The MTI Podcast

#58: Ogden Gym, Denali, and the MTI Brief

Rob and Charlie discuss the establishment of MTI's new training workshop in Ogden, Utah, focusing on innovative training methods and the integration of lab rats for testing. Rob shares insights on polar training for older athletes, balancing strength and endurance, and highlights the journey of athlete Wyatt as he prepares for a challenging ascent of Denali. The conversation also introduces new members of the MTI athlete team and reviews a case study on ACL recovery, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive training during rehabilitation. Additionally, Rob and Charlie discuss 'The MTI Brief', a new email newsletter focused on bringing interesting insights, research, and news that are applicable to tactical and mountain athletes.

#57: Military Fitness, Ranger School, & Transitioning out of the Army

In this conversation, Rob Shaul and Brian Reed discuss the evolution of fitness and training for military personnel, particularly focusing on the importance of endurance, mobility, and nutrition as they age. They explore the H2F program, the significance of qualifications like the Ranger tab, and the transition from military to civilian life. Brian shares insights on crisis leadership from his experiences in combat and emphasizes the mindset of an athlete, regardless of age. The discussion also touches on the role of AI in enhancing decision-making and the importance of having a purpose in training.

#56: Command Sgt. Maj. Brandon Riley - The Realities of Senior Enlisted Leadership

In this episode, Rob Shaul speaks with Command Sgt. Maj. Brandon Riley, currently serving as the senior enlisted leader for 3-66 Armor Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. Riley discusses the real work of a battalion CSM—managing standards and discipline, mentoring company-level leaders, and maintaining unit readiness. He explains the dynamic between officers and NCOs, the balance between garrison and field responsibilities, and the internal pressures of holding a formation together. Riley also reflects on his combat deployments, leadership mistakes, and what two decades in the Army have taught him about accountability, influence, and the role of the senior enlisted.

#55: Utah MTI Fitness Lab, Ranger School Updates, & Zone 2 Sled Drags

Rob and Charlie discuss the establishment of a new fitness lab in Ogden, Utah, focusing on programming and training for athletes. They explore the target audience for lab rats, updates to the Ranger School Training Plan, and the implications of Ranger tabs on leadership and bias within the military. 
Rob covers innovative training methods for uphill movement, focusing on recent research and testing of sled drags. He shares insights from his personal training experiences, including the benefits of extended sled drags for strength and endurance. The discussion also covers the integration of zone two endurance training with strength work, emphasizing the importance of aerobic capacity for tactical athletes. 

#54: Gravel Racing, Training, and Ultra Running with MTI Athlete Jonathan Edwards

In this episode, I sit down with Jonathan Edwards, a tech consultant and elite ultra marathon runner based in Sandy, Utah. We discuss his experience racing the Belgian Waffle Race in Scottsdale, Arizona—an intense 104-mile gravel race with nearly 7,900 feet of elevation gain. Jonathan shares insights into race strategy, gear selection, and overcoming technical challenges on the course.
Beyond cycling, Jonathan talks about his transition back to ultra trail running, his upcoming races—including UTMB and Speedgoat 50K—and his training philosophy for endurance performance. He breaks down his nutrition and hydration strategies, his approach to balancing trail running and cycling, and the importance of lactate threshold testing and zone-based training.
If you're interested in gravel racing, ultra running, or optimizing endurance training, this episode is packed with insights and expert takeaways.
Topics Covered:
Belgian Waffle Race Recap: Course conditions, challenges, and performance breakdown
Bike and Gear Selection: Choosing the right setup for gravel racing
Tire Strategy: How tire choice impacts speed and traction
Power and Race Pacing: Managing effort across a long race
Fueling for Endurance: Jonathan’s approach to carbs, hydration, and in-race nutrition
Transitioning to Ultra Running: Upcoming race plans and training block
UTMB Preparation: Key strategies for tackling 100+ mile mountain races
Lactate Threshold and Zone-Based Training: How Jonathan is optimizing his endurance
Guest Bio:
Jonathan Edwards is an ultra marathon runner, endurance athlete, and tech consultant based in Sandy, Utah. A former road marathoner (2:44 PR), he has transitioned into ultra trail running, completing races at 50K, 50-mile, 100K, and 100-mile distances—with multiple top 10 finishes and a race win. He also incorporates cycling and strength training into his routine for a well-rounded endurance approach. Jonathan is currently training for UTMB, one of the most prestigious ultra marathons in the world.
Episode Highlights:
[00:00:00] The Belgian Waffle Race Overview: Course details, elevation, and challenges
[00:11:13] Race Strategy and Gear Selection: Tires, bike setup, and power pacing
[00:22:34] Nutrition and Hydration Strategies: Managing fuel intake for an 8+ hour effort
[00:26:08] Transitioning to Trail Running and Future Goals: UTMB training and lactate threshold testing
Resources & Links:
Follow Jonathan Edwards on Instagram: @Jedsoutside
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#53: Strength, Endurance, and Performance: Coaching Insights from Chris Judy

In this episode, I sit down with Chris Judy, an elite strength and endurance coach with experience in rugby, obstacle course racing, and high-level endurance training. Chris shares his coaching journey, from building a strength program for the University of Utah Rugby Team to training world-class OCR athletes and personal training at high-level gyms like Equinox and Ultimate Performance.
We dive deep into balancing strength and endurance, developing resilient athletes, and building training programs that produce real-world results. Chris explains his approach to coaching, injury prevention, and performance tracking—including why grip strength separates winners in OCR, how to train for max power output in rugby, and the best endurance tests to track aerobic base.
If you’re a coach, athlete, or someone looking to optimize your training, this episode is loaded with practical takeaways and expert insights.
Topics Covered:
Chris’s path into strength and endurance coaching
Training the University of Utah Rugby Team
Strength and conditioning for rugby players
How he built world-class OCR athletes
Why grip strength determines success in obstacle racing
Balancing strength and endurance in training
His favorite training protocols for endurance athletes
Plyometrics for injury prevention
Lessons from coaching at Equinox and Ultimate Performance
The most common mistakes trainers and coaches make
Guest Bio:
Chris Judy is a strength and endurance coach with deep experience in rugby, OCR, and endurance sports. He has trained University of Utah rugby players, Spartan World Championship winners, and worked at Equinox and Ultimate Performance, specializing in elite personal training and athlete development. His expertise spans strength, endurance, power development, and injury prevention, making him a highly respected coach in the performance training space.
Episode Highlights:
[00:02:15] How Chris started coaching and developed his training philosophy
[00:10:30] Building a rugby strength and conditioning program from scratch
[00:20:05] Strength benchmarks for rugby players and why durability matters
[00:28:50] Coaching an athlete to an OCR World Championship win
[00:35:45] Grip strength training for OCR and why it’s crucial
[00:45:10] Balancing endurance and strength training effectively
[00:52:30] Using plyometrics for injury prevention
[01:05:40] Lessons from Equinox and Ultimate Performance
[01:15:20] The most common training mistakes coaches make
[01:25:00] Lightning Round Q&A
Resources & Links:
Follow Chris Judy: @ChrisJudyTraining
Learn more about OCR and Rugby Strength Training: www.chrisjudyperformance.com
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#52: From Pro Baseball to Tactical Fitness: Strength & Conditioning Insights with Michael Schofield

In this episode, I sit down with Michael Schofield, a former MLB strength coach turned tactical performance specialist. Schofield spent over a decade in professional baseball, working with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, and New York Mets before transitioning to first responder fitness.
 
We dive into how training differs across pro baseball, police, and fire academies, the biggest programming mistakes coaches make, and why simple, effective training always wins. Schofield shares his approach to strength assessments, work capacity programming, and injury prevention for tactical athletes.
 
Whether you’re a coach, athlete, or first responder, this episode is packed with practical insights on building strength, durability, and mission-readiness.
 
Topics Covered:
Breaking into pro baseball strength and conditioning
The grind of coaching in the minor leagues
Differences between training MLB players and minor leaguers
Transitioning from pro sports to tactical athletes
Strength and conditioning for police and fire academies
The best fitness tests for first responders
Why simple training is the most effective
Work capacity training for tactical athletes
Strength programming: Wendler 5/3/1 for trap bar deadlift
Mistakes coaches make with tactical athletes
 
Guest Bio:
Michael Schofield is a former MLB strength coach and current Director of Public Safety Health and Performance for the City of Aurora, CO. He runs Performance Code, designing strength and conditioning programs for first responders. Previously, he worked as a Major League Assistant Performance Coach for the New York Mets, the Minor League Strength and Conditioning Coordinator for the Atlanta Braves, and a Minor League Strength Coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Schofield has experience developing athlete management systems, return-to-play protocols, and performance programming for both professional athletes and tactical professionals.
 
Episode Highlights:
[00:02:00] Breaking into pro baseball S&C and early struggles
[00:10:45] The reality of coaching in minor league baseball
[00:18:30] Strength training at the MLB level vs. minor leagues
[00:27:15] Why Schofield left pro sports for first responders
[00:35:10] The best fitness assessments for police and fire academies
[00:42:00] How he programs trap bar deadlifts using Wendler 5/3/1
[00:50:30] The biggest mistakes coaches make with tactical athletes
[00:58:15] His favorite work capacity protocols for tactical fitness
[01:06:20] Building fitness culture in first responder units
 
Resources & Links:
Follow Michael Schofield: [@performancecode](https://www.instagram.com/performancecode)
Mountain Tactical Institute Home
Check out the MTI Athlete Team
Apply to be a Paid MTI Athlete
MTI's Daily Programming Streams
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe for more conversations with leaders in strength, conditioning, and mountain sports!

#51: Alpinist Training, V-SUM Climbing, and Outdoor Leadership with MTI Athlete Derrick

Rob Shaul and MTI Athlete Derrick, an active duty Air Force Officer based in Santiago, Chile, discuss Derrick's recent experiences with fitness assessments, particularly the Alpinist fitness assessment and the V-SUM for rock climbing. They explore Derrick's training progress, the outdoor culture in Chile, and the impact of military service on outdoor activities. The discussion also touches on leadership lessons learned from outdoor experiences and Derrick's future aspirations in outdoor sports.
 
Takeaways
Derrick recently took the Alpinist fitness assessment and found it challenging.
He has been focusing on endurance training to improve his aerobic base.
Derrick enjoys the new training program and has seen improvements in his performance.
The V-SUM has helped Derrick enhance his rock climbing skills significantly.
Outdoor culture in Chile is vibrant, with many opportunities for mountain sports.
Derrick has had mostly positive military assignments that allowed him to pursue outdoor activities.
He reflects on the importance of location in shaping outdoor experiences during his military career.
Leadership lessons from outdoor adventures, such as those from Shackleton, are valuable.
Derrick is considering future opportunities in outdoor sports after his military career.
He appreciates the balance between military service and personal passions.

#50: Strength, Skiing, and Coaching with Crystal Wright

In this episode, I sit down with Crystal Wright, two-time Freeride World Tour Champion, founder of Wright Training, and strength coach for mountain athletes. From her early days ski racing with the U.S. Ski Team to dominating freeride competitions and building one of the top strength training programs for skiers, Crystal shares her journey, insights on training for performance, and the challenges of coaching in a male-dominated industry.We dive into her transition from competitive skiing to running a gym, her philosophy on strength training for mountain athletes, and the evolution of freeride skiing. Plus, Crystal opens up about the struggles of balancing business, adventure, and family while continuing to push herself in the mountains.Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or someone looking for motivation to push through adversity, this episode is packed with valuable insights on training, leadership, and resilience.Topics Covered:
Growing up in Jackson, WY, and competing in ski racing before transitioning to freeride
The experience of competing at the highest levels and winning two Freeride World Tour titles
How injuries shaped her career and led to the founding of Wright Training
The biggest mistakes skiers make in training and how to fix them
How strength training enhances performance and prevents injuries in mountain athletes
The challenges of being a female strength coach in a male-dominated space
The evolution of freeride skiing and why fewer women are competing today
Risk management in ski mountaineering and lessons from close calls in the mountains
Balancing running a business, raising a family, and staying fit for the mountains
Guest Bio:Crystal Wright is a former two-time Freeride World Tour Champion and founder of Wright Training, a strength and conditioning gym dedicated to training mountain athletes. A former U.S. Ski Team racer, she transitioned to freeride skiing and went on to win multiple big-mountain competitions. After suffering a career-altering injury, she turned her focus to coaching, helping outdoor athletes build strength, prevent injuries, and improve performance. She also leads ski mountaineering expeditions and is a passionate advocate for female athletes in freeride and strength training.Episode Highlights:
[00:02:15] Crystal’s upbringing in Jackson and early ski racing career
[00:10:30] Transitioning from ski racing to freeride competition
[00:18:45] The injuries that changed her career path
[00:25:20] How she built Wright Training and the principles behind her programming
[00:32:50] The most underrated exercises for skiers and how to train for longevity
[00:41:10] The challenges of being a woman in strength training and freeride skiing
[00:49:30] Why ski mountaineering became her new passion and lessons from the mountains
[00:56:45] Balancing motherhood, business, and personal performance goals
Resources & Links:
Follow Crystal Wright on Instagram: [@wrighttraining](https://www.instagram.com/wrighttraining)
Learn more about Wright Training: [www.wrighttraining.com](https://www.wrighttraining.com)

#49: (Revised) Long-Range Hunting: Ethics, Fair Chase, and the Future of the Sport

Note: Ian's recording in this discussion was disrupted which led to some of his points being cut out of the original episode. We were able to recover the original audio in full.
Today's Guests:
Ian is a shooting instructor, hunter, and prior USMC Scout Sniper ( @ianminer2013 )
Adam is an MTI Athlete, defense industry program manager, hunter, and prior USMC Infantry Officer (@durango_simon)
This conversation delves into the ethics of long-range hunting, exploring the definition of fair chase, the challenges posed by terrain, and the impact of technology on hunting practices. The participants discuss the political implications of long-range hunting, how it affects public perception, and the personal ethics and motivations behind hunting. The dialogue emphasizes the need for the hunting community to maintain a positive image and navigate the complexities of modern hunting ethics. Rob, Adam, and Ian delve into the ethics of hunting technology, particularly long-range hunting, and its implications for wildlife and the hunting community. They discuss the balance between marksmanship and the essence of hunting, emphasizing the importance of fair chase and the ability of animals to detect hunters. The impact of social media on public perception of hunting is also explored, highlighting the potential for negative consequences from sensationalized kill shots. Additionally, the conversation touches on public safety concerns related to long-range hunting and the need for regulations to ensure ethical practices in the hunting community.
Takeaways
- Long range hunting raises ethical questions about fair chase. - Terrain significantly influences hunting strategies and shot distances. - Public perception of hunting can be negatively impacted by long range practices. - Personal motivations for hunting vary widely among individuals. - Technology in hunting can create a disparity in the hunter-animal dynamic. - Maintaining the moral high ground is crucial for the hunting community. - Group hunting can complicate ethical considerations in hunting. - Effective management of hunting practices is essential for sustainability. - The hunting community must address political challenges to preserve hunting rights. - Ethics in hunting are subjective and can vary based on individual beliefs. - The ethics of hunting technology are crucial for fair chase. - Marksmanship should not overshadow the essence of hunting. - Social media can negatively impact public perception of hunting. - Public safety is a significant concern with long-range hunting. - Hunting regulations need to evolve with changing technology. - Hunters must be politically savvy to protect their rights. - The ability of animals to detect hunters is essential for ethical hunting. - Long-range hunting can diminish the intimate experience of hunting. - There is a growing concern about the impact of sensationalized hunting content online. - The hunting community must advocate for responsible practices. 
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