Tim Riley Returns: Hybrid Athletes, Taking TRT, Olympic Lifts & What Coaches Get Wrong

Performance coach Tim Riley returns to the Judd Lienhard Podcast for a high-level conversation on hybrid athletes, TRT, Olympic lifting, CrossFit culture, movement selection, and what truly drives athletic development today. Tim has coached NFL athletes, Olympians, and elite competitors across multiple sports. In this episode, he and Judd break down the real principles behind power development, identity traps, steroid culture, coaching philosophy, programming mistakes, and how the fitness world has shifted over the last decade. You’ll hear stories from NFL Combine prep, wild athlete experiences (Micah Parsons and Ja’Marr Chase get mentioned), plus myth-busting on hypertrophy dogma, kettlebell hate, Mike Israetel controversies, CNS fatigue, deadlift debates, mobility misconceptions, and more. If you're an athlete, coach, or hybrid lifter chasing your potential, this episode will challenge your thinking and sharpen your approach to training. Topics Covered Olympic lifts vs. power alternatives CrossFit standards and movement dysfunction Functional training: where it went wrong (and right) Isolation work & machine training for athletes How identity sabotages training decisions Athlete vs. hybrid athlete: redefining the term Apex: building a simple, brutal competition model Kettlebells, accommodating resistance & hypertrophy myths Mike Israetel controversies & criticism in the fitness world Power, speed, and why sprinting is a different animal Steroids, TRT, stigma & hormone realities Deadlifting for athletes: when it matters CNS fatigue myths and programming mistakes Follow Tim Riley Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/timrileytraining/ Coach ’Em Up Podcast — https://open.spotify.com/show/4wjmPXjz59op5E5uPg5ATk Follow Judd Lienhard Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/juddlienhard/ YouTube — hthttps://www.youtube.com/@JuddLienhard 👉 Try Judd’s Training App — Free for 7 Days https://www.juddlienhard.com Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Olympic lifting debates 03:20 – Power training adaptations 10:55 – The evolution of “functional training” 15:20 – Isolation work & addressing weak links 22:40 – What defines an “athlete”? 28:10 – Apex: simple, brutal athletic competition 33:55 – CrossFit culture & misconceptions 40:20 – Mike Israetel: genius, autism, and criticism 47:00 – Kettlebells & hypertrophy dogma 58:20 – Strength, speed & sprinting 72:10 – TRT stigma & hormone realities 78:40 – Steroids, myths & athletic enhancement 85:50 – Deadlifts: when they matter 92:30 – CNS fatigue myths This episode is brought to you by LMNT. Optimal hydration doesn’t just mean more fluids, it means getting the right electrolyte balance. Make your purchase through my link to receive a free LMNT Sample Pack featuring the most popular flavors: drinklmnt.com/judd The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers unfiltered conversations with elite athletes, military leaders, and top coaches, exploring performance, mindset, and resilience. From NFL vets to Special Forces operators, each episode is packed with real-world lessons on training, leadership, and pushing limits. Enjoyed this conversation? Consider sharing it with a friend. Subscribe, Rate, & Review to help us bring you more epic conversations. ⭐️🎧🔥