Muscles and Management

Gerry DeFilippo
Muscles and Management

Over the last near decade, Gerry DeFilippo has trained THOUSANDS of athletes from the youth to pro level across all major team-sports.Gerry started his gym and brand, Challenger Strength, as an ambitious 22 year old still finishing his college degree.In the time since, he has built his facility and following into a nationally recognized performance company training thousands of athletes both in-person and online.Gerry brings guests across all areas of sports and performance training, giving the listener inside access to his rolodex of collegiate, world renowned private and professional performance and sports coaches.If you are looking to improve your own performance OR knowledge of performance/sports training (and learn how to shape your career), Muscles and Management is for you!

  1. 3D AGO

    Episode #246 Baseball Performance, Hamstring Health, and Sprint Speed with Royals Director of Sports Performance Nick Shedd

    Send us your questions, or thoughts on today's episode! In Episode 246 of Muscles and Management, Gerry sits down with Nick Shedd, Director of Sports Performance for the Kansas City Royals. The two discuss the current state of baseball training, the evolving role of high-performance departments in MLB, and Nick’s approach to sprint mechanics, injury prevention, and hamstring health. Nick breaks down how he bridges the gap between science and coaching, why speed is still king in baseball, and how to tailor training to the athlete’s needs without overcomplicating the process. Whether you work in pro sports or coach youth athletes, this episode is packed with applicable insight from one of MLB’s top performance minds. Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro to Nick Shedd and his background in pro baseball  3:42 – Evolution of performance departments in MLB  7:13 – Sprint speed in baseball and its rising value  11:20 – Training hamstrings and common injury trends  15:08 – Programming for speed vs. conditioning  18:35 – How Nick balances data, coaching, and relationships  22:12 – Strength work for baseball players: what matters most  26:44 – In-season vs. off-season training approaches  30:39 – How the Royals structure their high-performance workflow  34:20 – Advice for young coaches and navigating career paths  38:50 – Final thoughts on leadership, mentorship, and growth Get A 7 Day FREE TRIAL On Onlystrength! - https://www.onlystrength.training/podcastoffer Support the show

    51 min

  2. JUN 26

    Episode #245 Tony Shiffman on O-Line Development, College Football, and Coaching Identity

    Send us your questions, or thoughts on today's episode! In Episode 245 of Muscles and Management, Gerry chats with Tony Shiffman, offensive line coach at Wofford College and co-founder of the #HogFBChat. They dive into Tony’s coaching journey, O-line fundamentals, building identity in offensive schemes, and how to develop young linemen effectively. Tony shares insights on how to structure drills, evaluate talent, and instill toughness in players without losing sight of fundamentals. Whether you coach football or simply enjoy the X’s and O’s, this is a high-value conversation from one of the most respected voices in the O-line community. Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro to Tony Shiffman and his football background 3:22 – Evolution of offensive line play and what’s changed 7:48 – Founding #HogFBChat and growing the online coaching community 12:06 – Coaching philosophy: simplicity, toughness, fundamentals 15:40 – What makes a great offensive lineman 20:15 – Balancing scheme with player development 25:02 – Building relationships with players 29:17 – Coaching identity and adapting over time 33:54 – Best practices for practice planning and game prep 37:41 – Advice to young coaches and future aspirations Get A 7 Day FREE TRIAL On Onlystrength! - https://www.onlystrength.training/podcastoffer Support the show

    50 min

  3. JUN 18

    Episode #244 Ross Garner on Coaching Track Athletes, Hamstring Rehab, and Sprinting Mechanics

    Send us your questions, or thoughts on today's episode! In Episode 244 of Muscles and Management, Gerry sits down with Ross Garner, a performance coach and sprint specialist with experience working with elite track athletes and football players. The two dig into the details of developing speed, the biomechanics of sprinting, and effective strategies for hamstring injury rehab and prevention. Ross shares insights from years in the field, including how he blends sprint coaching with strength work, his thoughts on overspeed training, and why understanding each athlete’s needs is critical to programming. Whether you coach team sport athletes or sprinters, this episode is full of actionable advice. Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro to Ross Garner and his coaching background 2:55 – Working with track athletes vs. team sport athletes 7:14 – Key principles for speed development 11:33 – Hamstring rehab strategies and mistakes to avoid 16:45 – How Ross structures sprint sessions 20:30 – Thoughts on overspeed and resisted sprint training 25:10 – Blending strength and sprint work effectively 29:02 – Coaching cues for better sprint mechanics 33:40 – Common speed training myths 38:05 – Assessing progress and adjusting based on the athlete 41:50 – Final takeaways and advice for coaches Get A 7 Day FREE TRIAL On Onlystrength! - https://www.onlystrength.training/podcastoffer Support the show

    44 min

  4. JUN 11

    Episode #243 Andrew Sacks on Sports Science, Data-Driven Coaching, and Building Better Athletes

    Send us your questions, or thoughts on today's episode! In this episode Muscles and Management, Gerry sits down with Andrew Sacks, founder of Prime Sports Performance, to dive into the world of sports science and its application in real training environments. With experience across private sector coaching and deep data analytics, Andrew brings a grounded perspective on what actually matters when it comes to athlete development. The episode covers practical use of force plates and technology, how to build buy-in with athletes, and why focusing on basics still wins. Andrew also shares insights on business growth, mentorship, and bridging the gap between sports science and day-to-day performance training. If you're a coach trying to integrate more data without losing your training soul—or an athlete who wants to understand what metrics actually matter—this episode is packed with applicable takeaways. Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro to Andrew Sacks and Prime Sports Performance 3:20 – Andrew’s background and path into sports science 7:05 – Building trust and buy-in with athletes 10:10 – The real-world use of data and force plates 14:22 – Why tech alone doesn’t create better athletes 18:40 – Training simplicity and sticking to the fundamentals 22:13 – How Andrew designs programs with intent and progression 26:48 – Balancing objective data with coaching instincts 31:09 – Lessons from growing a training business 35:55 – Thoughts on mentorship, education, and industry trends 40:36 – Final advice for young coaches and closing remarks Get A 7 Day FREE TRIAL On Onlystrength! - https://www.onlystrength.training/podcastoffer Support the show

    49 min

  5. JUN 5

    Episode #242 Zack Zillner on Building Resilient Athletes and Simplifying Performance

    Send us your questions, or thoughts on today's episode! In Episode 242 of Muscles and Management, Gerry chats with Zack Zillner, Head Performance Coach for Texas Women's Basketball and former coach with the University of Kansas, University of Illinois, and the Chicago Bulls. Zack brings a no-BS approach to training—removing fluff, prioritizing foundational work, and building systems that actually serve athletes. The two dive into Zack’s journey through high-level athletics, his evolution as a coach, and the lessons he's learned about doing less—but better. Topics include training simplicity, using data practically, developing athleticism without gimmicks, and the importance of trusting the process in both rehab and performance environments. Whether you're a coach, athlete, or just want to cut through the noise in strength and conditioning, this episode brings clarity, honesty, and real-world insight. Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro to Zack Zillner and his coaching background 2:50 – From Chicago Bulls to Texas Women’s Basketball: Coaching evolution 6:30 – What Zack values most in a training program 9:10 – Overcomplication in S&C: Why simple wins 12:44 – How Zack structures his programs with intention and progression 17:20 – The role of data in performance coaching: real-world use vs. overkill 21:03 – Trends and gimmicks in strength and conditioning 25:12 – Using team sport principles to guide training for female athletes 29:38 – How Zack handles in-season vs. off-season work 32:45 – Recovery strategies and the value of sleep and nutrition 36:10 – Common rehab pitfalls and the athlete’s mental game 40:02 – Coaching takeaways and final thoughts on career growth and mentorship Get A 7 Day FREE TRIAL On Onlystrength! - https://www.onlystrength.training/podcastoffer Support the show

    53 min

  6. MAY 28

    Episode #241 Arno Rheinberger on Injury Rehab, Achilles Epidemic, and the Strength-Training Disconnect

    Send us your questions, or thoughts on today's episode! In Episode 241 of Muscles and Management, Gerry sits down with Arno Rheinberger—former NFL and Division 1 athletic trainer with stops at the New York Giants, Rutgers, Minnesota, and more—for a raw, in-depth conversation on injuries, rehab, and the complicated relationship between performance and return-to-play. They dive into the recent surge of Achilles tears in high-level sports and ask the hard questions: Are athletes being pushed enough in rehab? Are we preparing them for the real forces of sport? Is fear holding back professionals from doing what athletes truly need? Arno also shares his honest thoughts on the broken communication between strength coaches and athletic trainers, how return-to-play protocols often miss the mark, and why both sides must come together for true athlete readiness. Topics include: The rise of Achilles injuries and whether rehab intensity is to blameCommunication breakdowns between medical and performance staffWhat rehab should look like (and why it often doesn’t)The fear of pushing athletes too hard—and why that’s a problemLong-term wear and tear from youth sportsSocial media gimmicks vs. real-world resultsBuilding mutual respect and collaboration in athletic developmentA must-listen for strength coaches, athletic trainers, and anyone serious about injury reduction and long-term athlete resilience.  0:00 – Intro to Arno Rheinberger and his background in NFL and Division 1 football  3:10 – The reality of job security in collegiate/pro sports vs. the private sector  6:45 – Social media influence and frustration with viral “junk training”  10:32 – The importance of purposeful exercises in rehab and performance  13:20 – Working relationships between strength coaches and athletic trainers  16:40 – Communication and collaboration for better return-to-play outcomes  20:05 – Strength coaches pushing athletic trainers to rethink limitations  23:18 – Fear in rehab: why many athletes aren’t pushed hard enough  26:50 – Jerry’s personal injury story and how rehab intensity matters  30:14 – Why ACL and Achilles re-injuries are more common than we think  34:12 – Controlled training vs. chaotic real-game scenarios  37:00 – Youth sports overuse vs. under-preparedness in college/pros  40:48 – Achilles injuries in modern athletes: overtraining or underpreparing?  43:10 – Final thoughts on moderation, exposure, and collaborative rehab  Get A 7 Day FREE TRIAL On Onlystrength! - https://www.onlystrength.training/podcastoffer Support the show

    46 min

  7. MAY 21

    Episode #240 Culture Consistency and Coaching Beyond the Weight Room with Brijesh Patel

    Send us your questions, or thoughts on today's episode! In this episode of Muscles and Management, Gerry sits down with Brijesh Patel—longtime Director of Athletic Performance at Quinnipiac University—for a masterclass in building culture, earning athlete buy-in, and leading with purpose in the strength and conditioning world. Brijesh shares lessons from over 20 years in the field, including how to: Build sustainable in-season training that actually improves performanceCreate a weight room culture where effort and discipline are non-negotiablesTrain athletes with vastly different bodies, personalities, and needs under one roofUse logistics and constraints as a tool—not an excuseTurn average athletes into exceptional ones through intention and consistencyTeach athletes to become 24/7 performers, not just show up for an hour liftThey also discuss leadership development, athlete motivation tiers (survivors, contenders, competitors, commanders), and how real progress comes not from the perfect program—but from consistency, clarity, and culture. Whether you’re a coach, athlete, or someone managing a high-performing team, this episode delivers truth bombs on what really drives long-term success. Timestamps: 0:00 – Introduction and Brijesh’s Background  2:12 – The Real-World Value of Logistics and Flexibility in Programming  5:00 – Early Challenges: Culture, Buy-In, and Accountability  8:21 – Creating a “Do Extra” Culture and a Packed Weight Room  10:01 – Training Different Body Types? Focus on Mentality First  12:26 – Effort > Program: Why Execution Matters Most  15:00 – Building a 24-Hour Athlete: Nutrition, Sleep, and Recovery  17:45 – Peer Accountability and Building a Competitive Training Environment  21:07 – Discipline Over Motivation: Lessons from Real Life  24:30 – Using Role Models and Metrics to Drive Intrinsic Buy-In  28:05 – Leadership Tiers: Survivors, Contenders, Competitors, Commanders  32:13 – Team Roles, Intangibles, and How Leaders Are Made  34:20 – In-Season Training: Why “Maintenance” Isn’t Enough  36:39 – Adjusting Loads, Managing Travel, and Keeping Force Output High  39:14 – Buying In to Heavy Lifts In-Season (Without Fear)  41:33 – How Education and Transparency Build Long-Term Trust  43:52 – Final Thoughts: Invest in Yourself to Serve Others Get A 7 Day FREE TRIAL On Onlystrength! - https://www.onlystrength.training/podcastoffer Support the show

    45 min

  8. MAY 14

    Episode #239 In-Season Strength, Online Coaching Myths, and Building a Sustainable Training Model with Joe Aratari

    Send us your questions, or thoughts on today's episode! In this episode of Muscles and Management, Gerry welcomes back Joe Aratari for a raw conversation on the realities of in-season training, youth sport culture, and what too many coaches get wrong when it comes to online content, business, and development. Joe shares lessons from over a decade training youth and high school athletes, including: How to properly train during the season without overtraining or undertrainingWhy soreness and time constraints are excuses, not roadblocksThe importance of consistent, year-round strength work to maintain gains and prevent injuryHow to integrate lifts into practices without disrupting performanceWhy simple full-body templates win during in-season phasesWhen and how to adjust for recovery, lifestyle, and sport-specific stressThey also dive into: The rise of influencer strength coaches with no real-world experienceThe value of long-term trust, buy-in, and smart programmingWhen it’s okay to tell a kid to go home and just be a kid for a dayThe real ROI of off-season training—and how it’s lost without in-season consistencyPacked with practical strategies, real-life anecdotes, and brutally honest takes, this one is a must-listen for any coach or parent serious about long-term athlete development. 0:00 – Introduction and Catching Up with Joe 2:25 – Social Media Coaching: Who Should You Listen To? 6:44 – Why Context and Experience Matter More Than Followers 10:32 – Building a Remote Program with Integrity and Results 15:04 – Creating Sustainable Systems for Coaches and Facilities 17:17 – Why Most Athletes Need In-Season Training 21:00 – Top Reasons Parents and Coaches Still Avoid In-Season Lifts 25:52 – Time Constraints, Practice Integration, and Real Solutions 28:29 – The ROI of Off-Season Work Hinges on In-Season Consistency 33:01 – How “Feeling Better” Converts Athletes to Buy-In 36:19 – Sample Week for a Busy High School Athlete 42:58 – Full Body Templates: Simple, Scalable, and Effective 45:43 – Year-Round Sports and Overuse: A Growing Problem 48:23 – Misconceptions Around Heavy Lifting and Injury Risk 51:08 – Rehab vs. Performance: Staying in Your Lane but Learning Enough 53:43 – Sport-Specific Training vs. Athlete Development 56:38 – Strength First: Why Foundations Beat Fancy 1:01:25 – Final Thoughts on Long-Term Athlete Development and Testing Get A 7 Day FREE TRIAL On Onlystrength! - https://www.onlystrength.training/podcastoffer Support the show

    1h 3m
See All (246)

4.9
out of 5
173 Ratings

About

Over the last near decade, Gerry DeFilippo has trained THOUSANDS of athletes from the youth to pro level across all major team-sports.Gerry started his gym and brand, Challenger Strength, as an ambitious 22 year old still finishing his college degree.In the time since, he has built his facility and following into a nationally recognized performance company training thousands of athletes both in-person and online.Gerry brings guests across all areas of sports and performance training, giving the listener inside access to his rolodex of collegiate, world renowned private and professional performance and sports coaches.If you are looking to improve your own performance OR knowledge of performance/sports training (and learn how to shape your career), Muscles and Management is for you!

Information

  • Creator
    Gerry DeFilippo
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2025
  • Episodes
    246
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Muscles and Management
  • Show Website
    Muscles and Management

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