The Tennis Fitness Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with Andy, a NYC native who was born and raised in Queens, New York. Andy's journey from the streets of Queens to earning his doctorate in physical therapy is nothing short of inspiring. With a bachelor's in psychology from the University of Buffalo and a doctorate from the University of St. Augustine, Andy has developed a deep understanding of the human body and mind. Throughout his career, he's worked with a diverse range of clients—from youth athletes and weekend warriors to Olympic and professional-level competitors. In our conversation, we dive deep into topics like injury, injury prevention, and the importance of recovery. When Andy isn't helping athletes reach their peak, he's exploring new places, diving into a good book, or enjoying a refreshing IPA. Tune in to gain insights from one of the best in the field! Coachlife: https://coachlife.com/?ref=DEANH

On Episode 8 we welcome special guest, Sylvain Bruneau. Sylvain has had an impressive career in tennis coaching, having served as the coach for Team Canada at the Billie Jean Cup from 2004 to 2009. He then captained the team from 2010 to 2018. Over the years, he has worked with some of Canada's top talents, including Bianca Andreescu, Eugenie Bouchard, Leylah Annie Fernandez and Aleksandra Wozniak. We're excited to dive into his experiences and insights today. Coachlife: https://coachlife.com/?ref=DEANH

Dr. Emily Splichal, a Functional Podiatrist and Human Movement Specialist, Founder of EBFA Global, Creator of the Barefoot Training Specialist® Certification, Author of Barefoot Strong, and CEO/Founder of Naboso Technology, joins us on the Tennis Fitness Podcast. With more than 23 years of experience in the fitness industry, Dr. Splichal has focused her medical career on researching postural alignment and human movement in relation to barefoot science, foot to core integration, and sensory integration. Dr. Emily delves into the science behind Naboso Technology, a company she founded that specializes in proprioceptive insoles and surfaces designed to enhance sensory stimulation and improve movement efficiency. Dr. Emily Splichal's wealth of knowledge and experience in the field of podiatry and human movement make her a valuable resource for athletes and fitness enthusiasts looking to optimize their performance and prevent injuries. https://www.naboso.com Coachlife: https://coachlife.com/?ref=DEANH

Jim Harp and I explored the crucial role of fundamental movement in tennis players. We emphasized the importance of developing a strong foundation of movement skills, such as agility, coordination, balance, and speed, in order to excel in the sport. Jim, being a USTA High Performance Coach and a PTR Master Professional and Certified Tennis Performance Specialist, shared his expertise on how these fundamental movement skills contribute to a player's overall performance on the court. Furthermore, we touched upon the atmosphere within a tennis academy. Jim, being the proprietor of Harp Performance Tennis, provided valuable insights into creating a positive and supportive environment for young players to thrive. We discussed the significance of fostering a culture of hard work and discipline within the academy. Jim emphasized the role of coaches in creating a nurturing and motivating atmosphere that encourages players to reach their full potential. Lastly, we delved into the topic of early specialization in junior players and its impact on their development. Jim expressed his concerns about the increasing trend of young athletes focusing solely on tennis at an early age, neglecting other sports and activities. We discussed the potential drawbacks of this approach, including burnout, overuse injuries, and limited overall athletic development. Jim emphasized the importance of a well-rounded athletic foundation and encouraged young players to engage in a variety of sports and activities to enhance their overall physical abilities. In addition to discussing fundamental movement and early specialization, we also explored the topic of fitness programming for tennis players. Jim shared his insights on designing effective training programs that target specific physical attributes required for tennis, such as strength and power. We discussed the importance of tailoring these programs to individual players' needs and goals, taking into consideration their age, skill level, and physical condition. Coachlife: https://coachlife.com/?ref=DEANH

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) is an independent body established in 2021 by the ATP, ITF, WTA and Grand Slams to promote, encourage, enhance and safeguard the integrity of their professional tennis events worldwide. The ITIA works closely with the sport, to prevent potential corruptors negatively impacting the game and to administer an effective anti-doping and testing programme. As coaches and players, it is not enough to simply possess knowledge and skills; we must also be fully aware of the guidelines and regulations that govern tennis. Understanding and adhering to these guidelines is not only essential for maintaining a level playing field but also for ensuring the safety and well-being of all involved. Coachlife: https://coachlife.com/?ref=DEANH

Jeanna's expertise in nutrition goes beyond just the basics. She delves deep into the fundamental aspects of nutrition, exploring the intricate relationship between food and athletic performance. With her extensive knowledge and experience, she offers valuable insights on pre and post-match nourishment that can make a significant difference in an athlete's performance. Jenna Fisher is a Registered Dietitian (RD). She has worked closely supporting a wide range of clients from endurance athletes to individuals managing chronic diseases. Leveraging her personal background as a former competitive track and field athlete, triathlete, swimmer, and soccer player, provides her with valuable insights into the diverse demands of various sports. Prior to her career as a dietitian, she had the opportunity to coach competitive swimming, enhancing her understanding of optimal nutrition for athletic performance. Jenna's passion is crafting tailored nutrition strategies to meet each client's unique needs, guiding them towards their health and performance goals. Coachlife: https://coachlife.com/?ref=DEANH

DM Performance, led by renowned performance coach Damian McDoom, is dedicated to helping individuals of all backgrounds unlock their full potential and achieve peak performance. With a focus on optimizing both physical and mental health, Damian empowers elite-level athletes, devoted parents, and anyone seeking a healthier, higher-performance lifestyle. Daman employs a systematic approach that has been proven to enhance human performance. His innovative programming creates a unique training environment, exposing athletes to situations and movements they are likely to encounter in their specific sport. By ensuring athletes are prepared both physically and mentally, Damian instills confidence and helps them perform at their best, leading to remarkable achievements, including even national-level athletes securing gold medals.

Paul Annacone is a world renowned tennis coach and former touring professional tennis player. He is the former coach of 20-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer, 14-time Grand Slam winner Pete Sampras, and 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens. Paul is currently a commentator at Tennis Channel, and works with Taylor Fritz. Paul was also a successful tennis player. He achieveda career best singles ranking in 1985 of world No. 12 and US No. 6. as a pro playing doubles, he captured 14 tournaments and achieving a high ranking in 1987 of world No. 3

Peter Twist: The pioneer of Functional Training, ground-breaking industry innovator, teacher of the trainers, sport scientist, author and CEO, Twist's positive leadership scaled several sport & fitness businesses globally. A trusted and inspiring educator skilled at securing passionate buy in of early adopters. Twist coached for 11 years in the National Hockey League. Built and operated 12 Sport Training Centers in 4 countries. TWIST Conditioning has developed 20,000 college & high school athletes, 2,000 pro & Olympic athletes, and 5 major league MVPs. Twist was selected by the China Government to lead modernization of training for the summer and winter China Olympic Programs. He shifted the fitness and sport industries' training paradigms when introduced world's first 3 Functional Training certification courses. Produced 22 certification courses. Built TWIST education and product business to 330 global distributors. Selected Under Armour's Global Education Partner. Brought the iconic IDEA World brand to Shanghai China. Peter has delivered over 1,500 lectures and over 100 motivation keynotes. Authored 20 books, 44 DVDs. Multi course author for American Council on Exercise. Recipient NSCA President's Award, IDEA Programmer of Year & Inspiration Awards, China's Most Inspiring in Fitness Award, CFP Presenter of Year Award. Published researcher on brain + body neuromuscular training adaptation. https://twistuniversity.inspire360.com

On Episode 26 we welcome Emma Wells. Emma and I dive into everything that is junior tennis and how proper coaching impacts junior development. Emma is head of PTR (Professional Tennis Registry) for the UK, and she is the first female to hold this international director position. With over 17 years of experience in the Sports and Leisure industry she has made a significant impact in both public and private sector as well as sports development. She is the sole owner of Emma Wells Tennis, a successful Tennis Club in Wimbledon Park which has over 700 weekly players and operates 365 days a year. Earlier this year she expanded and opened a sister site in Roehampton (London) with a team of 6 full time coaches. As an experienced tutor and a trainer for the LTA and PTR and has worked closely with the LTA in developing & rolling out Tennis For Kids program from 2015-18 as well as managing the implementation of other LTA programs. Emma is a public speaker and has delivered several international symposiums for PTR, she has delivered clinics for the USTA at the National Campus as well as speaking at other events including The Tennis Australia 2023 Virtual Conference, Evolve 9, WTCA, Coach the Coaches, etc. She has worked with Women's Health Magazine and was interviewed live on national TV on different occasions. Her most recent appearances were on ITV This Morning show with over 1 million viewers and BBC, which broadcasted the Cinch Championship Draw in Emma's newest venue earlier this year. Emma's biggest passion is junior development and seeing players new to tennis, gain the love for the game and ultimately be able to play the sport for life!

Today on the Tennis fitness podcast we welcome Brian Parkkonen. Brian and I dive into the art of coaching. We discussed the finer points of what makes up a great coach and the importance of building a strong and healthy relationship with one's players, in order to help them achieve their fullest potential. Brian, who joined the PTR staff in May 2014, has had a series of promotions during his tenure. Prior to his new post as COO, Parkkonen served as Director of Education, where he was responsible for the direction and content of the organization's four education pathways to certification, as well as Level 3 Specialist and Master of Tennis programs. In addition, he developed new courses and opportunities, including PTR's Education Dashboard that provides hundreds of hours of free online video presentations, and was a key player in the evolution of the PTR Coach App. Brian started at PTR as Director of Development where he oversaw the delivery of PTR education and managed scores of clinicians across the United States. Before leading the clinicians, he was one himself. Brian's evolution in the organization began long before he joined the staff. Coincidentally, he started his career as Head Pro and Director of College Placement at the Van der Meer World Class Academy (Dennis Van der Meer founded PTR), before going on to serve as director of some of the largest public and private clubs in the country.

On today's episode we welcome all the way from Italy Donato Campagnoli. He has been a consultant for the Italian tennis Federation since 2002 overseeing player development and coach education. Since 2014 Donato has been the leader of workshops for the Italian Federation in the area of technique and biomechanics. Today we're going to examine how to move better on the court and how the Italian federation is becoming such a leader in tennis.

Brian earned his Doctorate in Sport and Performance Psychology from the University of Western States, his Master's in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis on Positive Coaching from the University of Missouri, and he has been certified in Mental Toughness Training by the Human Performance Institute. He is also the author of The Mentally Tough Competitor – Mindsets and Perspectives to Achieve Excellence. PerformanceXtra™ was founded in 2009 by Brian Lomax. Brian's vision is to help clients realize their performance potential by focusing on the mental game and providing a framework for success. Everyone has the possibility of being a great competitor and with PerformanceXtra™, you can begin to explore those possibilities. PerformanceXtra™ was born out of the need for solid coaching in the area of mental performance. So much of what is taught today focuses on the technical aspects of the game, and while that is important, the mental game is what determines winning and losing. We are here to help players realize their peak performance by tapping into the power of their own minds and giving them a framework for success. The PerformanceXtra™ mission is to help athletes achieve their goals and their top performances more consistently through a progression of mental skills that enables them to focus on what is truly important. The PerformanceXtra Program goes beyond just physical practice and it incorporates aspects of sport psychology, positive psychology, character building, leadership skills, and philosophy. One of the unique characteristics of the PerformanceXtra Program is to help athletes develop a personal philosophy that will give them new ways of thinking in challenging situations. https://performancextra.com/

Oivind is a Norwegian tennis coach with over 40 years of experience. He has been a tennis analyst for the past 15 years for some of the top 10 ATP/WTA teams. He is recognized as being instrumental in the development of Casper Ruud since his junior days. Oivind is a technical and tactical specialist of the sport of tennis and is one of the world leaders in video analysis. Today we look at the importance of video analysis and the development of Casper Ruud.

Simon Wheatley is Director of SWNineteen. He is one of the worlds most respected and credible Tennis Coaches & Coach Educators. Simon has a degree in Sports Development & Psychology. He is a LTA Level 5 Master Performance Coach and Tutor. He is the author of 2 best selling coaching books, 3 coaching qualifications and over 50 Professional Development Courses. He has trained over 10,000 coaches & teachers in over 40 countries. He was formally LTA Performance Coach Education Manager responsible for the Education & Development of over 1000 British Coaches working in Performance Tennis. He is a Davis Cup analyst, and technical consultant to many WTA, ATP and ITF Junior players.

Get ready to be inspired by our special guest on episode 20 of the Tennis Fitness Podcast! We're thrilled to welcome Marcel da Cruz, the incredible strength coach who has been by Casper Ruud's side since he was just a junior tennis player. Marcel has played an indispensable role in Casper's journey, helping him cultivate extraordinary physicality on the court and exceptional movement abilities. With Marcel's guidance, Casper has unlocked his full potential and become a force to be reckoned with in the tennis world. Join us as we dive into the fascinating story of Marcel da Cruz and discover the secrets behind his successful partnership with Casper Ruud. Get ready to be captivated by their remarkable journey towards greatness.

Get ready for the incredible knowledge and expertise of our special guest on episode 19 of the Tennis Fitness Podcast! Today, we have the pleasure of welcoming Jennifer Gibson, an internationally renowned sports dietician with a whopping 18 years of experience in the world of elite sport. Hold on tight as we dive deep into the fascinating topic of nutrition and hydration, particularly in warm weather conditions and during intense matchplay. You won't believe the impact that proper nutrition can have on your performance on the court! Jennifer will be sharing her expert advice and insider tips on how to fuel your body effectively to maximize your tennis game. From the best foods to consume before, during, and after a match, to the secrets of staying hydrated in scorching temperatures, she'll leave no stone unturned. So, whether you're a budding tennis superstar or simply looking to up your game, this episode is an absolute must-listen. Trust us, you won't want to miss out on the invaluable wisdom Jennifer has to offer. Get ready to revolutionize your approach to nutrition and take your performance to new heights! Contact info: www.elite-eats.com Instagram: @elite_eats_inc Contact: [email protected]

Get ready to be inspired by Scott Livingston, as we welcome him onto the Tennis Fitness Podcast. With over 35 years of experience, Scott is a true master of his craft, renowned for his ability to transform athletes into peak performers. He's worked in every imaginable environment, and his dedication to building the whole athlete has earned him a reputation as one of the best in the business. Whether you're an aspiring athlete or simply looking to improve your physical performance, you won't want to miss this episode with the brilliant Scott Livingston! Scott Livingston Host of the Leave Your Mark Podcast Co-Founder ReconditioningHQ.com President High Performance Consultants TW: @builtbyscott IG: @Kingopain Website: http://reconditioninghq.com/

Get ready to dive into the world of tennis fitness with episode 17 of the Tennis Fitness Podcast! This time, we're joined by the incredible Caroline Fitch, an athletic trainer at the University of Virginia who knows all about injury prevention, care, and recovery for athletes. We'll be exploring the strategies you need to know to keep yourself injury-free, and what to do if you do get injured. Don't miss out on this fascinating conversation that could help take your tennis game to the next level! Caroline Fitch is a certified and licensed athletic trainer who has worked with the University of Virginia Men's & Women's Tennis and Squash programs since 2018. She collaborates with physicians, a strength and conditioning specialist, sports dietitians, and clinical psychologists to provide patient-centered care for musculoskeletal and other medical conditions for the athletes under her care. Prior to arriving at UVA, Fitch spent one year completing the CAATE-accredited athletic training residency at Texas Health Sports Medicine, where she specialized in orthopedic rehabilitation, assisted with patient-care at Texas Christian University, and assisted with research in the Texas Health Sports Medicine Lower Extremity Assessment and Performance Lab. Her research was focused on the outcomes and biomechanics after ACL Reconstruction. Fitch received her BS in Athletic Training from King's College in 2015, where she spent four years on the women's swim team. Fitch went on to complete her MS in Exercise Science with a concentration in Athletic Training at the University of Toledo, where she completed a master's thesis on chronic ankle instability while serving as the sole athletic trainer at two local high schools. Fitch has presented at numerous national and regional conferences, and holds certifications through the National Athletic Trainers' Association (ATC), National Strength and Conditioning Association (CSCS), American Red Cross (Basic Life Support and First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor), FMS (SFMA Level 1), Cup Therapy (MFD Levels 1 & 2), and National Council for Mental Well-Being (Adult Mental Health First Aid)."

In episode 16 of the Tennis Fitness podcast we have the pleasure of chatting with none other than the renowned tennis coach, Sam Sumyk. Discover the secrets behind his coaching philosophy and gain insight into his wealth of knowledge and experience. Join us for an exciting and thought-provoking discussion that's sure to leave you with a new appreciation for the sport of tennis. Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to learn from one of the best in the business!