The Adaptable Athlete Podcast

Javier Miller-Estrada

The Adaptable Athlete Podcast is a podcast for coaches and practitioners who want to learn more about modern approached to sport movement and skill acquisition; and who ultimately, want to help to their athletes become more adaptable.

Host, Javi Miller-Estrada engages in discussions with some of the absolute best sport coaches, trainers, and practitioners in the world. Coaches who are truly pushing the industry forward.

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#128
August 26 · 39 min
Three Experts on What Really Defines Skill
Send us Fan Mail What if skill isn't something an athlete has, but something a moment gives them? This episode pulls together three conversations that each answer a piece of that question, more directly than any single guest could get to on their own. What skill actually is: Duarte Araújo defines skill as potential, not possession, using an example from Neil Armstrong's first steps on the moon to show how the same person moves completely differently depending on their circumstances The mechanism underneath it: Alan Dunton breaks down metastability, the concept explaining why staying adaptable between states, rather than locked into one ideal pattern, is what makes skill possible in the first place What it looks like in practice: Garrett Baker, skill acquisition specialist with the New York Mets, explains why he trains pitchers with more variability before working toward stability, the reverse of what most coaching assumes Definition, mechanism, application. Three different sports, three different guests, one throughline. This one's for coaches and practitioners who've felt the tension between what "good technique" is supposed to look like and what actually holds up under real competitive pressure. Guests referenced in this episode: Duarte Araújo — full conversation in Ep 113, Why Athletes Don't "Acquire" Skill, They Adapt It Alan Dunton — full conversation in Ep 112, What Is Metastability, Making Theory Practical Garrett Baker, skill acquisition specialist, New York Mets — full conversation in Ep 109, Breaking Free from Perfect Mechanics Join us this November in Chandler, Arizona for the Skill Acquisition Retreat. Garrett Baker, featured in today's episode, will be one of the practitioners on site the next day for CSAS testing, the Certified Skill Acquisition Specialist certification. Free Modern Coach's Checklist Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io Let's Chat! Twitter: @thecoachjav IG: @thecoachjav
#127
August 12 · 1 hr 9 min
The Problem With Coaching Pretty | Molly Binetti
Send us Fan Mail What happens when a strength coach spends nine years unlearning everything she was taught about "correct" technique? Molly Binetti is the Women's Basketball Sports Performance coach at the University of South Carolina, where she's built a program around a really high player availability rate and a training philosophy that runs counter to how most strength coaches are taught to operate. She brings a variability-driven, athlete-centered approach to a field that still leans heavily on uniform technique and control, and the conversation goes deep on movement, motivation, and the limits of data. Topics covered: Why "pretty" isn't the goal — the case against cookie cutter technique cues and what actually happens when athletes are allowed to move differently Rebuilding her coaching philosophy — what changed after her first year at South Carolina and why the dictator coaching model didn't work Self-determination theory — the three psychological needs behind real athlete buy-in, and why most coaching problems are human, not technical Variability as injury prevention — how training in a wider range of positions plays into her program's track record on player health A contrarian take on tech — why she's skeptical of force plates, GPS, and the broader data obsession in strength and conditioning If you coach in a setting where "the way we've always done it" gets treated as fact, this conversation is worth your time. Find Molly on Instagram @mbinetti22. Don't forget to join us in Arizona for the Skill Acquisition Retreat! If you want to go deeper on skill acquisition, check out the Certified Skill Acquisition Specialist certification over at emergentmvmt.com. Free Modern Coach's Checklist Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io Let's Chat! Twitter: @thecoachjav IG: @thecoachjav Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io Let's Chat! Twitter: @thecoachjav IG: @thecoachjav
#126
July 29 · 1 hr 5 min
Everything But the Thing: Boxing's Skill Acquisition Problem | Adam Haniver
Send us Fan Mail What does it actually mean to train a boxer to be adaptable when the most representative practice, hard sparring, also causes permanent damage? Adam Haniver is a boxing coach and England Boxing DISE program lead who's spent years working through exactly that tension. He brings an ecological dynamics lens to a sport that has historically treated tradition as gospel, and the conversation goes deep on skill acquisition, affordances, and what most boxing training gets fundamentally wrong. Topics covered: "Anything but the thing" — why most boxing training is unopposed, decomposed, and doesn't transfer to competition Perceive to act AND act to perceive — how the best boxers generate opportunities rather than wait for them The GAP framework (Great, Average, Poor) as a tool for athlete-directed intention before sparring Teaching boxers to punch versus teaching them to land — why these are two completely different things Naseem Hamed and Brendan Ingle as examples of what freedom in movement actually produces Play sparring, head trauma, and how to build representativeness without increasing injury risk If you coach in any combat or contact sport and you're thinking through how to square representative practice with athlete safety, this conversation is worth your time. Find Adam at www.theboxgathering.com and on the Box Gathering Podcast on all platforms. England Boxing DISE program: @dice_boxing_brighton on socials. Don't forget to join us in Arizona for the Skill Acquisition Retreat! If you want to go deeper on skill acquisition, check out the Certified Skill Acquisition Specialist certification over at emergentmvmt.com. Free Modern Coach's Checklist Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io Let's Chat! Twitter: @thecoachjav IG: @thecoachjav
#125
July 8 · 55 min
SMSC 2026 Recap: Debates, Awards, and the Challenge Point
Send us Fan Mail Nine years in, and the "room" for SMSC keeps getting smarter every year. This one landed three genuinely different debates, a set of award winners worth knowing, and a founder's-eye view of what the conference has become. Coach Jav starts us off with some quick takeaways from a busy month of June traveling across the country, presenting at various conferences and events, before turning to his main reflection on SMSC 2026. Then Shawn Myszka, founder of the Sport Movement Skill Conference, gives his own take on this year's event and what's ahead for 2027. Altis and the NHL: Where capacities fit in athlete development, and what a full day with 30-plus NHL and AHL coaches revealed about translating skill acquisition into a pro environment Questioning industry claims: Why the industry needs to audit ideas it treats as settled, using the SMSC debate stage as the case study SMSC 2026 debates: What came out of this year's public debates, where they landed, and where they didn't Award winners: This year's Lifetime Achievement, Researcher of the Year, and Practitioner of the Year recipients The challenge point: This year's conference theme, and what it actually means to get pushed to the edge and stay there Shawn Myszka's reflection: Nine years in, what's changed, and a first look at where SMSC is headed for 2027 For coaches and practitioners trying to figure out where skill acquisition actually fits inside a performance organization, not just in theory. 🎟 The next CSAS testing is November 7 in Chandler, Arizona. Learn more and apply. Shawn Myszka | Instagram | Twitter Resources The Adaptable Athlete Coach Jav on Instagram Emergence Free Modern Coach's Checklist Let's Chat! Twitter: @thecoachjav IG: @thecoachjav Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io Let's Chat! Twitter: @thecoachjav IG: @thecoachjav
#124
May 20 · 1 hr 5 min
Why the Best Fighters Are Problem Solvers | Andy Grahn
Send us Fan Mail You can't talk a fighter into confidence. And if you've been trying, Andy Grahn has been quietly building it the right way for 30 years. Andy Grahn is a martial arts coach at The Academy MN in Minneapolis, a co-author of the 2024 ecological dynamics MMA paper in Sports Coaching Review, and one of a small group of combat sports coaches actively applying motor learning science to what happens on the mat. This conversation covers how he got there and what it actually looks like in practice. Competence before confidence: Why telling athletes to "just be more confident" doesn't work, and what the ecological approach says about how confidence actually develops Alive training in combat sports: What representative practice looks like in an MMA gym, how Andy navigates the line between safety and specificity, and why sparring is still the anchor The partner probability paradox: How to design practice when you don't have the right training partner, and what constraints-led coaching looks like when the pairing isn't ideal JKD to ecological dynamics: The philosophical thread connecting Bruce Lee's framework to Gibson's ecological psychology, and how Andy's background primed him for the shift Writing the paper: What it was like to co-author peer-reviewed research as a practitioner alongside Keith Davids and the rest of the team For coaches in any sport trying to build real skill, not just clean-looking technique. 🎟 Listeners of the podcast receive 10% off the Sport Movement Skill Conference (June 5–6 in St. Paul, Minnesota) using code JAVI26 at registration. Andy Grahn | The Academy MN The Academy MN Instagram Facebook Applying an Ecological Dynamics Approach to Mixed Martial Arts Resources The Adaptable Athlete Coach Jav on Instagram Emergence Free Modern Coach's Checklist Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io Let's Chat! Twitter: @thecoachjav IG: @thecoachjav
#123
April 22 · 58 min
How Myles Garrett Solves Problems No One Else Can | Shawn Myszka
Send us Fan Mail The best pass rusher in NFL history didn't break the sack record because he's fast. He broke it while being double or triple-teamed on more than half his snaps. Shawn Myszka returns for the annual Mover of the Year episode. This year's pick: Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns. But this conversation isn't about stats. It's about what Garrett's movement actually tells us about dexterity, practice design, and how athletes solve problems under pressure. Dexterity vs. athleticism: Why raw physical tools don't explain Garrett's dominance, and what Bernstein's framework reveals about how he actually moves Abundance precedes adaptability: How having a wide range of movement strategies, not one elite technique, is what separates Garrett from every other pass rusher Perceiving to and through: How elite performers take in multiple information sources simultaneously, with examples from football, basketball, and combat sports Adversity as a teacher: What Barry Sanders and Adrian Peterson tell us about how constraint-rich environments shape movement skill over time What Movement Miyagi would do: Three specific practice design ideas for developing Garrett's perceptual and movement capabilities even further For coaches working at any level, in any sport. Listeners of the podcast can receive 10% off the upcoming Sport Movement Skill Conference (June 5–6 in St. Paul, Minnesota) using the code Javi26 when registering. Shawn Myszka | Movement Miyagi Football Beyond the Stats Blog 2025 Mover of the Year: Myles Garrett Enhancing Skill in American Football X | Instagram Resources The Adaptable Athlete Emergence Free Modern Coach's Checklist Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io Let's Chat! Twitter: @thecoachjav IG: @thecoachjav
#122
April 8 · 1 hr 4 min
Why Most Players Never Develop Elite Shooting | NBA Shooting Coach Dave Love
Send us Fan Mail NBA shooting coach Dave Love has spent over 15 years working at the highest level of basketball, with the Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, Dallas Mavericks, and currently an Eastern Conference team. He's also one of the few practitioners at that level actively contributing to peer-reviewed research. In this episode, Dave and Coach Jav dig into why the pursuit of a repeatable, perfect shot is the wrong goal entirely and what coaches should be focused on instead. They break down the sandbox analogy, the PoST framework, how to design practice that actually reflects the game, and how to meet athletes where they are when introducing evidence-based methods. If you coach shooting at any level, this one is worth your time. Topics covered: No two shots are the same — and why chasing a repeatable shot is the wrong goal The sandbox analogy — how Dave thinks about functional movement solutions and what it means to be in or out of the sandbox Positive and negative power — his framework for identifying what's actually causing a player to miss The PoST framework — how to periodize skill training the way you would strength or conditioning Practice design and the challenge point — using defenders with intention and building variability into every session Meeting athletes where they are — how to introduce ecological principles to players attached to traditional methods Listeners of the podcast can receive 10% off the upcoming Sport Movement Skill Conference (June 5–6 in St. Paul, Minnesota) using the code Javi26 when registering. Links: Dave's platform and newsletter Research paper: "Skill Adaptation in Basketball Coaching" International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 2025 Sport Movement Skill Conference (use code JAVI26 for 10% off) Dave on X Dave on instagram Podcast website Emergence Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io Let's Chat! Twitter: @thecoachjav IG: @thecoachjav
#121
March 25 · 18 min
Ask Emergence: What Is Skill, Really?
Send us Fan Mail Use Code: Javi26 for 10% off of your SMSC registration 🎟️ In this "Ask Emergence" episode, Coach Jav answers three questions from coaches about skill acquisition, constraints, and practice design. The conversation starts with a foundational question: What is skill? Too often skill is viewed as repetition or the ability to reproduce the same movement over and over. But in sport, athletes must adapt to constantly changing problems. Coach Jav shares his current definition of skill and why adaptability is central to performance. The episode then explores how coaches can use constraints to shape movement and guide athletes toward effective solutions without prescribing every action. Finally, Coach Jav discusses how to think about complexity in training environments, why he prefers that term over “chaos,” and how coaches can scale the level of complexity to better prepare athletes for competition. Listeners of the podcast can receive 10% off the upcoming Sport Movement Skill Conference (June 5–6 in St. Paul, Minnesota) using the code Javi26 when registering. In This Episode A modern definition of skill and why repetition alone is not enough How constraints guide movement and decision making in sport How to scale complexity in training environments to better prepare athletes for competition Episode Resources Sport Movement Skill Conference Emergence Website Check out The Modern Coach’s Planner SMSC preview episode with Sean Myszka The Adaptable Athlete Podcast Check out the pod on YouTube Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io Let's Chat! Twitter: @thecoachjav IG: @thecoachjav
#120
March 11 · 1 hr 3 min
Why Practice Doesn’t Always Show Up in Matches | Steve Whelen
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Coach Jav sits down with Steve Whalen to explore his journey into coaching, his shift toward ecological dynamics, and what it means to truly design learning environments that transfer to competition. Steve shares how he entered tennis coaching from a non-traditional background, the tensions he experienced within traditional coach education, and the turning points that led him toward a constraints-led approach. The conversation unpacks why players who look sharp in practice often struggle in matches, how coaches can better understand learning and performance, and what it takes to bridge the gap between research and real-world coaching. They also discuss Steve’s work mentoring coaches globally, his upcoming research in ecological dynamics, and the broader direction of modern coach education. The upcoming Sport Movement Skill Conference (June 5–6) is also discussed you can learn more and register here If you’re looking for a practical starting point for designing more effective sessions, download the Modern Coach’s Practice Checklist and check out thecoachjav.com for more resources! Episode Resources Steve's website Steve on Instagram 2026 Sport Movement Skill Conference (SMSC) Modern Coach’s Practice Checklist - Free coaching guide The Adaptable Athlete Podcast Emergence Support & Contact If you enjoyed today’s episode, leave a review and share it with another coach or athlete who’d appreciate it. You can reach Coach Jav on social media at @thecoachjav or by email at javier@emergentmvmt.com Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io Let's Chat! Twitter: @thecoachjav IG: @thecoachjav
#119
February 25 · 43 min
What Happens When Coaching Philosophies Collide? | SMSC 2026 Preview
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Coach Jav sits down with Emergence co-founder Shawn Myszka to preview the 2026 Sport Movement Skill Conference (SMSC). They unpack this year’s theme — “Challenge Point” — and explain why the conference will feature debate-style matchups between leading voices from differing theoretical foundations. The conversation explores why now is the right time to bring contrasting coaching philosophies back to the table, how intellectual sparring can sharpen clarity, and what attendees can expect from both the debates and hands-on practical sessions. From matchups like Shawn Myszka vs. Tony Villani , Tyler Yearby vs. Jeff Moyer and Jav vs. Tony Holler, to practical sessions spanning MMA, baseball, team sport environments, and Olympic preparation, this year’s SMSC aims to challenge assumptions while fostering connection. The 9th Annual Sport Movement Skill Conference takes place June 5–6 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Don’t forget: The Modern Coach's Planner is now back in stock!! Get it here Resources Sport Movement Skill Conference 2026 Certified Skill Acquisition Specialist (CSAS) Information Podcast Website Ep. 110 with Shawn Support & Contact If you enjoyed today’s episode, leave a review and share it with another coach or athlete who’d appreciate it. You can reach Coach Jav on social media at @thecoachjav or by email at javier@emergentmvmt.com Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io Let's Chat! Twitter: @thecoachjav IG: @thecoachjav
#118
February 11 · 20 min
3 Mistakes I Made Applying Ecological Dynamics
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Adaptable Athlete Podcast, Coach Jav breaks down three mistakes he made while applying ecological dynamics and the constraints-led approach in his coaching. From prioritizing drills over principles, to progressing athletes from decontextualized work instead of designing representative learning environments, to failing to give athletes ownership in the skill acquisition process, Coach Jav reflects on what changed — and why it matters for modern coaching. If you’re a coach exploring ecological dynamics, skill acquisition, or looking to move beyond traditional drill-based training, this episode offers a practical and honest look at what applying these concepts actually requires in real-world settings. This conversation touches on principles vs drills, contextual training design, scaling complexity, athlete feedback, and how to build adaptable performers. Resources & Links: The Modern Coach Planner Sport Movement Skill Conference 2026 More Pod Episodes Watch the show on Youtube Support & Contact If you enjoyed today’s episode, leave a review and share it with another coach or athlete who’d appreciate it. You can reach Coach Jav on social media at @thecoachjav or by email at javier@emergentmvmt.com Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io Let's Chat! Twitter: @thecoachjav IG: @thecoachjav
#117
January 28 · 19 min
What Most Coaches Get Wrong About Agility
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, coach Jav breaks down the most common mistakes coaches make in agility training—and why many popular drills fail to transfer to sport. Inspired by a recent Six of the Best contribution with Sportsmith (Emergence Co-founder Shawn, Myszka was also featured), the the episode centers on a core problem: coaches often give athletes the answers instead of setting real problems to solve. Jav explains why repetition without context limits adaptability, why randomness alone isn’t enough, and how poor information sources—like verbal cues, lights, or inanimate objects—can disconnect training from competition. He closes with three practical shifts coaches can make immediately to design more effective, sport-relevant agility environments. This episode is for coaches who want to move beyond scripted drills and develop truly adaptable athletes. Don’t forget: The Modern Coach's Planner is now back in stock!! https://thecoachjav.com/products/modern-coach-planner Support & Contact If you enjoyed today’s episode, leave a review and share it with another coach or athlete who’d appreciate it. You can reach Coach Jav on social media at @thecoachjav or by email at javier@emergentmvmt.com Resources & Links The podcast on YouTube Sportsmith The Adaptable Athlete Podcast: Emergence Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io Let's Chat! Twitter: @thecoachjav IG: @thecoachjav
#116
January 14 · 57 min
The Advanced Ecological Approach w/ Rob Gray
Send us Fan Mail The Modern Coach's Planner — built for coaches who think differently — Back! Order yours today at: https://thecoachjav.com/products/modern-coach-planner In this episode, coach Jav sits down with Rob Gray to explore what comes after the basics of ecological dynamics and the constraints-led approach. They discuss why “fundamentals first” thinking continues to persist in sport, how constraints can lose their effectiveness over time, and the difference between developing skill and maintaining it at higher levels of performance. Rob also shares practical insights from his work across multiple sports, including how to scale difficulty, design more representative practice environments, and avoid turning data into rigid technique prescriptions. This conversation is for coaches who are already experimenting with modern approaches and want to go deeper into how athletes actually adapt, learn, and perform. Don’t forget: The Modern Coach's Planner is now available for pre-order at https://thecoachjav.com/products/modern-coach-planner Support & Contact If you enjoyed today’s episode, leave a review and share it with another coach or athlete who’d appreciate it. You can reach Coach Jav on social media at @thecoachjav or by email at javier@emergentmvmt.com Resources & Links Rob Gray – The Advanced Ecological Approach Rob Gray’s website The Adaptable Athlete Podcast: Emergence Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io Let's Chat! Twitter: @thecoachjav IG: @thecoachjav
Nov 12, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
The Mindset Behind Modern Jiu-Jitsu with Greg Souders & Deandre Corbe
Send us Fan Mail The Modern Coach's Planner — built for coaches who think differently — is now available for pre-order. This is a limited run, and once these copies are gone, they’re gone. Order yours today at: https://thecoachjav.com/products/modern-coach-planner In this episode, Coach Jav sits down with Greg Souders, founder of Standard Jiu-Jitsu, and DeAndre Corbe, one of the top grapplers in the world — the 2024 ADCC West Coast Trials champion and a recent competitor in the Craig Jones Invitational. They explore how an ecological and constraints-led approach is transforming the way athletes learn and perform in Jiu-Jitsu. Over the past few years, ecological dynamics has exploded — and Greg has been one of the leading voices behind that shift, challenging traditional methods and helping coaches rethink what real skill development looks like. Together, Greg and DeAndre unpack the realities of modern coaching — from designing representative environments to building communication, trust, and autonomy between coach and athlete. This episode is a deep look at how modern Jiu-Jitsu is evolving, and what happens when the athlete–coach relationship becomes a true collaboration. Topics Discussed How Greg and DeAndre built their coach–athlete relationship Transitioning from traditional to ecological Jiu-Jitsu training Communication, trust, and autonomy in coaching Managing competition prep and recovery Why “control isn’t coaching” and how autonomy drives growth If you’re a coach or practitioner interested in skill acquisition, practice design, and building adaptable athletes, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Don’t forget: The Modern Coach's Planner is now available for pre-order at https://thecoachjav.com/products/modern-coach-planner Support & Contact If you enjoyed today’s episode, leave a review and share it with another coach or athlete who’d appreciate it. You can reach Coach Jav on social media at @thecoachjav or by email at javier@emergentmvmt.com . Resources and Links Standard Jiu-Jitsu: https://standardjiujitsu.com Standard Jiu-Jitsu on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/standardjiujitsu?igsh=MWN5endrZTVud3RwMw== Greg Souders on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gdsouders?igsh=N2VtcjJyMXgwcW82 DeAndre Corbe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deandre_corbe/ Emergence – The Movement Academy: https://emergentmvmt.com Emergence on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emergentmvmt?igsh=Y2JuMm53c3N0bjZh The Adaptable Athlete Podcast Website: theadaptableathlete.com Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io Let's Chat! Twitter: @thecoachjav IG: @thecoachjav
#114
Oct 30, 2025 · 10 min
Skill Adaptation > Skill Acquisition
Send us Fan Mail *Checkout the free practice guide at the end of the show notes! For decades, coaches and scientists have used the term skill acquisition — but what if that’s not what’s really happening? In this short episode, we dive into the idea that athletes don’t acquire skill — they adapt it. Inspired by our recent conversation with Duarte Araújo, this concept challenges the traditional view of skill as something stored or possessed, and instead reframes it as a continuous process shaped by the relationship between athlete and environment. We explore how this shift impacts coaching, learning, and even rehabilitation — from how an athlete adapts after injury, to how their movement evolves over time. Have any questions form the Episode? Hit me up on social @thecoachjav or send me an email at Javier@emergentmvmt.com Download your Free Practice Design Checklist! Episode Resources Episode 113 w/ Duarte Download the Academic Papers from Duarte What Exactly Is Acquired During Skill Acquisition by Duarte Araújo & Keith Davids Emergence Website Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io Let's Chat! Twitter: @thecoachjav IG: @thecoachjav
#113
Oct 22, 2025 · 56 min
Why Athletes Don’t "Acquire" Skill—They Adapt it w/ Duarte Araújo
Send us Fan Mail *Checkout the free practice guide at the end of the show notes! What is skill, really? And what if it’s not something athletes acquire — but something they continuously adapt? In this episode, Duarte Araújo joins us on the pod to unpack one of the most fundamental questions in sport: what does it truly mean to be skillful? Duarte breaks down why “acquisition” is the wrong metaphor, and how coaches can design environments that bring intelligence and creativity to the surface. Together, we explore: The difference between being and becoming in sport performance Why skill should be viewed as potential, not possession How intentionality, perceptual attunement, and calibration shape learning What cognizant action means — and why movement itself is intelligent How coaches can design tasks that challenge athletes to find their own solutions Whether you’re a coach, practitioner, or simply curious about how humans learn, this conversation reframes skill as an ongoing relationship between athlete and environment — not a product stored inside the brain. Have any questions form the Episode? Hit me up on social @thecoachjav or send me an email at Javier@emergentmvmt.com Download your Free Practice Design Checklist! Episode Resources Download the Academic Papers from Duarte Duarte on Research Gate Duarte on X Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io Let's Chat! Twitter: @thecoachjav IG: @thecoachjav
#112
Oct 8, 2025 · 58 min
What Is Metastability? Making Theory Practical w/ Alan Dunton
Send us Fan Mail *Checkout the free practice guide at the end of the show notes! Alan Dunton is a lecturer in Coaching Science and Skill Acquisition at Munster Technological University (MTU) in Cork, Ireland. A former Taekwondo athlete and coach, Alan has spent his career exploring how people learn, adapt, and perform skill under dynamic conditions. In this conversation, we unpack metastability — what it means, how to design for it, and why adaptability is the hallmark of expert performance. In This Episode: Alan’s background in Taekwondo and how it shaped his approach to coaching Understanding metastability: from theory to practical application Exploration vs. stability — what do athletes really need? Designing training environments for adaptability The launch of the new MSc in Skill Acquisition for Sport at MTU This episode is heavy and theory AND applied information, and I know you will benefit from giving this a listen! Download your Free Practice Design Checklist! Referenced Links: Free Coaching Guide Download → Get it here MTU MSc in Skill Acquisition for Sport → https://www.mtu.ie Alan Dunton on X → https://x.com/alandunton Emergence → https://www.emergentmvmt.com The Adaptable Athlete Podcast on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@thecoachjav Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io Let's Chat! Twitter: @thecoachjav IG: @thecoachjav
#111
Sep 24, 2025 · 1 hr 35 min
Why Exploration Beats Perfection: 25 years of Coaching Fighters w/ Adam Singer
Send us Fan Mail Adam Singer is the head coach of SBG Athens, where he and his brother Rory have been developing fighters for over 25 years. A longtime practitioner of ecological dynamics in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA, Adam has coached multiple athletes to the highest levels of competition, including two world champions. He’s also a co-author of a landmark paper on ecological dynamics in combat sports with Shawn Myszka, Tyler Yearby, Scott Sievewright, and Andy Grahn. Known for blending sharp insight with humor (and reminding everyone he’s both handsome and funny), Adam brings a unique perspective to coaching and skill development. In this episode, we discuss: Why coaching is about relationships and culture first — and how SBG Athens has built that over decades Stories from the gym: balancing intensity with care, developing fighters responsibly, and lessons learned across 25+ years in MMA The role of exploration and aliveness in training, and why “sloppy” doesn’t always mean wrong Why there are no shortcuts in adopting an ecological approach, and the pitfalls of surface-level buzzwords How Adam’s philosophy challenges traditional pad-work, drill-heavy coaching, and emphasizes problem solving in context If you’re a coach or practitioner interested in skill acquisition, practice design, and building adaptable athletes, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. If you like today's episode, leave a review here....If you want to reach me directly, contact me on social media or shoot me @javier@emergentmvmt.com. Referenced in this episode: SBG Athens Ecological Dynamics in Sport Combat — Paper (ResearchGate link) Emergence Watch full podcast episodes on YouTube → youtube.com/@thecoachjav Episode Resources: CSAS Certification Adam Singer on IG If you’re a coach or practitioner interested in skill acquisition, practice design, and building adaptable athletes, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io Let's Chat! Twitter: @thecoachjav IG: @thecoachjav
#110
Sep 3, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
Practice That Transfers: From Problem Solving to Game Day w/ Shawn Myszka
Send us Fan Mail Shawn Myszka (the “Movement Miyagi” ) returns to the pod to discuss the theme he and his NFL athletes embraced this offseason: Wu Xin, or “no-mindedness.” It’s an idea that runs throughout skill acquisition — how athletes can free themselves from rigid intentions and better attune to the “what is” in front of them. From there, we dig into his new book, Enhancing Skill in American Football: Revolutionizing Practice Design for Transfer to Game Day, and the golden thread of movement behavior as problem solving. Along the way, we cover why Shawn calls it “partnering” with athletes instead of “owning” them, what Barry Sanders can teach us about adaptability, and some hot takes on the NFL Combine, traditional speed training, and preseason football. Episode Resources Shawn Myszka’s Book: Enhancing Skill in American Football: Revolutionizing Practice Design for Transfer to Game Day Emergence: emergentmvmt.com Shawn Myszka Blog Post – Wu Xin: Turning Off the Mind to Solve More Problems on the Field Barry Sanders NFL Top 100 Segment: Barry Sanders on “just reacting” (NFL Films) Ep 86 w/ Shawn Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io Let's Chat! Twitter: @thecoachjav IG: @thecoachjav
#109
Aug 20, 2025 · 55 min
Breaking Free from Perfect Mechanics w/ Garrett Baker
Send us Fan Mail Garrett Baker, Skill Acquisition Specialist and pitching coach with the New York Mets, returns to the Adaptable Athlete Podcast to dive deep into the realities of skill development in baseball. In this episode we discuss: Why breaking free from “perfect mechanics” often unlocks better performance Why pitching velocity isn't everything How reframing pitchers as “out-getters” changes the way we think about training The pitcher-batter relationship and its central role in pitching success The impact of conviction and intention on the mound Why variability and “serious play” are critical to long-term development If you like today's episode, leave a review here....If you want to reach me directly, contact me on social media or shoot me @javier@emergentmvmt.com. Resources + Mentions: Garrett Baker’s previous episode: Pitching Beyond the Metrics POST Framework Paper Jesus Luzardo breakdown with Dallas Braden – Slab Lab Certified Skill Acquisition Specialist (CSAS) Info Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io Let's Chat! Twitter: @thecoachjav IG: @thecoachjav

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