Aaron Feld, Rugby Guy and the meaning of life

[OriginalCanesCanesCanes]

and since then he's worked at alabama and georgia and seen how they operate their strength programs up close and personal.... why are we worried about his degree outline when he's got relevant work experience that is more meaningful?

I was going to eventually get to that. Most exercise guys get in their training knowledge not necessarily from their degree although I’m sure that helps, but more from where they’ve trained and interned, then where they’ve worked, as well as who they’ve learned from personally.

 

[swampcougar1]

and since then he's worked at alabama and georgia and seen how they operate their strength programs up close and personal.... why are we worried about his degree outline when he's got relevant work experience that is more meaningful?

Exactly. Does anyone worry about what degree a coach has? His experience is what counts.

 

[Mel Bernstein]

26 pages of commentary about a strength and conditioning coach from primarily out of shape message board junkees. I’m going to trust Mario on this hire.

 

[HurricaneU]

You all were quick to dismiss Rugby guy but there ought to be some concerns. Assuredly, if this were an FSU or UF hire we'd be lapping some of this stuff up.

First, there is a distinction between a clean and a power clean. It's not semantics as someone put it. Is it technical? Sure. But a professional S&C coach should be eminently familiar with the terms and be precise. Frankly, likely some Crossfitters off the street know this.

But that stuff doesn't bother me as much as the apparent fact that he doesn't appear to have an actual S&C degree.

He claims to have a masters in "clinical exercise science." I couldn't locate that description online, but this is what MSU has for what appears to be its undergraduate program:

"The Clinical Exercise Physiology concentration provides students with the essential knowledge to work in exercise and rehabilitation programs. These programs may focus on improving the health and fitness of apparently healthy individuals or the rehabilitation of individuals suffering from injuries or chronic diseases. Students completing the Clinical Exercise Physiology concentration are primarily prepared to work as exercise specialists in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs. Other areas of preparation include programs for individuals with diabetes, orthopedic limitations, arthritis, cancer, osteoporosis, and programs for the elderly, overweight and/or obese persons."

That making anyone's toes tingle?

Then, the site goes on to say:

"Students in Clinical Exercise Physiology are also ideally suited to enter graduate studies in one of the health professions such as physical therapy or occupational therapy."

What part of that applies to maximizing the skills of elite athletes? Or writing programs to build speed, strength, etc. for highly-trained athletes?

At the end of the day, we're not going to win or lose because of this guy but there are red flags. Most on this board were anti-Swasey and anti-Felder because they didn't have degrees. We can't pick and choose when we're gonna bag on someone for not having what appears to be the appropriate academic credentials.

Just slightly more research would reveal he has a Masters in Clinical Exercise Physiology. There are four programs at MSU: Disability Studies, Exercise Physiology, Sports Administration or Sports Pedagogy. Feld has Exercise Physiology.

Opening description of "Exercise Physiology":
"Exercise physiology is broadly based on basic sciences: human anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and biology, with the primary goal being to understand how various cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems respond to challenges posed by exercise and physical training. Study in exercise physiology may center on understanding optimal performance such as that attained by elite and highly trained athletes and on performances and physiological adaptations of individuals with one or more chronic diseases."

He also holds Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist by the National Strength and Conditioning Association and holds a SCCC Certification from the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association.

While my trousers are down, the guy Bama eventually hired, David Ballou holds a similar degree but only a bachelors and a Master's in "Human Movement". My guess its roughly the same as "Exercise Physiology" but if people want to play stupid games around what degrees are called - you win stupid prizes.

More importantly, the S&C coach sets the tone for the team and levels of intensity. S&C staff probably spend more time with athletes than any other coach.

Feld is a homerun and we should be ecstatic.

This debate is stupid and I feel as much for having responded.

 

[Dwinstitles]

This dude looks like he made the turnover chain with his bare hands

 

[Cryptical Envelopment]

Just slightly more research would reveal he has a Masters in Clinical Exercise Physiology. There are four programs at MSU: Disability Studies, Exercise Physiology, Sports Administration or Sports Pedagogy. Feld has Exercise Physiology.

Opening description of "Exercise Physiology":
"Exercise physiology is broadly based on basic sciences: human anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and biology, with the primary goal being to understand how various cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems respond to challenges posed by exercise and physical training. Study in exercise physiology may center on understanding optimal performance such as that attained by elite and highly trained athletes and on performances and physiological adaptations of individuals with one or more chronic diseases."

He also holds Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist by the National Strength and Conditioning Association and holds a SCCC Certification from the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association.

While my trousers are down, the guy Bama eventually hired, David Ballou holds a similar degree but only a bachelors and a Master's in "Human Movement". My guess its roughly the same as "Exercise Physiology" but if people want to play stupid games around what degrees are called - you win stupid prizes.

More importantly, the S&C coach sets the tone for the team and levels of intensity. S&C staff probably spend more time with athletes than any other coach.

Feld is a homerun and we should be ecstatic.

This debate is stupid and I feel as much for having responded.

Everyone else take a knee. Homie ended it. But, you know... feel free to tell your trainer at Crunch how worried you are about Feld's graduate degree and how you think UGA, Alabama, Oregon, Miami, Kirby Smart, Nick Saban and Mario Cristobackhand-to-your-face don't know what they're doing.

 

[kryptonite]

Mental toughness is completing the mission under duress. It doesn’t cross fields. It’s doing the exact task under extreme duress.

I'm not sure if you're disagreeing with me or not. What I'll say is that after years of competitive running, literally tens of thousands of miles run I've learned how not to quit. My point here is that it's all those days I didn't want to go run but I did, all those times I wanted to stop but didn't. The thousands upon thousands of times I wanted to stop or at least slow down for a second but didn't let myself are the reason I can power through tough things now. Every time in a race I said to myself, just 30 more seconds and you can rest, then said it again. And again. I have a mindset of getting through the next minute, the next second that I learned on the road, and it carries over to everything I do. I know, for a fact, that I can get through anything.

Now, there's no doubt that the best practice is doing the thing you're training for. If you're a football player, weights and running help, but actually playing football is best.

But I was responding to the idea that lifting or other training didn't build toughness on the field. My personal feeling is that every time you refuse to quit or do a little more than you thought you could, you get better at not quitting on the football field. So in addition to building strength, lifting weights can be an opportunity to build mental toughness just like maintaining your diet and running sprints. Not because the specific activity makes you a tough football player, but because it teaches you how to keep fighting.

 

[TRick72]

Just slightly more research would reveal he has a Masters in Clinical Exercise Physiology. There are four programs at MSU: Disability Studies, Exercise Physiology, Sports Administration or Sports Pedagogy. Feld has Exercise Physiology.

Opening description of "Exercise Physiology":
"Exercise physiology is broadly based on basic sciences: human anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and biology, with the primary goal being to understand how various cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems respond to challenges posed by exercise and physical training. Study in exercise physiology may center on understanding optimal performance such as that attained by elite and highly trained athletes and on performances and physiological adaptations of individuals with one or more chronic diseases."

He also holds Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist by the National Strength and Conditioning Association and holds a SCCC Certification from the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association.

While my trousers are down, the guy Bama eventually hired, David Ballou holds a similar degree but only a bachelors and a Master's in "Human Movement". My guess its roughly the same as "Exercise Physiology" but if people want to play stupid games around what degrees are called - you win stupid prizes.

More importantly, the S&C coach sets the tone for the team and levels of intensity. S&C staff probably spend more time with athletes than any other coach.

Feld is a homerun and we should be ecstatic.

This debate is stupid and I feel as much for having responded.

Sounds impressive but how does that degree prepare our players to properly perform in a scrum??

 

[OriginalGatorHater]

I'm not sure if you're disagreeing with me or not. What I'll say is that after years of competitive running, literally tens of thousands of miles run I've learned how not to quit. My point here is that it's all those days I didn't want to go run but I did, all those times I wanted to stop but didn't. The thousands upon thousands of times I wanted to stop or at least slow down for a second but didn't let myself are the reason I can power through tough things now. Every time in a race I said to myself, just 30 more seconds and you can rest, then said it again. And again. I have a mindset of getting through the next minute, the next second that I learned on the road, and it carries over to everything I do. I know, for a fact, that I can get through anything.

Now, there's no doubt that the best practice is doing the thing you're training for. If you're a football player, weights and running help, but actually playing football is best.

But I was responding to the idea that lifting or other training didn't build toughness on the field. My personal feeling is that every time you refuse to quit or do a little more than you thought you could, you get better at not quitting on the football field. So in addition to building strength, lifting weights can be an opportunity to build mental toughness just like maintaining your diet and running sprints. Not because the specific activity makes you a tough football player, but because it teaches you how to keep fighting.

It seems you both just have different definitions of mental toughness. As a fighter I agree with both of you. I usually use your definition of mental toughness. Mental toughness in running is literally being able to push yourself until you literally pass out. I have done thousands of miles of roadwork and I cant stand running, but I push myself as you pointed out and I will get my mileage no matter how schitty I feel. Same thing with when I am fighting. No matter how dizzy and miserable I feel after getting a few shots to the face or how gassed I am while wrestling someone. I will not give up unless you literally turn my brain off with a KO. That is what I always referred to as mental toughness.

However, his definition seems to be being able to function under duress. I think that is also a very important factor and it is also 100% mental. Boxing has something similar where you have to train yourself to be able to stay calm and collected even when you are on the verge of going to sleep. I never referred to it as mental toughness. I always just considered it experience, but I guess other people have different terms for different things.

Both of these things feed off of each other though. The people who can push through anything are generally better at thriving under stressful situations.

I also 100% agree with you. PUshing yourself in anything, whether its diet, or grinding out another rep, or going that extra 30 seconds on a run. All are going to build that mental toughness. Because, as you said, it teaches you to keep fighting and not ***** out.

 

[Empirical Cane]

I doubt very much this is the actual guy.

For all that is unholy, PLEASE let it be him*.

PLEASE.

*unlikely but we can dream

 

[Shinyheadman]

I don't care if he is **** at his job. But everyday this man doesn't post videos like these is a day I'm demanding Cristobal to be fired. The content is incredible.

 

[Empirical Cane]

I think there is more ways to skin a cat, I just think @Rugby_guy doesn't like the way Coach Feld skins his cat.

Now you are making this dirty.

 

[Ironmanfootball]

I'm not sure if you're disagreeing with me or not. What I'll say is that after years of competitive running, literally tens of thousands of miles run I've learned how not to quit. My point here is that it's all those days I didn't want to go run but I did, all those times I wanted to stop but didn't. The thousands upon thousands of times I wanted to stop or at least slow down for a second but didn't let myself are the reason I can power through tough things now. Every time in a race I said to myself, just 30 more seconds and you can rest, then said it again. And again. I have a mindset of getting through the next minute, the next second that I learned on the road, and it carries over to everything I do. I know, for a fact, that I can get through anything.

Now, there's no doubt that the best practice is doing the thing you're training for. If you're a football player, weights and running help, but actually playing football is best.

But I was responding to the idea that lifting or other training didn't build toughness on the field. My personal feeling is that every time you refuse to quit or do a little more than you thought you could, you get better at not quitting on the football field. So in addition to building strength, lifting weights can be an opportunity to build mental toughness just like maintaining your diet and running sprints. Not because the specific activity makes you a tough football player, but because it teaches you how to keep fighting.

In my work, we would define your story as discipline. Discipline (habits) takes over when motivation leaves the room.

Mental toughness is strictly a mental focus under duress thing. 4th and goal from the 1, do you false start on a hard count? Do you forget your assignment?

 

[JD08]

If you had told me a month ago that there would be a big debate about the educational credentials of the S&C coach, I never would've believed it.

CIS, don't you ever stop being you.

 

[AlexCane]

Just slightly more research would reveal he has a Masters in Clinical Exercise Physiology. There are four programs at MSU: Disability Studies, Exercise Physiology, Sports Administration or Sports Pedagogy. Feld has Exercise Physiology.

Opening description of "Exercise Physiology":
"Exercise physiology is broadly based on basic sciences: human anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and biology, with the primary goal being to understand how various cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems respond to challenges posed by exercise and physical training. Study in exercise physiology may center on understanding optimal performance such as that attained by elite and highly trained athletes and on performances and physiological adaptations of individuals with one or more chronic diseases."

He also holds Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist by the National Strength and Conditioning Association and holds a SCCC Certification from the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association.

While my trousers are down, the guy Bama eventually hired, David Ballou holds a similar degree but only a bachelors and a Master's in "Human Movement". My guess its roughly the same as "Exercise Physiology" but if people want to play stupid games around what degrees are called - you win stupid prizes.

More importantly, the S&C coach sets the tone for the team and levels of intensity. S&C staff probably spend more time with athletes than any other coach.

Feld is a homerun and we should be ecstatic.

This debate is stupid and I feel as much for having responded.

I hope you are right and I am wrong. I am just going by what is listed on his website.

 

[423Hurricane]

I was going to eventually get to that. Most exercise guys get in their training knowledge not necessarily from their degree although I’m sure that helps, but more from where they’ve trained and interned, then where they’ve worked, as well as who they’ve learned from personally.

I firmly believe experience is the best teacher in ANY profession. Although I have a few framed degrees hanging on the wall of my home office, hands on experience has always been more beneficial than what I learned in a classroom. The classroom work formed a foundation that eventually became a supplement to my hands on experience.

As with any profession, I’m sure there are basic principles in S & C training. Those basic principles can then be expanded upon based an individuals experience and the particular situation that person is involved with.

 

[Cryptical Envelopment]

I don't care if he is **** at his job. But everyday this man doesn't post videos like these is a day I'm demanding Cristobal to be fired. The content is incredible.

1. This guy seems like the real deal. Just because he's intense (perfect for what he does) doesn't make him inauthentic. I think he just beats to his own drum and doesn't really care what anyone else thinks.

2. I would really like to know what kind of bike that is on the left of the screen.

3. Juicy guns

4. End racism

 

[Brains]

26 pages of commentary about a strength and conditioning coach from primarily out of shape message board junkees. I’m going to trust Mario on this hire.

The dude's physique clearly suggests he has the requisite knowledge

 

[LuCane]

In my work, we would define your story as discipline. Discipline (habits) takes over when motivation leaves the room.

Mental toughness is strictly a mental focus under duress thing. 4th and goal from the 1, do you false start on a hard count? Do you forget your assignment?

Im genuinely curious what line of work you're in that has these specific definitions. I'm in talent development and we often discuss these phrases. If you prefer to share over DM, that's cool, too.

 

[hurricaneman]

If you had told me a month ago that there would be a big debate about the educational credentials of the S&C coach, I never would've believed it.

One dumb a-hole on twitter with a hot take opinion can spark a worldwide debate. That's one of the problems with the world today and social media.

You used to need to have earned and established credibility for your opinion to matter. Now you just need to go viral or have followers and that's all the credibility many people need. It's miserable.