Dr. Phil Wagner, founded Sparta Performance in the Silicon Valley (est. 2008) and subsequently a technology corporation, Sparta Software Corporation (est. 2012), from a passion for advancing the science of athletic performance and injury prevention. Prior to Sparta, Wagner played varsity football at UC Davis and then semi-professional rugby in New Zealand. He then worked as a Strength & Conditioning coach for eight years at Cal and UCLA only to find that athlete training and injury protocols lacked the objective data to drive decisions.
So he completed medical school at USC to learn and apply evidence-based protocols to develop better frameworks for athlete treatment. Sparta Software developed predictive databases alongside force plate technology that are now utilized across the globe by both individuals and organizations, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Falcons, Colorado Rockies, University of Kansas, University of Texas, University of California, English Rugby Union, and New South Wales Waratahs (Australia professional rugby champions)
In This Episode We Discuss:
His journey into the Strength and Conditioning field.
What separates Sparta from everyone else?
What variables make up an athletes motor signature?
How have he used that data to prevent injuries and develop muscular deficiencies?
How he has taken the force plate out of the lab and integrated it into Team Settings?
How he has balanced the technology piece with coaching instinct?
One question he asks potential employees during the interview process?
Best piece of coaching advice he has ever received.
A question he asks during the interview process.
His favorite quote, Book/App/Website recommendation.
Dr. Phil Wagner is interviewed by host Ron McKeefery of the Iron Game Chalk Talk Podcast