Monday, March 30, 2015

Guest Appearance on the Side Quest Podcast

As you probably know, I'm the proud host of the Fitness Pollenator Video Podcast. New episodes with some all-star guests are currently in the works, so be sure to check it out if you haven't already.

Just the past past week, I actually had the honor of appearing on another fitness podcast, this one Robbie Farlow's Side Quest Podcast. Robbie's lineup of previous guests include incredible trainers like Jessi Kneeland, Bryan Krahn, Greg Nuckols, Jordan Syatt, and many more.

I had a great time chatting with Robbie (so much so that he's actually the next guest on my podcast!).You can go ahead and give my Side Quest Podcast episode a listen at

http://www.sidequestfitness.com/podcast/2015/3/29/interview-with-travis-pollen.

If you enjoy it, I definitely recommend dig into Robbie's archives and subscribing to the Side Quest Podcast on iTunes!


Saturday, March 28, 2015

The Bioenergetics of Training

A keen understanding of the energy systems at play during exercise is crucial for trainers and fitness enthusiasts alike.

Knowing the difference between terms like "fast glycolysis" and "aerobic metabolism" enables us to target each specifically. The upshot of this know-how is improved exercise selection, program design, and RESULTS from our hard work.

Below is a handout my mentor and I adapted from the NSCA's Essentials of Strength and Conditioning (3rd edition) by Baechle & Earle. It contains all the practical information you need in order to apply the scientific principles of the human body's energy systems to your training right away.

Enjoy!



Click here to download the PDF:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BweoQIuhXZAqVHZsQkdnTDI5RHc/view?usp=sharing

Monday, March 23, 2015

Interview with JamesHarrisTraining.com

In my new interview for James Harris of https://www.titaniumstrength.ca/, I answer questions everyone's been dying to know the answers to, like
  • How did I get into personal training?
  • What are the difficulties/perks of being a one-legged trainer?
  • What overlooked exercise should everyone be doing?
  • Do trainers need trainers, too?
...and more! Be sure to give it a read over at


James Harris front squatting like a boss.

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Podcast Ep. 4: Mobility 101 with Matt Ibrahim

For this episode of the video podcast, I have on Matt Ibrahim of Mobility 101 to talk all things -- you guessed it -- mobility!

Matt's mission is to bridge the gap between the worlds of rehabilitation and performance. He's an up-and-coming expert with an extensive résumé that includes three years of clinical experience as well as internships at some of the best strength and conditioning facilities in the country. Matt is currently in the process of applying to school for his DPT (doctor of physical therapy) degree.


In this episode, Matt and I discuss...

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

DelawareOnline.com: UD student with one leg makes mark on fitness


Last week Jen Rini of the News Journal (Delaware's #1 newspaper) came out to the University of Delaware to chat all about my star-dazzled life as a one-legged fitness celebrity. Or something along those lines.

Read the article here to see for yourself!

http://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/health/2015/03/06/limits-ud-student-born-one-leg-makes-mark-fitness/24520683/

Not only did Jen's crew take some sweet action shots and video of me lifting heavy things, but she also wrote a terrific piece on the state of adaptive fitness.

Sunday, March 15, 2015

The Bee and the Bull


The physical fitness test for the United States Army requires soldiers to perform as many push-ups as possible in two minutes.

The NFL combine, on the other hand, requires prospects to perform as many reps of bench press at 225 pounds as possible.

Both are examples of “horizontal pushing” movements, but that’s about where the similarities end. Which test an individual will shine in depends on a number of factors, including some obvious ones like weight, height, and limb length, as well as less visible ones, like muscle insertion point, fiber type predominance, and bony anatomy.

Rare is the athlete who performs at an elite level in both tests.

Sunday, March 8, 2015

Staying a Step Ahead of Running Injuries

Just a few days ago, I received this e-mail from a loyal reader in pain:

“I have been experiencing knee pain in my left knee...sometimes right as well. It usually comes after mile 4-5 of a run and causes my knee to hurt whenever bent for the next 24 hours. Yesterday I did an 8 miler and today I'm in a lot of pain. Try to keep the leg straight. Only my left knee hurts this time. I am scared... I like to run and I'm only 28. It'll only get worse as I get older. Curiously it never hurts when I play tennis.”


Running can be a pretty brutal sport. Rare is the runner who goes his or her whole life injury-free. For some it’s their ankles, others their knees, and still others their hips. For this reason, extra attention is required to ward off the injury bug and stay on the streets.

If I had it my way, every runner would do heavy strength training twice a week in order to stay strong and stable and fight back against all that repetitive pounding.

But I know runners. They’re a stubborn bunch. With all the time they’re already putting in, they definitely can’t be bothered to get to the gym to pump iron. Nor do most of them even particularly enjoy it, for that matter.

As such, here are some warm-up/cool-down strategies for the non gym-going runner that, with good compliance, will reduce injury and help runners maintain their mileage.

Friday, March 6, 2015

Magic, or Thai Style Bodywork?

I first met "bodyworker" Daragh Crowley a few weeks back at a workshop for movement professionals. During the lecture, I asked a question about ways to address a particular movement impairment, and Daragh chimed in with a smart-aleck answer about the best way to fix it being to come see him. So I did. (To be precise, he actually came to see me on his way back to Philly from D.C., where he spends every other weekend working.)

Meet Daragh Crowley, Thai Style Bodyworker

Although outwardly, one might think me the epitome of strength and grace (see picture on left), I'm really not as perfect as I look. In fact, due to the congenital absence of my left femur, I engage in some funky compensatory strategies through my pelvis and low back. While I feel great much of the time, these compensations do sometimes manifest as low back pain. Upon meeting me, it was clear that Daragh was intrigued by my unique structure, his wheels spinning over how to address my situation.

Daragh's particular flavor of bodywork is known as "Thai Style." It's a vigorous form of manual therapy that has both practitioner and beneficiary on the floor actively engaging in the treatment (atop a comfy mat with a comfy pillow, of course). Daragh’s extensive background in resistance training and Ashtanga Yoga even further nuance his approach to the body. (Word to the wise: do NOT ask Daragh about traditional yoga certifications unless you're prepared for a 20-minute diatribe.)

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

TonyGentilcore.com: Are You Part of the Resistance (or the Assistance)?



Last week I had the opportunity to write a guest blog post for Tony Gentilcore, co-owner of Cressey Sports Performance).

If you're not familiar with Tony, he's one of the most baller bloggers in the business. Although he's a real wiz when it comes to fitness, in truth, he could probably write about anything, and the whole internet would still read it. He's just that good!

Click the link below to read my guest post, titled "Are You Part of the Resistance (or the Assistance)?" In it, I go into thrilling detail about how I incorporate resistance bands into training. There are a whole crapload of videos for the visual learners out there, too. Enjoy!

==>http://tonygentilcore.com/2015/03/part-resistance-assistance/<==


Monday, March 2, 2015

Guest Post: I Open My Own Jars

Today I have a very special guest post by my training partner, Ana. Most of our time spent together consists of finding new and creative ways to annoy each other, but on occasion, one of us has nice things to say about the other -- like this. Take it away, Ana!

I Open My Own Jars

By Ana Ebrahimi

If you follow Travis on Facebook, you’ve likely seen me on his page. I’m that girl often referred to as his workout partner in the multitude of videos and articles written by and about our dear Fitness Pollenator. I may have even taken one or two photos for him along the way (one or two per day, that is).

Just little old me watching Travis get famous…