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!

Get ready to be inspired! In episode 15 of the Tennis Fitness Podcast, Howard reveals his incredible Supermovers program for junior tennis players. But that's not all - we also delve into how his experience in the Royal Marines has shaped him into the amazing coach he is today. You won't want to miss this captivating conversation! Howard is the Head of Athletic Development at Bolton Arena Regional Performance Development Centre, leading a multi-disciplinary team of strength and conditioning coaches, physiotherapists, as well as sports nutrition and psychology support. Howard has been involved with physical development team at Bolton since 2009. This experience includes working with players across various levels and ages including; national and international juniors, ATP and WTA professionals including former world number one Ana Invanovic. He is an Accredited Strength and Conditioning Coach, Certified Tennis Performance Specialist, and a Ba in Sports Coaching, prior to coaching he served six years in the Royal Marines Commandos. His philosophy is to use his professional knowledge and varied personal experience, to run a holistic tennis-athlete development program, with the main goals of reducing the risk of injury and improving on-court performance. He is passionate about the development and education of coaches, having experience of presenting on his training methodologies across the world at coaches conferences. He is also the co-creator of Tennis SuperMovers, their mission is to remove poor on-court movement being the barrier to life-long tennis success We do this by providing world-class tennis fitness anytime, anywhere via the Player Programme - you can get more information here - https://www.tennissupermovers.com If you use the discount code DEAN20 at checkout, you will receive a life-time discount of 20% off an annual subscription You can contact Howard via his Instagram account @howardgreensupermovers Or email [email protected]

In Episode 14, get ready to take your love for tennis to the next level! Lane and I dive deep into the multifaceted world of this exciting sport, covering everything from physical fitness to mental agility and even the importance of good mentorship. Whether you're a seasoned player or a curious beginner, this conversation will inspire you to elevate your game and embrace all that tennis has to offer. So grab your racket and join us for an engaging and insightful exploration of this timeless sport. Lane Evans is a lifelong teaching tennis professional. He is a USPTA Master Professional and a Level 3 PTR Professional living in Norman, OK with his wife Lori. He has been in the tennis teaching profession for almost 40 years, almost 35 as a USPTA member. He spent 22 of those years as a Club GM and a Fitness & Wellness Director as well. In 2020, Lane completed his USPTA Master designation. He also completed his Master Trainer designation with the International Sports Sciences Association with certifications in 6 different protocols. He is a Master Tennis Performance Specialist with the iTPA(International Tennis Performance Association). He is also certified by RacquetFit. He assisted in writing the curriculum for the certification. He is also certified by TPI(Titleist Performance Institute) at Fitness Levels 1 & 2 and Super Speed Golf at all three levels. He works with several high performance golfers, two of which qualified for the US Open Senior Championships. He recently completed his certification by the Kovacs Institute as a Serve Specialist.

In Episode 13, Michele and I discuss Tennis Cardio and it's numerous benefits for all athletes of all levels. Whether you are a beginner or a high level player, Tennis Cardio has physical and mental benefits for everyone. Michele was the Cardio Tennis Global Education Director for 15 years and works with the USTA to grow Cardio Tennis. She managed the Cardio Tennis program starting in 2005 and under her leadership it became a global product and is now part of tennis culture throughout the world. Michele is an experienced international speaker and trainer who has presented at industry events all over the world and has delivered over 600 educational courses to tennis and fitness professionals. Michele has been featured on the Tennis Channel's "One Minute Clinics", "On court with USPTA", "Bulging Brides" as well as NBC's "the Biggest Loser". She organized and implemented the "Get Fit Wichita" and "Million Calorie burn" tennis fitness events. Michele is a USPTA and PTR tennis professional who managed tennis facilities throughout the US prior to her Cardio Tennis role. She is certified/qualified in TRX Suspension Training, Combine 360, Pat Etcheberry, RacquetFit, CoreFirst, Padel, and an ITPA-Tennis Performance Trainer. Michele received the TIA/PTR Industry Excellence award in 2012, the Tennis Industry Service award in 2018, and the USPTA Florida Pro of the Year award in 2018.

Do you want to learn from a passionate tennis player and coach? Join Bill and me on Episode 12 of the Tennis Fitness Podcast, where we discuss his journey of how fitness has had a major impact in his life and that of the athletes he has trained. Discover how Bill's passion for tennis has driven him to become an expert in the sport and how you too can benefit from his knowledge. Bill is a veteran with over 30+ years of college, junior and club coaching and management experiences and is recognized as a High-Performance Tennis Specialist by the PTR, USPTA & USTA. He has helped to develop and coach a number of local, sectional, national and international junior tennis players both on and off court through direct involvement as well as through camps and training blocks. He found his way back into college coaching in 2019 and serves as the Men's & Women's Head Tennis Coach at The University of Tennessee Southern. Bill spent nine years coaching tennis at the collegiate level previously at Belmont University (Men's & Women's Assistant), Fisk University (Men's & Women's Head Coach) and Cumberland University (Men's & Women's Head Coach). His college teams and players have had success both on and off court at the national levels. He has coached 6 All-American players and numerous with national singles and doubles rankings. While coaching college tennis he was a two-time recipient of the USPTA Southern Division College Coach of the Year award and a two-time ITA/ USTA College Coaches Community Service award. Additionally, he was named TranSouth Conference Coach of the Year and Regional Coach of the Year.

It was a pleasure to have a conversation with Dr. Jayanthi about the important topic of injury prevention in junior tennis players. We delved into the various ways in which young athletes can stay safe and healthy while enjoying their favorite sport. With his specialized knowledge and my passion for junior tennis, it was a very informative and eye-opening discussion. Dr. Jayanthi leads Emory's Tennis Medicine program,is the Director of Emory Sports Medicine Research and Education, and co-directs Emory's Youth Sports Medicine program. He is considered one of the country's leading experts on youth sports health, injuries, and sports training patterns, as well as an international leader in tennis medicine. He is the immediate Past-President of the International Society for Tennis Medicine and Science (STMS) and a certified USPTA and PTR teaching professional. He has also been a volunteer ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) physician for 20 years, serves as a medical advisor for the WTA (Woman's Tennis Association) Player Development Panel, and is on the commission for the International Tennis Performance Association (ITPA). He has been selected to the board of directors for the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) twice, and served as a Consultant for the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness, Aspen Institute Sport and Society Program, and Mom's Team. Dr. Jayanthi has won multiple AMSSM Foundation Research Grants for his collaborative research on early sports specialized training and overuse injury in young athletes. He previously was the medical director of primary care sports medicine at Loyola University Chicago for 12 years where he was voted an Atlanta Magazine "Top Doctor" in the Chicagoland Suburbs prior to being recruited to Emory Healthcare. He has already been a peer-selected "Top Doctor" in Atlanta since 2017.

Are you looking for ways to help your junior tennis player take their game to the next level? Tune into episode 10 of the Tennis Fitness Podcast and listen to Nathan and I discuss the incredible importance of fitness for junior tennis players. From stretching to strength training, learn how to help your athlete build an unbeatable game! Nathan has worked on the ATP and WTA circuits since 1999, including a spell as head tennis trainer at the renowned Sanchez Casal tennis academy in Barcelona. He works currently with Lleyton Hewitt while developing new programs to take tennis fitness forward and empower the next young group of players coming through.

In episode 9, we take a look at the emotional and mental side of tennis for the parents and coaches with Frank Giampaolo. Frank Giampaolo is an award winning coach, popular international speaker, and sports researcher. He is an instructional writer for ITF (International Tennis Federation) Coaching & Sports Science Review, UK Tennis magazine, the USPTA, Tennis Magazine and Tennis View Magazine. Frank is both a USPTA and PTR educator, a Tennis Congress Faculty Member, and has been a featured speaker at the Australian Grand Slam Coaches Convention, the PTR GB Wimbledon Conference, and Wingate Sports Institute (Israel.) Frank is the bestselling author of Championship Tennis (Human Kinetics Publishing), Raising Athletic Royalty, The Tennis Parent's Bible (volume I & II) and The Mental Emotional Workbook Series (How to Attract a College Scholarship, International Player Evaluation, Match Chart Collection, Match Day Preparation and Blunders and Cures). His television appearances include The NBC Today Show, OCN-World Team Tennis, Fox Sports, Tennis Canada and Tennis Australia.

In episode 8, I discuss shoulder health with Iva Rimac. Iva gives an in depth description of the shoulder and the surrounding area. We talk about injuries that can occur at the shoulder and how to prevent them. Iva studied kinesiology at McGill University pursuing her passion for sports and curiosity for biology. Upon completion of her bachelor's degree she assisted in coaching fitness to elite junior tennis athletes. She enrolled at the Centre Osteopathique du Quebec to study osteopathy wanting to further understand body mechanics. She is now completing her osteopathy degree and working as an intern osteopath in Montreal with a varied clientele including tennis athletes and players. Her osteopathic approach with a kinesiology background looks at body mechanics and compensation patterns to find the most efficient way of bringing the body to self-regulate, recover optimally, and prevent injury.

Justin Russ is a dynamic strength and conditioning coach, industry presenter, and consultant with over 10 years of experience working with athletes of all ages, sports, and ability levels. Most recently, Russ coached privately on the WTA Tour, and served as an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at the University of Virginia prior to that. While at UVA, Russ was responsible for the design and implementation of sport-specific strength, speed, and movement programs for UVA Men's & Women's Tennis and Squash, which aimed to improve on-court performance while minimizing the risk of injury. UVA Tennis experienced great success during his tenure, with Men's Tennis capturing the 2022 NCAA National Championship and back-to-back ACC regular season and tournament titles in 2021 and 2022. Emma Navarro also captured the NCAA women's singles national championship in 2021. Prior to arriving in Charlottesville, Russ coached privately, working with professional tennis athletes on the ATP & WTA Tours, had a brief stint living & working in Dubai, UAE and was the Head of Tennis Performance at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida from 2015-2018. Throughout his career, Justin has worked with top-5 ranked tennis players, Olympic Gold Medalists, Grand Slam Champions, Junior Grand Slam Champions, NCAA National Champions, #1 ranked junior tennis players, and numerous NCAA Division 1 athletes of all sports. In addition to his roles as a collegiate and private Strength and Conditioning Coach, Russ has served as a national presenter for TRX Training since January 2012. He is responsible for the presentation of educational content to coaches, trainers, and industry professionals nationwide, has presented at numerous industry conferences, and has delivered over 150 live and virtual education courses in 8 countries. Russ holds certifications through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (CSCS & RSCC), USA Weightlifting (Advanced Sports Performance Coach), USA Track and Field (Level 1), National Academy of Sports Medicine (Performance Enhancement Specialist), Precision Nutrition, Stick Mobility, and is a Master Tennis Performance Specialist through the International Tennis Performance Association.

Page Love, MS, RDN, LD, CSSD, is a leading nutrition expert and owner of Nutrifit. A Georgia native, Page went to high school locally but attended college at Baylor University, where she played Div 1 tennis. She then came home to Georgia State University where she received her Master's in Sports Nutrition. She loves working with any level of client who would like to improve their health and well being, explore movement, and improve energy and performance. Her approach includes a sport nutrition fueling and intuitive eating approach that has been proven over the years to assist clients with weight management, improve metabolism, and aid in recovery from disordered eating issues. Clients have included the Atlanta Ballet, the Atlanta Braves, the U.S. Tennis Association, WTA and ATP international tennis tours, and U.S. Figure Skating Association. Additionally providing individual and group counseling for disordered eating, she works with programs such as the National Eating Disorders Association, Eating Disorders Insight and Education (as previous board chair), and the Renfrew Center, Eating Recovery Center, and Veritas Collaborative. She also enjoys public speaking and often speaks at national conferences as well as to sport teams from high school to professional athlete level. She has published a 50-module workbook for athletes in 10 sports and shares these educational pieces with her clients. Her credentials include being a registered dietitian and certified specialist in sports dietetics with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Page is consulted by media locally and nationally and has been featured as an expert by programs/publications. In this episode, Page discusses the importance of nutrition for better on court performance for tennis players.

Richard Woodroof is the owner and Director of Training for RAW Tennis Performance in Boca Raton, FL. He is an ITPA-certified Tennis Performance Trainer; Speed, Agility & Quickness (SAQ) coach; a 20-year member of the USPTA and is USTA Sport Science Level-1 certified. Richard worked with the ATP 2011 Most Improved Player Alex Bogomolov, Jr and other ATP players including Jesse Levine as well as WTA players Anna Tatishvili and Heidi El-Tabakh. He also works with several Challenger and Futures pros. Richard trains some of the top junior players in the USTA and ITF players from Italy, Monte Carlo, Brazil, Canada, Kazakhstan, Trinidad and Mexico. Richard played tennis at the University of North Carolina and spent 18 years as a High Performance coach. Working in the tennis hotbed of Southern California, he worked with dozens of junior players who earned scholarships in every major NCAA conference. He spent time coaching on the WTA Tour and was also a college coach. Richard's philosophy for training is "movement, not muscles" and he specializes in tennis movement. To find out more information please go to www.RAWTennisPerformance.com where you can sign up for newsletter updates and read his blog. You can also follow Richard on Twitter @RAW10sPerform and like his FaceBook page. In Episode 5, Richard and I discuss the physical differences between college and professional players and what it takes to make that step into the pro world. We also look at the importance of deceleration for tennis players and the physical training needed to improve it.

Dom is an Accredited Strength & Conditioning Coach (ASCC) as well as holding numerous other professional qualifications. His responsibility is to oversee the Sports Science delivery; this can encompass strength & conditioning, mental & emotional training and nutrition & lifestyle management. Dom also acts as a point of reference for players, coaches, parents and the LTA, among others. Dom also trains athletes from a number of other sports as well as tennis social members and also those with a more general health and wellbeing goal. In Episode 4 Dom and I discuss his pathway into S&C for tennis players and take a close look at how parents should go about choosing a fitness coach for their young tennis players.

As a global performance coach, she helps top athletes, musicians, and executives in competitive fields unlock the power of the mind and create the mental toughness to be the best. Having struggled most of her life with her own performance hurdles, she is driven by not wanting others to experience the same battles. Dr. Michelle helps her clients release performance anxiety, gain more confidence, and build resilience. With a PhD in Clinical Psychology, a Masters in Sports Psychology, and years of hands on research, she is well grounded in theory and expert knowledge. As many clients attest, their experience with Dr. Michelle is exactly what they needed and more than they expected, "It was life changing." Her friendly energetic spirit puts her clients at ease and provides a comfort level for sensitive conversations. Dr. Michelle provides constant support through the challenging process of training the brain and makes it understandable and manageable. In this episode we look at mental training for young athletes at the academy level. We discuss what it is to be mental strong and how coaches and parents can help their players be more resilient and how the words we use can help with our coaching. Thank you to our sponsors: ITPA: https://itpa-tennis.org PTR: https://ptrtennis.org

As a former WTA player and inducted into Hall of Fame in 2022, she is often referred to as the "pioneer" of tennis in Quebec. In 2008, Aleks became the first French Canadian to win a WTA singles title, at Stanford's West Bank Classic. She then became the first Canadian tennis player in history to take part in the Olympics, in London in 2012. Her career highest ranking was 21. In this episode, we discuss her transition from pro player to coach and the impact of fitness on her career. We also look at training and programming for junior players and its impact on their pathway. Thank you to our sponsors: ITPA: https://itpa-tennis.org PTR: https://ptrtennis.org

Dr. Kovacs discusses how the IPTA was created and how it has filled a void in the fitness area of tennis. Mark and I mainly discuss the importance of conditioning for tennis players and the appropriate way of developing it for success on the court. Thank you to our sponsors: ITPA: https://itpa-tennis.org PTR: https://ptrtennis.org