Eat the Week

Epizódok

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  Ep 8: Stop Trying to Optimize Everything 21.09.2026 1ó 1p

  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/ETW008Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and guest introduction01:01 Balancing family life and training01:57 Training during busy schedules04:03 Self-experimentation and N of one approach14:55 Incorporating sprints and conditioning20:01 The importance of community and stress management30:01 Evolutionary perspective on sleep and stress39:57 The role of mindset and placebo in training49:55 Practical guidelines for daily performance59:56 Research projects and future directions
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  Ep 7: Strong Isn’t Enough 14.09.2026 46p

  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/ETW07Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Tyson's background02:01 Balancing law enforcement, family, and fitness03:53 Training evolution from CrossFit to power athlete programs06:56 Community's role in motivation and support10:02 Training for durability and longevity in law enforcement13:55 Overcoming setbacks and injuries17:52 The importance of a well-rounded fitness approach22:11 Lessons from a stroke and the focus on health25:58 Psychological aspects of confidence and leadership30:07 Supporting the next generation of first responders35:50 Community growth and the power of shared experience39:58 Final thoughts and Tyson's contact information
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  Ep 6: Stop Chasing Quick Results 07.09.2026 58p

  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/ETW006Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and guest background01:50 Matt Sullivan's journey from archaeology to coaching05:07 Early influences and transition into strength training10:09 Experiences working with high-level athletes15:01 The importance of foundational training for youth19:51 Building confidence and patience in young athletes25:06 Balancing performance goals with athlete well-being29:46 Advice for parents and young athletes34:57 The role of consistency and long-term focus39:53 Overcoming challenges and self-doubt in coaching44:59 Where to find Matt Sullivan and final thoughts
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  Ep 5: Basic Movement in Performance and Rehab 31.08.2026 47p

  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/ETW05Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and guest overview01:30 Tim's background and early athletic career02:29 Transition from athlete to exercise science04:20 Exposure to Russian training models05:14 Realization of the broken PT system06:12 Starting a direct-to-consumer practice07:32 Shift to performance-focused rehab09:26 The concept of athleticism and holistic training11:17 Performance mindset at any age13:20 The importance of movement quality and prep16:10 Returning to basics and mastery19:41 Training during the pandemic and personal experience22:00 Injury prevention and real-world application25:02 Initial client assessment and personalized programming28:45 Training with family and age-related considerations30:58 Structuring training with time constraints33:12 Rehab as performance training36:28 Injury timelines and sensory system recovery39:23 The dose-response principle in training and rehab41:40 Listening to your body and training signals44:45 Resources and contact information
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  Ep 4: Reigniting Your Athletic Spirit 24.08.2026 1ó 5p

  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 Timestamps00:00 - 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 development11:44 - The MMA gym opportunity that forced another leap13:11 - Support from clients and the community during a risky career change15:34 - Why getting Block One became the next step17:02 - Athleticism as the North Star for training18:20 - Why simple training principles are often the most powerful21:30 - John’s early bodyweight, obesity, and relationship with food24:18 - Martial arts as the one sport he always loved25:43 - Getting into weight training as a kid28:29 - The mirror moment that made his identity shift29:53 - Training hard for years, cutting weight, and building momentum33:13 - Why athletic training keeps him able to pivot into different phases of life34:48 - The reawakening of John Durrett and why Hammer 90 changed his mindset36:29 - Searching for meaning and realizing Grindstone had become too comfortable38:19 - Why Hammer 90 felt real because of the people, leaderboard, and accountability40:40 - Rediscovering the love of training43:29 - Why Hammer 90 fit his lifestyle better than Field Strong at the time44:54 - The trap of being “good enough” with maintenance training46:42 - What changed in John’s energy and presence after recommitting47:23 - Coaching from a different place now that he is training with purpose again48:21 - How he sells Power Athlete programs to members at his MMA gym49:18 - Using Bedrock for return to play after a bike accident50:57 - Why coaches need to walk the walk51:45 - What listeners may be missing if they want their own reawakening52:51 - Why Bedrock is brutally effective and not for the complacent54:09 - Why everyone should train for something specific55:32 - Organizing a 5K and getting the gym community into a race56:52 - A 70 something client, training, and putting Yosemite on the calendar59:12 - Ballroom dancing, obstacle course racing, and the value of having an event60:48 - If you are not training for something, you may not be training as a power athlete61:45 - Where to find John and where to train at Underdog
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  Ep 3: Strong Fathers Build Stronger Kids 17.08.2026 1ó 4p

  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
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  Ep 2: Mastering The Power of Patience 10.08.2026 46p

  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/ETW02Time stamps:00:00 - Ben introduces Dennis Dolan and the episode’s focus on training, readiness, and recovery00:46 - Dennis’s background as a high school athletic trainer and how he found CrossFit Football01:57 - The 2011 Denver seminar and why the Power Athlete approach made immediate sense03:27 - Bedrock success with a “unicorn” athlete and how that led to deeper involvement04:54 - Joining the beta group and becoming embedded in the organization05:40 - Why Dennis functions like Power Athlete’s athletic trainer08:23 - How Dennis uses warm-ups to expose limitations before the main session09:48 - Why immediate feedback during warm-ups gets people bought in11:31 - Adults versus younger athletes and how ego changes coaching12:54 - The German language analogy for teaching movement14:02 - Training around limitations without waiting to be “fully recovered”15:12 - Why bad squat mechanics do not make someone a bad person16:40 - Using basketball and sport examples to explain movement improvement18:01 - Athlete mindset beyond sport and how it applies to work and life19:49 - The top fault Dennis sees: movement without intent21:38 - Why people need to move more and stop being so regimented22:19 - Real-life movement examples, including kids and defensive athletic positions24:04 - Scaling and substitutions to fit the athlete instead of forcing the template25:21 - How Power Athlete coaches shift programming around injury, limits, and goals26:42 - Not all agility work needs to look like sport, but it still has value28:08 - Dennis’s own programming journey from collegiate to amateur and beyond29:34 - Why he wants people to finish the full work, including sprints and prep30:29 - Where Dennis is now: Bedrock, Field Strong, and Johnny Wad31:35 - Getting stronger and faster in his 40s on Field Strong32:22 - Why Ben wants more regular sprint work and better sprint prep34:20 - Dennis’s wood bat baseball story and what it revealed about readiness36:46 - Why people should start at the right dose instead of going all out38:31 - The value of scaling intensity instead of avoiding movement40:55 - Dennis’s final advice: be kinder to yourself and stay patient43:53 - Where to find Dennis in Overland Park, Kansas and at Restore Thrive45:00 - Why his clinic is cash-based and built around individualized care
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  Ep 1: Mastering Athleticism 03.08.2026 43p

  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.Timestamps00:00 - Introduction to the podcast and guest, David McKercher02:22 - Transition from internet persona to in-person coaching and community involvement04:52 - David’s early athletic background and pathway into power athlete training07:47 - The evolution of Power Athlete programming and program selection principles09:29 - The role of athleticism, sprinting, and performance in training emphasis11:23 - Personal experiences with sprinting progress and volume training benefits12:47 - Restoring movement and expression through sprinting and athletic drills15:00 - The importance of volume sprinting versus intensity efforts for repeatability16:45 - Overcoming mental barriers and fear of sprinting in training environments19:08 - The significance of failure, consistency, and realistic performance expectations22:19 - The impact of hypertrophy work on sprinting and athletic performance23:16 - Balancing training volume, intensity, and recovery for optimal results26:10 - The importance of technical feedback and video analysis in sprinting progress29:24 - Why skipping sprinting and expression is a missed opportunity in training plans30:42 - Practical advice for adults and athletes to incorporate sprinting safely and effectively34:17 - Combining strength, speed, and endurance for full athletic expression36:17 - Mindset shift: trust the training process and consistency as the key to results38:41 - The value of following programs closely and not skipping key components like sprinting39:36 - Reaching out and connecting with coaches for personalized guidance41:51 - Final thoughts: People helping people — the power of community and shared goals