logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2025
58m 3s

EP 198: The Principles Of Athlete Develo...

Vigor Life Podcast
About this episode

Eric Cressey has been a friend and someone that has set the highest standard in coaching and being a pro at the highest level; and someone I have learned from and continue to learn from. I connected with him and started learning from him when I was still playing pro basketball 20+ years and flew out to Birmingham, England to attend a live event.


Eric Cressey is president and co-founder of Cressey Sports Performance, with facilities located in Hudson, MA and Palm Beach Gardens, FL.


A highly sought-after coach for healthy and injured athletes alike, Eric has helped athletes at all levels – from youth sports to the professional and Olympic ranks – achieve their highest levels of performance in a variety of sports.

Behind Eric’s expertise, Cressey Sports Performance has rapidly established itself as a go-to high performance facility for those that come from across the country and abroad to experience CSP’s cutting-edge methods. Eric is perhaps best known for his extensive work with baseball players, with more than 100 professional players traveling to train with him each off-season.


IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:

=> When it comes to developing high school athletes, there’s the physical side and the ____ side (the 2nd one has changed dramatically and is affecting everything). 

=> The rise of phones and social media and how it affects the athlete; and HOW to get the athletes to buy-in within the digital world.

=> How to block out the noise to improve training, nutrition, sleep, and improve athlete development. 

=> The top 2 abilities in developing the high school athlete to the college athlete, that do NOT transfer to the pro’s. 

=> The shocking length of the window of adaptation for body composition changes in college athletes (and how that affects their programs). 

=> How Eric’s job and what he loves to do it solving puzzles and figuring out how to improve athlete’s performance and keep them healthier, longer. 

=> The biggest bottlenecks for high school, college, and pro athletes; they are very different and you have to approach it from this frame. 

=> Why you should take a “compressed” athlete and change their training to regain elasticity, explosiveness, and power, as well as better ranges of motion of movement. 

=> Why understanding “transmutation” and how long it takes the body to adapt is very important when creating training programs structured to get athletes ready for the season. 

=>  Not being married to specific exercises but rather to specific adaptations and how to match the exercises to the athletes (hint: are back squats, deadlifts and bench press necessary with advanced athletes). 

=> Eric’s and Luka’s thoughts on their own training being “athletes for life” and how they have changed their workouts and training philosophy. 

=> What Eric’s injury taught him and how it changed his training, lifestyle and realizations on what matter. 

=> The BIG changes in professional sports that are affecting injuries, the approach to training, and how to deliver the best for your athletes (the margin for error for elite athletes is smaller than ever). 

=> Why the younger generations are more broken than ever and a mind boggling statistic on injuries before 2021 and after 2021. 

=> How NIL and the trade portal in college is affecting team and athlete development, injuries, and creating a team chemistry.

=> Why the private sector may now have a huge advantage for training athletes in the off season.

=> The 3 things that Eric looks for when it comes to interns developing into great coaches (and who they will hire). 

=> If you don’t have this one ability it will be very difficult for you to develop as a great coach and great career in the industry. 

=> Which types of people do well as a coach; and what do they DO that make them stand out. 


LINKS & RESOURCES:

Eric’s website  

Elite Baseball Development Podcast 

Eric Cressey IG

Luka's YouTube

Up next
Aug 13
EP 208: Why Switching Exercises Often Works, Kettlebell Training, & Standing Out Online w/ Adriell Mayes
Great to have my brother @everygotdamndre back on the show while visiting Seattle for our Built To Last Gym mastermind as we dove into the most effective training methods, why he trains the way he trains and programs the way he programs, the reason he often turns down big brand d ... Show More
1h 10m
Aug 3
EP 207: Building A Successful Coaching Career, What Is a Coaching First Gym, and Social Media BS w/ Andy McCloy
It’s always a pleasure to have my brother and business partner in Built To Last Gym Mentorship Andy McCloy on the podcast, where we get to talk about coaching, gyms, and the industry. Andy McCloy is the owner and founder of BCI Sports Performance and Fitness in Madison, Alabama. ... Show More
1h 11m
Jul 3
EP 206: How To Get Client Results w/ Nutrition Coaching & Build A Powerful Online Business with/ Andy Morgan
I’ve known Andy for over a decade and he’s always impressed me with his knowledge and how we helps people transform through his coaching model. When I found out how he runs his businesses and the level he has built it to I knew I wanted to have him share more of what’s “under the ... Show More
1h 25m
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2023
How to Get Back Into a Regular Gym Routine - with Roger Sutherland
Have you stopped going to the gym regularly? Not sure how to get back into your regular routine? Roger Sutherland, Shift Work Health & Wellbeing Coach, joins Mark to talk about strategies for getting back into the gym after being away for a while. The coaches talk about their own ... Show More
45m 35s
Feb 2025
2525: Five Steps to Build a $10,000/Month Fitness & Coaching Business in 2025
 5 Steps to Build a $10,000/month Fitness and Coaching Business in 2025 Fitness coaching is rewarding if you love fitness and people. (1:05) Why is the turnover rate so high? (4:23) 5 Steps to Build a $10,000/month Fitness and Coaching Business in 2025 #1 - Talk to people every d ... Show More
46m 48s
Jan 2025
Andy Galpin: 3 Ways to Lose Weight and Gain Muscle (the Fitness Plan You Will ACTUALLY Stick To)
What’s your biggest challenge with sticking to a fitness plan? What motivates you to stay consistent with workouts? Today, Jay welcomes Dr. Andy Galpin, a leading expert in human performance science, muscle physiology, and strength training, to guide you toward a healthier and mo ... Show More
1h 34m
Nov 2024
E066 - 27 Years of Brutally Honest Advice for Young People in 90 Minutes | Andy Elliott
Joining me today for an unfiltered conversation about transformation, sales mastery, and leadership is Andy Elliot, a powerhouse entrepreneur who built a 9-figure business empire after starting from nothing. Beginning his journey as a car salesman at 18, Andy shattered industry r ... Show More
1h 30m
Sep 2024
E058 - Important Life Lessons For Men in Their 20s & 30s (#3 Principles of Success) | Ollie Marchon
Ollie Marchon is a former professional rugby player turned influential coach and entrepreneur. As the owner of MARCHON, the UK’s leading functional fitness brand, Ollie and his team are dedicated to empowering clients to live without limits. They champion the core principles of l ... Show More
1h 38m
Dec 2022
339: DJ Murakami on Breaking Cognitive Training Barriers, Muscle Tensioning, and Winning Each Workout
Today’s episode features strength and performance coach DJ Murakami.  DJ has over 15 years of experience in the coaching realm, and has a wide history of movement practice which includes work in bodybuilding, Olympic lifting, rock lifting, movement culture (such as Ido Portal), r ... Show More
58m 23s
Feb 2022
Boo Schexnayder on The Intelligent Simplification of Speed, Power and Skill in the Training Process
Today’s show is with Boo Schexnayder.  Boo is a current strength coach and former jumps coach at Louisiana State University, and is regarded internationally as a leading authority in training design.  Boo has been a two-time previous guest on the podcast talking about speed and p ... Show More
1h 2m
Jan 2025
2515: How to Become a Successful Trainer in 2025
Become a Successful Trainer in 2025 Statistics to illustrate the potential of becoming a trainer. (1:13) Built in purpose. (8:55) Personal growth. (11:03) Learn to maximize your opportunities and efforts. (12:05) 5 Steps to Become a Successful Trainer in 2025. #1 - Know your numb ... Show More
50m 29s
Aug 2024
#932: Building a Fitness Community: An Interview with Dan Kachtik
In this episode, we sit down with Dan Kachtik, founder and head coach of CrossFit Dallas Central, to explore the art of building a thriving fitness community. Dan is a prominent figure in the CrossFit world, renowned not only for training elite athletes but also for his dedicatio ... Show More
54m 35s
Jun 2024
Coaching Mastery & Human Nature with Dr. John Berardi
Dr. John Berardi is best known as one of the founders of Precision Nutrition. His most recent endeavor, Change Maker Academy, is a resource pool for practicing coaches from all walks of life. Additionally, his book Change Maker is a must-read for all health coaches. Dr. Berardi j ... Show More
1h 29m