The Adaptable Athlete Podcast

• What Is Metastability? Making Theory Practical w/ Alan Dunton

  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

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• Why Exploration Beats Perfection: 25 years of Coaching Fighters w/ Adam Singer

  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

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• Practice That Transfers: From Problem Solving to Game Day w/ Shawn Myszka

  Send us a textShawn 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 ResourcesShawn Myszka’s Book: Enhancing Skill in American Football: Revolutionizing Practice Design for Transfer to Game DayEmergence: emergentmvmt.comShawn Myszka Blog Post – Wu Xin: Turning Off the Mind to Solve More Problems on the FieldBarry Sanders NFL Top 100 Segment: Barry Sanders on “just reacting” (NFL Films)Ep 86 w/ ShawnCredits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io Let's Chat!Twitter: @thecoachjavIG: @thecoachjav

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• Breaking Free from Perfect Mechanics w/ Garrett Baker

  Send us a textGarrett 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 performanceWhy pitching velocity isn't everythingHow reframing pitchers as “out-getters” changes the way we think about trainingThe pitcher-batter relationship and its central role in pitching successThe impact of conviction and intention on the moundWhy variability and “serious play” are critical to long-term developmentIf 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] + Mentions:Garrett Baker’s previous episode: Pitching Beyond the MetricsPOST Framework Paper Jesus Luzardo breakdown with Dallas Braden – Slab LabCertified Skill Acquisition Specialist (CSAS) InfoCredits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io Let's Chat!Twitter: @thecoachjavIG: @thecoachjav

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• 6 Minutes of Skill: How Does the Weight Room Fit within an Ecological Approach?

  Send us a textWelcome back to the Adaptable Athlete Podcast! In this episode, we dive into another edition of the 6 Minutes of Skill series — where Coach Jav breaks down a key skill acquisition concept in under 6 minutes (or close enough).This time, we’re tackling a big one:How does the weight room fit within an ecological approach?The weight room and ecological dynamics can often feel like they're pulling in different directions. But in this quick-hit episode, Coach Jav unpacks: ✅ Why the weight room isn’t the enemy ✅ How to create meaningful links between strength work and skill ✅ How variability can be a secret weapon in the weight room ✅ Why being weight room strong doesn’t necessarily mean being skillfulIf 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] ResourcesEmergence Website Emergence Weight Room CourseCredits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io Let's Chat!Twitter: @thecoachjavIG: @thecoachjav

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