Eat the Week

Power Athlete Radio

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Welcome to Eat the Week, your weekly digest of human performance. Every week, the crew chew through the biggest conversations in training, nutrition, recovery, and more.

2d ago

Ep 10: How to Stay Athletic for Life

Dr Ben Skutnik and fellow Power Athlete Certified Coach, Dr Tim Cummings, break down what it actually takes to stay athletic as you get older. From sprinting and strength training to recovery, consistency, and knowing when to push or pull back, they explain how to keep building a body that can perform for decades. Getting older doesn’t mean giving up speed, strength, or explosiveness. You just need to play the long game. Show notes: https://bit.ly/ETW10 Timestamps: 00:00 — Tim’s return to sprinting at 50 01:42 — Bedrock training and developing a more athletic mindset 02:49 — How sprinting loads the body differently from lifting 03:48 — Training with intention instead of going through the motions 04:21 — Staying focused during lifts and sprint work 05:21 — Adjusting training when the week’s schedule changes 06:04 — Consistency versus heroic effort 07:29 — How regular training supports tissue durability 08:28 — Ramping back into sprinting after time off 09:03 — Tim’s first hard sprint session back 10:19 — Maintaining training qualities during a disrupted week 11:15 — Progressive overload as a gradual process 12:19 — How adult responsibilities and stress affect training 13:43 — Considering the whole person, not just the sore body part 15:08 — “When life is really heavy, the weight should be really light” 16:19 — Load management lessons from professional sports 18:08 — LeBron James and managing the demands of a long career 21:02 — Balancing training intent with realistic self-assessment 22:35 — Why advanced training calls for competency and awareness 24:46 — Warm-ups should prepare specific movement patterns 25:37 — How repeated training builds self-awareness 27:12 — Why cool-downs deserve more attention 28:49 — Preparation and recovery as part of the training process 31:22 — Why sprint preparation takes time and focus 33:08 — Becoming better at assessing your own training 34:50 — Adjusting a lift without abandoning the workout’s purpose 35:52 — Knowing when to adapt and when to ask for guidance 37:18 — How coaching and community can build understanding 40:07 — Asking questions instead of trying to figure everything out alone 41:41 — Why reaching out early may help prevent a lengthy setback 43:13 — Learning to distinguish
Sep 28

Ep 9: Why Losing Weight Is So Damn Hard

Losing weight is simple. Keeping it off is where things get complicated. Dr Ben Skutnik and fellow Power Athlete Master Coach, Johnny Durrett, break down why diets fail, the role of accountability, and how to build nutrition habits that actually survive real life. Show notes: https://bit.ly/ETW009 Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome back and the case for All Access training 01:43 - Why having multiple programs helps with travel and life changes 03:12 - Iron Flex as the most useful “force multiplier” 05:05 - The nutrition question that sparked the conversation 06:12 - John’s 315-pound starting point in high school 08:14 - Which was harder: losing weight or getting in shape? 09:42 - A terrible first experience with nutrition coaching 10:07 - Acting, body image, and being told what roles were off limits 12:00 - The airplane seatbelt moment and the reality check 12:59 - Treating weight loss like a skill problem 13:27 - Learning nutrition by tracking food and reading textbooks 14:50 - Getting in shape through trial and error in the gym 16:46 - Why food environment and family habits make dieting harder 17:51 - Subtle weight gain gets ignored until it compounds 18:49 - Why the obesity epidemic exists alongside more gym culture 20:30 - Looking leaner versus just getting smaller 21:28 - The bad math of training hard on 2,000 calories a day 22:24 - Denny’s, three Grand Slams, and the cost of restriction 23:45 - Why coaching finally helped John look leaner, not just smaller 24:14 - Hammer 90 and a more sustainable way to cut 25:09 - Why nutrition coaching solves the 24-hour problem, not just gym time 26:03 - The bank account analogy for dieting and maintenance 27:55 - Why cutting weight too hard hurts performance and recovery 28:42 - Weight-class athletes and the logic problem with last-minute cuts 30:25 - Why “I can do it myself” usually means you need help 31:22 - The food system, constant temptation, and self-awareness 32:32 - Weight gain as a check engine light 33:13 - Temptation everywhere after leaving the gym 34:41 - Why having a post-workout food plan matters 35:40 - Coaching as accountability, not punishment 36:36 - Grandmas, birthday pie, and getting back on track 38:29 - Why coaching can be temporary and still life-changing 39:25 - Regaining control when life changes 40:34 - The biggest benefit of a coach is sharing the load 41:12 - Why three months is a useful cut timeline 42:22 - Why six months of coaching is often smarter than three 43:32 - Not everyone needs to lose weight, but many do 44:11 - Telling the truth without judgment 45:31 - Why awareness and honesty beat shame 46:21 - Why doing it once teaches you that you can do it again 47:31 - Buy nutrition coaching before over-investing in training 48:18 - Weighing and measuring food is not crazy 48:44 - Why daily weigh-ins are useful, especially for athletes 50:28 - Why weight-class athletes should avoid chaotic cuts 51:51 - Amateur competitors should make life easier, not harder 52:49 - Why nutrition is harder the first time around 53:12 - Finding the right coach and paying it forward 53:55 - Coaching options, one-on-one time, and how to reach Johnny 55:16 - Hammer 90 timing and closing remarks
Sep 21

Ep 8: Stop Trying to Optimize Everything

Stop obsessing over perfect sleep, recovery scores and optimization. Dr. Ben Skutnik and Dr. Hunter Waldman break down why resilience, consistency and knowing your own body matter more than chasing perfect conditions. Show notes: https://bit.ly/ETW008 Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and guest introduction 01:01 Balancing family life and training 01:57 Training during busy schedules 04:03 Self-experimentation and N of one approach 14:55 Incorporating sprints and conditioning 20:01 The importance of community and stress management 30:01 Evolutionary perspective on sleep and stress 39:57 The role of mindset and placebo in training 49:55 Practical guidelines for daily performance 59:56 Research projects and future directions
Sep 14

Ep 7: Strong Isn’t Enough

Being strong is great. Being strong, conditioned, mobile and hard to break is better. After nearly two decades in law enforcement, Tyson Shumway joins Ben to talk durability, aerobic conditioning, recovery and why building a body that can handle whatever life throws at it matters more than what you can bench. Show notes: https://bit.ly/ETW07 Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Tyson's background 02:01 Balancing law enforcement, family, and fitness 03:53 Training evolution from CrossFit to power athlete programs 06:56 Community's role in motivation and support 10:02 Training for durability and longevity in law enforcement 13:55 Overcoming setbacks and injuries 17:52 The importance of a well-rounded fitness approach 22:11 Lessons from a stroke and the focus on health 25:58 Psychological aspects of confidence and leadership 30:07 Supporting the next generation of first responders 35:50 Community growth and the power of shared experience 39:58 Final thoughts and Tyson's contact information
Sep 7

Ep 6: Stop Chasing Quick Results

Everyone wants young athletes faster, stronger and more explosive. But chasing quick results is usually the problem. Power Athlete Master Coach Matt Sullivan joins Ben to talk youth strength and conditioning, building a strong foundation, avoiding overuse injuries, and why consistency beats speed drills and shortcuts every time. Show notes: https://bit.ly/ETW006 Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and guest background 01:50 Matt Sullivan's journey from archaeology to coaching 05:07 Early influences and transition into strength training 10:09 Experiences working with high-level athletes 15:01 The importance of foundational training for youth 19:51 Building confidence and patience in young athletes 25:06 Balancing performance goals with athlete well-being 29:46 Advice for parents and young athletes 34:57 The role of consistency and long-term focus 39:53 Overcoming challenges and self-doubt in coaching 44:59 Where to find Matt Sullivan and final thoughts
Aug 31

Ep 5: Basic Movement in Performance and Rehab

Dr Tim Cummings joins Ben to share his journey from athlete to physical therapist and coach, emphasizing the importance of foundational movement, performance-based rehab, and the power of simple, consistent training principles for all ages. Show notes: https://bit.ly/ETW05 Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and guest overview 01:30 Tim's background and early athletic career 02:29 Transition from athlete to exercise science 04:20 Exposure to Russian training models 05:14 Realization of the broken PT system 06:12 Starting a direct-to-consumer practice 07:32 Shift to performance-focused rehab 09:26 The concept of athleticism and holistic training 11:17 Performance mindset at any age 13:20 The importance of movement quality and prep 16:10 Returning to basics and mastery 19:41 Training during the pandemic and personal experience 22:00 Injury prevention and real-world application 25:02 Initial client assessment and personalized programming 28:45 Training with family and age-related considerations 30:58 Structuring training with time constraints 33:12 Rehab as performance training 36:28 Injury timelines and sensory system recovery 39:23 The dose-response principle in training and rehab 41:40 Listening to your body and training signals 44:45 Resources and contact information
Aug 24

Ep 4: Reigniting Your Athletic Spirit

The advice to “train safe” can quietly turn into training small. Johnny Durrett joins Dr Ben Skutnik to explain how he broke out of maintenance mode, reignited his competitive edge, and started training like an athlete again - at 37, after years of doing everything right on paper but feeling like something was missing. If you’ve ever looked at your routine and thought, “This is fine, but is this actually moving me forward?”, this conversation hits hard. Essential listening if you need a reset, a new goal, or just a reason to fall in love with training again. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/ETW04 Timestamps 00:00 - Lost episode, community context, and introducing John Durrett 01:12 - Weather talk and the everyday life of a coach 02:19 - Why John is such a central voice in the Power Athlete community 03:34 - How John first got into coaching full time 04:32 - The middle school parking lot moment that changed everything 06:21 - Taking the strength and conditioning job and leaving teaching 08:40 - CrossFit Football seminar and the early Power Athlete influence 10:46 - How Power Athlete shifted his view from bodybuilding and CrossFit to athletic development 11:44 - The MMA gym opportunity that forced another leap 13:11 - Support from clients and the community during a risky career change 15:34 - Why getting Block One became the next step 17:02 - Athleticism as the North Star for training 18:20 - Why simple training principles are often the most powerful 21:30 - John’s early bodyweight, obesity, and relationship with food 24:18 - Martial arts as the one sport he always loved 25:43 - Getting into weight training as a kid 28:29 - The mirror moment that made his identity shift 29:53 - Training hard for years, cutting weight, and building momentum 33:13 - Why athletic training keeps him able to pivot into different phases of life 34:48 - The reawakening of John Durrett and why Hammer 90 changed his mindset 36:29 - Searching for meaning and realizing Grindstone had become too comfortable 38:19 - Why Hammer 90 felt real because of the people, leaderboard, and accountability 40:40 - Rediscovering the love of training 43:29 - Why Hammer 90 fit his lifestyle better than Field Strong at the time 44:54 - The trap of being “good enough” with maintenance training 46:42 - What changed in John’s energy and presence after recommitting 47:23 - Coaching from a different place now that he is training with purpose again 48:21 - How he sells Power Athlete programs to members at his MMA gym 49:18 - Using Bedrock for return to play after a bike accident 50:57 - Why coaches need to walk the walk 51:45 - What listeners may be missing if they want their own reawakening 52:51 - Why Bedrock is brutally effective and not for the complacent 54:09 - Why everyone should train for something specific 55:32 - Organizing a 5K and getting the gym community into a race 56:52 - A 70 something client, training, and putting Yosemite on the calendar 59:12 - Ballroom dancing, obstacle course racing, and the value of having an event 60:48 - If you are not training for something, you may not be training as a power athlete 61:45 - Where to find John and where to train at Underdog
Aug 17

Ep 3: Strong Fathers Build Stronger Kids

Master Power Athlete Coach, Dr Ben Skutnik, sits down with former CrossFit Games athlete Pat Barber to talk training, fatherhood, youth sports, and what it actually takes to raise capable, resilient humans. If you’re a parent, coach, athlete, or anyone trying to build stronger habits without becoming a dictator, this episode gives you a sharper framework for what actually matters. Show notes: https://bit.ly/ETW03 The Father’s Guild: https://www.thefathersguild.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefathersguild The Father’s Guild Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/thefathersguild/about
Aug 10

Ep 2: Mastering The Power of Patience

Dr. Ben Skutnik is joined by fellow Power Athlete Certified Master Coach Dennis Dolan, who shares his journey from athletic trainer to Power Athlete Master Coach and why intentional movement is the foundation of long-term performance. The conversation explores how patience, consistency, and adaptability create better athletes, whether you're chasing performance, returning from injury, or simply looking to move better for life. Ben and Dennis break down practical strategies for reducing injury risk, building effective warm-up routines that actually prepare you to train, and developing the mindset needed to keep improving at any age. If you want straightforward coaching advice you can apply immediately, this episode delivers practical takeaways without the BS. Show notes: https://bit.ly/ETW02 Time stamps: 00:00 - Ben introduces Dennis Dolan and the episode’s focus on training, readiness, and recovery 00:46 - Dennis’s background as a high school athletic trainer and how he found CrossFit Football 01:57 - The 2011 Denver seminar and why the Power Athlete approach made immediate sense 03:27 - Bedrock success with a “unicorn” athlete and how that led to deeper involvement 04:54 - Joining the beta group and becoming embedded in the organization 05:40 - Why Dennis functions like Power Athlete’s athletic trainer 08:23 - How Dennis uses warm-ups to expose limitations before the main session 09:48 - Why immediate feedback during warm-ups gets people bought in 11:31 - Adults versus younger athletes and how ego changes coaching 12:54 - The German language analogy for teaching movement 14:02 - Training around limitations without waiting to be “fully recovered” 15:12 - Why bad squat mechanics do not make someone a bad person 16:40 - Using basketball and sport examples to explain movement improvement 18:01 - Athlete mindset beyond sport and how it applies to work and life 19:49 - The top fault Dennis sees: movement without intent 21:38 - Why people need to move more and stop being so regimented 22:19 - Real-life movement examples, including kids and defensive athletic positions 24:04 - Scaling and substitutions to fit the athlete instead of forcing the template 25:21 - How Power Athlete coaches shift programming around injury, limits, and goals 26:42 - Not all agility work needs to look like sport, but it still has value 28:08 - Dennis’s own programming journey from collegiate to amateur and beyond 29:34 - Why he wants people to finish the full work, including sprints and prep 30:29 - Where Dennis is now: Bedrock, Field Strong, and Johnny Wad 31:35 - Getting stronger and faster in his 40s on Field Strong 32:22 - Why Ben wants more regular sprint work and better sprint prep 34:20 - Dennis’s wood bat baseball story and what it revealed about readiness 36:46 - Why people should start at the right dose instead of going all out 38:31 - The value of scaling intensity instead of avoiding movement 40:55 - Dennis’s final advice: be kinder to yourself and stay patient 43:53 - Where to find Dennis in Overland Park, Kansas and at Restore Thrive 45:00 - Why his clinic is cash-based and built around individualized care
Aug 3

Ep 1: Mastering Athleticism

Unlock the secret to becoming a more athletic, resilient version of yourself—without spending hours in the gym. Power Athlete Master Coach David McKercher reveals how sprinting, strength, and consistency can transform your body and performance at any age. If you’ve ever felt stuck in traditional workouts, this episode will challenge your assumptions and show you a simple, proven path to better movement, faster recovery, and real athleticism. David, a seasoned coach since 2006, shares how his evolution from internet commentator to elite trainer has shaped his approach. You’ll discover why sprinting is the ultimate foundation for functional strength—beyond just muscle building—and how to incorporate volume and intensity training safely, even if you’re new or been away for years. He breaks down the importance of authentic effort, the power of failure, and why continuous movement expression is the true goal of all training. We also explore the broader philosophy of consistency, emphasizing that following a sound plan beats obsessing over perfect execution every time. Whether you're an adult looking to regain speed or an athlete aiming for peak performance, this episode redefines what it means to train productively and sustainably. Hear why sprinting isn’t just about speed—it's the key to unlocking your full movement potential. Learn how to push your boundaries without risking injury and why effort, not just results, is what really matters. If you're tired of superficial routines and hungry for training that delivers real-world athleticism, this conversation will put you back on track. Tune in to find out how to turn your training into a lifelong expression of power and speed—at any age. Perfect for anyone committed to movement, performance, and long-term results. Don’t miss this blend of experience, science, and raw honesty from one of the most authentic voices in the fitness space. Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction to the podcast and guest, David McKercher 02:22 - Transition from internet persona to in-person coaching and community involvement 04:52 - David’s early athletic background and pathway into power athlete training 07:47 - The evolution of Power Athlete programming and program selection principles 09:29 - The role of athleticism, sprinting, and performance in training emphasis 11:23 - Personal experiences with sprinting progress and volume training benefits 12:47 - Restoring movement and expression through sprinting and athletic drills 15:00 - The importance of volume sprinting versus intensity efforts for repeatability 16:45 - Overcoming mental barriers and fear of sprinting in training environments 19:08 - The significance of failure, consistency, and realistic performance expectations 22:19 - The impact of hypertrophy work on sprinting and athletic performance 23:16 - Balancing training volume, intensity, and recovery for optimal results 26:10 - The importance of technical feedback and video analysis in sprinting progress 29:24 - Why skipping sprinting and expression is a missed opportunity in training plans 30:42 - Practical advice for adults and athletes to incorporate sprinting safely and effectively 34:17 - Combining strength, speed, and endurance for full athletic expression 36:17 - Mindset shift: trust the training process and consistency as the key to results 38:41 - The value of following programs closely and not skipping key components like sprinting 39:36 - Reaching out and connecting with coaches for personalized guidance 41:51 - Final thoughts: People helping people — the power of community and shared goals

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Welcome to Eat the Week, your weekly digest of human performance. Every week, the crew chew through the biggest conversations in training, nutrition, recovery, and more.

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Power Athlete Radio
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2026
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10
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Explicit
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