Toads - Total Athletic Development Systems

05/25/2026

This article is a year old now, but still worth the read about an icon in the strength and conditioning community. Dr. Todd was not only a great strength athlete, but is certainly one of the best strength and physical culture historians.

Once known as “the world’s strongest woman,” Dr. Todd spent 50 years breaking records — and turning strength into a field of study.

09/06/2025

How an Oklahoma Masters Athlete Turned Around Her Osteopenia

07/13/2025

This brilliant sunset over Buzzards Bay in Massachusetts was captured by Harvard political scientist and national security expert, Dr. Graham Allison.

04/16/2025

LTAD - Long Term Athletic Development.

This could not be said any better.

03/09/2025

Great story on how recovery is playing a more important role in the performance of "aging" athletes. However, the principles and benefits of good recovery apply to athletes of all ages.

LeBron James and Lindsey Vonn just turned 40, and Cristiano Ronaldo turns 40 next week. Athletes are competing faster, stronger and longer.

01/21/2025

Although this article is about the importance of good sleep for student athletes. The reasons behind the benefits apply to athletes of all ages. And, the recommendations on how to get it, apply to all ages as well.

Sleep is a core component of recovery and repair for student athletes. Learn how much sleep student athletes need and how to improve sleep if you're an athlete.

12/06/2024

I just finished reading Sam Walker’s The Captain Class where he set out to determine the greatest sports teams of all time. During his research he found that each team had a similar leader with certain characteristics. Sam defines the seven characteristics shared by the leaders of these teams. A great read for anyone interested in improving the leadership of their organization. And, for those parents with kids who play team sports, I would highly recommend you buy this book for them.

Additional thoughts:
1) It was interesting to read the stories about the teams and their leaders that made Sam’s list. Many of the teams were from sports that I don’t regularly follow: rugby, field hockey, soccer, etc. And, as an extension, I had never heard specific stories about their leaders.

2) A quote from Vince Lombardi that I had not previously heard - “Perfection is not attainable. But if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.”

3) Richard Hackman’s theory on effective leadership included four qualities, three that were NOT on the list: personality, values, charisma.

12/06/2024

Our tip: Keep a compliments journal full of the nice things friends, family or colleagues have said about you, and look back on it when you're feeling glum.

11/01/2024

The money quote: "[A] lot of what you perceive as aging is going to be heavily influenced by your sitting time," Katy Bowman, a biomechanist and author, told The Times.

06/23/2024

A good speech about the effort it takes to become a great athlete.

The tennis champion says “effortless” is a myth.