The Gap

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Why do some athletes train hard, lift heavy, sprint fast—and still feel tight, beat up, or inconsistent?
In this episode of The Gap Podcast, I sit down with Shawn Sherman to unpack the ideas behind Square 1 and why returning to fundamental joint actions, intent, and neurological clarity can unlock rapid changes in pain, range of motion, and performance.
This conversation goes beyond exercises and drills. We dig into why Square 1 was created, what’s actually happening in the nervous system during isometric joint actions, and how coaches can better understand what their assessments are really telling them.
• What led to the creation of Square 1 and the problems it was designed to solve
• What’s happening neurologically when an isometric suddenly restores range of motion or reduces pain
• What coaches misunderstand about muscle testing and what’s actually being measured
• Why athletes who train hard can still feel beat up or capped in performance
• Common gait and stance patterns that immediately signal a system under threat
• How Square 1 would change the weekly approach for a strong but inconsistent high school or college athlete
• How to integrate Square 1 into high-performance training without it becoming a distraction from real work
• When to stop trying to convince people and let results speak for themselves
• Why great coaches actively try to prove themselves wrong
• One Square 1 principle every coach and athlete can apply immediately without learning the entire system
This episode is for coaches, therapists, and athletes who want to understand why certain inputs create change—and how to build resilient, adaptable athletes without constantly chasing fixes.

Topics we cover in depth:

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Dylan Shannon on Social Media, Strength Coaching & Building Influence in FitnessIn this episode of the podcast, we sit down with Dylan Shannon, one of the fastest-growing social media strength coaches and fitness influencers, to break down what it really takes to build authority, audience, and impact in today’s fitness industry.Dylan has built a massive online presence by combining real training principles, relatable content, and strategic social media execution. In this conversation, we go beyond the highlight reels and viral clips to talk about the systems, mindset, and mistakes behind growing a sustainable brand as a coach in the modern era.Whether you’re a strength coach, athlete, personal trainer, or content creator, this episode gives you actionable insight into how fitness, business, and social media intersect — and how to leverage all three without selling out your values.What We Cover in This EpisodeHow Dylan Shannon built his following as a strength coach on social mediaThe biggest mistakes coaches make when posting fitness content onlineWhy authenticity beats perfection in content creationHow to stand out in an oversaturated fitness industryThe difference between being a good coach vs. a good influencerTraining philosophy vs. internet trendsHow social media has changed the career path for coachesMonetization, brand deals, and building long-term influenceAdvice for young coaches trying to grow online without burning outWhy This Episode MattersSocial media has completely reshaped the fitness industry. Coaches no longer need a big gym, a pro roster, or traditional credentials to make an impact — but they do need clarity, consistency, and a real message.Dylan Shannon represents a new generation of coaches who understand that education, entertainment, and execution all matter. This episode dives into how to balance performance training with content creation while staying credible in a world driven by algorithms.If you’ve ever wondered:How fitness influencers actually growWhether social media helps or hurts coachingHow to turn content into real opportunityThis conversation is for you.Who Should ListenStrength & conditioning coachesPersonal trainersAthletes at any levelFitness content creatorsGym owners & online coachesAnyone trying to grow on social media in fitness

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In this episode of The Gap Podcast (#129), I sit down with Chris Martin to talk about what actually matters if you want to play Division 1 baseball and beyond.Chris is the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for LSU Baseball and previously spent multiple years in the Houston Astros organization, where he worked across player development and rehabilitation in one of the most advanced systems in professional baseball. His background spans both the college and pro game, giving him a rare lens on how athletes are built, broken, and developed at the highest levels.What separates Chris isn’t just his resume, but how he thinks about athletes. He lives in the space between performance, health, and long-term development. Not chasing trends. Not chasing tests. But building players who can survive and thrive in high-level baseball.In this conversation, we dive into:• What actually separates D1 players from everyone else• The real differences between high school, college, and pro baseball• Why the 60-yard dash is often overrated as a talent marker• How nicotine and THC quietly destroy recovery, focus, and nervous system output• What LSU and pro organizations actually look for in developing players• Why habits, not just talent, determine who lastsWe talk about how college baseball is a completely different environment than high school. Faster games. Higher volumes. More stress. More pressure. And why so many talented players struggle not because they aren’t skilled, but because their bodies, habits, and nervous systems aren’t prepared for the demands.Chris also explains why straight-line speed tests like the 60-yard dash don’t tell the full story. Speed matters, but baseball is about how you move, react, rotate, decelerate, and express power in chaotic positions. If all you train is a sprint test, you miss what actually shows up on the field.We also get into the uncomfortable stuff most people avoid. How nicotine and THC impact sleep, recovery, motivation, and the nervous system. These habits seem small, but at the D1 and pro level they quietly cap your ceiling and shorten careers.If you’re a high-school player chasing a D1 roster spot, a college athlete trying to survive and stand out, or a coach or parent trying to understand what really moves the needle, this episode will give you clarity most people never get.

Check us out on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGapPod

In this episode of the podcast, I sit down with TJ Cahill to talk about coaching principles everyone should know — not just what to coach, but how to think as a coach.TJ is a highly respected strength and conditioning coach with years of experience working with athletes across multiple levels and environments. What separates TJ isn’t a flashy system or viral exercises, but his ability to think deeply, communicate clearly, and apply principles instead of blindly following trends.He’s coached in real-world settings where constraints matter — limited time, limited buy-in, different personalities, different sports — and that experience shows in how he approaches training. TJ has a strong emphasis on long-term athlete development, adaptability, and understanding the human side of coaching, not just the physiological one.In this conversation, we dive into:• How TJ developed his coaching philosophy• Why principles matter more than methods or systems• The importance of critical thinking in an industry full of noise• Coaching the athlete in front of you, not the program on paper• What young coaches should focus on early in their careers• How to build trust, buy-in, and real progress over timeThis episode is especially valuable for coaches who feel overwhelmed by conflicting information online or pressured to chase whatever is currently trending. TJ brings a grounded, thoughtful perspective that cuts through the noise and brings coaching back to what actually matters.Whether you coach youth athletes, high school programs, college athletes, or adults who still identify as athletes, this conversation will help sharpen how you think about training, communication, and leadership.If you found this episode valuable, make sure to like, subscribe, and share it with another coach who needs to hear it.

Welcome back to The Gap Podcast with Hitman Performance (Brett Hart) and Jacked Javelin (Dan). In this episode, we sit down with Ryan Paul, one of the most forward-thinking coaches in modern sports performance, to break down what it really means to become a “new athlete” in today’s era.

Athletes aren’t just lifting weights anymore— they’re training their nervous system, their tendons, their mindset, and their ability to absorb, redirect, and produce force at elite speeds. Ryan explains how training has evolved, what separates average from elite performers, and how young athletes can start building the foundation now.
If you're a coach, parent, or athlete who wants to understand the future of performance training, this episode is a must-watch.
What defines the “new athlete” in 2025 and beyond

Why neurology and nervous system training matter

Developing elastic strength, stiffness, and force absorption

How to structure training for long-term athletic development

Lessons from coaching high-level performers

Mindset shifts every athlete needs to make

Practical takeaways for youth, high school, and college athletes

The Gap dives deep into sports performance, neurology, elite training methods, and athlete development, featuring top coaches, researchers, and athletes from around the world. Hosted by Hitman Performance & Jacked Javelin.
Ryan PaulInstagram: @newathlete
Hitman Performance (Brett)Instagram: @bretthart__
Jacked Javelin (Dan)Instagram: @jackedjavelin