It has become a well-accepted idea that breathwork can improve health, enhance athletic performance, and even help those with mental health issues. There are so many protocols and devices that it can be overwhelming to know where to begin. The idea of Respiratory Muscle Training is the foundation of them all, and it's what Breather-Fit does best. Like training any other body part in the gym, the stronger and more within your control the muscles responsible for your breathing are, the more capabl...
Oct 23, 2024•58 min
Shane has such a long list of accolades that it would be silly to list them here. Not only is Shane a 1996 Gymnastic Olympian, but he has a skill on the Parallel Bars named after him! Lucky for us, Shane has been on the Power Monkey Camp coaching staff for over a decade. Most recently, he has been taking on coaching at our weekend courses for us as well. We had a great conversation with him about what he sees as common themes and issues among athletes in the functional fitness space who are tryi...
Sep 11, 2024•1 hr
For the second year in a row, a group of Power Monkeys decided to get together out in Oregon to take part in the 200-mile relay race that is: The Hood to Coast". We ran through the night for over 30 hours to tackle this race, and we did it to raise money for the Power Monkey Educational Foundation, which partners with awesome organizations doing incredible work within their communities so that we offer scholarships to bring their community members to the Power Monkey Camp. We loved everything ab...
Sep 04, 2024•46 min
Wyatt used to suffer from debilitating anxiety. A friend at the gym suggested that he try cold exposure therapy. To Wyatt's surprise, the benefits he experienced were enormous, launching a passion project that he turned into a very successful company: Ice Barrel.Today Wyatt is doing all he can to spread the word about the benefits of ice baths. This includes consistently refining their company's barrel design to be ever more efficient, as well as spending years on the design and fabrication of t...
Aug 28, 2024•50 min
Tasia is an incredible athlete with a background in gymnastics before heading to compete at the CrossFit Games as an individual and as part of Team CrossFit Mayhem Freedom alongside Rich Froning, where they won the Affiliate Cup multiple times. These days Tasia is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner focused on her new company: Wonderfully Made. Through Wonderfully Made, Tasia is helping women form healthier relationships with food, and improve their body image. Check out: https://www.tasia-percev...
Aug 07, 2024•1 hr 2 min
Going from being unable to do any Handstand Push-ups to getting your first can feel impossible. This is why we are spending an entire episode discussing pitfalls, opportunities, progressions, and our journeys on the subject. We promise there is something in here for everyone...even those of you who can already do one. If you are currently working on getting your first Handstand Push-up, then check out the Power Monkey Training app, we have a plan in there that is specifically targeted to get you...
Jul 24, 2024•36 min
If you are not familiar with the performance and health benefits of Sauna's, then you will want to give this episode a listen. Sisu Sauna Co-Founder, Peter Nelson not only has a wealth of knowledge to share on the subject, but he is also an excellent case study for the Sauna's ability to assist in recovery and performance enhancement. Peter just won the inaugural Antarctic 50k Ultra Endurance race. There is so much good information AND inspiration within this episode, we hope that you enjoy it. ...
Jul 03, 2024•1 hr 14 min
If you weren't a gymnast growing up, then you might feel like getting a pull-up as an adult is impossible. We have proof that is a lie! Listen in as we discuss the tools and mindset necessary to get yourself above that bar. And WHY being able to do a pull-up is important for everyone, not just competitive athletes. Most importantly, we talk about how the Power Monkey Training app can put all of the resources needed, at your fingertips to get started today. Signup for a Free Trial at powermonkeyt...
Jun 19, 2024•45 min
Is the healthcare system doing its best to keep people healthy, or is it more about taking reactionary measures once you are already sick? Dr. Matt Dawson is the founder of Wild Health, a precision medicine company that provides medical services and lifestyle coaching aimed at preventing sickness from taking hold. Working with patients to understand their genetic makeup, biomarkers, and current lifestyle choices allows the physicians to create plans that work for the patient, and get them OFF of...
Jun 05, 2024•46 min
Sean has done it all. He was a professional snowboarder, was the Director of Sports Marketing at DC Shoes, started his own supplement company, and has made it his life's mission to carry on the memory and legacy of his best friend Glen "Bub" Doherty, who the CrossFit Hero workout "Glen" is named in honor of. Sean is an incredible guy with an awesome outlook on life and a drive to give back. Sean's IG: @slakeo ••••• This episode is brought to you by Bubs Naturals - We are so thankful to hav...
May 29, 2024•1 hr 8 min
Everyone seems to have a differing opinion when it comes to the squat stance and what is optimal. Not surprisingly, you will find that our opinion is that...it depends. With that in mind, we do have some guiding principles and rationale that support what we coach our athletes to do, depending on their goals and application. Listen in as Head Weightlifting Coach, Mike Cerbus breaks it all down for us. ••••• EPISODE SPONSORED BY: RXSG: https://www.rxsmartgear.com/ Whether you are just starting in ...
May 22, 2024•35 min
We just returned from our 21st Power Monkey Camp in the beautiful woods of Tennessee with a whole new crop of campers, and as expected...it was amazing! We have two of our coaches from camp, Emily Bridgers and Darnell Hardy, on the podcast to chat about some of the new things that we have incorporated into the week. Some of them include hypertrophy training with Dave Lipson and Camille Leblan-Bazinet, a longevity lecture with Dr, Jaime Schehr, daily rucks courtesy of GoRuck and led by Margaux Al...
May 15, 2024•55 min
How often should you be Training vs Competing? It seems that most of the time when we are in the gym, we see people competing with the person in the lane next to them. But is this the best way to grow and improve as an athlete? Of course the element of competition is important, and can lead to incredible moments, but how often should you be doing it? What is going to lead to the best adaptation, and what is going to reduce the chance of injury or overtraining? •••• This episode is sponsored by A...
May 08, 2024•38 min
This is a somewhat polarizing topic within the functional fitness space. We posted about it recently on our social media and got a large response from both sides of the aisle. So we figured it would be a worthwhile topic to spend a little more time on. Where do you come in on this matter, and what are your reasons? We would love to hear from you. ••••• EPISODE SPONSORED BY: https://icebarrel.com/ Cold water therapy is one of the fastest, easiest, and most natural ways to reset your body and mind...
Apr 24, 2024•34 min
Our guest is Dr. Craig Heller, a professor of Biological Sciences and Human Biology at Stanford University. Dr. Heller made an incredible discovery several years ago surrounding the mechanism that drives fatigue and limits physical performance. Since then he has developed a tool that has allowed professional athletes, special operation soldiers, and a host of others to recover faster, and increase performance, almost like they were on steroids. Behind it all is the concept of localized temperatu...
Apr 17, 2024•59 min
Alethea Boon has one of the most impressive athletic careers of any guest on the show. She is a 5-time CrossFit Games athlete, she competed at the Commonwealth Games for her native country of New Zealand 3 times, both in the spot of gymnastics as well as the sport of weightlifting. She competed in gymnastics for Bringham Young University, and now she is also a mother. But being a mother hasn't stopped her from pushing herself physically, these days she is a cast member on the Australian Gladiato...
Apr 10, 2024•1 hr
Jason Khalipa has done it all. He has been a CrossFit Games Champion, he operates an international fitness company, he competes in the Tactical Games, and Jiu Jitsu tournaments, he is a father, and he has faced no shortage of personal adversity. The list goes on, but you get the point. He is experienced, and he is successful. But how? Listen in as we discuss his approach to life and what Jason calls, The AMRAP Mentality. Jason's IG: @jasonkhalipa www.powermonkeyfitness.com...
Apr 03, 2024•1 hr 12 min
In this episode we ask the question: "Should You Be Kipping Your Pull-Up?". We posted about this recently on our social media and had some great discussions with many of our followers. This has been a long-debated topic within the world of CrossFit and Functional Fitness. We feel strongly about the points made throughout this discussion, some of which might be surprising to many of you. Enjoy https://www.powermonkeyfitness.com/
Mar 27, 2024•42 min
On today's episode, we have a return guest, Dr. Andy Galpin. Andy is a tenured professor at Cal State Fullerton. He is the co-director of the Center of Sport Performance and the founder and director of the Biochemistry and Molecular Exercise Physiology Lab. He is a human performance scientist with a Ph.D. in human bioenergetics and has written over 100 peer-reviewed publications and presentations. We focused our conversation with Andy today on two topics, Human Performance Optimization, and Trai...
Mar 20, 2024•1 hr 16 min
Our guest today is coach to the Fittest Man on Earth! Her name is Caroline Lambray, and she is here to discuss strategies going into the final week of the CrossFit Open. Not only does Caroline coach the Fittest on Earth, but she owns and coaches at CrossFit Wonderland. And today she is going to help give some tips for the everyday CrossFitter, taking on 24.3. Annie's IG: @lambrayliving •••• This episode is brought to you by Sisu Sauna. Sauna and contrast therapy offers a natural and holistic app...
Mar 14, 2024•29 min
Our guest today is the always impressive, multi-time CrossFit Games athlete and legend, Annie Sakamoto. Last week, Annie was on the live stream for CrossFit going over strategy and tips for those watching the announcement of 24.1. Today, we have the privilege of discussing insight, strategy and tips with Annie on how you, the everyday athlete should look at tackling 24.2…enjoy. Annie's IG: @anniekimiko ••••• This episode is brought to you by Bubs Naturals - We are so thankful to have them ...
Mar 07, 2024•26 min
The 2024 CrossFit Open is here and with that we would like to discuss the very first workout and give actionable tips and strategy to the everyday athlete. What we all watched on TV with the Games Athletes performing this workout is most likely NOT what it will look like for the majority of us. To help us break down the workout and develop a game plan is the CEO and Head Coach of Brute Strength: Matt Torres. Grab your note pad, and lets get after this first workout! Throw your score in the comme...
Mar 01, 2024•24 min
It's commonplace to say that someone is kind and has a great energy about them...but in the case of our guest today Fee Saghafi, that can't be overstated enough. Fee is truly a source of joy and light wherever she goes, and we are certain that point will come across over the course of this episode. Fee is a multi-time CrossFit Games athlete. She thrives on the community aspect of the sport and finding ways to connect with people. Whether it is through coaching, getting involved in non-profits, o...
Feb 21, 2024•1 hr 4 min
Our guest today is CrossFit athlete Alison Scudds. Alison's ultimate goal within the sport of CrossFit is to qualify for and compete as an individual at the CrossFit Games. This pursuit has led her to shift gears and her approach to some of her training. Specifically that of olympic weightlifting, which she has generally excelled, however now she has choosen to really dial in the finer technical points of those lifts in an effort to build her confidence at the barbell. As a Power Monkey Camp Alu...
Feb 14, 2024•1 hr 8 min
In another addition of a movement focused podcast, we welcome our good friend Chris Gatti to the show. Chris is a former collegiate gymnast who went on become an incredible circus performer with Cirque Du Soleil and eventually one of the best hand balancers in the world. Today, when not focused on his own training, Chris is a highly sought after hand balancing coach, which is why the focus of this episode is on the similarities and differences between how Dave and Chris approach teaching the han...
Feb 07, 2024•59 min
Our guest today is Steph Mireles, who you may be more familiar with as Steph Chung. Steph was a CrossFit Games athlete who has recently made the shift into the medical world beginning a career in Boston as a Physicians Assistant. We discuss what that change in lifestyle and training has been like as well what she believes can change in the healthcare and fitness world to bridge the gap and provide better services and longevity for patients and clients. We also take some time to discuss how Steph...
Jan 31, 2024•1 hr 4 min
We figured that after more than 200 episodes of the podcast that it was time to give a bit more insight into the founder and leader of Power Monkey Fitness. Today we chat with Dave Durante. Starting with his earliest exposure to gymnastics in Garwood New Jersey, all the way up through his time competing at Stanford and onto the 2008 Olympic Games. These stories will illustrate where his drive, competitive spirt, and passion for being a part of team he considers family comes from. We hope you enj...
Jan 24, 2024•1 hr 27 min
On today's movement focused episode, we welcome 3 time US Olympian, Olympic Bronze medalist, and World Record Holder: Cheryl Haworth to debate the benefits and limitations of the Split Jerk vs Squat Jerk with our very own weightlifting head coach and National Team Member Mike Cerbus. We hope that you enjoy this episode format, as we intend to bring you many more of this type where we debate the nuances and approaches of various movements within the fitness world. Cheryl's IG: @haworthweightlifti...
Jan 17, 2024•42 min
Our guest today is Evan Slaughter, more commonly know by his social media handle on Instagram and TikTok as: Fit2Serve1. Evan has an interesting story, having formerly been quite fit and competitive, but after being injured on a tour in Iraq and developing an opiate addition he slid into a pretty dark place. After getting clean, Evan has reignited his passion for fitness and comedy, and uses both on his social media channels to try to bring joy to all of those he can reach. Evan is a kind-hearte...
Jan 10, 2024•56 min
Today's "movement focused" episode revolves around the skill of spotting. We believe that this truly is a skill that is all too often discredited or overlooked outright. As a coach, having the ability to spot someone correctly serves many purposes. Obviously creating a safe environment is primary, but even at higher levels, the ability to spot an athlete through a movement so that they can feel what their body is supposed to be doing with proper form is so incredibly important. Usually what we s...
Jan 02, 2024•51 min
