The Ready State Podcast

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Rachel Balkovec: The Yankees' First Female Hitting Coach, Sabbaticals, and the Utility of Being a Generalist Dec 02, 2021

Show notes

Rachel Balkovec is in her second year as a minor league hitting coach with the New York Yankees. She is the first woman (alongside Rachel Folden of the Chicago Cubs) to hold that title in the history of professional baseball. She is one of 4 women that are in uniform in 2021 in various roles with Major League clubs. Rachel joined the Yankees in 2019 after completing her second master’s degree in biomechanics in the Netherlands where she served as an apprentice hitting coach for the national softball and baseball programs. She completed her research for this degree in eye tracking at Driveline Baseball.

Previous to crossing over to being a hitting coach, she spent 7 seasons in professional baseball as a strength and conditioning coach in various roles with the Houston Astros and St. Louis Cardinals. In addition to her more recent groundbreaking role with the Yankees, she was also the first woman to be hired full time as a strength and conditioning coach in MLB.

Before entering professional baseball in 2012, she served in various apprentice roles for Louisiana State University, Los Tigres Del Licey Beisbol, The Chicago Whitesox, Arizona State University and EXOS. The Omaha native is a former NCAA Division I softball catcher and has special interest in organizational culture and behavioral psychology. She has an undergraduate degree in Exercise Science, and a master’s degree in Sport Administration from LSU.

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This episode of The Ready State Podcast is sponsored by LMNT, our favorite electrolyte drink mix. It was created based on a science-backed electrolyte ratio, with no sugar, no coloring, no artificial ingredients, or any other junk. Everyone needs electrolytes, but if you’re an active person and/or on a low-carb diet, you really need electrolytes to feel and perform your best. We drink LMNT every single day and it is our go-to drink for mountain biking. For more info and to get a free sample pack (just pay shipping), click thereadystate.com/FreeLMNT!

Chris Kresser: Functional Medicine, the Sick Care System, and Why Health Is More Than the Absence of Disease Nov 10, 2021

Show notes

Chris Kresser M.S., L.Ac is the founder of Kresser Institute, the creator of ChrisKresser.com, and the New York Times best selling author of The Paleo Cure and Unconventional Medicine. He is one of the most respected clinicians and educators in the fields of Functional Medicine and ancestral health, and has trained over 1,500 practitioners and health coaches around the world in his unique approach. Chris was named one of the 100 most influential people in health and fitness by Greatist.com, and his blog is one of the top-ranked natural health websites in the world. Chris lives in Utah with his wife and daughter. • This episode of The Ready State Podcast is sponsored by LMNT, our favorite electrolyte drink mix. It was created based on a science-backed electrolyte ratio, with no sugar, no coloring, no artificial ingredients, or any other junk. Everyone needs electrolytes, but if you’re an active person and/or on a low-carb diet, you really need electrolytes to feel and perform your best. We drink LMNT every single day and it is our go-to drink for mountain biking. For more info and to get a free sample pack (just pay shipping), click thereadystate.com/FreeLMNT!

David Joyce: The Modern Super Coach, Good (Not Best) Practices, and Curating the Environment for Others to Succeed Oct 28, 2021

Show notes

David is an internationally recognized leader in human performance, strategy and decision making. He holds Masters degrees in both Sports Physiotherapy and Strength & Conditioning, as well as an MBA. He has worked with hundreds of elite athletes, including multiple world and Olympic champions and in multiple sports around the world. Nowadays, Dave’s focus has shifted much more towards enabling major sporting organizations, corporations and start-ups navigate through the choppy seas of complexity, and set themselves up to thrive in an increasingly uncertain future. He has written and co-edited 2 internationally best-selling textbooks on high-performance and rehabilitation, and the new edition of High Performance Training For Sports has just been released to critical acclaim around the world. • This episode of The Ready State Podcast is sponsored by LMNT, our favorite electrolyte drink mix. It was created based on a science-backed electrolyte ratio, with no sugar, no coloring, no artificial ingredients, or any other junk. Everyone needs electrolytes, but if you’re an active person and/or on a low-carb diet, you really need electrolytes to feel and perform your best. We drink LMNT every single day and it is our go-to drink for mountain biking. For more info and to get a free sample pack (just pay shipping), click thereadystate.com/FreeLMNT!

Chris McDougall: Running, Bodysurfing, and the Magic of Human-Animal Relationships Oct 13, 2021

Show notes

Christopher McDougall is a former war correspondent and the author of Born to Run, the most popular book ever written about the sport of running. McDougall has also explored the ancient art of the hero in Natural Born Heroes and animal-human partnerships in Running with Sherman. He’s currently on a new project that involves big waves, deep bruises, and the occasional shark.

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Brett Bartholomew: Social Atrophy, Power Dynamics, and Why Communication is a Required Skill Sep 29, 2021

Show notes

Brett Bartholomew is a keynote speaker, performance coach & consultant, best-selling author, and Founder of Art of Coaching™. His experience includes working with members of Fortune 500 companies, the U.S. Special Forces, and sporting organizations and professional athletes. Brett is also a self-published, best-selling, author of Conscious Coaching: The Art & Science of Building Buy-in. Taken together, Brett has coached a diverse range of athletes from across 23 sports worldwide, at levels ranging from youth athletes to Olympians. He’s supported numerous Super Bowl and World Series Champions, along with several professional fighters. He is currently conducting his doctoral research focused on the role of power dynamics, persuasion, and optimizing change management within organizations at the University of Central Lancashire.

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Annie Thorisdottir: 2x CrossFit Games Champion, Overcoming Postpartum Depression, and Balancing Sport and Motherhood Sep 15, 2021

Show notes

Annie Thorisdottir is a two-time CrossFit Games Champion. After only a couple of months of CrossFit practice, Annie competed in the 2009 CrossFit Games where she famously performed her first muscle-up mid-competition. Her 1st place wins came shortly after in 2011 and 2012 making her the first female athlete to ever win the CrossFit Games twice. Of her eleven Games appearances, she has podiumed six times. Annie took a break in 2020 to have her first child and was back at it placing 3rd in 2021. Annie is known for competing with a smile and her infectious positive attitude. Annie lives in Iceland with her partner, fellow CrossFit Games athlete Frederik Aegidius and their daughter Freyja. • This episode of The Ready State Podcast is sponsored by LMNT, our favorite electrolyte drink mix. It was created based on a science-backed electrolyte ratio, with no sugar, no coloring, no artificial ingredients, or any other junk. Everyone needs electrolytes, but if you’re an active person and/or on a low-carb diet, you really need electrolytes to feel and perform your best. We drink LMNT every single day and it is our go-to drink for mountain biking. For more info and to get a free sample pack (just pay shipping), go to thereadystate.com/FreeLMNT.

Pivotal Coaching: Making the Complex Simple, Connecting the Dots, and Healthy Movement Nutrition Sep 01, 2021

Show notes

Hayley Hollander and Scott Hopson are the co-founders of Pivotal Coaching - a global development company empowering people to fulfill their greatest potential.

Scott is an internationally recognized leader in human performance, coaching and education. In a career spanning 25 years his work has impacted over 100,000 coaches and leaders in more than a 100-countries world-wide. At the heart of his extensive leadership work is the ability to empower and develop people by making the complex simple, to create breakthrough performances. Scott is renowned for his passion and impact in professional coach development and youth coaching. In addition to Pivotal, Scott is co-founder of PTA Global, Education Director for the Gray Institute, a Team EXOS education specialist, and Chairman of the Global Advisory Board at Power Plate.

Over her 20+ year career, Hayley’s leadership, programming, and content creation has influenced the masses. She has coached and educated thousands of clients, teams, athletes, and coaches from all over the world. Hayley is renowned for program creation and implementation, and her work can be found in major health club chains, university recreation centers, non-profit wellness centers, and professional sports training centers. In addition to Pivotal, Hayley is the Co-Director of Education for Gray Institute, Precor Master Coach, and Power Plate Master Trainer.

Scott and Hayley join us to talk about connecting with the human inside the human body, rebuilding an industry that is hitting bottom, and healthy movement nutrition.

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This episode of The Ready State Podcast is sponsored by Paleovalley Beef Sticks. Made from 100% organic grass-fed beef and organic spices, these are hands down our favorite on-the-go protein snack. They are naturally fermented making them shelf stable without chemicals or questionable ingredients, for when you find one in a backpack you haven’t used since last summer. For more info and 15% off, go to thereadystate.com/beefsticks

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Mike Sinyard: Founding Specialized, Determination, and the Curiosity that Drives Innovation Aug 18, 2021

Show notes

Mike Sinyard is the founder and CEO of Specialized Bicycle Components. Mike was inducted into the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame in 1988. The StumpJumper mountain bike was added to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History’s collection in 1994.

Mike’s journey begins in the summer of 1973 when he sold his VW van for $1,500 and cycled around Europe. During his travels, he connected with Cinelli and Campagnolo, Italian bike component manufacturers, to establish an import-business relationship. Today, Specialized is a leading manufacturer of bicycles and gear. Made by riders, for riders.

In 2015, Mike launched the Specialized Foundation, known today as Outride, which focuses on linking cycling to improve cognitive, emotional, and social health. The foundation helps kids achieve academic, health, and social success. Outride currently supports community cycling, trail projects, and the Riding for Focus program.

Mike joins us to talk about founding and growing Specialized and the obsessive curiosity that drives their unparalleled innovation.

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This episode of The Ready State Podcast is sponsored by Paleovalley Essential C Complex. Created to be the most powerful, completely natural and organic source of vitamin C on the planet, Essential C Complex is one of the only supplements the Starretts take every single day. Because nothing’s funny about scurvy. For more info and 15% off, go to thereadystate.com/essentialc

Anastacia Maggioncalda: Creating at the Speed of Culture, Authenticity, and the Importance of Connecting with Everyone Aug 04, 2021

Show notes

Anastacia Maggioncalda is the Head of Production for the Creative Studio at LinkedIn.

Anastacia was a photography and cultural anthropology student at Sarah Lawrence College in New York and after graduating, worked as a producer and studio manager alongside fashion photographers in New York. After transitioning to commercial work, she led production at both Shelter Films and Crossroads Films.

Anastacia made the move to the west coast and the agency side of things working with such brands as BMW, Gatorade, Target, Lexus, Coke, Virgin America, Oakley, Apple, Visa, and Aria. She has also run visual effects production on numerous music videos for artists like N'SYNC, Ricky Martin, Linkin Park, Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliot, Kanye West, and on feature films like Spiderman, Hell Boy, Castaway, Sin City and Iron Man.

Anastacia has won a Webby and a Bronze Lion for her work with Virgin America.

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This episode of The Ready State Podcast is sponsored by Paleovalley Beef Sticks. Made from 100% organic grass-fed beef and organic spices, these are hands down our favorite on-the-go protein snack. They are naturally fermented making them shelf stable without chemicals or questionable ingredients, for when you find one in a backpack you haven't used since last summer. For more info and 15% off, go to thereadystate.com/beefsticks

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This episode of The Ready State Podcast is sponsored by Kion Aminos. Available as powder or tablets, these aminos are 100 percent plant based with no artificial ingredients. Essential amino acids are the building blocks for all muscle and tissue but your body can only absorb about 50% from food which is why Kelly takes them everyday. For more info and 20% off your first purchase, go to thereadystate.com/aminos

Selema Maskela: Being 'The Only' in the Spaces You Love, Using Your Platform, and Living in the Bonus Jul 21, 2021

Show notes

Selema Masekela is a beloved commentator, journalist, host, and Emmy nominated producer best known for his work across VICE, E!, ESPN/ABC, Nat Geo, Red Bull Media House and beyond. A relentlessly curious narrator of the human experience, he thrives as a Black man who has historically been ‘the only’ in the spaces of action sports and entertainment. The son of South African jazz legend and activist Hugh Masekela, Selema‘s roots are as South African as they are New York City and San Diego.

Music and water being the most influential parts of his life at the age of 16 he first felt 'at home' on a surfboard; at 8 you’d find him sitting at Birdland in late night jazz sessions with his father and Miles Davis. It’s this unique life experience which paved the way for him not only becoming the face of ESPN’s X-Games but also a musician himself, recording under the alias 'Alekesam' (Masekela backwards).

His recently launched podcast, What Shapes Us?, explores he and his guests human experiences; who they are, what drives and gives them joy. Its mission is to highlight people and places through a mold breaking lens and redefine culture. He is the co-founder of Stoked Mentoring, an organization dedicated to mentoring at risk youth through action sports and the host of Hyundai’s series The Un-Adventurers on Tastemade Network. In 2020, Selema was also welcomed onto the Board of Directors for Burton Snowboards as a general advisor.

Selema joins us to talk what it's like to be the only person of color in the spaces you love, using whatever is in your toolbox to help break the cycle of racism, and how middle age is pretty sweet.

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