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

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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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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.

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The Annual Plan is how you build ALL physical qualities over the course of a year. When you build everything at once, nothing ever becomes the priority. This is how we build elite strength and conditioning while keeping athletes healthy over the course of year.

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Listener Q&A episode where we will discuss how to set goals, staying consistent on your training, rep ranges for specific results, and more!

Being able to properly brace your body and create as stable of a platform as possible is necessary to lift heavier loads - and to stay safe while doing so. In this episode, our coaching staff dives into the exact methods you can use to lift heavier weight more safely and efficiently.

We're looking back on what we've done in 2026 and talking plans for what the next year holds. In this episode Jimmy and Brian also discuss how their views of coaching may have changed and how that influences the next chapter of Modern Athlete.

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Alexz Jones is a Green Beret and USPSA Grandmaster - the highest possible classification within the sport.

This episode delves into the world of tactical training, focusing on the integration of athleticism and performance on demand.

The conversation highlights how traditional athletic training methods can be adapted for tactical athletes, emphasizing injury prevention and cognitive performance.

Key insights include the role of speed and agility in tactical scenarios, the significance of training versatility, and the impact of social media on training perceptions.

Ready to train? Get started here.