Canine Handler Fitness Podcast

Liz Joyce
  • 5.0 (5)
  • FITNESS

Welcome to the Canine Handler Fitness Podcast, the show that meets dog sport handlers exactly where they are—whether you're just getting started or chasing world-level performance. Hosted by Liz Joyce, leading expert in dog handler fitness. Each bite-sized episode dives into the real physical demands of dog handling, offering practical, compassionate, and performance-driven tips to help you move better, feel stronger, and fuel your performance. We break down the nuances of handler fitness needs, uncover what's holding you back, and build your foundation brick by brick—always with tools you can use right away. Expect short, sharp episodes packed with insight, motivation, and real-world action steps. Because here, fitness isn’t one-size-fits-all—it’s about giving every handler the tools they need to be strong, mobile, fast, agile, and ready for the ring.

  1. 6D AGO

    Working Hard But Still Slow? Let’s Talk Tabata

    You’ve been told to just “do Tabata burpees.” Work harder. Sweat more. Push your anaerobic system. So why are you still exhausted at trials? Why do your knees and Achilles feel unreliable? Why does your confidence drop when your body feels unpredictable? In this episode, we talk about why high-intensity workouts don’t always transfer to agility performance — especially for women 40+. We break down: • Why “working hard” isn’t the same as training well • What Tabata was actually designed for • Why explosive work under fatigue can quietly increase injury risk • How perimenopause changes the recovery equation • What transferable conditioning actually looks like If you’re doing everything “right” and still feel flat, fragile, or behind — this episode will help you understand why. And more importantly, what to do instead.

    13 min

  2. FEB 5

    Want to Train With Your Dog Instead of Leaving Them Home? Try This, with Tanya Dobrzanski

    Winter hits. You want to stay fit. Your dog is bouncing off the walls. And somehow “I’ll just go to the gym” never quite works. In this episode, I sit down with Tanya Dobrzanski to talk about harness dog sports — one of the most underrated ways to build real conditioning with your dog instead of leaving them home. We cover: • What harness dog sports actually are • Who they’re right for (and who they’re not) • How to get started safely • Why they’re especially powerful in winter • The fitness and community benefits most handlers overlook If you’ve ever thought, “There has to be a way to train and include my dog,” this is it. All your questions asked, and a quick start guide, by the president of Canadian Association of Harness Dog Sports, Tanya Dobrzanski. Tanya is an animal certified, and human, chiropractor based in Calgary, AB. You can contact her here. Read about the Canadian Association of Harness Dog Sports here. Want info about races in Alberta, Canada? Read more here.

    39 min

  3. JAN 29

    If You Keep Restarting Your Fitness, Listen to This

    Have you ever thought, “I should be further along by now”? You start again. You ease in. And it feels harder than you expected. In this episode, I talk about the gap between what we expect our bodies to do — and what they’re actually ready for. We discuss: • Why starting from zero feels confronting • The mismatch between memory and current capacity • Why easing in isn’t weakness • How to build momentum without burning out If you’re restarting fitness (again), this conversation will help you do it without shame — and without sabotaging yourself.

    15 min

  4. JAN 22

    How to Stop Getting Hurt During Tug Sessions, with Shade Whitesel

    You’re playing tug. Your dog hits the toy hard. And suddenly your wrist, shoulder, or back lights up. Tugging isn’t just a reward skill for your dog — it’s a physical skill for you. In this episode, I sit down with Shade Whitesel to talk about how to keep tugging fun while reducing injury risk on the handler side. We cover: • Why handlers get hurt during tug • How stance and bracing matter more than you think • Clothing and gear mistakes that increase risk • What to adjust if your dog thrashes or hits hard If you’ve ever walked away from tug feeling sore or unstable, this episode is for you. She also has an incredible FREE webinar you can grab about Location Specific Marker Cues, pick it up here.

    39 min

  5. JAN 8

    Motivation Isn’t Your Problem — This Is, with Heather Sumlin

    You set the goal. You feel motivated. Two weeks later… it’s stalled. It’s not because you don’t care. In this episode, I sit down with mental performance coach Heather Sumlin to talk about why most fitness goals fail — even for high-achievers. We discuss: • Why motivation was never the problem • How “should” goals sabotage follow-through • Why big goals don’t translate into daily action • How to adjust when life, hormones, or stress get in the way • The mindset shift that actually creates momentum If you’re tired of restarting your goals every season, this conversation will change how you approach fitness entirely. How to get ahold of Heather! Webinar happening January 13, 2026 Patreon Book your intro call with Heather Performance Analysis Journal Do you want help with the SYSTEM behind your goals? If you’re listening and thinking, “Okay… but where do I actually start?” Liz has built a Course Finder Quiz that matches you to the right starting point from 50+ handler-specific programs — so you’re not doing more than you need, or starting in the wrong place. 👉 Take the quiz and find your best starting point here: https://caninehandlerfitness.outgrow.us/CHF-Course-Finder

    36 min

  6. JAN 2

    A Smarter Handler Fitness Playbook for 2026

    As we head into a new year, a lot of handlers start thinking about how to improve — speed, endurance, confidence, clarity on course. In this episode, Liz shares a short list of high-ROI focus areas that help handlers move better, react faster, and feel more confident on course — without spending endless hours in the gym or grinding through workouts that don’t transfer. This isn’t about doing everything. It’s about doing the right few things. Think of this as a behind-the-scenes checklist: the pieces that quietly make handling smoother, cleaner, and more fun — while protecting your body for the long haul. 🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why the first 4–6 weeks of fitness gains are about neuromuscular adaptation, not muscle — and why that’s good newsHow to stop training randomly and start building workouts that actually transfer to handlingWhat “real” core strength looks like for handlers (hint: it’s not crunches)Why mobility matters — but only in the places that countHow training deceleration and force absorption protects your body and improves confidenceThe mindset shift that helps you train like the teammate your dog already believes you are💡 Why This Matters When your fitness supports your handling: You move more efficientlyYour cues get clearerYou fatigue later in runsYou spend less time fixing problems and more time enjoying your dogThe goal isn’t perfection. It’s transferable strength, better movement, and more fun together. If you’re ready to train smarter — not harder — and want to know where to start, take our quick course finder quiz. You also get a free trial AND private 1-1 with Liz. 👉🏼 CLICK HERE: Find your best starting point from 50+ dog-sport-specific courses Whether you’re brand new, coming back after a break, or ready to level up, this quiz matches you with the program that fits your body, your goals, and your dog.

    17 min

  7. 12/27/2025

    Better Human, Better Handler: Setting Yourself Up for a Strong Year

    This episode isn’t about “new year, new you” hype. It’s about honest reflection, meaningful change, and creating momentum in a way that actually lasts. We walk through how to look back at the past year with clarity (without beating yourself up), how to notice when you’ve slipped into valleys of low energy, discouragement, or feeling stuck, and how to build your environment so inspiration doesn’t rely on motivation alone. We talk about friendship, community, accountability, and why big dreams don’t come from magical bursts of effort — they come from ordinary, doable actions layered consistently over time. You’ll learn: How to evaluate your year without shame — and still learn from itWhat it means to be in a “valley” and how to recognize itWhy your environment matters more than willpowerHow to bring others into your goals (and why that helps you succeed)My Top 5 Ways to turn big ideas into real-life actionThis episode is here to remind you: You are capable of more than fleeting inspiration. Your highest self deserves commitment, gentle discipline, and support. And yes — you can build strength, resilience, joy, and possibility… one step at a time. Let’s make this year meaningful, not manic. 💛 Feeling ready for support and an action plan? Take our 5-question quiz to get matched with the program that's right for YOU. Take it here!

    14 min
  8. Handler-Specific Core: What Most Programs Miss

    12/18/2025

    Handler-Specific Core: What Most Programs Miss

    Most runners — even experienced ones — are doing core work that doesn’t actually translate to better running. In this episode, Liz breaks down what your core really needs to do when you run, why traditional core exercises like planks and crunches often fall short, and how to train your core in a way that directly improves running efficiency, stability, and agility performance. You’ll learn why core work belongs in your warm-up, how pre-engaging the right muscles improves movement quality, and what’s missing from many popular core programs — especially for dog agility handlers and active athletes who train on their feet, not on the floor. Liz shares a clear, practical checklist for running-specific core function, then walks you through five core exercises — including standing, rotational, and single-leg options — that better reflect how your body actually moves when you run. This episode is ideal for: Runners who want to feel smoother and more powerfulAgility handlers looking to improve speed, control, and enduranceAnyone tired of doing “core work” without seeing real carryoverIn this episode, you’ll learn: Why core training in warm-ups improves performance and reduces compensationWhat “pre-engaging” muscles actually means (and what it doesn’t)How your core functions during running: bracing, anti-extension, rotation control, and force transferWhy seated and floor-based core work alone isn’t enoughFive practical, running-specific core exercises you can start using right awayThis episode cuts through fitness noise and gives you a smarter, more sport-specific way to train your core — so your running feels more connected, efficient, and resilient. If you don’t want to piece this together on your own, I’ve built all of this into my All Access Pass. Start a free trial, take the quiz to find your best-fit course, and enjoy the flexibility to train in a way that actually works for you. Get started here!

    15 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Canine Handler Fitness Podcast, the show that meets dog sport handlers exactly where they are—whether you're just getting started or chasing world-level performance. Hosted by Liz Joyce, leading expert in dog handler fitness. Each bite-sized episode dives into the real physical demands of dog handling, offering practical, compassionate, and performance-driven tips to help you move better, feel stronger, and fuel your performance. We break down the nuances of handler fitness needs, uncover what's holding you back, and build your foundation brick by brick—always with tools you can use right away. Expect short, sharp episodes packed with insight, motivation, and real-world action steps. Because here, fitness isn’t one-size-fits-all—it’s about giving every handler the tools they need to be strong, mobile, fast, agile, and ready for the ring.

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