Ep. 461 | Can You Build Speed in the Weight Room | Developing Youth Athletes & More with Mike Guadango

May 26

Is it possible to build speed in the weight room?

In this episode of The BluePrint, Dr. Erik Korem and Mike dive deep into the multifactorial approach to speed training, discussing how to tailor programs to individual athletes' needs and goals. Mike shares his insights on the importance of general strength, specific exercises, and the role of velocity-based training in enhancing speed.

Discover:

How to determine the best approach for each athlete
The importance of building a strong foundation through general strength
Specific exercises to enhance speed, such as med ball throws and belt squats
Velocity-based training metrics and progressions for optimal results
Mike's top three recommendations for parents with kids in youth sports

Whether you're a coach, athlete, or parent, this episode will provide you with valuable insights and practical strategies to take your speed training to the next level.

ABOUT Mike Guadango

During his preparation for college baseball where he received multiple All-America honors and set numerous school records, Mike decided that he wanted to enter the world of physical preparation for sport. He began training people part-time while in college, then full-time the day he graduated.

From there he had crossed paths with two incredible world renowned coaches that became mentors and life long friends: Buddy Morris – Arizona Cardinals head strength coach and James Smith – world class sport consultant. After working with them, Mike’s whole approach to training and learning had changed. He reconstructed his program and outlook on the training process.

Mike went on to be the Director of Sports Performance at a world-renowned facility where he proceeded to train professional, collegiate and high school athletes.

From there, Mike started up his own facility – Freak Strength.

Mike is currently a Coach, Writer & Owner at Freak Strength and has been coaching for over 10 years. He has coached levels of athletes from NFL, MLB, NBA, MLL, MLS, WWE, Rugby League, Rugby Union and Olympic Gold medalists to pre-pubescent athletes. He has also consulted for high caliber athletes and coaches worldwide. He has worked with NBA Champs, 10+ NFL Super bowl Champs, 10+ All-Pro/Pro-bowl selections, 5+ College National Champions, 10+ Division 1a All-Americans, 20+ Collegiate All-Americans & players from every Division 1 conference.

ABOUT THE BLUEPRINT PODCAST

The Blueprint Podcast is for busy professionals and Household CEOs who care deeply about their families, career, and health. Host Dr. Erik Korem distills cutting edge-science, leadership, and life skills into simple tactics optimized for your busy lifestyle and goals. Dr. Korem interviews scientists, coaches, elite athletes, entrepreneurs, entertainers, and exceptional people to discuss science and practical skills you can implement to become the most healthy, resilient, and impactful version of yourself.

On a mission to equip people to pursue audacious goals, thrive in uncertainty, and live a healthy and fulfilled life, Dr. Erik Korem is a High-Performance pioneer. He introduced sports science and athlete-tracking technologies to collegiate and professional (NFL) football over a decade ago. He has worked with the National Football League, Power-5 NCAA programs, gold-medal Olympians, Nike, and the United States Department of Defense.

Erik is an expert in sleep and stress resilience. He is the Founder and CEO of AIM7, a health and fitness app that unlocks the power of wearables by providing you with daily personalized recommendations to enhance your mind, body, and recovery.