_ Josh Ortegon Interview
Josh is the owner/operator of Athletes Arena. Josh is the premier sports performance specialist in the Columbia area. His clientele ranges from weekend warriors to top collegiate athletes. Josh has trained over 70 high school athletes who have gone on to compete at the college level from SEC, ACC, and Big 10 schools to D-1AA and D-2 programs covering over 35 colleges.
Tell me about your background, and experience with training athletes; what influenced you?
Well. I got my undergrad at Western Michigan in exercise science...in college I began working out and loved sports! I wanted to stay involved in sports. I was interested in all kinds of training from performance training to Olympic lifting. I began reading books and going beyond what I was learning in school for my own training knowledge. After that I received an internship at the International Performance Institute at IMG Academies in Bradenton, FL and moved on to a career in training athletes from there. I am influenced the most by the passion of the athletes I am surrounded by every day! Their passion drives my own passion!
What is your current status with training baseball players?
The Professional guys have just gotten into town. Some have started back and some are taking a little break, depending on their volume of playing during the season. We are loaded with high school guys right now who are getting ready for baseball to begin in February! Our 12-14 age groups are consistent right now working on their specific needs as well. As you see, we accommodate all ages and skill levels!
Who are some of the notable players you have worked with?
For baseball we have worked with many local pros, the most notable would be kids like Jordan Lyles, Deangelo Mack, Chris Owings, Brandon Waring, Justin Greene, Heath Hembree and a few others.....the ones mentioned seem to be on the edge of breaking into Major League Baseball except for Jordan Lyles, who just finished a very successful rookie season with the Houston Astros.
That's an impressive list, what is different about training baseball players as opposed to other athletes?
Baseball players tend to be a little more coachable than other athletes. They pick up skills faster since they have already been working on the skill of hitting! They also have a great work ethic since many of them spend much of their free time working on hitting and fielding! From the training side, much more time is spent working on "injury prevention" due to the repetitive motion baseball players go through over and over. Plus, baseball as a culture has a tendency to be a sport that kids compete in all year (much to the dismay of many sports performance coaches and medical professionals), so extra attention to injury prevention is needed.
What are some of the problems you see with the current state of baseball training?
Lack of education and a lack of implementing modalities that baseball players must have. Training them like football players. Trainers jumping on "gimmicks" in the industry. Lack of flexibility, mobility and prevention training. This has potential to be a very long list......
What's the best thing a youth baseball player can do right now to take their game to the next level?
Take the fall off, learn another sport, come to Athlete's Arena and learn how to take care of their body.
Has baseball training changed since you began working with athletes? How so?
I say it has, everything in the sports-training industry evolves and goes through cycles even though some people are stuck in the 80's with their training or fall victim to gimmicks. I think there has been more research out there that has hit the mainstream (parents and coaches) and has caused people to rethink their "old" ways of training baseball players and move on to a more progressive, developmental approach to training
What are the benefits of getting the proper training?
Injury prevention, then comes improved performance which leads to a positive experience for the athlete which in turn helps promote fitness and wellness in their lifestyle which will positively affect them for the rest of their lives!
Talk a little bit about in-season versus off-season training, is one more important than the other?
Both are equally important, a kids should never STOP training. Big mistake. Of course volume and intensity is managed and adjusted during these times but you should never QUIT training
What role does flexibility play?
Stretching and mobility training is the earliest form of injury prevention along with a proper warmup. Its the most effective way to clean up any asymmetry within the athlete's body and keep them healthy. The issue with baseball players in they can be TOO flexible is some areas and then tight in the others!
Is nutrition really that important?
YES! And it's really not rocket science! Most kids and parents know what good choices are....it's a matter of discipline.
Do you think baseball players are born, or made through training?
Both. Depends on the level of player you are talking about. Jordan Lyles was a professional athlete in the waiting when he was 15....our job was to just keep him healthy and on the right path. Many kids who are not as talented can work hard, get faster and more athletic and earn a scholarship or at least the chance to play at the next level through hard work.
How can someone get in touch with you if they want to get more info about your services and Athletes Arena?
Best way is by email or phone. Email info@athletesarena.com or call at 803-750-9036. At the same time, I have no issue with people calling directly at 803-446-3058. It may take a few days but I'll get back with you.
Thank for your time Josh!
Josh is the owner/operator of Athletes Arena. Josh is the premier sports performance specialist in the Columbia area. His clientele ranges from weekend warriors to top collegiate athletes. Josh has trained over 70 high school athletes who have gone on to compete at the college level from SEC, ACC, and Big 10 schools to D-1AA and D-2 programs covering over 35 colleges.
Tell me about your background, and experience with training athletes; what influenced you?
Well. I got my undergrad at Western Michigan in exercise science...in college I began working out and loved sports! I wanted to stay involved in sports. I was interested in all kinds of training from performance training to Olympic lifting. I began reading books and going beyond what I was learning in school for my own training knowledge. After that I received an internship at the International Performance Institute at IMG Academies in Bradenton, FL and moved on to a career in training athletes from there. I am influenced the most by the passion of the athletes I am surrounded by every day! Their passion drives my own passion!
What is your current status with training baseball players?
The Professional guys have just gotten into town. Some have started back and some are taking a little break, depending on their volume of playing during the season. We are loaded with high school guys right now who are getting ready for baseball to begin in February! Our 12-14 age groups are consistent right now working on their specific needs as well. As you see, we accommodate all ages and skill levels!
Who are some of the notable players you have worked with?
For baseball we have worked with many local pros, the most notable would be kids like Jordan Lyles, Deangelo Mack, Chris Owings, Brandon Waring, Justin Greene, Heath Hembree and a few others.....the ones mentioned seem to be on the edge of breaking into Major League Baseball except for Jordan Lyles, who just finished a very successful rookie season with the Houston Astros.
That's an impressive list, what is different about training baseball players as opposed to other athletes?
Baseball players tend to be a little more coachable than other athletes. They pick up skills faster since they have already been working on the skill of hitting! They also have a great work ethic since many of them spend much of their free time working on hitting and fielding! From the training side, much more time is spent working on "injury prevention" due to the repetitive motion baseball players go through over and over. Plus, baseball as a culture has a tendency to be a sport that kids compete in all year (much to the dismay of many sports performance coaches and medical professionals), so extra attention to injury prevention is needed.
What are some of the problems you see with the current state of baseball training?
Lack of education and a lack of implementing modalities that baseball players must have. Training them like football players. Trainers jumping on "gimmicks" in the industry. Lack of flexibility, mobility and prevention training. This has potential to be a very long list......
What's the best thing a youth baseball player can do right now to take their game to the next level?
Take the fall off, learn another sport, come to Athlete's Arena and learn how to take care of their body.
Has baseball training changed since you began working with athletes? How so?
I say it has, everything in the sports-training industry evolves and goes through cycles even though some people are stuck in the 80's with their training or fall victim to gimmicks. I think there has been more research out there that has hit the mainstream (parents and coaches) and has caused people to rethink their "old" ways of training baseball players and move on to a more progressive, developmental approach to training
What are the benefits of getting the proper training?
Injury prevention, then comes improved performance which leads to a positive experience for the athlete which in turn helps promote fitness and wellness in their lifestyle which will positively affect them for the rest of their lives!
Talk a little bit about in-season versus off-season training, is one more important than the other?
Both are equally important, a kids should never STOP training. Big mistake. Of course volume and intensity is managed and adjusted during these times but you should never QUIT training
What role does flexibility play?
Stretching and mobility training is the earliest form of injury prevention along with a proper warmup. Its the most effective way to clean up any asymmetry within the athlete's body and keep them healthy. The issue with baseball players in they can be TOO flexible is some areas and then tight in the others!
Is nutrition really that important?
YES! And it's really not rocket science! Most kids and parents know what good choices are....it's a matter of discipline.
Do you think baseball players are born, or made through training?
Both. Depends on the level of player you are talking about. Jordan Lyles was a professional athlete in the waiting when he was 15....our job was to just keep him healthy and on the right path. Many kids who are not as talented can work hard, get faster and more athletic and earn a scholarship or at least the chance to play at the next level through hard work.
How can someone get in touch with you if they want to get more info about your services and Athletes Arena?
Best way is by email or phone. Email info@athletesarena.com or call at 803-750-9036. At the same time, I have no issue with people calling directly at 803-446-3058. It may take a few days but I'll get back with you.
Thank for your time Josh!