#40: Strength Coaching with David Hageman, Ph.D.

Guest: David Hageman, Ph.D., Strength & Conditioning Coach, Tactical Athlete Specialist, and Assistant Chief at the Denver Fire Department

Host: Rob Shaul

Episode Summary:
Dr. David Hageman is a veteran strength and conditioning coach with experience as a gym owner, High School Strength & Conditioning Coach, and Tactical Strength Coach (military and fire/rescue). We dive deep into his experience training high school athletes, developing strength programs for football players, and adapting training for tactical professionals in the fire service. Included is nerdy talk about favorite exercises, set/rep schemes and other fascinating details for other scholar-meatheads.

Dr. Hageman shares his insights on:
✔️ The evolution of high school strength programs
✔️ Strength standards and periodization for football athletes
✔️ The balance between general strength training and sport-specific work
✔️ The unique challenges of firefighter fitness and operational readiness
✔️ Lessons learned from coaching both young athletes and tactical professionals

🔥 Lightning Round Topics:
• Best total body lift? (Power clean & push press)
• Most overrated exercise? (Handstand walks & circus tricks)
• Most underrated exercise? (Nordic hamstring curls & neck training)
• Strength coach influences? (Dan John, NSCA, and Mountain Tactical programming)
• What’s his dream job? (High school & tactical strength coaching)

Links & Resources:
📌 David Hageman’s Credentials & Background
📌 Fluid Periodization & Strength Programming Resources
📌 Operator Ugly & Tactical Fitness Assessments

• Mountain Tactical Institute Home
• Check out the MTI Athlete Team
• Apply to be a Paid MTI Athlete
• MTI's Daily Programming Streams