Podcast Episode #20

Loren Landow

Strength & Conditioning Expert

On this episode of Wolfe Untamed, Derek hosts Loren Landow, a highly regarded strength and conditioning expert with over 25 years of experience working with elite athletes across various sports. He served as the head strength and conditioning coach for the Denver Broncos from 2018 to 2023, where he applied his extensive knowledge to enhance player performance. Landow has trained a range of top-tier athletes, including NFL stars, UFC fighters, and Olympic competitors, and is known for his innovative and effective training methods. He developed the Landow Performance program, which is designed to maximize athletic performance. Additionally, Landow is the author of “Ultimate Conditioning for Martial Arts” and “All-Pro Performance Training,” reflecting his expertise and contributions to the field of athletic conditioning.

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Building Resilience, Commitment, and Success

Welcome back to another episode of Wolf Untamed with your host, Super Bowl Champion and 10-year NFL veteran, Derek Wolfe. This episode is geared toward those passionate about fitness, strength training, and understanding the core values that breed success. This episode’s special guest is Loren Landow, one of the top strength coaches globally. Known for coaching elite athletes, including NFL players like Christian McCaffrey and Olympians like Missy Franklin, Loren Landow shares invaluable insights about coaching, resilience, and the intricate art of training.

Building the Foundation

Derek opens with immense appreciation for Loren, acknowledging him as a coaching stalwart. Landow’s unique ability to merge scientific principles with practical training has earned him the respect and admiration of countless athletes. His motto, “Don’t sacrifice what you want the most for what you want right now,” resonated deeply with Derek and became a guiding principle for his training and life.

Notre Dame strength and conditioning coach Loren Landow heads into practice Thursday, March 7, 2024, at the Irish Athletics Center in South Bend.

The Move to Notre Dame

Loren’s recent transition to Notre Dame stands as a significant career shift. College football, he notes, offers an entirely different learning curve, especially regarding recruitment processes. Moving from private training and the NFL to a college setup required understanding various dynamics, from hardworking and coachable student-athletes to capturing the elusive essence of South Bend’s history and spirit.

Photo by: Austin Hough / South Bend Tribune
Notre Dame strength and conditioning coach Loren Landow heads into practice Thursday, March 7, 2024, at the Irish Athletics Center in South Bend.


Crafting Elite Athletes

The conversation dives into Loren’s decision to leave a successful business to coach full-time. With over 25 years of experience, Loren discusses the evolution of his business models—from training in his garage to founding Landow Performance and leading the performance department at Stedman Hawkins Orthopedic Group (now called the Steadman Clinic). His passion for continuous improvement has led him to unprecedented success.

Loren’s approach to training is centered around the individual. He emphasizes the importance of specificity, acknowledging that each athlete possesses unique strengths, weaknesses, and requirements. A universal approach is ineffective. Instead, effective training programs are customized to amplify strengths, address weaknesses, and guarantee optimal performance.

The Essence of Communication in Training

The key theme of this conversation is the importance of communication between coaches, athletes, and the support team. In professional sports such as the NFL, it is essential to ensure that strength coaches, position coaches, and sports medical staff are all in sync. Loren emphasizes that effective communication helps maximize an athlete’s performance. For example, collaboration and understanding among all involved parties are crucial when coordinating training sessions to prevent overloading players.

The Highs and Lows of Professional Sports

The unpredictable nature of professional sports, particularly football, often leaves fans and players grappling with the realities of injuries and performance variability. Loren and Derek discuss their experiences dealing with injuries, the recovery processes, and the emotional tolls associated with them.

One striking example was Loren’s involvement in Derek’s comeback from a severe elbow dislocation. Through meticulous training and rehabilitation regimens, Loren ensured Derek was in top form, demonstrating the vital role of a dedicated coach in an athlete’s journey back to health.

Evolving Fitness Paradigms

The conversation explores changing fitness trends, specifically in the context of strength and conditioning for MMA. Loren’s work with top UFC fighters, such as Brendan Schaub, emphasizes the significance of training tailored to the sport. Instead of general high-intensity exercises, Loren implemented specialized strength training to help fighters maintain their weight class while improving their power and strength.

This revolutionary approach established endurance and power as crucial victory determinants in late rounds.

The Strength Coach and the Athlete

Derek’s reflection on his experiences with various strength coaches enriches the discussion, underscoring the need for coaches who understand the intricacies of training and lead by example. Loren’s unique ability to maintain his fitness and physical discipline sets him apart, ensuring he’s a coach who walks the talk.

Final Thoughts

Derek wraps up the conversation, expressing profound gratitude for Loren’s mentorship and friendship. This episode is a treasure trove for anyone interested in athletic excellence, from understanding the role of a strength coach to recognizing the values that contribute to long-term success.

Check it Out

Don’t miss this episode of “Wolf Untamed” to grasp essential fitness insights and life lessons from one of the best in the field, Loren Landow. Whether you’re an aspiring athlete, a fitness enthusiast, or someone who values disciplined living, this episode offers a wealth of inspiration and knowledge. Subscribe today on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

Stay strong, stay disciplined, and remember, “Do not sacrifice what you want the most for what you want right now.”

In This
Episode

Loren Landow

Follow Loren on Instagram: @lorenlandow | X: @LandowPerform
Check out Loren’s books about sports conditioning and his work with the Broncos: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Loren-Landow/author/B00DWSLSK8
To learn more about Loren check out: https://fightingirish.com/coach/loren-landow/

Derek Wolfe

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