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"It's not how much you do, it's what you do during your training" - Luke BoonLuke Boon is one of the most decorated jump rope athletes in the history of the sport. He's a world record holder, a 28-time world champion, and he coaches youth, adults and other elite competitive jumpers through his company Jump Force International. Luke has a wealth of knowledge and I know there will be several unlocks for you during this episode.We talk about so many great subjects, including how to train freestyle at world class level, how to count your own triple under reps correctly, how and why Luke takes notes for all things jump rope, the importance of mental benchmarks on your speed scores, and a whole lot more. This entire episode is jam packed with awesomeness, but my favorite part is when we discuss speed training towards the second half of the episode. Luke trained new youth jumpers to reach a 30 second speed score of 87 in only 9 weeks. That blew my mind, and you absolutely do not want to miss how he achieved that incredible accomplishment.Selected Links:Luke's 2010 RoutineLuke's 2008 RoutineJump Force InternationalShow Notes:01:35 How Luke Started Jumping05:50 Other Sports Luke Has Done08:21 Lessons From Team Sports09:14 Have You Ever Pushed Yourself Too Hard?12:57 Recognizing Your Wins14:58 The Main Element That Lead To Luke's Success25:44 The Key To Smooth Triple Unders28:41 Nervousness During Competition32:05 Luke's Professional Career35:24 How 2020 Impacted Luke's Jump Rope Business37:58 Coaching Jump Rope Virtually43:24 How Luke Takes Notes47:28 How Luke Has Dealt With Plateaus49:00 Mindset Is The Key To World Record Scores57:55 How Luke Trains Speed Events1:03:12 What Is Jump Rope To You?

Today we are going to hear from LJ LaVecchia, a competitive jumper and world champion many times over. We talk about a lot of different subjects, including how to approach the sport differently by adjusting the competition format, how LJ has broken ones by doing simple skills, the mindset it takes to become a world champion, and a bunch more.

 This episode of the podcast is a little bit different than others. A while back I did a random Instagram live and my friend Bav jumped on the live. The intention was just to chit chat, but we went deep and ended up recording an entire podcast episode! Keep in mind that this is a very raw conversation, meaning the audio isn't the sharpest, but everything still comes through. We talk about so many different topics, but the real highlight of our conversation is staying authentic online and avoiding the pitfalls of social media by being very real with yourself. It's all jump rope related, but a little deeper than just that. 

"It's ok to make mistakes, and it's also ok to share those failures!" - Ervin ConcepcionErvin Concepcion started jumping during the beginning of lockdown in 2020, and since then has learned a tremendous amount of skills and even started selling jump ropes to his community in the Philippines. Also this guy has dislocated his shoulder more times than anyone I know and he has a really hilarious way of explaining these injuries, which we get into during the podcast. We also talk about how competitive sports help teach optimism, how to approach selling jump ropes, Ervin's process learning to jump rope, Ervin's history playing competitive tennis, and a bunch more. 

Let's start 2021 better than last year (LOL)On this episode we'll go through three topics I'm focusing on: Consistency, Mental Wellbeing & What Is Jump Rope?You'll hear from a lot of folks on these topics:Dec McCarthyMike FryStewart IsaacsChad GonzalezDon MichaelThe Jump Rope DudesJohnjo RigueraCarla FranziniThe San Francisco Band - Mel, Kyle & DeanaJuli CampDustin Glass

"You don't just have to focus on the physical aspect of jump rope. It's an extremely mental sport as well!" - Dylan PlummerDylan Plummer is is a decorated competitive jump rope athlete, and one of the original jumpers who used to post to YouTube over a decade ago. Dylan and I originally met digitally during those YouTube days, but this is actually the first full conversation we've had! And we go very deep on this one. We start out discussing his computer science profession and how he's using machine learning in the biology field (which is extremely interesting), and then we move into more jump rope focused topics such as the accessibility of information in our sport, how the impossible becomes possible, whether or not older jumpers over 20 can be faster than youth, and a whole lot more.

"I live by the code, 'Ever try, ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.'" - LA Sarmiento(This original quote is attributed to Samuel Beckett)LA Sarmiento is a jumper in the Philippines and previous student of mine. I've spent a good amount of time coaching LA, but this is the first time we really had a long chat, and boy did he deliver! We dive deep into a lot of topics, including how LA has managed his asthma with sports, his experience with competitive tennis and how that has influenced his jumping, why trial and error is foundational to both jump rope and programming, maintaining an optimistic mindset, and a bunch more!

"If they can do it, why can't I?" - Sharina IsabelOn this episode I speak with Sharina Isabel . I've watched Sharina's progress for a while and have been impressed by her strength as a jumper! This is the first conversation we've had, and we really dug into all points of her journey, really focusing on how to build confidence. If confidence has been a journey for you, you'll really dig Sharina's insights and perspective. We also chat about jumping solo versus with others, the similarities between architecture and jump rope, feeling nervous when going to a gym for the first time, and a lot more!

“The biggest thing is having a plan. [..]If [the kids] know what they're shooting for, now they have a purpose to learn [jump rope skills]!” - Nick WoodardKaylee and Nick are back on the podcast and they absolutely delivered. If you haven't heard our first conversation, you should definitely go check that out. And just as a quick reminder, Kaylee and Nick are both world champions many times over, Kaylee has been jumping for 22 years has a degree in Kinesiology, a masters in Exercise Science, and a PhD in Motor Behavior & Sport Psychology. Nick has been jumping for over 26 years and has earned 4 Double Dutch context world titles, 5 national championship titles, and 14 world championship titles. He’s travelled to 30 US states and has been to 16 countries across 5 continents.Today we talk about the growth of recreational jump rope, how becoming an Olympic sport will help jump rope, maintaining our core values as the sport grows, how to stay motivated when jumping by yourself, and a whole lot more!

"[My client] told me I saved her life with jump rope. As an architect and an engineer, I never had that from a client." - Max BennasarMax Bennasar is a jump rope coach in Panama, and we have become friends over the last few years via the Instagram community. We've talked a lot through DM, but this is first time we had a chance to sit down and really go through Max's history with jump rope. He is doing a phenomenal job coaching Primal Jump Rope at his gym, and we dig into so many topics, including what Primal Jump Rope workouts are, how Max started jumping when he was six years old and how his skills evolved throughout his life, why Max entered a rowing competition, a few of the ways jump rope can strengthen the mind, and a whole lot more.

"The piece that people miss is that they have the power to create their experience on social media. It's not just happening to you." - Nate K-GThis episode is another Q&A where I have my great friend Malini Majithia host and moderate all of the questions that were asked via Instagram. You all asked me some really awesome questions, and I answered with a LOT of detail. I think you'll really dig not only the educational information I provide, but also the hilarious banter between Malini and I. This is a packed episode where I chat about how to get the right nutrition, avoiding shin splints and why you get them in the first place, the size of my calves, how to be analytical, wholesome jump rope community moments, and a bunch more.

"You can't rely on feeling good to do things. You have to rely on the practice of just doing something consistently all the time." - Dan WitmerOn this episode I talk with the legendary Jump Rope Dudes, Dan Witmer and Brandon Epstein. These two need no introduction, as they have built a platform delivering jump rope information to hundreds of thousands of people and have brought an incredibly large amount of folks into the jump rope world. Dan and Brandon use jump rope to not only better themselves, but also to impact others and help create lasting positive physical and mental change for so many. We dive into a bunch of different topics about their journey with jump rope, including how both dudes lost a lot of weight with jump rope, the importance of consistency and the Stackin' Bricks philosophy, a discussion on Mental Fitness Training, some of the dudes most fulfilling moments, and a whole lot more.

“Being a good coach is not having a big ego, it's knowing that everybody has something to offer and can teach you something valuable.” - Dave NewmanOn this episode I talk with the owner and founder of Rx Smart Gear, Dave Newman. People ask me all the time where my relationship with Rx Smart Gear began, and this conversation will explain that - it’s all about the philosophy Dave has created and continues to bring to fitness and the jump rope world. Dave has been and continues to be one of the greatest mentors I’ve had , both within jump rope and in other realms of life. I have a long history with Dave, and I’m really pumped to bring some of that to you with this conversation. For anyone that is new to jumping, we cover rope sizing and how to view jump rope IN DETAIL. For those that are more experienced or are competitors, you’ll really like the way Dave breaks down the craft of jump rope and how he explains it. We get into other topics, such as how to use a jump rope for boxing, overcoming a sedentary lifestyle, how Dave started selling his ropes, and how Dave created his coaching methodology.

“You are a role model, whether you want to be or not.” - Kaylee WoodardKaylee and Nick are both world champions many times over. Here’s just a few of their accomplishments: Kaylee has been jumping for over 22 years and in that time has earned many national and international titles, has performed for Cirque de Soleil, Cirque Dream and Saltare, has a degree in Kinesiology, a masters in Exercise Science, and a PhD in Motor Behavior & Sport Psychology. Nick has been jumping for over 26 years. He’s earned 4 Double Dutch context world titles, 5 national championship titles, and 14 world championship titles. He’s travelled to 30 US states and has been to 16 countries across 5 continents. I could probably fill an entire podcast episode simply on the accolades of these two jumpers! But instead I asked them about many of those accolades, discussing things such as the history of jump rope, the best methods for growth of our sport, the importance of biomechanics and training like an athlete, how these two met and ultimately got married, and a whole lot more. You do not want to miss this one! 

“Fitness is a lifestyle, not a permanent destination.” — Noel AgraLately I have been getting to know a lot of the jumpers from the Philippines, and I quickly came to learn about Noel Agra as he is the President of the Philippine Jump Rope Association. We dig into so much good stuff on this episode, including how the PJRA was formed, Noel’s background as a chef working at some very prestigious restaurants across the globe, how to cultivate an optimistic mindset by running into obstacles, growing and adapting your fitness strategies over time, and a whole lot more. 

“Everyone feeds off the energy or the visual inspiration that they gather from their immediate network.” — Don MichaelI’ve known about Don Michael (aka Happyfingers) for a while now, but we hadn’t actually spoken until a few weeks ago when we did an instagram live call together where he actually interviewed me. I knew right away that Don was all about the jump rope community and had some great perspective to share. So, now it’s my turn to interview him! We dive into loads of subjects, including social media literacy and how jumpers can use the digital world their advantage, growth in the jump rope community, how Don’s artistic talents have influenced his jumping, why Don lost motivation to jump and how he got back to being consistent, and a whole lot more. 

“Any trick you can land on your feet, just do that and land in a Frog instead.” —Seth IngramSeth Ingram is not only a world champion jump roper, but he is in the top tier of talented jumpers. He is among the group of jumpers that are continually redefining what is physically possible with a jump rope. Please do yourself a favor and go check out his instagram page if you haven’t already. He has some wild stuff there! In our chat we discuss Seth’s history with other sports, the mentality of always bettering yourself, tips on learning the Moneymaker, the mindset for performances vs. competitions, the vibe of international jump rope competitions, and a lot more. 

“It’s not about the Olympics, its about getting people into the sport.” —Emma TrumbleEmma Trumble is a long time competitive jumper who is very active in the sport. We’ve chatted through instagram for quite a while now, and we always have thoughtful discussions about all things jump rope related. Emma delivers the same great perspective and interesting topics in our discussion today. We go over a lot of topics, including attending team practices that are 1.5 hours away from home, the magic of having a double dutch team that is in sync, thoughts on the Olypmics and competition structure, the progression of youth jumpers, and a whole lot more. 

“I just thought it was this really niche thing where I was the only one jump roping—but no! It’s this big awesome community.” —Alysia MattsonAlysia Mattson has an interesting and serendipitous history with jumping, and has taken the full leap into the jump rope community. She has learned a tremendous amount of skills in a short period of time, accepting that she is now fully obsessed with jump rope. We chat about many things, including Alysia’s history with dance and how that has influenced her jumping, how to own your misses when jumping, how to develop consistent training for handstands and jump rope, ambassadorship within the jump rope space, and much more. 

“Know why you’re doing it. Don’t do it for the attention of others.” —Chad GonzalesOn this episode I talk with Chad Gonzales. Chad has been jumping for a long time now, and he easily one of the most consistently versatile jumpers I know. He uses just about every single jump rope style for every purpose - whether thats a brutal endurance workout, a freestyle skill training session, a hybrid strength program, or really anything else. Chad has some solid perspective and shares a lot about how to make time for jump rope, how to handle being made fun of for jumping, ways to change up your workouts and integrate all styles of jumping, how to use social media for connection, and a lot more.