Training Tactical Athletes w/ Doug Larson, Coach Travis Mash and Dr. Mike Lane #851

In this episode, Doug Larson, Dr. Mike Lane, and Coach Travis Mash break down what it actually means to train tactical athletes such as police officers, firefighters, military personnel, SWAT teams, cadets, and first responders who may be called into high-stress physical situations at any time. The conversation starts with the Enhanced Games and the reality of performance-enhancing drugs in sport, then quickly shifts into the tactical world, where "second place" can mean getting hurt, losing control of a situation, or not making it home. Mike explains why the first step is always a job-task analysis: Is the athlete a cadet preparing for a career, a police officer who is always "in season," a firefighter working 24-hour shifts, or a military operator cycling between deployment and training blocks?

The team digs into the practical training model: tactical athletes need strength, aerobic capacity, anaerobic conditioning, mobility, grip, durability, and the ability to stay calm under stress. They discuss why training should usually be total-body, spread across the week, and conservative enough to avoid unnecessary soreness or injury while still building real capability. Travis explains how velocity-based training can keep athletes powerful without constantly maxing out, while Mike highlights exercise selection that "coaches itself," like front squats, goblet squats, kettlebell swings, thick-bar work, carries, and push presses. The big takeaway: tactical athletes do not need bodybuilding workouts or random hard training, they need specific, repeatable preparation that makes their body a reliable tool under pressure.

Links:

Doug Larson on Instagram
Coach Travis Mash on Instagram