The podcast, hosted by Tom Barry, delves into strength and conditioning training, focusing on the Conjugate Method. Tom Barry, who was mentored and chosen by Louie Simmons to lead Westside Barbell after his passing, brings unparalleled expertise and experience to each episode. The podcast will feature guests who are coaches, athletes, and specialists sharing their stories and insights on helping athletes increase strength and performance.
Episodes
Friday Jun 13, 2025
Friday Jun 13, 2025
In this episode, we dive into why the Conjugate Method, pioneered and popularized by Louie Simmons and Westside Barbell, is particularly effective for high school football athletes. We explore the crucial role of strength training in enhancing football performance, discussing how absolute strength, explosive power, speed, and durability directly impact success on the field.
You'll learn the essentials of the three pillars of the Conjugate Method: Maximal Effort, Dynamic Effort, and Repeated Effort. We break down common misconceptions around these methods, highlighting practical tips to maximize results without risking injury or burnout.
We also discuss integrating plyometrics and accommodating resistance effectively to enhance explosive strength, speed, and agility.
Finally, we emphasize the importance of cultivating the right training environment and team culture, ensuring long-term athletic success and consistent performance improvement.
Check out our new E-Book: Conjugate Football Strength and Conditioning For High School Athletes
Follow Westside Barbell:
- Website: Westside Barbell
- Instagram: @westsidebarbellofficial
- Facebook: @westsidebarbellofficial
- Twitter: @westsidebarbell
Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
Studio Sponsor: Dollamur Sport Surfaces
Wednesday Jun 04, 2025
Wednesday Jun 04, 2025
Today's episode is the Unracked: Mastering the Conjugate Method webinar Tom did with BridgeAthletic
"UNRACKED is a live event series from BridgeAthletic where top coaches break down the training systems, methods, and philosophies that drive elite performance.
In this session, Tom Barry, CEO of Westside Barbell and one of Louie Simmons’ handpicked successors, offers a focused walkthrough of the Conjugate Method in practice: how he programs, what he prioritizes, and why it works for his athletes. Free to attend and packed with practical insight."
Many Thanks to BridgeAthletic for having Tom on.
Organize Your Visit to Westside Barbell Here!
Follow Westside Barbell:
- Website: Westside Barbell
- Instagram: @westsidebarbellofficial
- Facebook: @westsidebarbellofficial
- Twitter: @westsidebarbell
Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
Studio Sponsor: Dollamur Sport Surfaces
Friday Feb 07, 2025
Friday Feb 07, 2025
In this episode of the Westside Barbell Podcast, Tom Barry and Burley Hawk break down Dynamic Effort Training, its role in building explosive strength, and how Westside has adapted it for powerlifters, MMA fighters, and Jiu-Jitsu athletes.
Topics Covered:
What is Dynamic Effort Training & how does it work?
How to apply the three-week wave system for speed & power
Why powerlifters, MMA fighters, and grapplers use this method
How Westside Barbell modified Dynamic Effort for athletes
Training density, volume per minute, and maximizing recovery
"Train as strong as necessary, not as strong as possible." Westside Barbell continues to evolve Louie Simmons’ methods for today’s athletes.
Organize Your Visit to Westside Barbell Here!
Follow Westside Barbell:
- Website: Westside Barbell
- Instagram: @westsidebarbellofficial
- Facebook: @westsidebarbellofficial
- Twitter: @westsidebarbell
Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
Studio Sponsor: Dollamur Sport Surfaces
Thursday Jan 23, 2025
Thursday Jan 23, 2025
In this episode of Driven by Westside, join Tom Barry of Westside Barbell as he picks up former Ohio State linebacker, NFL athlete and renowned strength coach Anthony Schlegel for an in-depth, on-the-road conversation about all things training. From their days under legendary coaches like Louie Simmons, Jim Tressel, and Urban Meyer to the gritty environments of Metroflex Gym and Westside Barbell, this episode dives into the core principles that shape elite athletes.
Anthony reveals how a simple program, coached at an elite level, can outperform even the most “perfect” training protocols if they’re not taught with passion and precision. They discuss striking the balance between sports science and old-school toughness, building a raw and relentless culture, and guiding athletes to maximize their genetic potential. Whether you’re interested in strength training, football performance, or just want to learn how top-level coaches keep athletes driven and injury-free, this conversation delivers real-world insights you can apply immediately.
Tune in for candid stories about the impact of teamwork, the importance of recovery, and the mindset shift needed to transform good athletes into unstoppable champions. Don’t miss this high-energy “carcast” packed with practical tips, coaching hacks, and behind-the-scenes stories that bring the Westside Barbell ethos to life.
Organize Your Visit to Westside Barbell Here!
Follow Westside Barbell:
- Website: Westside Barbell
- Instagram: @westsidebarbellofficial
- Facebook: @westsidebarbellofficial
- Twitter: @westsidebarbell
Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
Studio Sponsor: Dollamur Sport Surfaces
Thursday Jan 16, 2025
Thursday Jan 16, 2025
On today's episode, using a recent training example in the gym, Tom & Burley discuss utilizing the conjugate method for strength training and how it impact's athlete's performance. They reinforce how important consistency is over PR's for an athlete and how vital training intent is.
Key Topics:
- The Importance of Max Effort Training
- Balancing Volume, Dynamic Effort, and Recovery
- Athlete Mindset & PR Philosophy
Organize Your Visit to Westside Barbell Here!
Follow Westside Barbell:
- Website: Westside Barbell
- Instagram: @westsidebarbellofficial
- Facebook: @westsidebarbellofficial
- Twitter: @westsidebarbell
Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
Studio Sponsor: Dollamur Sport Surfaces
Friday Jan 10, 2025
Friday Jan 10, 2025
Welcome to the first episode of the Westside Barbell Podcast for 2025. Tom & Burley recap the last 2 years at Westside. They discuss Louie's passing, his plans for the future of Westside, and his ongoing legacy. They also go over the current training approach at Westside and Westside's plan for 2025
Key Topics:
- Legacy of Louie Simmons & Westside Culture
- Current Approach to Training
- Looking Ahead to 2025
Organize Your Visit to Westside Barbell Here!
Follow Westside Barbell:
- Website: Westside Barbell
- Instagram: @westsidebarbellofficial
- Facebook: @westsidebarbellofficial
- Twitter: @westsidebarbell
Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
Studio Sponsor: Dollamur Sport Surfaces
Friday Sep 27, 2024
Friday Sep 27, 2024
In this episode, we're joined by Tommy Richardson, a former USMC Infantryman and Navy SEAL with a combined 26 years of service. Tommy is a Guest Contributing Writer at Westside and is passionate about shedding light on Louie Simmons' methods for both those active in the U.S. military and those seeking enlistment. Tommy is also the CEO of Divine Savagery, consulting firm that trains the characteristics of shoot, move, and communicate in order to effectively prepare an individual, group, team, or organization for success in all areas of action, business, and life.
We cover Tommy's military career, strength requirements for & the evolution of strength training in the military and his recovery from brain surgery, going from pressing 5lbs dumbbells to benching 500lbs a year later.
Key Points:
- The importance of listening and adapting training methods to individual needs, especially in a military context.
- The evolution of military training, highlighting advancements in fitness protocols and a more personalized approach to wellness.
- Tommy shares his personal experience of recovery from brain surgery, illustrating the significance of mental resilience and goal-setting.
Check out Tommy's articles on our blog
Follow Tommy:
LinkedIn: TD Richardson
http://www.divinesavagery.com/
Follow Westside Barbell:
- Website: Westside Barbell
- Instagram: @westsidebarbellofficial
- Facebook: @westsidebarbellofficial
- Twitter: @westsidebarbell
Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
Studio Sponsor: Dollamur Sport Surfaces
Thursday Sep 19, 2024
Thursday Sep 19, 2024
In this episode, we’re joined by Sarah Welsh, an expert in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), to explore how ABA is applied to enhance performance in professional athletes. We begin by discussing Sarah’s background, including her inspiration for getting into the field, and break down ABA into simple, digestible terms for our listeners.
From there, we dive into a real-world case study of a professional athlete struggling with consistency in high-pressure situations. Sarah walks us through her behavioral assessment process and how ABA techniques can be used to improve focus, consistency, and overall performance under pressure. We also discuss common misconceptions surrounding ABA and the challenges of applying it in high-performance environments like sports.
Finally, Sarah provides practical ABA techniques our listeners can apply in their daily lives and shares insights into the future of ABA, particularly in sports psychology.
Key Points:
• Sarah’s background and what led her to ABA
• Breaking down ABA for a general audience
• Applying ABA to improve athlete performance in high-stakes environments
• Addressing challenges and misconceptions in the field of ABA
• Practical ABA techniques that listeners can apply in their own lives
• Future outlook on ABA in sports and performance
Follow Sarah here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SarahWelshBehavior Catalyst Behavior Project Website : https://catalystbehaviorproject.com/
Follow Westside Barbell:
- Website: Westside Barbell
- Instagram: @westsidebarbellofficial
- Facebook: @westsidebarbellofficial
- Twitter: @westsidebarbell
Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
Studio Sponsor: Dollamur Sport Surfaces
Thursday Sep 19, 2024
Thursday Sep 19, 2024
Westside Recap: Inside ADCC 2024, Athlete Highlights, UFC PI Tour & More
Today's episode is a solo cast with Tom, where he recaps the last 3 months at Westside. Firstly, he recaps the ADCC Las Vegas event, covering performances of Dante, Max, and Lawson. He also dives into how Westside’s dynamic training systems are pushing athletes to new heights. Tom covers Ally Kennedy's Lacrosse Season, and how training at Westside impacted her performance. Tom talks about visiting the UFC Performance Institute, University of Maryland and Stroops in Salt Lake City.
Key topics covered:
- ADCC 2024 Recap – Performance breakdown of Westside Barbell athletes in the world’s premier grappling competition.
- Athlete Training at Westside – Incorporating volume load per minute (VLPM) system and its impact on performance.
- Ally Kennedy’s Lacrosse Season– How training at Westside improved Ally Kennedy's athleticism performance.
Follow Westside Barbell:
- Website: Westside Barbell
- Instagram: @westsidebarbellofficial
- Facebook: @westsidebarbellofficial
- Twitter: @westsidebarbell
Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
Studio Sponsor: Dollamur Sport Surfaces
Thursday Aug 08, 2024
Thursday Aug 08, 2024
Join Tom Barry in this episode of the Westside Barbell Podcast featuring elite grappler Dante Leon. Dive deep into Dante's journey as he prepares for the prestigious Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) Championship.
https://adcombat.com/
Discover how Dante balances his rigorous training regimen with competition strategy, his insights on selecting the right competitions, and the unique challenges he faces in high-stakes tournaments. Dante also shares his experiences training at Westside Barbell and the gym's critical role in his preparation.
This episode is a must-listen for both professional and aspiring athletes. It is packed with practical advice, personal anecdotes, and lessons on discipline and perseverance.
Key Highlights:
- Dante Leon’s training regimen and competition prep
- Balancing strength training and jiu-jitsu
- Managing training camps and competition schedules
- Adapting to the unpredictable nature of high-stakes tournaments
- Insights into the unique culture at Westside Barbell
Follow Dante Leon:
- Instagram: @DanteLeon
- Twitter: @DanteLeon
Follow Westside Barbell:
- Website: Westside Barbell
- Instagram: @westsidebarbellofficial
- Facebook: @westsidebarbellofficial
- Twitter: @westsidebarbell
Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
Studio Sponsor: Dollamur Sport Surfaces