In this powerful and perspective-shifting episode of Performance Talk, host Dr. Ewell Gordon welcomes Dr. Mike Israetel—renowned sports scientist, professor, co-founder of Renaissance Periodization, and competitive athlete. From high school wrestling roots to academic mastery in performance science, Mike shares his journey through education, self-discovery, and relentless pursuit of truth in training. Gain insider insights on the evolution of strength and conditioning, the misconceptions of overtraining, and why recovery is the unsung hero of peak performance. The conversation dives into the modern athlete’s toolkit—from high school weight rooms to AI-powered programming—and challenges long-held myths in sport and fitness culture. Key Takeaways: Smart Training > Hard Training: Understanding maximum recoverable volume (MRV) is essential—more isn't always better. Recovery is a Performance Tool: The best athletes train hard and recover smarter than their competition. Evolving Knowledge: What worked 10–20 years ago might not be optimal today. Science helps us refine our approach. Academic Curiosity Fuels Great Coaching: Seeking evidence and asking “why” drives better long-term results than blind tradition. Information Overload is Real: In today’s digital age, athletes must be critical thinkers when filtering training advice. Mental Toughness ≠ Mindless Drills: Purpose-driven programming beats “just grind” culture for long-term development. Tech Meets Intuition: Even with AI and apps, lived athletic experience still plays a critical role in program design. 🔔 Subscribe for more insights on performance and mental toughness! Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2fRlMbXQzaBjG0n6mZ8TUN Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/performance-talk/id1454514628 Twitter :  @performancetalk   Linkedin : performancetalk   #sports #performancetalk #performance #sportspsychology #Nutrition #physiology #podcast #Fitness # Health #Exercise #athletes