Totten Talks Podcast
Welcome to "Totten Talks," where hosts Leo Totten and Cait Finn share their wealth of experience in weightlifting, strength and conditioning, and athletics. With over 70 years of combined expertise, Leo and Cait delve into the legacies and life lessons that have shaped their careers and the world of weightlifting. Join Leo and Cait as they provide an engaging, fun, and informative platform for athletes, coaches, and anyone passionate about lifting and sports excellence. Tune in for invaluable lessons, corny dad jokes, and a genuine passion for building a lasting legacy in weightlifting and beyond.
Totten Talks Podcast
From Research to Reality: The Role of Sports Science in Athlete Development with Dr. Chris Taber
In this episode of Totten Talks, Leo and Cait are joined by Dr. Chris Taber—longtime friend, teammate, and the Graduate Program Director of Exercise and Sports Science at Sacred Heart University.
Chris brings a unique perspective, blending cutting-edge research with years of practical, hands-on coaching experience. The conversation is all about the intersection of sports science, coaching, and building stronger athletes—and coaches!
In this episode, Leo, Cait, and Chris cover:
- Chris’s path into sports science, from Penn State to working with Leo, to earning his doctorate at East Tennessee State University
- What “sports science” really means, how it’s different from (but connected to) exercise science and strength & conditioning
- The importance of applied sports science—bridging the gap between lab research and the real day-to-day work with athletes and coaches
- Why good mentorship matters, how to find the right mentor, and how early experiences shape coaches
- The Totten Training Mentorship Program: how it started, what it offers, and why it’s making a difference for young coaches
- The role of Olympic lifts in strength & conditioning: the pros, the challenges, and busting the myth that they’re “too hard to teach”
- How to use weightlifting movements for athletic development (vs. competing as a weightlifter)
- Advice for coaches: periodization, programming for strength and power, balancing “sport-specific” and foundational training
A fantastic listen for coaches, athletes, and anyone interested in the science (and art!) of making better athletes and building legacies.
Where to find Dr. Chris Taber:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/drchristaber/
Follow Totten Training on social media: @tottentraining
and visit the Totten Training website.