Why You Feel Like a Fraud: Imposter Syndrome in Fitness Professionals

Coaching, Education, Personal Training, Resources, Update, VideoLeave a comment

Imposter syndrome in the fitness industry is far more common than personal trainers, strength coaches, and gym owners realize, with research showing roughly 70% of professionals will experience it during their career. In this episode of the THIRST More Podcast, Brandon Smitley breaks down the five types of imposter syndrome, why fitness professionals are uniquely vulnerable, and the evidence-based REALS framework you can use to manage self-doubt, raise your rates, and grow your coaching business with confidence.

4 Essential Exercises Swimmers MUST Do in the Gym (Backed by Science)

Coaching, Education, Sports Performance, Update, VideoLeave a comment

Strength training for swimmers requires a sport-specific approach that addresses the unique biomechanical demands of the pool, including repetitive spinal extension, explosive starts and turns, and the bone density challenges of non-impact training. This complete dryland training guide breaks down the four essential strength and conditioning components every swimmer needs, including anti-extension core work, bilateral lower body strength, plyometric power development, and energy system training. Whether you’re a competitive swimmer, triathlete, or coach, learn the science-backed exercises and programming strategies that will help you swim faster, build durability, and prevent the chronic injuries that derail so many swimming careers.

Split Stance WTS Cable Lift

Exercise Index, VideoLeave a comment

The split stance cable lift is an underrated rotational core exercise that builds anti-rotation strength, hip stability, and change of direction performance for athletes, powerlifters, and combat sports competitors. Learn how to set up the lift with a cable machine and lift and chop strap, when to choose each foot position variation, and how to program it for serious carryover to sport and the platform.

Lateral Power Shuffle

Exercise Index, VideoLeave a comment

The lateral power shuffle is one of the most effective drills for developing explosive side-to-side speed, agility, and change of direction for athletes in nearly every sport. In this exercise breakdown, Brandon Smitley of THIRST Gym walks through the mechanics, common coaching mistakes, programming recommendations, and how to progress this drill from closed reps to reactive, sport-specific application. Whether you coach wrestlers, football players, MMA fighters, or general fitness clients, this is a foundational lateral movement drill every athlete should master.

Hatfield FFE Split Squat

Exercise Index, VideoLeave a comment

The Hatfield front foot elevated split squat is one of the most effective single-leg exercises you can add to your training, combining safety squat bar loading with stability support to take balance out of the equation and let you push heavier weights for strength and hypertrophy. In this exercise index breakdown, Brandon Smitley of THIRST Gym walks you through the setup, technique, programming recommendations, and the biomechanical reasons this variation builds bigger glutes, stronger legs, and better mobility. Learn how to add this powerful split squat variation to your powerlifting accessory work or athletic development program today.

Hatfield Split Squat

Exercise Index, VideoLeave a comment

Learn how to perform the Hatfield split squat with a safety squat bar to load your single-leg training heavier than ever before. This powerful unilateral exercise builds quad and glute strength, fixes leg imbalances, and works as both a main lift or supplemental movement for powerlifters, athletes, and general fitness clients. Brandon Smitley of THIRST Gym breaks down setup, technique, common mistakes, and programming recommendations.

Fitness Industry Trends: What’s Actually Science vs. What’s Just Marketing

Coaching, Education, Personal Training, Podcast, Sports Performance, Update, VideoLeave a comment

Every year the fitness industry rolls out new “revolutionary” trends, but separating real science from marketing hype takes a clear evaluation framework. In this comprehensive breakdown, THIRST Gym owner and strength coach Brandon Smitley analyzes the biggest fitness trends of 2026 across velocity based training, blood flow restriction, zone 2 cardio, HRV wearables, biohacking protocols, and more, identifying what’s legitimate, what’s overhyped, and what’s complete nonsense. Learn how to filter fitness trends through peer-reviewed research, effect size, and cost-benefit analysis to make smarter training, nutrition, and recovery decisions.

Half Kneeling Lateral Start To Sprint

Exercise Index, VideoLeave a comment

The half kneeling lateral start to sprint is a powerful change of direction drill that develops explosive lateral power production and teaches athletes how to re-accelerate out of a cut. Ideal for soccer, basketball, tennis, and football athletes, this sprint variation builds the lateral propulsion and acceleration mechanics that separate elite competitors from the rest. Learn the proper setup, coaching cues, and programming guidelines from THIRST Gym owner Brandon Smitley.

Sandbag Shoulder Carry

Exercise Index, VideoLeave a comment

The sandbag shoulder carry is one of the most effective loaded carry variations for building lateral trunk stability, oblique strength, hip mobility, and conditioning for powerlifters, combat sport athletes, and general fitness clients. Learn how to perform the sandbag shoulder carry with proper form, why it works as an anti-lateral flexion core exercise, and how to program it for both strength and conditioning blocks at THIRST Gym.

5 Best Ab Exercises Based on Science (EMG Study Results)

Coaching, Education, Personal Training, Powerlifting, Sports Performance, Update, VideoLeave a comment

The best ab exercises aren’t the trendy ones flooding your social media feed — they’re the five movements backed by EMG research that actually build a stronger, more functional core. From the dead bug and Pallof press to the ab wheel rollout, hanging leg raise, and kneeling cable crunch, this guide breaks down exactly how to perform, progress, and program the most effective abdominal exercises for powerlifters, combat athletes, and general fitness enthusiasts. Stop wasting hours on endless crunches and learn how to train your rectus abdominis, obliques, and transverse abdominis the right way.