Welcome to Blueprint of an Athlete, where science meets sports. In this episode, host Dr. Robin West is joined by 15-season MLB veteran and 2019 World Series Champion Howie Kendrick. Now a special assistant to the GM for the Philadelphia Phillies, Howie shares his unique perspective on the evolution of hitting, the "middle ground" of analytics, and why the mental game is the ultimate differentiator in professional baseball.

Howie discusses his shift from the field to a front-office advisory role. He emphasizes that while his title is "Special Assistant," his passion lies in the clubhouse and on the bench, where he can provide real-time guidance to both Major and Minor League players.

Howie has played through three distinct eras of baseball: the tail end of the "old school" era, the technology transition, and the current analytics-heavy landscape.

• The Guideline, Not the God: Howie explains that analytics should be a pre-game map—understanding a pitcher’s "carry" or rotation—but once you step into the box, you must be a "dumb hitter" (reacting rather than thinking).
• Controlling Your Data: He challenges hitters to take ownership of their own analytical track record by being less predictable in their approach.

A recurring theme in this episode is that mechanics follow timing.

• The Vision Link: If a hitter's timing is off, their vision is rushed, leading to poor decision-making and mechanical breakdown.
• Analyzing Video: Howie shares his "mental training" technique: watching video of his successful swings in a relaxed state to impress the positive mechanics onto his subconscious.

Howie offers a candid look at the state of youth baseball, including the "club ball" circuit and his advice for his own sons.

• Instincts vs. Exit Velo: He warns that over-reliance on technology is creating individuals rather than team players.
• The Velocity Trap: Howie advocates for "command over velocity," noting a rise in injuries among young pitchers chasing radar gun numbers at the expense of mechanics and longevity.

Dr. West and Howie reminisce about the Washington Nationals' historic 2019 run. Howie identifies the "secret sauce" as a veteran-led culture where every player felt they had a voice and the team truly cheered for one another’s success.

Howie opens up about his 2018 Achilles rupture—an injury Dr. West treated. He credits his rapid recovery to a positive mindset and a radical trust in his medical team.

Advice for Young Athletes: "Don't ever look back and say 'what if.' Talent without work is just talent. Eventually, you run out of road."

• Grief: Injury triggers a legitimate grief response. Athletes lose their social circle, their daily routine, and their sense of purpose.
• Identity Shift: For many, "athlete" is their core identity. When that is removed, it touches on deep core beliefs like belonging and worthiness.
• Body Image: Dr. Logan notes that physical changes—atrophy, scars, and loss of athletic "build"—can make an athlete feel like they no longer fit in their own skin.

• Suppression vs. Flexibility: "Toughness" often leads to suppressing symptoms or emotions, which actually delays recovery.
• Resilience: Defined as an ongoing, fluid process. It requires resources (access to care), relationships (connection), and a regulated nervous system.

• Prehab Integration: Addressing the mental landscape from day one.
• Confidence Metrics: Asking athletes to rate their confidence (0–10) during physical tasks to identify mismatches between physical ability and mental readiness.
• Relational Connectivity: Clinicians don't need to be therapists, but they must provide a "human" connection and normalize the emotional journey.

• Prioritize Presence: You don't always have to say the right thing; just being there is more important.
• Avoid "Everything happens for a reason": While well-intentioned, this can be invalidating to an athlete in the depths of grief.
• Rupture and Repair: If you say the wrong thing, acknowledge it and make amends.

• Proactivity is Key: Have a plan for your mental recovery, just as you do for your physical rehab.
• Unbroken doesn't mean "unscarred": It means rebuilding a connection with your body and gaining the confidence to navigate future adversity.

In this episode of Blueprint of an Athlete, Dr. Robin West is joined by Dr. Majid Fotuhi, a Harvard and Johns Hopkins-trained neurologist and author of The Invincible Brain. They explore why brain health is the ultimate "command center" for athletic performance and recovery.

Dr. Fotuhi explains that concussions involve diffuse axonal injury (twisting of neurons), inflammation, and micro-hemorrhages. Critically, he notes that concussions can occur from rapid acceleration/deceleration—like a shoulder tackle—even without direct head impact.

A major takeaway is that the brain is highly malleable. Through neuroplasticity, the brain can rewire and grow at any age. While repeated impacts and high stress (cortisol) can shrink the hippocampus, targeted training can actually thicken the brain’s cortex and expand memory centers.

Dr. Fotuhi outlines a foundational approach to building a resilient brain:

1. Exercise: Physical fitness drives brain health.
2. Diet: Avoiding processed "junk" foods that physically shrink the brain.
3. Sleep: Essential for clearing toxins and recovery.
4. Stress Management: Reducing self-induced stress to protect the hippocampus.
5. Brain Training: Improving processing speed and executive function.

Dr. Fotuhi emphasizes that athletes must wait for 100% recovery before returning to play. Returning at 90% capacity significantly increases the risk of both secondary concussions and orthopedic injuries (like ACL tears) due to delayed reaction times.

Key Resource: Dr. Fotuhi’s book, The Invincible Brain, releases in March and provides a 12-week clinically proven program to enhance focus and cognitive resilience.