“I felt there was a big gap that could be filled with good, science-based, evidence-based information,” says Rick Prince, founder of the United Endurance Sports Coaching Academy. In this episode, Rick joins Brad Miles to explore the void he noticed in endurance sports education, which inspired him to create UESCA in 2014. For Rick, staying current with evidence-based information is so crucial because it’s what ensures that coaches are providing athletes with the most effective and safe training methods, ultimately leading to better performance and injury prevention.

Rick shares insights into the advancements in endurance sports science, particularly in female physiology and training technologies. He clears up common misconceptions, such as the myth that running damages your knees and the misunderstood role of lactic acid in muscle fatigue.

Rick further explains UESCA’s certification programs, which are designed to be thorough and adaptable to fit each learner’s pace. He highlights the significant contributions of experts like Dr. Matt Hansen and athletes like Mel Rojas in shaping UESCA’s curriculum. He also gives a sneak peek into what’s next, including a strength and conditioning certification for endurance athletes and a newly launched course on physiological adaptations to endurance exercise.

Tune in to this episode of Run Fast, Run Forever Presented by Lever Movement to boost your coaching skills and discover the importance of science-based training and ongoing education in the ever-evolving world of endurance sports.

Quotes

• “A lot of the programs that were out there, they would come up with something and wouldn’t update it at all. So, it was just really antiquated information that you were getting. One of the things we make an effort to do is update the information as new information comes out.” (03:15 | Rick Prince)

• “There are all these long-standing myths out there. I think one of the biggest ones that always gets attention is that endurance exercise is bad for you.” (06:24 | Rick Prince)

• “What we’re trying to do is say, ‘Hey, it’s all about education. It’s all about the experience. It’s all about those elements versus whether you’re a top performer.’” (11:19 | Rick Prince)

• “For us, it’s going to stay more focused on what we’re doing purely from an educational standpoint. We are currently working on a strength and conditioning certification, which we believe will be in high demand. We’re certainly receiving quite a few requests for it, and there’s never been anything specifically for strength and conditioning for endurance athletes.” (13:55 | Rick Prince)

• “A lot of this came from my, for lack of a better word, hatred of the personal training industry, where everything seemed like a money grab. I approached it from the standpoint of, if I were a coach or an aspiring coach, what would I want? I would always want a reference point. For example, if we update our certifications, you don’t pay for the update or for any additional content because I don’t think that’s how it should be.” (17:15 | Rick Prince)

Links

Connect with Rick Prince:

https://enduranceconference.uesca.com/

Keywords: Use RUN75 for $75 off the Conference price

https://www.instagram.com/levermovement/

https://www.instagram.com/bradmiles/

https://levermovement.com/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm