The Adaptable Athlete Podcast

Send us a textThe Modern Coach's Planner — built for coaches who think differently — Back!Order yours today at: https://thecoachjav.com/products/modern-coach-plannerIn 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-plannerSupport & ContactIf 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 @thecoachjavor by email at [email protected] & LinksRob Gray – The Advanced Ecological ApproachRob Gray’s websiteThe Adaptable Athlete Podcast:EmergenceCredits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io Let's Chat!Twitter: @thecoachjavIG: @thecoachjav

Send us a textThe 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-plannerIn 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 DiscussedHow Greg and DeAndre built their coach–athlete relationshipTransitioning from traditional to ecological Jiu-Jitsu trainingCommunication, trust, and autonomy in coachingManaging competition prep and recoveryWhy “control isn’t coaching” and how autonomy drives growthIf 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-plannerSupport & ContactIf 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 [email protected] and LinksStandard Jiu-Jitsu: https://standardjiujitsu.comStandard Jiu-Jitsu on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/standardjiujitsu?igsh=MWN5endrZTVud3RwMw==Greg Souders on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gdsouders?igsh=N2VtcjJyMXgwcW82DeAndre Corbe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deandre_corbe/Emergence – The Movement Academy: https://emergentmvmt.comEmergence on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emergentmvmt?igsh=Y2JuMm53c3N0bjZhThe Adaptable Athlete Podcast Website:  theadaptableathlete.comCredits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io Let's Chat!Twitter: @thecoachjavIG: @thecoachjav

Send us a text*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 [email protected] your Free Practice Design Checklist!Episode ResourcesEpisode 113 w/ DuarteDownload the Academic Papers from Duarte What Exactly Is Acquired During Skill Acquisition by Duarte Araújo & Keith DavidsEmergence Website Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io Let's Chat!Twitter: @thecoachjavIG: @thecoachjav

Send us a text*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 coachingUnderstanding metastability: from theory to practical applicationExploration vs. stability — what do athletes really need?Designing training environments for adaptabilityThe launch of the new MSc in Skill Acquisition for Sport at MTUThis 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 hereMTU MSc in Skill Acquisition for Sport → https://www.mtu.ieAlan Dunton on X → https://x.com/alanduntonEmergence → https://www.emergentmvmt.comThe Adaptable Athlete Podcast on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@thecoachjavCredits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io Let's Chat!Twitter: @thecoachjavIG: @thecoachjav

Send us a textAdam 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 decadesStories from the gym: balancing intensity with care, developing fighters responsibly, and lessons learned across 25+ years in MMAThe role of exploration and aliveness in training, and why “sloppy” doesn’t always mean wrongWhy there are no shortcuts in adopting an ecological approach, and the pitfalls of surface-level buzzwordsHow 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 @[email protected] in this episode:SBG AthensEcological Dynamics in Sport Combat — Paper (ResearchGate link)EmergenceWatch full podcast episodes on YouTube → youtube.com/@thecoachjavEpisode Resources:CSAS CertificationAdam 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: @thecoachjavIG: @thecoachjav