Kobe Bryant’s Strength Coach Tim DiFrancesco on Injury Prevention (+ an announcement!)
Release Date: 12/07/2023
The Strength Running Podcast
Bestselling author and acclaimed exercise science journalist Alex Hutchinson is back on the podcast! He is a regular columnist for Outside magazine writing the and has contributed to publications such as the New York Times and the New Yorker. He’s a former member of the Canadian national team, holds a PhD in physics from the University of Cambridge, a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University, and conducted post-doctoral research with the National Security Agency. We're exploring the frontier: what Alex is most excited about from the latest research that has the potential to...
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Hear Jason getting interviewed about fundamental training: the most important elements of any training plan, why you should focus on middle distances, the remaining 1% of things to focus on, why the term "full marathon" should be banished, and more. This is a repost of an episode of the . Resources from the show: (case study) Don't forget to hit the follow button and subscribe to the Strength Running Podcast! Thank you Previnex! After resisting most supplements for the better part of my life, I’m cautiously changing my tune. I’m now a Masters runner and in my personal life, I’m...
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Jackie Gaughan is one of the fastest marathoners in the United States. She’s a Boston-based, Saucony sponsored athlete who ran for the University of Notre Dame where she earned All-conference honors in both cross country and track. She qualified for the 2024 US Olympic Marathon Trials at Berlin, where she was the second American finisher. She holds a personal best of 2:24:40 in the marathon and 1:10:01 in the half marathon. Jackie's also a full-time financial analyst for Goldman Sachs, often working 50-60 hours a week. How does she run more than 100 miles per week, with hard workouts...
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Our diet and fueling habits are setting important examples for our kids. Are we doing it right? Joining me is coach Michele Pettinger. She’s a Level 2 certified coach through the Road Runners’ Club of America, a certified specialist in fitness nutrition through the ISSA, and she’s the author of the new book . We discuss how young runners should be fueling and approaching nutrition (which during the teen years is a formative time period). It’s critical we get the basics of sound nutrition habits right early so that we can set kids up for success. We also chat about practical...
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150 years ago, electricity was added to mechanical products to make them better. It ushered in the era of the automobile and was described as the Second Industrial Revolution. We're now experiencing a second revolution: adding intelligence to common products to make them better. And this intelligence is coming for your running shoes. is pioneering the world's first truly smart running shoe: one that measures motion over time, so you can determine how your body experiences impact and how your form degrades as you fatigue. This is game-changing: imagine knowing when you've over-extended...
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No runner wants to get injured. But the worst part of an injury is often the mental side of it, not the physical! Sure, you can go to the PT or self-treat your injury. That will help you physically heal. But what about your loss of identity when you can't run? What about the loss of a future goal? How will you respond to feeling like you lost your community? Perhaps more importantly, your mental outlook will affect how you treat your injury and the level of success of that treatment. We have to get this right! Joining me is mental skills coach and psychologist Carrie Jackson. She is...
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Bestselling author, running coach, nutritionist, and 2:39 marathoner Matt Fitzgerald is back on the podcast! Today, we're answering the big question: How do you master the sport of running? We're not talking about getting fast or turning pro. Instead, we're talking about mastering the craft of running: becoming process-oriented and in-tune with yourself so that you can achieve your potential in the sport. Matt's new book, , addresses this topic. He's also authored 30+ other endurance books, including some of my favorites: (with Brad Hudson) In this episode, we talk about...
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Running gets harder as we get older. Being a master's runner makes it harder to focus on health, speed, and improvement. But with a sound approach, we can thrive in our 40's, 50's, and beyond. Joining us is Coach Michael McGrane, who has been in the running industry for more than 40 years. Currently the head coach of the Norwich University Cross Country team, he's won "Coach of the Year" awards, holds a 2:30 marathon PR, and is currently training for his 24th Boston Marathon. We’re going to discuss the physical and psychological changes that have to occur as Master’s runners if we...
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Coach Elisabeth Scott hosts the enormously popular podcast and joins us today to answer your running questions! We’ll be answering questions about warmups and cool-downs, strides, tempo workouts, core routines, how to taper effectively, and when to schedule strength training. Want to get your questions answered by Jason during our live Coaching Call? Join ! Thank you Gut & Green! Previnex’s new powder is my new go-to. It has organic barley and oat grass, alfalfa, spirulina, chlorella, kale and broccoli… and that’s it. Their ingredients are backed by clinical data and...
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Melanie is a 40-year old runner who had some success in her 20's but is now ready to make a comeback. How can she do it? In this behind-the-scenes coaching call, Jason helps Melanie with her training and goals as she re-commits herself to running after years focusing on weightlifting. Melanie is a member of Team Strength Running, our group coaching program that gives you a team of your peers, ongoing coaching guidance from me, a library of training plans and other resources gear discounts, and more. Join our team at to dial in your training and make 2025 your best year yet. We discuss: ...
info_outlineOn the podcast with me this week to discuss strength training and durability is Dr. Tim DiFrancesco. Tim has a bachelors in Exercise Science & Athletic Training and a doctorate in Physical Therapy, and spent over 6 years as the head strength and conditioning coach for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA.
After leaving the NBA, Tim developed TD Athlete’s Edge, a nationally renowned performance facility known for its scientific approach to training, nutrition, and recovery. He was a previous guest where we discussed how lifting can help you reach your potential as a runner, and today we are introducing a new program to help you do just that: Run Strong.
Tim and I have worked together to build a durability program that will keep you healthy and maximize your running performances. We’re offering a special launch discount of 15% with code RUNSTRONG15 that’s valid through Sunday, December 10. Go here to check out the program and everything that’s included.
In addition to introducing our newest program, Tim and I also discuss:
- Why durability needs to be built and be runner specific
- What it means to balance an acute and chronic workload
- Why strength training allows you to make more “mistakes” in your running
- How resistance training improves tissue performance and running economy
- Using complementary strength training to make your running feel better
- The zones of lower body durability
Enjoy our conversation and learn how you can Run Strong!
Links & Resources from the Show:
- Follow Tim and TD Athletes Edge on Instagram
- Listen to my previous episode with Tim
- Learn more about Run Strong (save 15% with code RUNSTRONG15 through Sunday, 12/10!)
Thank you DrinkLMNT!
A big thanks to DrinkLMNT for their support of this episode! They make electrolyte drinks for athletes and low-carb folks with no sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. They are offering a free gift with your purchase at DrinkLMNT. And this does NOT have to be your first purchase. You’ll get a sample pack with every flavor so you can try them all before deciding what you like best.
DrinkLMNT's products have some of the highest sodium concentrations that you can find. Anybody who runs a lot knows that sodium, as well as other electrolytes like magnesium and potassium, are essential to our performance and how we feel throughout the day.
My favorite flavor is watermelon salt, but citrus salt is also a banger. I’m drinking one a day now to help me get enough fluids in our dry Colorado air. It’s tasty and delicious and I find that I’m not peeing every 45 minutes throughout the day, which might be an indication I wasn’t eating enough sodium.
There’s now mounting evidence that higher sodium intake levels are not unhealthy – and athletes need substantially more than your typical sedentary person. Of course, ask your doctor if you’re worried. But for those athletes running outside in the heat, an electrolyte replacement makes a lot of sense. So check out DrinkLMNT to try their new flavor or get a free sampler pack.
Thank You Previnex!
After resisting most supplements for the better part of my life, I’m cautiously changing my tune. I’m less than a year from being a Masters runner and in my personal life, I’m optimizing for longevity. I want to be my healthiest self for as long as possible and I’m excited to partner with Previnex to make that happen.
Previnex uses the most bioavailable, clinically tested ingredients, the optimal form and dose of each ingredient, pharmaceutical grade manufacturing, testing of raw ingredients and finished products. For every purchase you make, they also donate vitamins to kids in need.
I’ve been taking their Immune Support and multivitamin over the last month and I feel great. I have more energy and clarity, not to mention peace of mind that I’m giving my body what it needs. I believe Previnex works and I hope you experience the same benefits as I do. Use code jason15 for 15% off your order at Previnex!