Performance Talk

Performance Talk addresses key issues, opinions, theories within the modalities of strength and conditioning, nutrition, sports psychology, rehabilitation, etc... Our national and international guests are recognized for their aggressive approach to improving the world of human performance in sport.

Performance Talk is a health podcast hosted by Ewell & Chris, with 206 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Ewell & Chris hosts Performance Talk, a health show with 206 episodes published.

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  Performance Talk

  Beyond the Injury: Building Better Athletes Through Purposeful Rehabilitation

  Aug 17, 20261h 3m

  From breaking his arm during PT school to becoming a board-certified specialist working with elite athletes, Brent Rachall's journey is a masterclass in resilience, humility, and lifelong learning. In this episode of Performance Talk, Dr. Ewell Gordon and Brent Rachall explore what separates good clinicians from great ones, why mentorship matters, how rehabilitation is about people—not just protocols—and why true performance comes from collaboration between therapists, coaches, athletic trainers, and physicians. Whether you're a clinician, coach, athlete, or parent, this conversation offers valuable insights into building trust, embracing growth, and helping athletes return stronger than before. Listen now and discover why the best rehabilitation starts with understanding the person—not just the injury.

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  Performance Talk

  The Pursuit of Excellence: John Damon on Coaching, Courage & High Performance

  Aug 10, 20261h 2m

  In this episode of Performance Talk, Dr. Ewell Gordon sits down with veteran trainer and gym designer John Damon for a wide-ranging conversation about what it really takes to create effective training environments and develop athletes. With decades of experience working with elite athletes, John shares his philosophy on gym design, individualized training, foundational movement, exercise selection, and the importance of knowing what you actually know. From designing a facility around its mission to choosing the right exercises for an athlete's sport, position, body type, and goals, this conversation challenges common training assumptions and emphasizes a simple principle: good performance starts with good information. Key Takeaways Design the facility around the mission: A performance facility should reflect the athletes and training goals it is built to serve—not simply be a room filled with equipment. Individualize the training: Training should account for an athlete's sport, position, physical makeup, injury history, and specific performance demands. Master the fundamentals: Foundational movement and appropriate exercise selection matter more than chasing trendy training methods. Use equipment with purpose: Tools like the hex bar can provide tremendous versatility when they're selected and applied appropriately. Collaboration makes athletes better: Strength coaches, physical therapists, trainers, and other professionals can create better outcomes when they communicate and work together. Stay curious: Great professionals avoid becoming dogmatic. Being willing to question your assumptions and update your knowledge is essential to long-term success. Don't confuse a test with performance: A single exercise or benchmark—such as the bench press—doesn't define an athlete's overall ability or potential. Build for the people you actually serve: From gym location and convenience to equipment and layout, successful facilities require an understanding of their clientele.

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  Performance Talk

  Unlocking Athletic Potential: Strength & Conditioning with Joe Drake

  Feb 16, 20261h 4mS0

  <p>We’re bringing back a powerful conversation in this Encore Episode of Performance Talk 🎙️</p> <p>Dr. Ewell Gordon reconnects with Joe Drake—fitness educator and co-founder of a training and performance company based in Boca Raton, Florida—for an in-depth discussion on how exercise science has evolved and where it’s headed. Together, they explore why building a strong foundation is critical for athletic success and share practical perspectives on developing young athletes the right way.</p> <p>From long-term athlete development to smart, sustainable training principles, this episode offers timeless insights for coaches, practitioners, and performance-minded athletes alike.</p> <p...

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  Performance Talk

  Beyond the Weight Room: Stress, Habits, and What Really Develops Athletes

  Feb 9, 20261h 9mS0

  <p>In this episode of The Performance Task, we sit down with JP Echeverria, Minor League Strength & Conditioning Coach with the Boston Red Sox, for a deep, honest conversation about what it really means to develop athletes.</p> <p>JP reflects on his first 10 years in the profession—finding his coaching identity, staying in his lane, and shifting from “rah-rah coaching” to an athlete-centered, habit-driven approach. We dive into topics like training age, auto-regulation, stress management, in-season lifting, sports science vs. feel, and why availability is the ultimate performance metric.</p> <p>This is a must-listen for coaches navigating the early...

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  Performance Talk

  The 10th Season of Performance Talk is coming February 2026 - From the Vault: Train Smarter with Dr. Mike Israetel

  Feb 2, 20261h 13mS0

  <p>In this powerful and perspective-shifting episode of Performance Talk, host Dr. Ewell Gordon welcomes Dr. Mike Israetel—renowned sports scientist, professor, co-founder of Renaissance Periodization, and competitive athlete. From high school wrestling roots to academic mastery in performance science, Mike shares his journey through education, self-discovery, and relentless pursuit of truth in training.</p> <p>Gain insider insights on the evolution of strength and conditioning, the misconceptions of overtraining, and why recovery is the unsung hero of peak performance. The conversation dives into the modern athlete’s toolkit—from high school weight rooms to AI-powered programming—and challenges long-held myths in...

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