#748: Pavel Tsatsouline and Christopher Sommer

This episode is a two-for-one, and that’s because the podcast recently hit its 10-year anniversary and passed one billion downloads. To celebrate, I’ve curated some of the best of the best—some of my favorites—from more than 700 episodes over the last decade. I could not be more excited. The episode features segments from episode #55 "Pavel Tsatsouline on the Science of Strength and the Art of Physical Performance" and episode #158 "The Secrets of Gymnastic Strength Training."Please enjoy!Sponsors:Helix Sleep premium mattresses: https://helixsleep.com/tim (20% off all mattress orders and two free pillows)1Password easy-to-use and secure password manager for individuals, families, and businesses: https://1password.com/tim (14-day free trial)Momentous high-quality supplements: https://livemomentous.com/tim (code TIM for 20% off)Timestamps:[05:10] Notes about this supercombo format.[06:14] Enter Pavel Tsatsouline.[06:34] Pavel's background as a world-class trainer.[07:07] Considerations while customizing a training regimen.[09:40] Strength-building principles over equipment.[10:36] When in doubt, train your grip and your core.[12:57] How to grease the groove.[16:08] How not to strengthen the "core."[18:53] Approaching training as a practice.[21:16] Prioritizing strength — the "mother quality of all physical qualities."[23:57] The most counter-productive myths about strength training.[27:14] Pavel's hypothesis for the science behind hypertrophy.[28:01] Deadlifts, kettlebells, and the most common mistakes with both.[29:31] People who exemplify success to Pavel.[30:09] Calmness is contagious.[32:31] Enter Christopher Sommer.[33:23] Defining Gymnastics Strength Training™ (GST).[37:08] Types of strength that most non-gymnasts will not have.[41:10] Biggest mistakes made by those who self-teach handstands.[46:10] Top exercises for identifying weaknesses in strength and mobility.[56:47] The problem with focusing on muscular fatigue when training.[1:05:03] What is a pike pulse and why does it matter?[1:07:45] On kipping pull-ups.[1:11:16] Identifying solutions to pain.[1:18:38] The Jefferson curl.[1:23:06] Why weighted mobility work needs to be approached with a different level of intensity than conditioning work.[1:28:09] If someone is 35 years old, a former athlete, and has never done gymnastics, what's a good exercise and what should be avoided?[1:33:31] 3-5 joint mobility exercises for getting strong.[1:38:52] Preferred way to work on shoulder extension.[1:44:40] A good goal for those seeking to improve mobility.[1:46:15] Yoga handstands vs. gymnastics handstands (aesthetics vs. gold medals).[1:54:20] Coaches who have impressed Coach Sommer the most.[1:55:49] The story of Dmitry Bilozerchev and Alexander Alexandrov.[2:00:36] Differentiating immature athletes from mature athletes.[2:03:43] Training for success.[2:08:43] Describing the systematic approach to GST.[2:16:58] Exercises to avoid for the first six months of GST.[2:18:27] Breaking down the muscle-up.[2:23:59] Understanding the purpose of using various grips.[2:31:28] How Coach Sommer mentally preps athletes for a big competition.[2:41:13] Questions Coach Sommer would ask a gymnastic coach before sending children off to train with them.[2:45:36] Questions Coach Sommer would ask a gymnastic coach who trains adults.[2:47:44] Balancing stretching and training time.[2:52:52] People who exemplify success to Coach Sommer.[2:58:16] Most gifted books.[3:01:04] Morning rituals.[3:05:02] Coach Sommer's billboard.[3:10:12] An ask for the audience and parting thoughts.*For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast.For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsorsSign up for Tim’s email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissYouTube: youtube.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timferrissPast guests on The Tim Ferriss Show include Jerry Seinfeld, Hugh Jackman, Dr. Jane Goodall, LeBron James, Kevin Hart, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Jamie Foxx, Matthew McConaughey, Esther Perel, Elizabeth 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