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. 1D AGO

    Handler Tugging Safety 101 with Special Guest Shade Whitesel

    Tugging isn’t just a reward system for your dog — it’s a physical skill for handlers, and it’s one of the sneakiest places people get hurt. In this episode, Liz sits down with tugging and play expert Shade Whitesel to talk about how to keep tugging fun while reducing risk on the human side. Shade shares handler safety tips that will make your tugging safer, clearer and more fun for both of you. We also chat practical protective gear, clothing hazards, and what to do when your dog is powerful enough to thrash the toy and light up your wrists and shoulders. Liz also adds a handler-fitness lens—split stance positioning, bracing, and quick height changes—so handlers can stay more stable and organized when their dog hits the end of the toy with speed or power. If you've been injured, slammed, bitten or caught off guard when tugging, this one's for you. Shade's toy class is open for registration Jan 22 through Fenzi Dog Sports Academy, You can learn more here. She also has an incredible FREE webinar you can grab about Location Specific Marker Cues, pick it up here.

    39 min

  2. JAN 8

    From Big Goals to Real Action: Setting Fitness Goals You Can Actually Execute with Special Guest Heather Sumlin

    Most people don’t struggle with fitness because they don’t care — they struggle because they care deeply and don’t have a system that actually fits their life, body, and energy. In this episode, Liz sits down with Heather Sumlin, mental performance coach, to talk about fitness goal setting from a very different angle. This is not about hype, pressure, or forcing motivation. It’s about building goals that hold up when life gets busy, motivation fades, or your body isn’t cooperating. If you’ve ever started the year excited… only to stall out a few weeks later, this conversation will feel very familiar — and very relieving. What we cover in this episode: Why motivation isn’t the problem (and never was) Motivation is unreliable by nature. Heather breaks down why systems, structure, and environment matter more than “wanting it badly enough.”‘Should’ goals vs goals you actually want Many fitness goals fail because they’re inherited from comparison, guilt, or expectation. We talk about how to tell the difference — and why it matters for follow-through.Why big goals don’t translate into daily action Ambition isn’t the issue. Translation is. Learn what a goal actually needs to tell you about this week and today.How starting too big leads to burnout Especially for high-achievers, the instinct is to do more. We discuss how starting smaller often creates faster, more sustainable progress.Reframing setbacks as feedback instead of failure Missed workouts, low-energy weeks, or schedule chaos aren’t reasons to quit — they’re information. Learn how to adjust instead of abandoning the plan.Setting goals that fit real life and real bodies Fitness goals don’t exist in a vacuum. We talk about planning for stress, fatigue, hormone shifts, health fluctuations, and busy seasons — without losing momentum.The single most important mindset shift for executing goals Heather shares the one shift that consistently helps people follow through — and what success can actually look like six months from now.Why this matters for dog handlers As handlers, our time and energy are limited — and the fitness we do needs to transfer into better handling, more confidence, and more fun with our dogs. This episode is about creating goals that support that reality, instead of stealing time and energy from it. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. I Do Leg Day… So Why Am I Still Slow?

    12/11/2025

    I Do Leg Day… So Why Am I Still Slow?

    Most handlers think “strong legs” just means squats and lunges, but agility demands strength that works in every direction. The goal is power, control, and stability when the dog changes speed or the course forces quick transitions. You need single-leg stability far more than bilateral strengthDeceleration strength prevents slipping, sliding, and knee strainPower + quickness beat “strong but slow” every time Your plan should challenge you in the same ways the course does — forward, backward, sideways, and rotational. If your routine hits these elements, it’s already doing more for your handling than 90% of generic programs. A good lower-body plan always includes hinge, squat, power, and lateral workUnilateral training is the most transferable skill for handlersIf a class has no power or decel, it’s not building speed You don’t need fancy equipment — you just need smarter variations. One small tweak per exercise can turn a generic workout into something that actually improves your on-course performance. Swap any bilateral move for a single-leg version for instant agility carryoverAdd just 3–5 power reps before strength sets to train quicknessChange the direction of the movement to mimic real handling (lateral or diagonal) Many handlers have strong quads but weak hips, ankles, and hamstrings — a setup for slower acceleration and sloppy decel. Filling these gaps is often the quickest path to feeling faster and more stable on course. If you never train hamstrings or hinge patterns, you lose speedSkipping lateral work is a guaranteed deceleration weaknessMachines alone don’t prep you for multi-directional agility demandsDo you want more direction with your TRAINING, so you're not just working out but building to be a better athlete? Come join us in the All Access Pass, there's even a free trial 🔥

    14 min
  7. The “New Year New You” Head Start

    12/04/2025

    The “New Year New You” Head Start

    Your Friends Are Your Biggest Fitness Hack This episode kicks off our second All Access Pass monthly challenge! December’s All-Access Challenge: Do Something Active With Someone You Care About Once a Week. We explore why your social circle is one of the strongest predictors of long-term health and fitness, and why shared movement builds sustainable habits far better than willpower alone. You’ll learn what research says about community and lifespan (including why tennis tops the longevity charts), why “fitness-minded friendships” are the secret weapon for handlers, and how heading into January with deeper connections sets you up for a wildly successful year. Key Takeaways: Activities with others are strongly linked to longevity — tennis increases life expectancy by ~9.7 years, largely due to its social interaction (Copenhagen City Heart Study).Weekly shared activity helps build identity-based habits: you become the kind of person who moves socially, not someone forcing themselves to exercise alone.Fitness-minded friendships reinforce consistency, reduce holiday stress, and make movement joyful instead of something on your to-do list.Going into “New Year New You” season with momentum and a connected support system makes January a continuation — not a desperate restart.If you want a plan to head into 2026 ready to capture your goals, check out our All Access Pass (you even get a free trial!)

    14 min
  8. “I Don’t Need Upper Body for Agility” — Yes, You Really Do

    11/28/2025

    “I Don’t Need Upper Body for Agility” — Yes, You Really Do

    Do you think you can skip upper-body training because agility is “all legs and core”? That’s a trap. Your upper body is just as critical for speed, posture, and handling. In this episode, you’ll learn: How your arms and torso affect sprinting, stride, and turningWhy upper-body strength is more than just big arms — it’s posture, stabilization, and reactive powerHow unexpected forces from your dog require upper-body coordination you probably aren’t trainingThe difference between doing random upper-body exercises and training for performanceWhy ignoring your upper body can actually slow you down and make you more prone to injuriesBy the end, you’ll see why upper-body training isn’t optional for agility, and how training correctly will make everything else — sprinting, handling, agility — feel easier and faster. Have you taken our quiz? We've got over 50 specialized handler programs, and in 5 questions you'll be matched with your ideal course. You also get a free trial, AND a live onboarding call with Liz. ➡ Take your quiz here

    16 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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