TFR Episode 014 Jeff Nichols

Train Fight Recover Podcast

Jeff Nichols joins us on the show to talk about the essentials of strength training and conditioning for tactical professionals. We were super stoked to have Jeff take the time to chat with us because of a couple of reasons. Not only was he a member of the Navy SEALS, but Jeff is also one of those rare people who has been able to achieve the educational and research background to go along with his experiences on the teams. Before his military career, Jeff served as the Assistant Strength Coach at Troy University, where he earned his BS in Exercise Physiology. You will find in the podcast that Jeff is extremely dedicated to the men and women who serve our country. Where some strength coaches focus on getting in the gym and crushing workouts, Jeff promotes the essentials strength and conditioning training, like recovery, wellness, and general fitness, and reminds us that there is more to fitness and performance than hitting the weights. Some of the topics discussed are: 1. Where is the strength and conditioning field for tactical professionals going in the next five to ten years? 2. Why tactical professionals are the one group who needs human performance training more than anyone else. 3. Once you make it through selection, whats next? How should you be training? The difference between selection and deselection. 4. The pandemic of noncombat related injuries in the tactical communities. 5. What Jeff would do when the zombie apocalypse occurs. 2:24: Jeff describes his role in building strength and conditioning programs to educate and create resiliency for tactical professionals through the Preservation of The Force Program and its previous title, the Human Performance Program. 4:32 – Jeff talks about one of the original strength and conditioning coaches, Boyd Epley, and how during the 80’s these coaches were ahead of their time. Fast forward 30 years and the tactical athlete field is looking a lot like the state of strength and conditioning during the 80’s. 8:56 -“A lot of great progress is born out of necessity.” The changes in the army toward making the CSCS an MOS and the need for shifts in the way we train tactical professionals and athletes. 11:44 – Why tactical professionals are the one group who needs human performance training more than anyone else. College and professional sports need human performance training, however, think about the average career length of most semi and pro athletes when compared to a police officer or firefighter. 14:26 – The one thing holding back progress in strength and conditioning for tactical athletes. 21:15 – Once you make it through selection, whats next? How should you be training? The difference between selection and deselection. 24:14 – We discuss one of the most important, but most often neglected parts of training. 29:02 – Getting away from “Go do this because I said go do it,” and answering the why? Why do we do what we do? 31:15 – We discuss fitness standards and the impact of the debacle of a court case in Colorado Springs. http://denver.cbslocal.com/2015/11/10/female-springs-officers-win-lawsuit-no-longer-have-to-take-physical-fitness-tests/ 34:48 – The pandemic of noncombat related injuries in the tactical communities and how focusing on the essentials of strength and conditioning can reduce injuries and save lives. 37:45 – One of the biggest problems is getting the chain of command on board with a wellness program. We discuss these issues and examples of success. If you are a strength coach and need info on the money saved by wellness programs, send us an email at walker@trainfightrecover, and we will get you some data to use when talking to your department, unit, or agency. 41:43 – End the show on a positive note with some questions on Jeff’s daily routine, the zombie apocalypse, things he is not good at, and how to track Jeff down for more information. You can reach Jeff through his youtube page and Instagram account. Jeff shares a lot of information on strength and conditioning so make sure to follow him on social media. Check out the links below. Check out Jeff’s youtube page (@jeffcscs) Instagram page (@jeffcscs) More articles and podcasts with Jeff: The Jugglife Podcast JEFF NICHOLS: HOW TO PREPARE YOUR BODY FOR THE ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE Bridge: Sleep and Recovery, with Jeff Nichols