Online Training for Killing It In the Gym

Jan. 17, 2020

Strength and conditioning coach James Cerbie is the founder of Rebel Performance and host of the podcast by the same name. He’s on a mission to forge a new breed of athlete while giving that athlete a tribe and a competitive outlet.  What’s amazing is not just that he and a squad of other experts are developing a training library and launching competitions, but that they’re doing it all online. Only those interested in becoming complete freak athletes need apply.

In this interview, James and I talk about his remote coaching model, and how he manages to create a sense of community amongst athletes living great distances apart.  He discusses his 6 pillars of athletic performance (strength, hypertrophy, power, endurance, movement IQ, and fusion) and how his team of experts deliver results in these areas. He also shares his no-nonsense nutrition recommendations and talks about how Crossfit measures up to his approach.

Here’s the outline of this interview with James Cerbie:

[00:00:57] Zac Cupples; Podcast: Movement Analysis and Breathing Strategies for Pain Relief and Improved Performance.

[00:01:46] Physical Therapist and coach Bill Hartman.

[00:02:30] Background in health and performance.

[00:06:29] 6 pillars of athletic performance.

[00:09:16] Ben House, PhD. Podcasts: Ben House, PhD on Strength Training: a Discussion at the Flō Retreat Center in Costa Rica (2/6/19); How to Manage Testosterone and Estrogen in Athletes (1/21/18).

[00:12:48] Postural Restoration Institute (PRI).

[00:12:54] Mike T Nelson; Podcasts: CBD and Cannabinoids: Beneficial Plant Compounds or All Hype? (11/1/19); How to Assess an Athlete: The Best Principles, Methods, and Devices to Use (7/19/18); The Importance of Strength Training for Endurance Athletes (3/2/17); High Ketones and Carbs at the Same Time? Great Performance Tip or Horrible Idea… (12/30/16).

[00:15:22] Pat Davidson, PhD.

[00:21:55] Academia vs business.

[00:26:55] Rebel Performance.

[00:29:33] Comparison to Crossfit.

[00:31:28] Incorporating community and competition into training.

[00:36:42] Christopher Ryan, PhD. Podcast: Civilized to Death: Are We Really Making Progress?

[00:37:28] Remote coaching model.

[00:41:43] Nutrition recommendations.

[00:48:22] In person meet-ups.

[00:49:38] The Top Strength Project, run by Steve Tripp.

[00:50:41] Rebel Performance Radio.

[00:54:49] Physiological need for stressors.

[00:56:26] Doug Hilbert from Virta; Podcasts with Doug: How Busy Realtors Can Avoid Anxiety and Depression Without Prescriptions or the Help of a Doctor, and Ancestral Health Symposium ‘18 Recap.

[00:56:26] Study on biological age: Lehallier, Benoit, et al. "Undulating changes in human plasma proteome profiles across the lifespan." Nature Medicine 25.12 (2019): 1843-1850.

[01:05:55] Compete at train.rebel-performance.com; Silverback Training Project.