Check out Blaine on socials! @Blainemcconnell @blaine.mcconnell

And go to https://dripthatdelivers.printify.me to get some of Tim and Blaine's merch!

Use code "coachemup10" for 10% off EVERYTHING at https://eleiko.com/coachemup

Go to https://atlantisstrength.com to get a quote on some incredible machines

Head over to https://ovrperformance.com/coachemup and get $25 off

Use code "Tim" to get 15% off at https://davidgreyrehab.com

Get a free trial with TrainHeroic ➡️ https://bit.ly/coachemuppodcast

Tim Riley and Blaine McConnell are back at it. This episode is packed with real talk on NFL combine prep, speed training, coaching philosophy, and what it actually takes to stay athletic past 40. Blaine breaks down his background in college football and bobsled, and the guys go deep on the training methods, equipment, and mindset driven results with their current combine athletes in Austin.

They hit a full Q&A covering everything from the hardest exercises to improve, Tim's biggest lessons from running the podcast, to unhinged conspiracy theories. They also discuss the origin of the Apex competition, the international expansion plans, training longevity past 40, isometrics, Olympic lifts, jumps, and Blaine's nightly routine for stress-free sleep.

If you're a coach, athlete, or just someone who wants to move better and train smarter, this one's for you. Hit that subscribe button — it's free, it helps the show, and it makes your family proud.

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:01:41 - Blaine's Chains & combine prep in Austin

00:03:19 - Blaine's sports background

00:04:06 - Blaine's athleticism & coaching philosophy

00:05:44 - Transition back to group training

00:07:19 - Team dynamics & Austin's appeal

00:09:46 - Blaine's online business & Apex origin story

00:13:46 - Combine prep overview & training insights

00:17:26 - Using unorthodox equipment

00:22:14 - Athlete acclimation

00:24:34 - Hardest exercise to improve

00:27:16 - Tim's top podcast lessons

00:34:13 - Never meet your heroes?

00:36:05 - Blaine's most memorable PR

00:41:12 - Durability and availability always wins

00:46:08 - Training power past age 40

00:52:03 - How Tim's coaching perspective changed

01:01:05 - Jumps & Olympic lifts for strength

01:01:12 - Inspiration behind THIS gym

01:10:28 - PED clothing brand collab

01:11:54 - Blaine's unhinged conspiracy theories

01:14:58 - Apex going international: Australia & Germany

01:32:23 - Using isometrics in your program

01:36:02 - How to get faster with age

01:44:50 - Blaine's daily routine for recovery & sleep

#CoachEmUpPodcast #NFLCombinePrep #SpeedTraining #StrengthAndConditioning #AthletePerformance #CombineTraining #CoachingPhilosophy #TrainFasterGetStronger #ApexCompetition #bobsled

Check out Danny on socials! @danny.matranga

Use code "coachemup10" for 10% off EVERYTHING at https://eleiko.com/coachemup

Go to https://atlantisstrength.com to get a quote on some incredible machines

Head over to https://ovrperformance.com/coachemup and get $25 off

Use code "Tim" to get 15% off at https://davidgreyrehab.com

Get a free trial with TrainHeroic ➡️ https://bit.ly/coachemuppodcast

Tim Riley and Danny Matranga dive deep into the current state of the fitness industry, sharing invaluable insights from Danny's coaching journey. From his humble beginnings as an athletically inadequate kid to becoming a thoughtful fitness professional, Danny provides a refreshing perspective on what really matters in fitness.

They tackle controversial topics including the overcomplicated nature of modern fitness, the toxic influence of social media, the problematic return of extreme thinness ideals, and the misguided marketing of Pilates as superior to weight training for women. Danny shares practical advice for women starting their fitness journey and explains why resistance training is essential regardless of your goals.

This episode cuts through the noise of the fitness industry with honest conversation about what actually works, who you should trust for advice, and how to approach fitness with both effectiveness and sustainability in mind.

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:01:15 - Danny's journey to coaching

00:05:02 - Starting as a trainer at 24-Hour Fitness

00:12:09 - Developing crucial coaching soft skills

00:15:40 - Why exposure, effort & time are essential in coaching

00:17:17 - Problem with athletes giving general fitness advice

00:19:15 - Finding the consistent through lines in fitness

00:20:14 - How overcomplexity has made fitness worse

00:23:10 - The moral dilemma of creating divisive content

00:27:10 - Performative fitness & public health failures

00:32:52 - The return of thinness obsession

00:40:33 - Fitness scams targeting women

00:41:55 - The problem with how Pilates is marketed

00:47:50 - Resistance training vs Pilates

00:53:59 - How identity influences fitness choices

00:58:20 - Privilege & moral superiority in fitness

01:02:25 - The inherent duality that makes fitness confusing

01:03:22 - Principles for making fitness simpler & effective

01:07:27 - Habits over Hacks

01:13:07 - Stimulant Stories From Hell

01:29:58 - Different training approaches for women vs men

01:35:15 - Crucial advice for women starting fitness

01:38:41 - Concerning trends & positive opportunities in fitness

01:52:53 - Making the most of limited time in your life

#FitnessCoaching #WomensFitness #ResistanceTraining #FitnessMyths #StrengthTraining #FitnessAdvice #PilatesVsWeights #CoachEmUp #FitnessJourney #PersonalTraining

Check out Katie on socials! @ktdabrowski

Use code "coachemup10" for 10% off EVERYTHING at https://eleiko.com/coachemup

Go to https://atlantisstrength.com to get a quote on some incredible machines

Head over to https://ovrperformance.com/coachemup and get $25 off

Use code "Tim" to get 15% off at https://davidgreyrehab.com

Get a free trial with TrainHeroic ➡️ https://bit.ly/coachemuppodcast

Katie Dabrowski returns to Coach 'Em Up to discuss training, rehabilitation, and the growth of Old Bull Athletics with Tim Riley.

Katie shares insights on hiring practices at her expanding business, the crucial connection between metabolic health and musculoskeletal pain, and practical strategies for integrating cardio into rehabilitation programs. The conversation explores how to help clients overcome resistance to cardiovascular training, navigate societal pressures around body image (especially for women), and develop a healthier relationship with pain and injury.

Katie emphasizes the importance of pattern recognition in client experiences, managing complex pain conversations without alienating clients, and promoting realistic expectations about pain as a normal part of being human. She also addresses common misconceptions around training and injury, discussing how fear of getting hurt often prevents people from exercising, when inactivity actually poses greater health risks.

Get actionable advice on coaching diverse movement styles without demonizing client preferences, and discover Katie's approach to physical therapy that empowers clients rather than creating dependency.

Don't forget to subscribe! If we hit 10,000 subscribers before the end of the month, we'll release Zack's exotic dancing video, and trust us, it's something you don't want to miss

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:01:34 - Katie's viral clip moment

00:03:02 - Old Bull Athletics' expansion

00:08:26 - Key traits Katie looks for when hiring coaches

00:20:49 - Connection between metabolic health and pain

00:26:04 - Cardio implementation benefits

00:31:52 - Strategies for integrating cardio into rehab plans

00:36:02 - Handling client resistance to cardio training

00:41:40 - Navigating societal pressure on women's bodies

00:58:11 - Using pattern recognition to manage chronic pain

01:04:04 - Discussing pain complexity without alienating clients

01:11:16 - Developing realistic expectations about pain

01:20:10 - Overcoming fear of injury

01:31:16 - Respecting diverse movement styles

01:38:43 - Katie's kettlebell training

01:41:30 - Approach to clients expecting manual therapy

01:44:11 - Addressing fear mongering in fitness industry

#CoachEmUpPod #MetabolicHealth #PainManagement #StrengthTraining #RehabExercise #CardioForPain #AthleticPerformance #PhysicalTherapy #MovementCoaching #BodyPositivity