Use more “right brain” in your training



I’ve recently been coloring & drawing with my wife more. Trying to find more ways to invite creativity. It certainly helps that she is an amazing creator and teacher. Okay, cool…why does this matter?

I, like most of you, have over relied on my “left brain” for as long as I can remember. I was big into facts, stats, numbers, training plans that took me from A—>B—>C.

My right brain was underdeveloped.

As I got older and started working a corporate finance job everything was black and white, I didn’t have any flavor or color. Right brain thinking all day everyday.

When I think about that now it is pretty crazy to see how that showed up in my training. Everything I was doing in my 20’s was very similar. I did less and less of a variety of sports and games and more and more of HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) & CrossFit. I am not saying either of these are bad, but for me they were not allowing me to express my athleticism.

In my 20’s I was very stiff, saw my speed deteriorate and definitely lost some inches on my vertical. I was focused on hitting performance metrics.

One of my biggest revelations I have had in my 30’s is this right brain thinking in my training and in my coaching style. I have worked hard over these last couple years to build a sensory awareness in my body.

I’ve been inviting more rhythm and feeling into the athletic equation

Using too much of our left brain can give us the following:

Higher rates of injury

Burn out

Rigid movement styles

Early performance ceilings

As I mentioned earlier, you need both! Using too much right brain is not ideal either. That may cause the following:

Lack of organization in the training plan

Lowered outputs

Not peaking at the right time

Lack of data to check program results

One of the simplest things you can do is start to use music to your advantage. Play your favorite song and get creative with your movement. Link up your running cadence with your favorite workout song. Perform different types of squats to your favorite beat. Get creative.

I think of the difference between right and left brain thinking like this:

Left brain thinking helps to set the training structure and know which exercises to select

Right brain thinking helps to carry this structure out, how do we allow the athlete to self organize to achieve their best technique

This is something that we @ LAD Performance provide. Our programs are the work of this blend between right brain and left brain thinking. A blend of outputs, sensation, athletic timing and movement fluidity.

So what’s your favorite sport… Basketball? Have you watched Kyrie Irving play? Soccer…? Have you watched Messi play? Golf…? Have you watched Tiger play?

These athletes are creators. It’s an art for them. They see the game in color. There is no black and white. They can adjust on the fly, create different angles and shots based on what the defense is providing them. They are masters of timing and movement fluidity.

Do you think you are creating in your training plan? What are some ways can you use right brain thinking to your advantage?

Fortunately for you WE CAN HELP 😉!

🗣️: If you are looking to take the guesswork out of your training and have athletic goals coming up this year I’d highly recommend my online program, The Foundational Athlete (TFA). This program was built from years of experience keeping concepts like what I have shared today in mind. No matter what sport or how old you are the program holds tremendous value 🤝

RIGHT NOW TFA is being offered with a ONE WEEK FREE TRIAL. If you sign up & aren’t liking what you see just cancel it before the week is over and you won’t be billed. What’s the harm in that? To learn more you can click below! I’d love for you to be a part of the LAD Performance team & hear more about your performance goals this year.

Do you know someone else who would love this email info?