration between therapists, coaches, athletic trainers, and physicians. Whether you're a clinician, coach, athlete, or parent, this conversation offers valuable insights into building trust, embracing growth, and helping athletes return stronger than before. Listen now and discover why the best rehabilitation starts with understanding the person—not just the injury.

  2. Aug 10

    The Pursuit of Excellence: John Damon on Coaching, Courage & High Performance

    In this episode of Performance Talk, Dr. Ewell Gordon sits down with veteran trainer and gym designer John Damon for a wide-ranging conversation about what it really takes to create effective training environments and develop athletes. With decades of experience working with elite athletes, John shares his philosophy on gym design, individualized training, foundational movement, exercise selection, and the importance of knowing what you actually know. From designing a facility around its mission to choosing the right exercises for an athlete's sport, position, body type, and goals, this conversation challenges common training assumptions and emphasizes a simple principle: good performance starts with good information. 🔑 Key Takeaways Design the facility around the mission: A performance facility should reflect the athletes and training goals it is built to serve—not simply be a room filled with equipment. Individualize the training: Training should account for an athlete's sport, position, physical makeup, injury history, and specific performance demands. Master the fundamentals: Foundational movement and appropriate exercise selection matter more than chasing trendy training methods. Use equipment with purpose: Tools like the hex bar can provide tremendous versatility when they're selected and applied appropriately. Collaboration makes athletes better: Strength coaches, physical therapists, trainers, and other professionals can create better outcomes when they communicate and work together. Stay curious: Great professionals avoid becoming dogmatic. Being willing to question your assumptions and update your knowledge is essential to long-term success. Don't confuse a test with performance: A single exercise or benchmark—such as the bench press—doesn't define an athlete's overall ability or potential. Build for the people you actually serve: From gym location and convenience to equipment and layout, successful facilities require an understanding of their clientele.

  3. Feb 17

    Unlocking Athletic Potential: Strength & Conditioning with Joe Drake

    We’re bringing back a powerful conversation in this Encore Episode of Performance Talk 🎙️ Dr. Ewell Gordon reconnects with Joe Drake—fitness educator and co-founder of a training and performance company based in Boca Raton, Florida—for an in-depth discussion on how exercise science has evolved and where it’s headed. Together, they explore why building a strong foundation is critical for athletic success and share practical perspectives on developing young athletes the right way. From long-term athlete development to smart, sustainable training principles, this episode offers timeless insights for coaches, practitioners, and performance-minded athletes alike. 🔔 Don’t miss this encore conversation packed with real-world performance wisdom.

  4. Feb 9

    Beyond the Weight Room: Stress, Habits, and What Really Develops Athletes

    In this episode of The Performance Task, we sit down with JP Echeverria, Minor League Strength & Conditioning Coach with the Boston Red Sox, for a deep, honest conversation about what it really means to develop athletes. JP reflects on his first 10 years in the profession—finding his coaching identity, staying in his lane, and shifting from “rah-rah coaching” to an athlete-centered, habit-driven approach. We dive into topics like training age, auto-regulation, stress management, in-season lifting, sports science vs. feel, and why availability is the ultimate performance metric. This is a must-listen for coaches navigating the early years of the profession—or anyone who believes development is about more than numbers on a spreadsheet. 🎧 Tune in for real talk on growth, resilience, and coaching that actually transfers.

  5. Feb 2

    The 10th Season of Performance Talk is coming February 2026 - From the Vault: Train Smarter with Dr. Mike Israetel

    In this powerful and perspective-shifting episode of Performance Talk, host Dr. Ewell Gordon welcomes Dr. Mike Israetel—renowned sports scientist, professor, co-founder of Renaissance Periodization, and competitive athlete. From high school wrestling roots to academic mastery in performance science, Mike shares his journey through education, self-discovery, and relentless pursuit of truth in training. Gain insider insights on the evolution of strength and conditioning, the misconceptions of overtraining, and why recovery is the unsung hero of peak performance. The conversation dives into the modern athlete’s toolkit—from high school weight rooms to AI-powered programming—and challenges long-held myths in sport and fitness culture.

  6. Jan 26

    The 10th Season of Performance Talk is coming February 2026 - From the Vault: Breaking It Down with John Flagg

    In this episode of Performance Talk, Dr. Ewell Gordon sits down with John Flagg, founder of Rebuild Stronger, to discuss the differences between powerlifting, Olympic lifting, and strongman training. John shares his journey from athletic training to coaching elite strength athletes and how he helps them recover from injuries while maximizing performance. Tune in for expert insights on training, injury prevention, and the mindset needed to excel in strength sports!

  7. Jan 20

    The 10th Season of Performance Talk is coming February 2026 - From the Vault: Finding the Balance with Dan Pope

    In this episode of Performance Talk, Dr. Ewell Gordon welcomes Dan Pope, a physical therapist and strength coach, to discuss the intersection of strength training and rehab. Dan shares his journey from fitness enthusiast to PT, the misconceptions about strength training in rehabilitation, and how the industry is evolving.

  8. Jan 12

    The 10th Season of Performance Talk is Coming February 2026 - From the Vault: From England to the NHL: Stephen Nightingale’s Game-Changing Approach to Sports Science

    Episode Overview Join host Dr. Ewell Gordon on this episode of Performance Talk as he welcomes guest, Dr. Steve Nightingale, a sports scientist and performance coach with the NHL's New Jersey Devils. Key Topics Discussed: Steve’s Journey: From being a passionate but not-so-great ice hockey player in England to becoming a performance coach for various international teams. Breaking into Sports Science: The unexpected path from teaching to discovering strength and conditioning, leading to roles across different countries including China and Russia. Adapting in Professional Environments: Insights on how Stephen navigated through diverse coaching styles and team dynamics across global leagues. Highlights: Challenges in Pro Sports: Debunking myths about the ease of working at high levels; discussing the relentless work needed both by athletes and support staff. Importance of Flexibility: How adapting plans according to real-time situations is crucial—illustrated by experiences like delayed flights affecting practice schedules. Data Utilization: Exploring how less can be more when it comes to data usage; focusing on meaningful metrics that align with team goals. Insightful Quotes: "The more I work in pro sport as a sports scientist, the less data I use." - Dr. Steve Nightingale "Write your plans in pencil, not pen." - A reminder about flexibility from Dr. Steve Takeaways for Professionals: Understand what coaches want before implementing new methodologies or technologies. Develop skills beyond theoretical knowledge—real-world application often deviates from textbook models.

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5
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

Performance Talk addresses key issues, opinions, theories within the modalities of strength and conditioning, nutrition, sports psychology, rehabilitation, etc... Our national and international guests are recognized for their aggressive approach to improving the world of human performance in sport.

Information

  • Creator
    Ewell & Chris
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    207
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    Performance Talk © 2016, EEG3 Enterprises, LLC, All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Performance Talk