Join us on a friendship built through working at the University of Washington. Brandon Chu, Nate Allas joins PA Chalk Up for a round table on how we started together and how we have developed since. This is the first instalment of Dub-ois where we hang out and talk shop.This episode is Sponsored by TeamBuildr:Coaches, revolutionise your training programs with their cutting-edge platform. Create and customised workouts, track progress, communicate effortlessly, and analyse performance data-all in one place. Take advantage of our 30-day free trial and see how TeamBuildr can elevate your team's performance.Head over to www.teambuildr.com and use code "PACHALKUP" for your 30-day free trial.Nates Socials:Instagram - @nathan_allasBrandons Socials:Instagram - @justbchuMannys Socials:Instagram - @_coachmanny_Enquiries:mannysilveira@primitiveathletix.comWebsite:www.primitiveathletix.com
Kerry Thompson is a performance coach with the University of Southern California football program. We talk building fast, resilient athletes in a pressure-cooker environment—where culture, standards, and smart training matter more than fancy toys. Real stories, zero fluff, lots of takeaways.This episode is Sponsored by TeamBuildr:Coaches, revolutionise your training programs with their cutting-edge platform. Create and customised workouts, track progress, communicate effortlessly, and analyse performance data-all in one place. Take advantage of our 30-day free trial and see how TeamBuildr can elevate your team's performance.Head over to www.teambuildr.com and use code "PACHALKUP" for your 30-day free trial.Apex Cool Labs has joined us as a sponsor, here is a little more about them:The Apex Cool Labs Narwhals give you a powerful edge by accelerating recovery and delaying fatigue during training and competition. By cooling the body through the palms—one of the most effective places to remove heat—the Narwhals help maintain performance longer, allowing you to add extra volume to lifts and intervals, and prolonging stamina during games. The Narwhals can be found in weight rooms and on sidelines in all major sports including football/soccer, basketball, hockey, volleyball, and beyond. To find out how you could get your hands on the Narwhals, please follow visit Apex Cool Labs on the link below.www.apexcoollabs.comManny' Social:Instagram - @_coachmanny_Enquiries:mannysilveira@primitiveathletix.comWebsite:primitiveathletix.com
Bryan Mann is a strength & conditioning coach, researcher, and one of the leading voices behind velocity-based training. We go deep on being a mad scientist, using speed to drive adaptation, auto-regulating without overthinking it, turning numbers into decisions, and the messy truth of building durable, fast athletes. Long-form, unfiltered, and stupid practical.This episode is Sponsored by TeamBuildr:Coaches, revolutionise your training programs with their cutting-edge platform. Create and customised workouts, track progress, communicate effortlessly, and analyse performance data-all in one place. Take advantage of our 30-day free trial and see how TeamBuildr can elevate your team's performance.Head over to www.teambuildr.com and use code "PACHALKUP" for your 30-day free trial.Apex Cool Labs has joined us as a sponsor, here is a little more about them:The Apex Cool Labs Narwhals give you a powerful edge by accelerating recovery and delaying fatigue during training and competition. By cooling the body through the palms—one of the most effective places to remove heat—the Narwhals help maintain performance longer, allowing you to add extra volume to lifts and intervals, and prolonging stamina during games. The Narwhals can be found in weight rooms and on sidelines in all major sports including football/soccer, basketball, hockey, volleyball, and beyond. To find out how you could get your hands on the Narwhals, please follow visit Apex Cool Labs on the link below.www.apexcoollabs.comManny' Social:Instagram - @_coachmanny_Enquiries:mannysilveira@primitiveathletix.comWebsite:primitiveathletix.com
Michael Fahey is a filmmaker and strength coach behind the "Westside Barbell vs The World" documentary. We get into Westside myth vs reality, his coaching biz and OVR, and the ruthless mindset that actually builds a winning training culture—no fluff, just what works.This episode is Sponsored by TeamBuildr:Coaches, revolutionise your training programs with their cutting-edge platform. Create and customised workouts, track progress, communicate effortlessly, and analyse performance data-all in one place. Take advantage of our 30-day free trial and see how TeamBuildr can elevate your team's performance.Head over to www.teambuildr.com and use code "PACHALKUP" for your 30-day free trial.Apex Cool Labs has joined us as a sponsor, here is a little more about them:The Apex Cool Labs Narwhals give you a powerful edge by accelerating recovery and delaying fatigue during training and competition. By cooling the body through the palms—one of the most effective places to remove heat—the Narwhals help maintain performance longer, allowing you to add extra volume to lifts and intervals, and prolonging stamina during games. The Narwhals can be found in weight rooms and on sidelines in all major sports including football/soccer, basketball, hockey, volleyball, and beyond. To find out how you could get your hands on the Narwhals, please follow visit Apex Cool Labs on the link below.www.apexcoollabs.comManny' Social:Instagram - @_coachmanny_Enquiries:mannysilveira@primitiveathletix.comWebsite:primitiveathletix.com
Thomas Newman is back on the podcast — and this time, he’s doing it all under his own banner. Now working independently through Newman HP, Thomas brings even more clarity, edge, and impact to the performance world.In this episode, we dive into what’s changed, what’s stayed true, and what it really means to coach athletes at the highest level. From elite-level programming decisions to managing athlete readiness with purpose, Thomas shares raw, unfiltered takes that challenge the norms of the industry.If you’re a coach, you’ll walk away with:A better understanding of performance under pressureTools to navigate real-life innovations in the fieldWhy being a flexible is key for athlete developmentThis episode is Sponsored by TeamBuildr:Coaches, revolutionise your training programs with their cutting-edge platform. Create and customised workouts, track progress, communicate effortlessly, and analyse performance data-all in one place. Take advantage of our 30-day free trial and see how TeamBuildr can elevate your team's performance.Head over to www.teambuildr.com and use code "PACHALKUP" for your 30-day free trial.Apex Cool Labs has joined us as a sponsor, here is a little more about them:The Apex Cool Labs Narwhals give you a powerful edge by accelerating recovery and delaying fatigue during training and competition. By cooling the body through the palms—one of the most effective places to remove heat—the Narwhals help maintain performance longer, allowing you to add extra volume to lifts and intervals, and prolonging stamina during games. The Narwhals can be found in weight rooms and on sidelines in all major sports including football/soccer, basketball, hockey, volleyball, and beyond. To find out how you could get your hands on the Narwhals, please follow visit Apex Cool Labs on the link below.www.apexcoollabs.comManny' Social:Instagram - @_coachmanny_Enquiries:mannysilveira@primitiveathletix.comWebsite:primitiveathletix.com
Episode 100 – The Best of PA Chalk Up (100 Episodes Strong)100 episodes. A hundred conversations that have shaped how we look at strength & conditioning, sport science, and what it actually means to coach athletes.To celebrate, we’ve pulled together 10 of the most powerful moments from past guests—raw, unfiltered insights that stick with you long after the mic is off:Ron McKeefery – Building confidence in coaches.Mike Boyle – Sport science integration in the industry and building confidence in all lifts.Dane Miller – Do hard lifts; they’re not hard to teach.Paul Comfort – The importance of conditioning in sport.Joey Guarascio – Building preparation for practice.Bert Sorin – The Open Door Theory.Sean Swetnam – No excuses on performance standards.AJ Middleton – Taking athletes to the deep end.Thomas Newman – Myths of periodisation.Ray Zingler – It’s okay to not hit 100% all the time.This one’s a throwback highlight reel. Ten clips. Ten lessons. Ten reminders of why we started this podcast in the first place.This episode is Sponsored by TeamBuildr:Coaches, revolutionise your training programs with their cutting-edge platform. Create and customised workouts, track progress, communicate effortlessly, and analyse performance data-all in one place. Take advantage of our 30-day free trial and see how TeamBuildr can elevate your team's performance.Head over to www.teambuildr.com and use code "PACHALKUP" for your 30-day free trial.Apex Cool Labs has joined us as a sponsor, here is a little more about them:The Apex Cool Labs Narwhals give you a powerful edge by accelerating recovery and delaying fatigue during training and competition. By cooling the body through the palms—one of the most effective places to remove heat—the Narwhals help maintain performance longer, allowing you to add extra volume to lifts and intervals, and prolonging stamina during games. The Narwhals can be found in weight rooms and on sidelines in all major sports including football/soccer, basketball, hockey, volleyball, and beyond. To find out how you could get your hands on the Narwhals, please follow visit Apex Cool Labs on the link below.www.apexcoollabs.comManny' Social:Instagram - @_coachmanny_Enquiries:mannysilveira@primitiveathletix.comWebsite:primitiveathletix.com
Blair Lloyd, Strength and Conditioning Coach and Director of Training at Pure Performance, works with athletes across various disciplines, bringing a data-driven approach to her programs. Blair places a strong emphasis on athlete metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to guide her training. This episode is Sponsored by TeamBuildr:Coaches, revolutionise your training programs with their cutting-edge platform. Create and customised workouts, track progress, communicate effortlessly, and analyse performance data-all in one place. Take advantage of our 30-day free trial and see how TeamBuildr can elevate your team's performance.Head over to www.teambuildr.com and use code "PACHALKUP" for your 30-day free trial.Blair' Socials:Instagram - @builtforthissportsperformanceManny' Social:Instagram - @_coachmanny_Enquiries:mannysilveira@primitiveathletix.comWebsite:primitiveathletix.com
AJ Middleton is the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach at Seattle Prep High School, but to me, he’s much more than just a title. I first met AJ during our time at the University of Washington, where he was not only a coach but also the driving force behind the internship program. It was in that setting that I had the privilege to learn directly under his guidance.AJ shaped a huge part of my coaching foundation. His mentorship went beyond just sets and reps—he taught me how to think critically, communicate effectively, and lead with intent. A lot of how I approach coaching today—my systems, standards, and even the way I handle athlete development—can be traced back to what I learned from AJ in those early days.Having him on the podcast was not only a full-circle moment, but a reminder of how impactful great mentorship can be. If you’re a young coach looking to learn from someone who genuinely invests in people, AJ’s someone you want in your corner.This episode is Sponsored by TeamBuildr:Coaches, revolutionise your training programs with their cutting-edge platform. Create and customised workouts, track progress, communicate effortlessly, and analyse performance data-all in one place. Take advantage of our 30-day free trial and see how TeamBuildr can elevate your team's performance.Head over to www.teambuildr.com and use code "PACHALKUP" for your 30-day free trial.Coach AJ:Instagram - @coach_aj_middletonManny Silveira:Instagram - @_coachmanny_Enquiries:mannysilveira@primitiveathletix.comWebsite:www.primitiveathletix.com
Olivia Abdoo, sports medicine expert at the UFC Performance Institute, joins us to break down the brand new concussion protocol created to help UFC fighters return to sport both safely and efficiently.We explore:✅ How the UFC PI built a system rooted in athlete safety and performance✅ The blend of neuroscience, cognitive return-to-play benchmarks, and fight-specific demands✅ How Olivia's experience shaped the framework for treating head trauma in combat sports✅ Why the protocol goes beyond clearance and focuses on capacity to competeThis episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in high-stakes return-to-play strategy, brain health, and athlete-first performance systems.This episode is Sponsored by TeamBuildr:Coaches, revolutionise your training programs with their cutting-edge platform. Create and customised workouts, track progress, communicate effortlessly, and analyse performance data-all in one place. Take advantage of our 30-day free trial and see how TeamBuildr can elevate your team's performance.Head over to www.teambuildr.com and use code "PACHALKUP" for your 30-day free trial.Dr Olivia Abdoo:Instagram - @oliveabdooManny Silveira:Instagram - @_coachmanny_Enquiries:mannysilveira@primitiveathletix.comWebsite:www.primitiveathletix.com
In this episode, I sit down with Alex Beljic, a strength and conditioning coach at the University of Southern California working with women’s soccer, swimming, and diving. We dive into:His core coaching principles and adaptive learning strategiesKey programming considerations across multiple sportsThe internship process and lessons for emerging coachesA valuable conversation for anyone looking to sharpen their coaching lens and build adaptable, sport-specific programsThis episode is Sponsored by TeamBuildr:Coaches, revolutionise your training programs with their cutting-edge platform. Create and customised workouts, track progress, communicate effortlessly, and analyse performance data-all in one place. Take advantage of our 30-day free trial and see how TeamBuildr can elevate your team's performance.Head over to www.teambuildr.com and use code "PACHALKUP" for your 30-day free trial.Coach Alex:Instagram - @beljoneManny Silveira:Instagram - @_coachmanny_Enquiries:mannysilveira@primitiveathletix.comWebsite:www.primitiveathletix.com
In this episode, I sit down with Madison Peele, a strength and conditioning coach working with the Florida State University beach & indoor volleyball. We dive into:Building and sustaining a strong team cultureProgramming principles specific to volleyballExpanding and adapting the coaching toolboxThis one's all about staying open-minded, being adaptable, and finding the right approach for each moment. A great listen for any coach looking to evolve their practice.This episode is Sponsored by TeamBuildr:Coaches, revolutionise your training programs with their cutting-edge platform. Create and customised workouts, track progress, communicate effortlessly, and analyse performance data-all in one place. Take advantage of our 30-day free trial and see how TeamBuildr can elevate your team's performance.Head over to www.teambuildr.com and use code "PACHALKUP" for your 30-day free trial.Coach Peele:Instagram - @madisoncpeele & @no_quarter_performance_llcManny Silveira:Instagram - @_coachmanny_Enquiries:mannysilveira@primitiveathletix.comWebsite:www.primitiveathletix.com
Had an incredible conversation with Kenna Smoak-Minnici, Performance Director at Army West Point. We dove into how she experiments with tools before they ever reach her athletes, and how every decision is filtered through the lens of what the sport—and the soldier—demands.Kenna breaks down the unique differences between a traditional collegiate program and West Point’s high-performance environment. Intentional. Tactical. Built different.This episode is Sponsored by TeamBuildr:Coaches, revolutionise your training programs with their cutting-edge platform. Create and customised workouts, track progress, communicate effortlessly, and analyse performance data-all in one place. Take advantage of our 30-day free trial and see how TeamBuildr can elevate your team's performance.Head over to www.teambuildr.com and use code "PACHALKUP" for your 30-day free trial.Coach Smoak:Instagram - @kenna_minniciManny Silveira:Instagram - @_coachmanny_Enquiries:mannysilveira@primitiveathletix.comWebsite:www.primitiveathletix.com
Sat down with Bert Sorin, President of Sorinex and an absolute legend in the world of strength. We got into the roots of weight equipment history, what shaped the Sorinex brand, and how the Scottish Highland Games influenced his mindset.We also tackled the current state of the strength industry—where it’s thriving, where it’s slipping, and what real development looks like.This episode is Sponsored by TeamBuildr:Coaches, revolutionise your training programs with their cutting-edge platform. Create and customised workouts, track progress, communicate effortlessly, and analyse performance data-all in one place. Take advantage of our 30-day free trial and see how TeamBuildr can elevate your team's performance.Head over to www.teambuildr.com and use code "PACHALKUP" for your 30-day free trial.Bert Sorin:Instagram - @bertsorinSorinex Website:www.sorinex.comManny Silveira:Instagram - @_coachmanny_Enquiries:mannysilveira@primitiveathletix.comWebsite:www.primitiveathletix.com
In this episode of PA Chalk Up, I sit down with Matrixx Ferreira—Canadian strength coach, founder of Iron Performance, and a guy who’s doing things differently in the world of athlete development. From the ground up, Matrixx has built a training facility where culture, mentorship, and performance collide. We talk about the behind-the-scenes structure of Iron Performance, how he blends pro and youth athletes in the same space to create organic mentorship moments, and why his session model is a masterclass in leadership development.We also dive into the programming philosophy that drives results, the psychology behind creating a growth environment, and why Matrixx believes in giving younger athletes a seat at the table. If you’re a coach, an athlete, or someone who loves high-performance conversations—you’re gonna love this one.This episode is Sponsored by TeamBuildr:Coaches, revolutionise your training programs with their cutting-edge platform. Create and customised workouts, track progress, communicate effortlessly, and analyse performance data-all in one place. Take advantage of our 30-day free trial and see how TeamBuildr can elevate your team's performance.Head over to www.teambuildr.com and use code "PACHALKUP" for your 30-day free trial.Coach Matrixx:Instagram - @coachtrixxManny Silveira:Instagram - @_coachmanny_Enquiries:mannysilveira@primitiveathletix.comWebsite:www.primitiveathletix.com
Valerie Smith-Hale is a strength and conditioning coach working with women’s soccer at Notre Dame. She’s also doing something a lot of coaches talk about but never actually do—conducting her own research and getting it approved.We sat down and got into everything:– How she actually programs for soccer athletes– Load management that goes way beyond the basics– What it's like balancing real coaching with leading applied research– Why the field needs less fluff and more practical data– Navigating the politics of coaching, research, and athlete wellbeingThis episode is Sponsored by TeamBuildr:Coaches, revolutionise your training programs with their cutting-edge platform. Create and customised workouts, track progress, communicate effortlessly, and analyse performance data-all in one place. Take advantage of our 30-day free trial and see how TeamBuildr can elevate your team's performance.Head over to www.teambuildr.com and use code "PACHALKUP" for your 30-day free trial.Coach Val:Instagram - @valeriegeorgiaManny Silveira:Instagram - @_coachmanny_Enquiries:mannysilveira@primitiveathletix.comWebsite:www.primitiveathletix.com
In this episode of PA Chalk Up, we sit down with Joey Guarascio, ADD of sports performance at Tulsa University, to break down what it really takes to build resilient, explosive, and game-ready athletes in today’s high-performance landscape.Joey shares his philosophy on athlete development, programming principles, and how he creates adaptable, high-output systems that translate directly to on-field success. From culture-building and leadership to balancing speed, strength, and readiness — this conversation dives deep into the real work behind the weight room doors.This episode is Sponsored by TeamBuildr:Coaches, revolutionise your training programs with their cutting-edge platform. Create and customised workouts, track progress, communicate effortlessly, and analyse performance data-all in one place. Take advantage of our 30-day free trial and see how TeamBuildr can elevate your team's performance.Head over to www.teambuildr.com and use code "PACHALKUP" for your 30-day free trial.Coach Joey:Instagram - @coachjoeygManny Silveira:Instagram - @_coachmanny_Enquiries:mannysilveira@primitiveathletix.comWebsite:www.primitiveathletix.com
Federica and I go way back to our university days, and it’s been incredible watching each other evolve in the industry since then. We've stayed connected, challenged each other, and pushed our respective limits.In this episode, we dive deep into the role Federica has carved out for herself and the powerful business she’s building in Kenya. We break down her innovative work in the nutrition space, the story behind her ‘Power Pops’ product, and the mission driving it all.It’s a conversation about growth, purpose, and turning vision into action—with plenty of laughs and insight along the way.This episode is Sponsored by TeamBuildr:Coaches, revolutionise your training programs with their cutting-edge platform. Create and customised workouts, track progress, communicate effortlessly, and analyse performance data-all in one place. Take advantage of our 30-day free trial and see how TeamBuildr can elevate your team's performance.Head over towww.teambuildr.com and use code "PACHALKUP" for your 30-day free trial.Federica Trufelli:Instagram - @federicatrufelliManny Silveira:Instagram -@_coachmanny_Enquiries:mannysilveira@primitiveathletix.comWebsite:primitiveathletix.com
In this episode, we delve into the world of sports performance with Panagiotis Roxanas—a seasoned Strength and Conditioning Coach with over a decade of experience. Panagiotis has worked extensively in volleyball, notably with the Markopoulo Revoil Volleyball Club, leading teams to multiple national championships. His expertise spans from grassroots development to elite performance, emphasizing a holistic and athlete-centered coaching philosophy.Panagiotis's approach combines scientific rigor with practical wisdom, offering valuable insights for coaches, athletes, and sports enthusiasts alike.This episode is Sponsored by TeamBuildr:Coaches, revolutionise your training programs with their cutting-edge platform. Create and customised workouts, track progress, communicate effortlessly, and analyse performance data-all in one place. Take advantage of our 30-day free trial and see how TeamBuildr can elevate your team's performance.Head over towww.teambuildr.com and use code "PACHALKUP" for your 30-day free trial.Coach Panagiotis:Instagram - @panagiotis_roxManny Silveira:Instagram -@_coachmanny_Enquiries:mannysilveira@primitiveathletix.comWebsite:primitiveathletix.com
In this episode of PA Chalk Up, we welcome Fred Hale, Assistant Director of Strength & Conditioning at the legendary University of Notre Dame football program.Fred brings years of experience working at the highest levels of collegiate football, and he currently helps lead the physical preparation for one of the most iconic teams in NCAA history. From developing explosive power and durability in elite athletes to managing training loads across a demanding D1 season, Fred offers a deep dive into what it takes to build a high-performance environment at scale.We cover:- The performance philosophy behind Notre Dame Football- How Fred structures training in-season vs. off-season- The culture and standards that separate good from greatWhether you’re coaching high school, college, or pro, this episode is packed with takeaways to level up your program. Fred’s grounded, science-backed, and athlete-first approach is a masterclass in modern S&C.👉 Tap in to learn what it really takes to develop championship-level athletes at Notre Dame.This episode is Sponsored by TeamBuildr:Coaches, revolutionise your training programs with their cutting-edge platform. Create and customised workouts, track progress, communicate effortlessly, and analyse performance data-all in one place. Take advantage of our 30-day free trial and see how TeamBuildr can elevate your team's performance.Head over towww.teambuildr.com and use code "PACHALKUP" for your 30-day free trial.Coach Hale:Instagram - @halefreddy55Manny Silveira:Instagram -@_coachmanny_Enquiries:mannysilveira@primitiveathletix.comWebsite:primitiveathletix.com
In this episode of PA Chalk Up, we sit down with Cristian Lambrecht, one of Argentina's most accomplished strength and conditioning coaches, now applying his expertise at the professional level with Bilbao Basket in Spain.Cristian has over two decades of experience developing elite athletes and has worked across multiple top-level teams and international federations. His resume includes time with Argentina’s national basketball and volleyball programs, and he's widely respected for his work in sports performance, athlete rehabilitation, and high-performance culture.In this conversation, we dive into:His transition from Argentina to the European basketball sceneHow he's reshaped Bilbao Basket’s physical preparation modelThe strategies that led to Bilbao’s recent FIBA Europe Cup victory 🏆His personal evolution as a coach working across cultures and continentsCristian brings a unique perspective on what it means to build and maintain elite performance in today’s game. Whether you're a coach, athlete, or sport science nerd, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.👉 Tune in and learn from one of the best in the game.This episode is Sponsored by TeamBuildr:Coaches, revolutionise your training programs with their cutting-edge platform. Create and customised workouts, track progress, communicate effortlessly, and analyse performance data-all in one place. Take advantage of our 30-day free trial and see how TeamBuildr can elevate your team's performance.Head over towww.teambuildr.com and use code "PACHALKUP" for your 30-day free trial.Coach Lic:Instagram - @lambrechtcristianManny Silveira:Instagram -@_coachmanny_Enquiries:mannysilveira@primitiveathletix.comWebsite:primitiveathletix.com