Today’s guest is Dr. Jarod Burton. Jarod is a chiropractor and sports performance coach focused on neurology-driven movement. He blends manual therapy, strength modailities, and nervous system training to unlock better mechanics and athletic output. His work centers on identifying and clearing the neural limits that hold athletes back.
In training, there are many layers to human performance and athletic outputs. One critical layer is the power transmission of the nervous system, and how to unlock this ability in all athletes. Many athletes naturally have a more adept system, while others may need more bridges to reach their highest levels of performance.
In this episode, Jarod speaks on how his approach has evolved since entering clinical practice. He shares how he uses flywheel training to teach rhythm, “the dance” of force, and powerful catches rather than just concentric effort. He and Joel dig into spinal mobility, ribcage expansion, and even breakdance-style spinal waves as underrated keys to athletic freedom. Jarod then simplifies neurology for coaches, explaining how posture reveals brain-side imbalances and how targeted “fast stretch” work, loud/sticky altitude drops, and intelligently high training volumes can rebalance the system and unlock performance.
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Timestamps
0:00 - Jarod’s background and early coaching lens6:55 - Internal vs external focus and simple cues13:40 - What good movement feels like20:10 - Speed shapes and improving posture29:18 - Blending strength with elastic qualities41:02 - Breathing mechanics and better movement options52:37 - Pelvis function and creating better positions1:00:15 - Skill acquisition and training that sticks1:11:48 - Programming principles and individual needs1:19:40 - Coaching philosophy and athlete communication
Actionable Takeaways
0:00 – Jarod’s background, influences, and early coaching lens
Jarod draws heavily on mentors in track and field, particularly their ability to teach posture, projection, and simple shapes.
He notes that he used to overcoach mechanics and learned that athletes need experiences, not micromanagement.
Emphasize principles over preferences. As Jarod says, “If I can teach the principles, the application can change.”
6:55 – Internal versus external focus and simple cues that work
Jarod prefers cues that help athletes feel positions instead of thinking about them.
He explains that internal cues can work when used to create awareness, but they cannot dominate the session.
Use cues that point the athlete toward an outcome. For example, he prefers “push the ground away” instead of detailed joint instructions.
13:40 – What good movement feels like and the problem with forcing technique
Jarod warns that coaches often chase “pretty” movement at the cost of effective movement.
Technique should emerge from intention, not the other way around.
He encourages coaches to give athletes tasks that naturally produce the shapes they want.
If an athlete is struggling, simplify the environment rather than stack more verbal instructions.
20:10 – Speed development, posture, and improving shapes without overcoaching
Jarod explains that acceleration improves when athletes learn to project rather than lift.
Upright running quality comes from rhythm and relaxation, not from forcing tall mechanics.
He recommends using contrast tasks to improve posture, such as wall drills combined with short accelerations.
Let the environment teach the athlete and save verbal coaching for key errors only.
29:18 – Blending strength training with elastic qualities
Jarod sees weight room work as support, not the driver, of speed and skill.
He focuses on the elastic properties of tendons and connective tissue for speed athletes.
He notes that heavy lifting can coexist with stiffness and elasticity if programmed strategically rather than constantly chased.
Use low amplitude hops, bounds, and rhythm-based plyos to balance the traditional strength program.
41:02 – Breathing, ribcage mechanics, and natural movement options
Jarod uses breathing work to help athletes find positions that allow better rotation and force transfer.
He explains that tight ribcages limit athletic expression, not just breathing capacity.
Many athletes struggle with rotation due to rigid breathing patterns, not lack of strength.
Use breathing resets before high-speed work to create better movement “access.”
52:37 – Understanding the athletic pelvis and creating better positions
Jarod emphasizes that pelvic orientation shapes nearly every aspect of movement.
He encourages developi