In this episode, Ramsey Nijem, delves into his career journey from being the youngest Head Strength Coach in the NBA to joining Kansas University men's basketball as the Director of Sport Performance. He discusses his career path, the nuances of off-season strength training, and how he builds meaningful relationships with his basketball athletes.

Ramsey emphasizes the importance of a solid foundational training block, evolving with new technologies and testing methods, and how to adapt coaching styles as one progresses in their career. He also touches on the challenges young coaches face in the era of information overload and underscores the value of critical thinking over credentials. Additionally, Ramsey talks about his Applied Performance Coach course and other upcoming projects aimed at improving training methodologies in basketball.

00:38 Early Career and NBA Journey

01:21 Basketball Passion and Training Philosophy

02:38 Testing and Profiling New Players

05:16 Evolving Testing Methods

10:00 Force Plate Technology and Applications

13:03 Interpreting Force Plate Data

22:32 Offseason Training Program

27:12 Relationship with Coach Self

27:43 Managing Player Workload

29:13 Building Relationships with Players

29:37 Challenges of the Transfer Portal

30:06 Transparency and Accountability

33:03 Adapting to Generational Changes

38:07 Developing Quality Coaches

41:52 Creating the Applied Performance Coach Course

45:19 Future Projects and Personal Life

Applied Performance Coach courses: https://www.appliedperformancecoach.com/

Contact Ramsey:

Website: ramseynijem.com

IG: @dr.ramsey.nijem

Legendary Strength Coach, Erik Helland, who has a storied career spanning both the NBA (including the iconic 90's Chicago Bulls) and collegiate basketball at the University of Wisconsin, shares invaluable insights into the evolution of coaching, the importance of mentorship, and building team cohesion.

Helland reflects on his time spent bonding with athletes and coaches, his appreciation for the influential mentorship of Al Vermeil, and the crucial transition moments in his career. He emphasizes the significance of consistent, high-quality training, effective communication, and creating a culture that prioritizes both athletic and personal development.

Helland also touches on the administrative challenges of the expanding staff sizes in today's league, the interplay between athletic training and strength conditioning, and the timeless qualities necessary for becoming a successful coach.

Erik's Email: erikhelland63@gmail.com

00:58 Mentorship and Professional Growth

03:04 Impact of Al Vermeil

06:56 Chicago Bulls in the 80s and 90s

11:41 Training Philosophy and Team Culture

14:40 Challenges of Modern NBA Staffs

20:24 Collaboration with Training Staff

23:15 Injury Rates and Factors

24:56 Innovative Team Lifts in the NBA

25:37 Consistency and Quality in Training

28:23 Challenges and Adaptations in Collegiate Coaching

31:39 Building Strong Relationships with Athletes

36:23 Timeless Art of Coaching

44:15 Current Endeavors and Future Plans

Dr. Jess Elis is the founder of Rehab Code, and the former Vice President of Player Health with the New York Knicks and before that the Director of Player Health and Performance with the Trailblazers. He is someone that has mastered both the science and art of high-performance sports medicine and leadership.

In this episode, Jess shares his journey from starting with minimal network connections to leading multiple departments in the NBA. The discussion covers key moments in his career, the value of sacrifice, being realistic in your education pursuits, and avoiding the arrogance that comes with the titles.

Jess also highlights the underbelly of the NBA, the real challenges professionals face in high-performance settings, and not tying your identity to your job.

We wrap up discussing his company, Rehab Code, aimed at offering community-based sports rehab education and mentorship as well as his other initiatives.

Rehab Code: https://www.therehabcode.com/

Jess Elis on Instagram: @physio_elis

00:00 Introduction

00:51 Journey into Professional Sports

02:02 Breaking into the Industry

04:43 Challenges and Sacrifices

12:10 The Importance of Personality in Pro Sports

16:36 Arrogance vs. Mastery

20:10 Communication and Collaboration in Pro Sports

22:31 Staff Size and Role Definition

25:13 Player Relationships and Role Dynamics

25:47 Athlete-Led Experience vs. PT-Led Model

28:22 Realities of Working in Pro Sports

33:36 Mentorship and Professional Growth

37:02 Introducing Rehab Code

39:46 Future Ventures and Opportunities

42:39 Connecting with Rehab Code