The Athletes Podcast

We sit down with Mac Boucher to unpack how a self-taught swing, bold shot shapes, and a course-first creative style turned golf into a joyful career built on intention and integrity. Mac shares strategies for pressure, boundaries with haters, and advice for athletes who want longevity. • curving the ball to control the miss • building a brand that prioritizes long-term partners • balancing pressure, performance, and public scrutiny • learning on the course instead of living on the range • using creativity to make the course the star • recovery basics and keeping golf a happy place • supporting peers and calling out toxic behavior • advice for young athletes to chase passion, not clout “Shout out to PERFECT Sports, sponsor of this episode” Support the show Check out our Website | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | Tiktok | Spotify | Apple | Google | Youtube l Save 15% on Perfect Sports Supplements

Join David Stark & Cole Hergott, the S&C coach at Trinity Western University. We explore how better beats more, why consistent full-body training outperforms grind culture, and how a simple, repeatable Sparta Score keeps hundreds of athletes focused on the right improvements. Cole shares actionable ways to program, recover, and earn buy-in without fancy gear. • Creatine’s physical and cognitive benefits across ages • Why submax testing and bar speed drive safer progress • The Sparta Score formula and how it unifies teams • Offseason planning that builds, not burns, athletes • Under-recovery versus overtraining and how to fix it • Full-body frequency over body-part splits • Overcoming isometrics for force and potentiation • Neck strength strategies for concussion-prone teams • Data selection, dashboards, and clear KPIs • Culture, confidence, and competition that lasts Hey, thank you guys for tuning in. We’ll see you again next week Support the show Check out our Website | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | Tiktok | Spotify | Apple | Google | Youtube l Save 15% on Perfect Sports Supplements

 Join us on episode #277 featuring Dr. Brandon Pentheny as we unpack how to turn messy sports data into clear coaching decisions, why outliers can’t be your standard, and how to separate capacity from utilization so training actually transfers. We also dig into lifting before practice, tendon loading, youth overuse, and building buy-in with simple, consistent methods. • bridging biomechanics, neuromuscular performance, and real coaching choices • tailoring data to athletes and coaches with plain language • discrete vs open skills across baseball and basketball • tech overload vs low-tech, high-intent training • capacity vs utilization as the core diagnostic • load management shaped by travel and schedule density • culture shift toward lifting and tendon health • priming lifts and isometrics around practice and games • offseason structure, MLB dead period, and youth rest • choosing metrics that matter and avoiding outlier traps • when literature conflicts with what wins on the field • career advice for young coaches in a noisy landscape Support the show Check out our Website | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | Tiktok | Spotify | Apple | Google | Youtube l Save 15% on Perfect Sports Supplements

Episode #276 features Chong Xie, Founder @hyperarchfascia_training and Therapy ® (HFT). Chong is a Clinical Fascia Researcher, Performance Coach for the Pros in MLS, NFL, and NBA. We challenge muscle-first thinking and show how fascia, the body’s tension network, drives elastic power, foot-to-glutes connection, and resilient performance. Practical drills, footwear context, nutrition timing, and new research back up big gains without bulky mass. • what fascia is and why it integrates force • signs of an elite foot and glute activation • EMG evidence of elastic athletes vs segmented movers • how to train the foot–glutes connection safely • case studies on punching power and ankle stability • strength versus elastic performance under speed and fatigue • footwear choice based on mechanics and adaptation • fascial gliding, recovery, and pain reduction • nutrition timing for collagen synthesis and antioxidants • self-tests and three-month remodeling timelines • environment, barefoot culture, and epigenetic influences • open-minded advice for the next generation The 276th episode of the Athletes Podcast, brought to you by Perfect Sports Supplements, Pioneer Auto Group, Alder Grove, for providing us with an amazing Jeep Wrangler! Support the show Check out our Website | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | Tiktok | Spotify | Apple | Google | Youtube l Save 15% on Perfect Sports Supplements

Join David Stark & Mike Pickles as we share how smart, simple training builds confidence and keeps athletes healthy while cutting through the noise of gimmicks and hype. Mike reflects on lessons from coaching hundreds of kids and why life skills matter more than making the pros. • origins in strength and conditioning and early mentors • confidence as the biggest gain from youth training • injury prevention as the first priority • translating gym work to on-ice performance • in-season maintenance versus off-season progress • mindset, recovery, and screen discipline • rejecting gimmicks and “sport-specific” myths • the power of basics: squat, hinge, push, pull, carry Support the show Check out our Website | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | Tiktok | Spotify | Apple | Google | Youtube l Save 15% on Perfect Sports Supplements

We talk with BJJ athlete and coach Sean Spence about building real confidence under pressure, smarter training without burnout, and why “framing” chaos works on and off the mat. We also dig into cross-training, youth development, and how longevity can live with peak performance. • Sean’s path from fitness to Brazilian jiu-jitsu • Why humility beats ego for faster skill gain • Framing pressure to stay calm and think • Managing training load to avoid burnout • Cross-training for movement literacy and durability • Coaching youth to build broad athletic skills • Simple nutrition for fuel, recovery, and clarity • Personal definitions of peak performance for longevity • Consistency as the engine of progress Use the code AP15 to save 15% at checkout at Perfect Sports. Support the show Check out our Website | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | Tiktok | Spotify | Apple | Google | Youtube l Save 15% on Perfect Sports Supplements

We explore how elite performance is built on consistency, smart prioritization, and a network that protects long-term availability. Stories from NHL rooms, Kelowna’s rise as a training hub, and a candid look at captaincy, data, and mental health show what actually moves the needle. • playing the long game with career choices and boundaries • why availability beats bigger, faster, stronger • data that validates coaching intuition rather than leading it • kelowna’s high-performance ecosystem and culture • chasing the right rabbits instead of shiny tools • mental health support through trained professionals • evolved programming and safer exercise selection • short-window prep: strength, expression, then capacity • myths around aesthetics vs performance with real examples • final takeaways on consistency, accountability, and showing up Thank you guys for tuning in. We’ll see you next week. Support the show Check out our Website | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | Tiktok | Spotify | Apple | Google | Youtube l Save 15% on Perfect Sports Supplements

Clark Hardman, CEO of Thread Performance, joins us to rethink how young athletes fuel growth, focus, and safe strength. We dig into trust, bioavailability, multi-sport benefits, and why snack bars and kids’ menus need a hard reset. • mission to build youth-specific supplements • why processed food hurts focus and recovery • trust gap in teen supplements and how to fix it • bioavailability and iron deficiency in young athletes • connective tissue support with eggshell membrane • adaptogens for stress and attention in school and sport • multi-sport development vs early specialization • spike in non-contact injuries and prevention • integrating training, nutrition, sleep, and mindset • creatine use for developing athletes and safety • lessons from Clark’s baseball path and coaching influence • changing snack bars and daily touchpoints for performance • where to learn more and how parents can lead Use the code AP10 at checkout to save 10% on Thread Performance supplements Use the code AP15 at checkout to save 15% at perfectsports.com Support the show Check out our Website | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | Tiktok | Spotify | Apple | Google | Youtube l Save 15% on Perfect Sports Supplements

A torn ACL sparks a pivot to Prague, an elite training internship, and a national reality challenge that reshapes how we coach and compete. We launch the Two‑Minute Warning, debate sports’ hottest questions, and map the real rise of women’s sports with on-the-ground proof. • ACL tear as catalyst for change • Prague study abroad and work grind • Gary Roberts internship lessons in sport science • Canada’s Ultimate Challenge mindset and adaptability • Hyrox prep and finishing with one ACL • Training ethos: build durable, adaptable athletes • Creatine basics and lifting myths for women • Social reach, coaching impact, and community • Women’s sports growth across WPBL, PWHL, WNBA • Two‑Minute Warning debates: Jake Paul, GOAT, Leafs, Clark vs Reese, rugby vs football Like and subscribe New types of people in this world. Subscribers and not non-subscribers. Don’t be the second one. If you got questions, if you guys got topics, you gotta let us know down below what you want to talk about. If you want some creatine. If you want some protein, let us know. Maybe we’ll hook you up with some. Support the show Check out our Website | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | Tiktok | Spotify | Apple | Google | Youtube l Save 15% on Perfect Sports Supplements

We sit down with ultra runner Dave Proctor to unpack how he ran across Canada, what attention and meditation did for his performance, and why the finish line mattered less than the steps that got him there. The talk moves from ego and validation to stillness, doubt, and the craft of stacking habits. • Canadian pride and sport as pure attention • Doing vs being and running across Canada • Outrunning ego and the Second Mountain idea • Meditation as training for focus and composure • Pain vs discomfort and practical reframing • COVID, a broken foot, and choosing acceptance • Doubters as mirrors and compassionate resolve • Post-record stillness, writing, and new identities • Baselines for runners and habit stacking • Influences from Terry Fox to Al Howie Check out our sponsor, Perfect Sports Supplements. Use the code AP15 to save 15%. If you haven’t yet, hit the subscribe button below. Send me a screenshot of what you buy, and maybe I’ll send you some extra products Support the show Check out our Website | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | Tiktok | Spotify | Apple | Google | Youtube l Save 20% on Perfect Sports Supplements

Cal Dorohoy, founder of Fairway Co and director of Innovation for VaynerSports, joins Dave to discuss the ambitious Fairway Long Drive Tour across Canada and the intersection of athletics and entrepreneurship. • Cal created Fairway Lager after identifying the untapped opportunity to own the "social side of golf" • The beer contains a protease enzyme cutting 90% of gluten, making it less filling for extended days on the course • The Long Drive Tour spans from Tofino, BC to Cabot Nova Scotia over 18 days • Playing 18 rounds with over 50 athletes, creators, and entrepreneurs showcases Canadian talent • Cal transitioned from soccer to business after an injury, finding that his competitive athletic mindset transferred directly • Athletes make excellent entrepreneurs because they understand teamwork, competition, and resilience • Both professional athletics and entrepreneurship require sacrifice and dedication behind the glamorized social media presence • The vision includes building communities in each city for future tours, connecting people through golf • Law of attraction and clear goal-setting have been crucial to Cal's success in business • Sports that allow multi-generational play and moderate drinking (golf, pickleball, curling) create unique social connections Support the show Check out our Website | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | Tiktok | Spotify | Apple | Google | Youtube l Save 20% on Perfect Sports Supplements

Luke Way, founder of Isocapnic Technologies, reveals how respiratory limitations affect athletic performance and how proper breathing training can unlock significant performance gains. • Approximately 70% of athletes are functionally limited by their respiratory systems, meaning they physically cannot breathe enough air to perform at their true potential • VO2 max testing provides valuable insights beyond just a number, showing how different body systems contribute to or limit performance • Many athletes compensate with rapid, shallow breathing (up to 70 breaths per minute) instead of utilizing their full lung capacity • Breathing deeper rather than faster is more efficient as each breath contains "dead space" air that doesn't participate in gas exchange • The Isocapnic device allows athletes to train respiratory muscles without hyperventilation, conditioning them for sustained deep breathing • Nasal breathing is beneficial for low-intensity activities but physically cannot meet ventilation demands during high-intensity exercise • Proper respiratory training can reduce the energy cost of breathing from 18% to 8% of total energy expenditure during endurance activities • Blood work several times per year helps athletes monitor important markers like ferritin levels to optimize training and recovery • Consistency in training, recovery, and injury management is the ultimate differentiator for athletic success For more information about respiratory training and to connect with Luke Way, visit Isocapnic Technologies online or reach out at Kelowna Hockey Fest. Support the show Check out our Website | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | Tiktok | Spotify | Apple | Google | Youtube l Save 20% on Perfect Sports Supplements

Shea Emry shares his remarkable journey from being a two-time Grey Cup champion in the CFL to competing in World Long Drive Championships, hitting golf balls over 400 yards with a specialized 48-inch driver. His story demonstrates how elite athletes can successfully transition between sports, applying lessons from one competitive arena to another. • Former CFL linebacker who retired in 2015 and discovered long drive golf in 2022 • Personal record of hitting a golf ball 429 yards using a driver with just 4.5 degrees loft • Qualified for World Long Drive Championships where competitors regularly hit drives over 400 yards • Applies mental preparation techniques from football to his golf game • Credits his multi-sport background for ability to transition between athletic disciplines • Emphasizes the importance of exposing children to multiple sports rather than early specialization • Runs a "professional snowball making" business, creating snowball fight experiences for events • Co-founded Sphere Guide, a platform connecting clients with specialized coaches • Maintains the same competitive mindset in golf as he did in football, paying attention to details without overthinking Support the show Check out our Website | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | Tiktok | Spotify | Apple | Google | Youtube l Save 20% on Perfect Sports Supplements

Maddie Warren joins us for a brutal leg workout and shares her journey from teenage undereating to powerlifting to becoming a bodybuilder who travels the world. She opens up about finding balance, building confidence, and pursuing personal growth on her own terms. • Training with heavy hip thrusts (3 plates) and high reps for glute development • Using cooling implements called "narwhals" to maximize workout capacity • Surviving Bulgarian split squats that Maddie describes simply as "death" • Discussing how Maddie balances training while traveling extensively • Exploring the myth that women will get "bulky" from lifting weights • Maddie's transformation from restrictive eating to finding balance • The importance of building muscle as the foundation for a "toned" look • How Maddie approaches social media negativity and gym interactions • Why Maddie describes herself as the "Side Quest Queen" • Advice for guys trying to approach women at the gym: build rapport first Check out Perfect Sports for the best pre-workout supplements and Can-i Wellness for recovery. Visit MaddieWarren_fit on Instagram and TheFitMaddie on TikTok to follow her fitness journey and travels. Support the show Check out our Website | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | Tiktok | Spotify | Apple | Google | Youtube l Save 20% on Perfect Sports Supplements

Evy Lyons from Apex Cool Labs explains how palm cooling technology is revolutionizing athletic performance by cooling blood and muscles during intense activity. • Palm cooling accelerates recovery in competition and training by utilizing hands as the body's natural radiators • Our palms get 10 times more blood flow than other skin areas when we're hot • Cooling your palms helps lower core temperature, accelerate heart rate recovery, and extend muscle stamina • Heat inhibits performance, but we lack internal temperature sensors to detect when our muscles are overheating • Optimal cooling temperature is 50-60°F (10-15°C) - ice is actually too cold and causes vasoconstriction • Athletes using palm cooling can add extra quality volume to workouts, leading to compound performance gains • Evie doubled her pull-up max from 7 to 14 in eight weeks using palm cooling between sets • Narwhals devices are now used by elite athletes across all major sports leagues and in the Olympics • Beyond athletics, palm cooling provides critical benefits for "industrial athletes" in firefighting, construction, and manufacturing • Heat is the number one climate-related killer globally, making cooling technologies increasingly important Check out Perfect Sports for the best supplements and protein powders. Use code AP15 at checkout to save 15% and support the Athletes Podcast. Support the show Check out our Website | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | Tiktok | Spotify | Apple | Google | Youtube l Save 20% on Perfect Sports Supplements

Brian Wallack shares his journey from professional basketball player in Spain to Gymshark athlete and social media fitness influencer with half a million followers. His transition reveals how he's now able to inspire more people through fitness content than he ever could have on the basketball court. • Importance of planning training around performance needs, especially for in-season athletes • Effectiveness of training right after games or before practice to maximize muscle fibre activation • Brian's realization that playing pro basketball abroad wasn't fulfilling his true purpose • How social media has allowed him to reach millions rather than thousands • Behind-the-scenes look at the 12+ hour workdays that fuel his content creation • Value of doing the most difficult task first thing each morning to train your brain • Benefits of having an accountability partner or listening to motivational content • Brian's guiding principle: "If nothing changes, nothing changes" Shop Gymshark using code BWALL for 20% off, and catch new episodes with Brian co-hosting from our South Surrey, Vancouver studio soon! Hit subscribe to stay updated on new episodes every week! Powered by Perfect Sports Supplements, use "AP15" to save 15%! -- Want to see more of the AP? Subscribe to the AP YouTube channel. -- Check out Brian's stuff: Instagram Tiktok -- Check out Dave's stuff: Instagram Twitter LinkedIn -- Try Can-I-Wellness Sleep Product 20% off - AP20 at checkout -- Get 20% off Caldera Lab Men's Skincare Products -- Get your Vivobarefoot Shoes 20% off by using the code: ATHLETEPOD20 Support the show Check out our Website | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | Tiktok | Spotify | Apple | Google | Youtube l Save 20% on Perfect Sports Supplements

Send us a text Dusty Imoo, also known as "The Goalie Therapist," shares his journey from professional hockey goaltender to mental performance coach, offering insights on managing stress and finding balance in high-performance situations. Drawing from his 15-year career, most recently coaching with the Los Angeles Kings, Fort Wayne Comets, and Japanese national team, he provides practical wisdom for athletes looking to optimize their mental approach. • Mental performance often separates good athletes from great ones once physical skills reach a certain level • Simplifying your approach reduces anxiety rather than adding multiple techniques and routines • Balance is crucial - you can maintain drive and ambition without sacrificing enjoyment • The "mamba mentality" isn't the only path to success - sustainable passion comes from a good place • Forcing children into sports rarely works - passion must come from within • Parental support without pressure created Dusty's natural drive for excellence • Later career years were his most enjoyable after shifting his mindset about performance • Finding balance led to career longevity rather than burnout Hit subscribe to stay updated on new episodes every week! Powered by Perfect Sports Supplements, use "AP15" to save 15%! -- Want to see more of the AP? Subscribe to the AP YouTube channel. -- Check out Dusty's stuff: Instagram -- Check out Dave's stuff: Instagram Twitter LinkedIn -- Try Can-I-Wellness Sleep Product 20% off - AP20 at checkout -- Get 20% off Caldera Lab Men's Skincare Products -- Get your Vivobarefoot Shoes 20% off by using the code: ATHLETEPOD20 Check out our Website | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | Tiktok | Spotify | Apple | Google | Youtube l Save 20% on Perfect Sports Supplements

Send us a text April Hutchinson, a three-time Team Canada record-holding powerlifter, shares her journey from childhood athlete to women's sports advocate after being suspended for speaking biological truths about male competitors in female categories. • Sports served as therapy through difficult times including childhood abuse and later struggles with alcoholism • Found sobriety six years ago and channeled energy into powerlifting, making Team Canada • Received a two-year suspension for referring to a biological male competitor as male on Pierce Morgan's show • Worked with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to implement legislation creating male-only, female-only, and co-ed sports categories • Advocacy work has helped change policies at national and international competition levels for powerlifting • Transitioned to pickleball after suspension, embracing the sport's accessibility and community • Discusses the physical advantages males retain even with hormone therapy in women's sports • Shares nutrition insights including benefits of eliminating processed foods and alcohol • Experienced with carnivore and modified paleo approaches to eating for performance • Emphasizes the importance of taking action despite fear when making life changes If you want to speak up about something important, don't be afraid. Your integrity means more than any medal or achievement. Powered by Perfect Sports Supplements use "AP15" to save 15%! -- Want to see more of the AP? Subscribe to the AP YouTube channel. -- Check out April's stuff: Instagram -- Check out Dave's stuff: Instagram Twitter LinkedIn -- Try Can-I-Wellness Sleep Product 20% off - AP20 at checkout -- Get 20% off Caldera Lab Men's Skincare Products -- Get your Vivobarefoot Shoes 20% off by using the code: ATHLETEPOD20 Check out our Website | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | Tiktok | Spotify | Apple | Google | Youtube l Save 20% on Perfect Sports Supplements

Send us a text Siddhartha Bhat, a 14-time Team Canada Taekwondo national champion, shares his journey from being a troublemaking child to becoming one of Canada's most decorated martial artists. He explores the discipline martial arts instilled in him and why he believes every child should learn some form of self-defense. • Growing up in Toronto as a child of Indian and Sri Lankan parents shaped Batman's cultural identity • Batman was placed in Taekwondo at age three because he was "disrespectful" and "obnoxious"—traditional discipline wasn't working • Why striking martial arts (Taekwondo, Karate) are better-starting points for children than grappling arts • How martial arts gave Batman confidence as a "skinny brown kid in the 90s" who faced bullying • The unique character development that comes from individual sports versus team sports • Coming to terms with not achieving his Olympic dreams while finding purpose in coaching • Why today's generation is intelligent and creative but lacks resilience and toughness • Batman's Combat MAFK program combines personal training with martial arts for complete development Follow Siddhartha Bhat on Instagram @kombhatmaf to learn more about his training programs and classes at All-Star Martial Arts in Toronto's Leslieville neighborhood! Powered by Perfect Sports Supplements use "AP15" to save 15%! -- Want to see more of the AP? Subscribe to the AP YouTube channel. -- Check out Siddhartha's stuff: Instagram -- Check out Dave's stuff: Instagram Twitter LinkedIn -- Try Can-I-Wellness Sleep Product 20% off - AP20 at checkout -- Get 20% off Caldera Lab Men's Skincare Products -- Get your Vivobarefoot Shoes 20% off by using the code: ATHLETEPOD20 Check out our Website | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | Tiktok | Spotify | Apple | Google | Youtube l Save 20% on Perfect Sports Supplements

Send us a text Marie-Louise Leclerc shares her journey from a Montreal athlete to becoming a Canadian Olympian competing in the 4x100m relay at the Paris Olympics. National Record Holder 13x All-American D2, her story weaves through early sports experiences, collegiate decisions, Olympic village insights, and her ongoing development as an elite sprinter. • Originally recruited to SFU as a 400m hurdler before her coach redirected her to pure sprinting • Competing in the NCAA while remaining in Canada through SFU's unique position as the only Canadian school in the NCAA • Playing multiple sports growing up including flag football, which she describes as her favorite sport • The Paris Olympics exceeded all expectations with family support in the stands and incredible village experiences • Taking creatine as a performance supplement and noticing significant physical benefits • Managing multiple training modalities including swimming for recovery and cross-training • Preparing for upcoming World Relays competition in China while navigating jet lag challenges • Behind-the-scenes Olympic experiences including podium kit stories and closing ceremony challenges Don't count yourself out, work hard, and always have fun. That's what kept me in the sport for so long and what allowed me to have all these amazing memories. Powered by Perfect Sports Supplements use "AP15" to save 15%! -- Want to see more of the AP? Subscribe to the AP YouTube channel. -- Check out Marie Eloise's socials: Instagram Tiktok -- Check out Dave's stuff: Instagram Twitter LinkedIn -- Try Can-I-Wellness Sleep Product 20% off - AP20 at checkout -- Get 20% off Caldera Lab Men's Skincare Products -- Get your Vivobarefoot Shoes 20% off by using the code: ATHLETEPOD20 Check out our Website | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | Tiktok | Spotify | Apple | Google | Youtube l Save 20% on Perfect Sports Supplements