While it’s not entirely CrossFit related (or is it??), I thought this article was a great read as I am studying for the CSCS. It gave a good overview of understanding what is "optimal" loading in terms of tissue, cartilage, bone, and normal muscle adaptations. The synopsis I got from this: • Load response is non-uniform, tissue-dependent, and time-sensitive (i.e cartilage requires around 15-30 min for recovery, bone 4-8 hours b/t stimuli, tendons around 48 hours, muscle (eccentric focused) around 72 hours, and so on) • Optimal training requires understanding what tissue is limiting and adjusting sequence, spacing, and recovery. For many of my clients who have some sort of joint pain (typically elbow, shoulder, and/or knees), I can see the utility in this paper to help guide some programming. Isometric holds and slow eccentrics tend to do very well in tissue remodeling and strengthening of bones and muscle tissue. I like how they also give An athlete monitoring framework to help guide external loading, internal loading, measures of well-being, and measures of physical readiness.

I along with a number of my athletes are dealing with the classic winter respiratory infections. I’m curious how help your athletes navigate these?

I’ve more or less spent about 12 years lifting…but I still suck at the split jerk at heavy loads. Lighter loads is okay, but once I go beyond 70%, my foot work and pressing turns to 💩 My best clean is 155kg, but my best jerk is only 125kg. And even that weight is a bit iffy. I know that my knees cave in on the dip and my shoulders don’t really lock out. I try to control it but once it gets to a certain load, it’s almost like my body can’t handle it in a way. Any feedback here? I’d love to hear everyone’s thoughts.

To all the Stimulus Matters Podcast listeners - Ryne, Mia, and I will be hosting a live Q&A on this platform next Friday (Dec-19) at 11:00am EST. You can access it through the calendar or by following this link! Hope to see you there! https://www.skool.com/live/fVggBNFCkC9 @Ryne Sullivan @Mia Gianelli

Team, Most of us learn how to handle competition: the nerves, the travel, the logistics, through trial and error. I’ve always hated that approach. It’s too slow, and the cost of learning is often a wasted season. The Competitors Course is my attempt to end that guesswork. It is a structured path to ensure your hard work actually transfers to the floor. This is the next evolution of the TTT Competitors Manual. It focuses entirely on the variables outside of training: mindset, recovery, travel & logistics, that dictate whether or not you can actually express your fitness on Game Day. I’ve posted the full intro and a rough release schedule in the Private Client Vault.