Dr. Seth Haselhuhn breaks down why mental performance for tactical professionals isn't the same as sport psychology—and why "tactical athlete" is a misleading term.

Seth is a mental performance coach working with special operations and tactical professionals. In this conversation, we cover:

• Why there are no metrics for combat (and what that means for training)
• The difference between sport IQ and tactical IQ
• What actually happens after the gunfight—the conversations most people don't have
• How to carry weight you can't put down
• Why clear goals + feedback beats motivation every time
• Domain-specific mental skills vs generic mental toughness

Seth's been working with the SOF community for over 10 years. He's a PhD in sport pedagogy with a background that spans strength & conditioning, college baseball coaching, and tactical psychology.

Key quote: "Guys in special operations have already demonstrated better mental toughness than most people. They don't need rah-rah motivation—they need specific skills for specific problems."

CONNECT WITH SETH:
Instagram: @caliber_development_group

WARFIGHTER PROGRAM:
Join 700+ tactical professionals training smart: https://marketplace.trainheroic.com/workout-plan/team/modern-athlete-strength-solutions?attrib=260991-pod

In this episode of the Modern Athlete Podcast, Coach Jimmy sits down with Justin Bentivegna, a longtime friend, training partner, and fellow strength coach, to unpack what effective training really looks like for tactical professionals and athletes across different stages of life.

The conversation centers on the idea that training principles should stay constant, but methods must adapt to the individual. Justin emphasizes that whether you’re coaching college athletes or seasoned tactical operators, you’re always training humans first. The art of coaching lies in meeting people where they are—physically, psychologically, and professionally—rather than forcing rigid systems onto them.

Key themes include:

• Principles over philosophy: Core training principles remain stable, but exercise selection, communication style, and programming must evolve based on the athlete’s age, experience, and job demands.
• Ground-based, compound movements as the foundation of performance, with an emphasis on front squats, pull-ups, overhead pressing, and total-body strength.
• Relative strength, power, speed, and force absorption as major gaps in tactical training—often overlooked in favor of only max strength or endurance.
• High–low programming models to manage CNS fatigue while balancing lifting, sprinting, intervals, and long-duration conditioning.
• Conditioning beyond mileage, blending short, intense interval work with aerobic base development.
• Swimming as a technical skill, where improved general fitness often carries over without excessive pool volume for non-swimmers.
• Fatherhood and longevity in training, with Justin framing fitness as stewardship, protection, leadership by example, and “training your replacement.”
• Culture as people and leadership, with elite cultures built through consistent values, integrity, and shared standards—not slogans.

The episode closes with Justin discussing his current training focus for a HYROX competition, using classic accumulation → intensification → realization → peaking phases, and reinforcing that smart, adaptable programming applies whether you’re training for competition, duty, or life.

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Train Here

In this episode, Coach Jimmy and Chris Conroy discuss the importance of maintaining health and fitness as a father. They explore Chris's journey with the '100 Days of Healthy' challenge, his upcoming Ironman training, and the balance between family life and personal fitness goals. The conversation emphasizes the need for adaptability in training, the significance of leading by example, and the mental health benefits of staying active. Chris shares personal anecdotes and insights on how to prioritize health while managing the responsibilities of fatherhood. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the importance of planning and consistency in training, the challenges of waking up early, and the balance between training and life responsibilities. They emphasize the need for motivation and the significance of finding a routine that works for each individual. The discussion also touches on the enjoyment of training and the importance of discipline in achieving fitness goals while maintaining a fulfilling life.

Follow Chris here: Instagram