How to Train Hard Without Breaking Down with Mike Robertson, Doug Larson, Dr. Mike Lane and Coach Travis Mash #850

In this episode, strength coach, educator, and IFAST co-founder Mike Robertson joins Doug Larson, Dr. Mike Lane, and Coach Travis Mash to talk about how serious lifters and athletes can train hard without destroying their bodies in the process. Mike shares his path from early T-Nation contributor to gym owner and longtime coach, explaining how his background in biomechanics shaped the way he evaluates movement, manages athletes, and builds training systems that support long-term performance. The crew also reflects on the early 2000s strength culture, the lessons learned from powerlifting, and why the best athletes often need a coach who can pull them back before ego, pain, or poor recovery catches up with them.

The conversation gets into the practical side of staying healthy while still pushing performance: using force plate data and velocity-based training to make better decisions, watching for early signs of breakdown, and creating different exercise "buckets" for days when the body feels great, okay, or beat up. Mike explains why loss of hip internal rotation, lack of movement variability, and constantly chasing load can eventually lead to back, hip, or knee issues, even if the athlete feels fine for years. The team also breaks down how to train around pain and injury, when to adjust instead of quit, and why smart movement, mobility, isometrics, sled work, and lower-stress training days can keep athletes moving forward without digging a deeper recovery hole.

Links:

Doug Larson on Instagram
Coach Travis Mash on Instagram