Realms of Strength

Ep_42 - Frank Wintrich | FBI Render Safe Unit | National Defense University

Frank Wintrich has spent over 17 years in Power 5 NCAA athletics, over 4 years working for the Department of Defense and Department of Justice as a program manager. During his most recent stint as a human performance director, he held the sole SCC position for the FBI Render Safe Unit. This special operation unit is comprised of the best of the best in bomb disposal, specializing in the neutralization of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD's). Today he drops in to share his vast wealth of knowledge!

In 2003, he began his journey...

Arizona State University: Coaching Assistant; 1 year

Utah State University: Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach; 2 years

The Citadel: Director of Strength and Conditioning; 2 years

University of South Florida: Associate Director of Strength S&C; 2 years

University of North Texas: Director of Football Performance: 4 years

Brigham Young University: Director of Football Performance: 1 year

University of Virginia: Director of Football Performance; 2 years

University of California, Los Angeles: Director of Football Performance; 4 years

US Army, Fort Bliss: H2F Program Director - 3ABCT / 1AD; 7 months

DOJ, FBI Render Safe Unit: Human Performance Program Manager; 3 years

National Defense University: Director of Health and Fitness; Current

Coach Wintrich on Social:

@frank_wintrich

Joe Lasko on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/specialstrengths/

EP_41 - Joe Connolly | Arizona State University Head of Football Sports Performance

From the Harvard Crimson, Louisville Cardinals, UMass Minutemen, South Carolina Gamecocks, and now a Big 12 Champion with the Arizona State Sun Devils, Joe Connolly is not only a Master SCC, but a master of sculpting his approach to fit not only position, but individual needs. An illustration of this point can be directed to specific requirements to develop Jadeveon Clowney, the No. 1 pick in the 2014 NFL Draft during Coach Connolly's time at South Carolina as well as the 2025 Peach Bowl Offensive MVP, ASU running back Cameron Skattebo. With his depth of experience and knowledge, he has authored a book set to be published entitled, 'FPAS' (Flexibly Periodized Auto-Regulatory System). In summary, this system allows the coach to know what an athlete's max is every week, hence gifting the staff added time for actual training and athlete development...a MUST in today's world of transfer portal. From the standard squat/bench/deadlift debate, auto-regulation v percentage approach, why aerobic capacity is important for anaerobic athletes, and technology today, Coach Connolly has words of wisdom for all!

Coach Connolly in IG:

https://www.instagram.com/coachjoeconnolly/

Joe Lasko of IG:

https://www.instagram.com/specialstrengths/

EP_40 - Bryan Kegans | UNT Director of Strength & Conditioning

Director of the University of North Texas MEAN GREEN strength & conditioning, Bryan Kegans drops in to delve into the evolution of his philosophy. Previously working as the lead assistant at Oklahoma (Norman) and the University of Southern California, Kegan's approach is one not only to drive the development of the athlete's physical attributes, but also what makes them tick through vision development KPIs. Not only the director of strength and conditioning, during his seemingly short time with the Mean Green, he has accrued the additional hat of becoming the assistant head football coach. From this position of rarefied air, he has an unique, open, no BS take on today's NIL and constant rotating portal...and doing so addresses the young men as paid professionals (as many are). From Name/Image/Likeness, thoughts on the squat, conditioning philosophies, driving one's vision, ladder drills, and professional development advice, he touches on it all!

Catch more of Coach Kegans on IG: https://www.instagram.com/bkegans/

Follow Joe Lasko on IG:

https://www.instagram.com/specialstrengths/

EP_39 - Andrea Nisler | 2x Games CrossFit Mayhem Team Champion

Andrea Nisler, an 8x CrossFit Games Team competitor (once Individual), gym owner of Timberwolf Fitness, and mother to be, sits down to talk shop! A near decade at the top of her sport, Andrea has served as a Games team member for her home base of Timberwolf in 2014, 2016, and 2017. From there, OC3 created a team which yet again summited the sport to see Game competition in 2018 & 2019. Soon after, the world shut down and during such a time, Nisler made it to the Games as an individual. Coming out of this global lockdown, a call came in which was too good to pass up, the opportunity to train with the GOAT Rich Froning as a Mayhem CrossFit Team member. This of course netted not only 2 Games appearances, but 2 gold medals as well. Upon Rich's retirement, PRVN asked for her services, and with the chance to train around yet anther GOAT in Tia-Clair Toomey and another Games trip here of late in 2023. Needless to say, Andrea as seen not only the pinnacle, but those who have made the sport as popular as it is.

Outside of this rollercoaster decade, she breaks down: Why 'more is not better', as many CrossFitters believe that high volume is the answer to achieving both strength and metcon goals. The CrossFit Mayhem training schedule. How certain movements in CrossFit are not the greatest for the body. Question & Answer from audience submissions!

Stay Social!

Andrea Nisler: https://www.instagram.com/aenisler/

Timberwolf Fitness: https://www.instagram.com/timberwolf_fitness/

Joe Lasko: https://www.instagram.com/specialstrengths/

Joe Cooperman: https://www.instagram.com/activehealth_scottsdale/

Ep_38 - Extreme Professionals & Box Jump Applications | Coaching Q&A

A Westside Barbell staple, but also in sport performance facilities across the world, the box jump holds a bevy of benefits. Not only does it demonstrate power, mobility, mental commitment, but triple extension as well. These are just a few of the benefits of nearly endless variations and today we tackle some of the best variations in addition to verbal and mental cues that are sure to spike your vertical!

Joe Lasko: https://www.instagram.com/specialstrengths/

Joe Cooperman: https://www.instagram.com/activehealth_scottsdale/

Ep_37 - Mobility & Sport Specific Training | Coaching Q&A

Injury is an unfortunate reality of those looking to accomplish all time achievements, and there is one question every top tier athlete needs to be asked before a major training camp. From the harsh realities of this question, the implications of proper sport specific mobility, technology in the weight room as a crutch for the inexperienced, the best case scenario of set v rep structure, and when to transition athletes from the basics to sport specific training, there is no limit to the Realms of Strength.

Subscribe to Catch Upcoming Guests:

https://www.youtube.com/c/specialstrengths?sub_confirmation=1

Follow on IG: Joe Lasko: https://www.instagram.com/specialstrengths/

Joe Cooperman: https://www.instagram.com/activehealth_scottsdale/

Dustin Chadwick: https://www.instagram.com/genuine_genetics_/

 

Ep_36 - CrossFit v UFC Strength Training | Coaching Q&A

Season 2 is underway. From the importance of CrossFit special strength development, how to sell the low volume approach to high capacity athletes, to common mistakes many UFC fighters make while in training camp, we dissect what makes a contender. From my decade spent with a mentor and legend Louie Simmons of Westside Barbell and his pioneered Conjugate System, strict application of NCAA time restrictions, how to regress and progress these aspects for the top tier athlete, and guests from all Realms of Strength...Season 2 is here.

Stay in Touch: Joe Lasko: https://www.instagram.com/specialstrengths/

Joe Cooperman: https://www.instagram.com/activehealth_scottsdale/

Dustin Chadwick: https://www.instagram.com/genuine_genetics_/

 

EP_35 - Tommy Moffitt | LSU 22yr Head Strength and Conditioning Coach

Tommy Moffitt, the 22 year LSU Tiger head strength & conditioning coach needs no introduction in the realm of strength professionals. Coach Moffitt sits down to discuss all aspects of physical training and programming. From Coach Moffitt's first collegiate position at The University of Tennessee (VOLS) during the Peyton Manning years, to getting the head position at Miami (The 'U') which led to condensing his training philosophy, to his over 22 year stretch at Louisiana State University (LSU Tigers), this southern gentleman has over 3 decades of philosophy evolution to share. This method constructed over 34 years allowed skill position players to perform 18" step-ups with 350lbs as well as having over 20 players deadlifting 600lbs in 2019. He has worked with the aforementioned Peyton Manning, Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, Ja'Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, and Joe 'Cool' Burrow to name a few. Coach outlines what made/makes this level of athlete great and able to take on the next level, how the NIL & transfer portal have helped/hurt NCAA athletics, what training week structure looks like in v off season, and much more!

EP_34 - Darcy Norman | 3x World Cup National Team Performance Coach

Darcy Norman, a 3x Men's Soccer National Team performance coach (including one FIFA World Cup win with Germany) sits down to discuss both runs with Germany, and the most recent with the USA. As many professionals in our world know, communication is KEY. Coach Norman knows this more than most, as a well traveled man spent time in Italy and Germany, the ability to communicate across the cultural divide became the point of the spear. Darcy discusses just how he created buy-in and understanding with 'cave-man' dialogue and a positive attitude. From PEDs in the world of professional cycling, how training maturity dictates the approach of GPP (general physical preparedness), the philosophy which took the German National Team to a world cup victory, to integrating medical and physical approaches, Coach Norman brings something for every aspect of the game!

EP_33 - Tyler Hobson | Pendulum Strength Equipment’s Creator (or Artist)

Tyler Hobson, sole inventor (or artist) of the Pendulum Strength line of equipment. With these innovative pieces in professional, collegiate, tactical, and private facilities for both strength and hypertrophy applications it's a good bet you've seen or even used one of these gems. A large proponent of High Intensity Training which dates back to the hetty days of Arthur Jones (Nautilus), Mr. Hobson set out to design machines which mimic an anatomically refined strength curve without the usage of a CAM. A man who has been in the trenches, each piece has a unique story (especially the 3-Way Row) based on a specific need from a coach looking for a certain stimulus.