In this episode of the Evolving Performance Podcast, Kevin is joined by Bill Hartman, a world-renowned physical therapist and co-owner of Indianapolis Fitness and Sports Training (IFAST). Bill is the creator of the Unified Health and Performance Continuum Model, a principles-based framework that examines how the entire human system works together to manage forces and create movement.

They explore how structural biases—an athlete's natural body type—fundamentally shape their potential to develop speed versus strength. Bill explains why certain structures gravitate toward specific sports, the trade-offs of training athletes without accounting for their build, and how to tailor exercise selection to individual biomechanics. The conversation also covers evaluating movement in pain-free athletes, using internal versus external coaching cues, and why "belly breathing" misrepresents proper diaphragm function.

This episode offers essential insights for coaches looking to individualize training and better understand the relationship between structure, movement, and performance.

Topics Include:

• Structural biases that favor speed versus strength development
• Why elite athletes in the same sport share similar body types
• How structure determines pressure distribution and force production capacity
• The "funnel" vs. "pillar" configurations and their performance implications
• Training trade-offs when working against an athlete's natural structure
• Exercise selection strategies for different structural archetypes
• Evaluating movement in athletes without pain or dysfunction
• When to use internal versus external focus in coaching
• Direct assessment of diaphragm function and breathing mechanics
• Why "belly breathing" constrains the thorax and limits movement quality
• Using strategic loading to magnify movement patterns and evolve motor control
• The role of sensory awareness in recapturing relative motion

📲 Connect with Bill Hartman:
Instagram: @bill_hartman_pt
Websites:
➡️ billhartmanpt.com
➡️ UHPC Model
➡️ RECON

📩 Contact Kevin:
Follow and suggest future guests, topics, and questions: @KevinNeeld
📺 Watch the videos: @NeeldPerformance
🧠 Subscribe to the free newsletter: KevinNeeld.com
📬 Email: KN@KevinNeeld.com

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction to Bill Hartman
02:00 – Ad read: Metabolic Elite
04:57 – Structural biases in speed vs. strength athletes
08:05 – Body types and sport selection
10:13 – Funnel vs. pillar configurations
12:07 – NFL combine data on structural ratios
14:09 – Tailoring exercise selection to structure
17:12 – Olympic lifting and structural considerations
19:08 – Recognizing structural constraints in training
21:15 – Hockey players and horizontal force application
24:25 – Pressure biases and exercise selection
28:53 – Extreme exhalers and training position
31:38 – Performance vs. structural restoration
36:08 – Movement screens for pain-free athletes
40:09 – Training environment and surface variability
45:18 – Long-term athletic development principles
48:55 – Biological vs. chronological age
53:04 – Growth mindset and continuing education
55:00 – Movement evaluation in pain-free athletes
57:32 – Breathing evaluation and relative motion
01:00:32 – Belly breathing vs. diaphragmatic function
01:01:50 – Connecting with Bill and the UHP Network

In this episode of the Evolving Performance Podcast, Kevin is joined by Coach Mike Boyle, one of the most respected and influential figures in strength and conditioning. Mike is the co-founder of Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning (MBSC), a best-selling author, and a former coach for the Boston Bruins, Boston Red Sox, and U.S. Women’s Olympic Hockey Team, among others. His decades of work with youth, collegiate, and professional athletes have shaped modern performance training.

They explore the "big rocks" of athletic development—timeless principles that remain essential even as trends, tools, and tech evolve. Mike shares insights from over 40 years in the field, including how to identify and develop athletes with long-term potential, when kids should begin training, and how parents can best navigate today’s youth sports landscape.

This is a must-listen for parents, coaches, and performance pros looking for clear, experience-backed guidance to help athletes reach their full potential.

Topics Include:

• The “big rocks” of training that outlast fads and technologies
• What separates athletes who make it from those who fall short
• The right age to start formal strength and conditioning
• Key physical and psychological readiness signs in young athletes
• Misconceptions about youth training and growth stunting
• Advice for parents on year-round sports and specialization
• Why most youth athletes don’t need to “play up” to get better
• Signs of overuse and burnout in young athletes
• How to identify appropriate coaching and training environments
• The importance of consistency and long-term planning in development
• Why early success doesn’t always lead to long-term achievement

📲 Connect with Mike Boyle:
Instagram: @michael_boyle1959
Twitter/X: @mboyle1959
Websites:
➡️ CompleteConditioning.com
➡️ BodyByBoyle.com
➡️ MBSC on TrainHeroic
➡️ StrengthCoach.com

📩 Contact Kevin:
Follow and suggest future guests, topics, and questions: @KevinNeeld
📺 Watch the videos: @NeeldPerformance
🧠 Subscribe to the free newsletter: KevinNeeld.com
📬 Email: KN@KevinNeeld.com

Thanks for listening!

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Mike Boyle Bio
01:23 – Episode 9 topics

02:11 - Welcoming Mike Boyle to the podcast
04:02 – Coaching vs. technology
07:48 – Strength and consistency
12:28 – Traits of high-potential athletes
16:18 – Training vs. skill in offseason
20:58 – Role acceptance for long-term success
25:58 – Social media and talent myths
28:43 – Ideal age to start training
33:13 – Starting LTAD at 11 vs. 18
36:18 – Lifting and growth: myth vs. fact
39:20 – Long-term development mindset
43:00 – What separates pros
46:00 – Training adjustments with age
47:33 – Parent advice: avoid year-round hype
52:00 – Burnout and D1 predictors
56:00 – Development over tournaments
59:08 – What to look for in coaches/teams
1:03:00 – Where to follow Mike

In this episode of the Evolving Performance Podcast, Kevin is joined by Eric Cressey, Director of Player Health and Performance for the New York Yankees and President and co-founder of Cressey Sports Performance. They delve into the importance of developing maximum strength for athletes and key characteristics of effective strength training methods. Eric discusses how to recognize when an athlete is strong enough and ready to pursue other primary training goals, acknowledging the evolution of athletic strength and the role of technology in assessing performance.

They explore whether strength training can lead to reduced mobility and strategies to minimize potential loss in athleticism, particularly for rotational athletes. The conversation further addresses how strength training should evolve from off-season to in-season programs to account for competing demands, emphasizing maintaining strength with minimal volume during the competitive season. Finally, they cover critical aspects like the impact of athlete lifestyle habits (including sleep), managing injury history, and the importance of mentorship for young coaches in the evolving landscape of sports performance. This episode provides actionable insights for coaches and athletes looking to optimize training adaptation and career longevity.

Topics Include:

• The importance of developing maximum strength for athletes.
• Recognizing when an athlete is strong enough to shift training focus.
• How strength training can impact mobility and athleticism.
• Training considerations for rotational athletes.
• Evolving strength training from off-season to in-season programs.
• The role of technology in assessing and guiding strength development.
• Strategies for maintaining strength with low volume in-season.
• The critical role of sleep in athlete performance and recovery.
• Balancing physical stressors with broader life stressors for athletes.
• The value of mentorship for aspiring strength and conditioning coaches.

📲 Connect with Eric: EricCressey.com | Instagram: @ericcressey

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to Eric Cressey

01:23 – Why strength is foundational for athletic development
03:22 – The impact of strength training on movement and conditioning
06:55 – How strong is strong enough?
08:21 – Using data and technology to guide individualized programming
10:27 – Balancing strength development with movement quality
14:00 – Adapting training as athletes age and progress
16:28 – Key considerations for rotational athletes
18:31 – The role of bilateral and unilateral lower body training
21:30 – Principles of effective in-season strength programming
25:38 – Managing training through the demands of a long season
29:34 – Balancing immediate performance with long-term development
33:03 – Top recovery strategies: Sleep, nutrition, hydration
36:14 – Managing stress and recovery in high-performance settings
38:09 – Periodizing year-round training for sustained progress
44:17 – Practical use of foam rolling and recovery tools
48:09 – Guidance for young coaches: Mentorship, reps, and soft skills
55:14 – Final thoughts on growth and coaching longevity
56:01 – Where to follow Eric and learn more about CSP internships

Contact Kevin:

• Follow me and suggest future guests, topics and questions: @KevinNeeld
• Watch the videos: @NeeldPerformance
• Get access to my FREE newsletter: KevinNeeld.com