In this episode of the Critical Oxygen podcast, I am joined by Lee Throckmorton, founder and CEO of Kaizen Groundworks, to discuss tactical athlete preparation for individuals in public safety. We explore the importance of blending strength and endurance training for optimal performance in the tactical space. We also discuss the historical context of tactical athlete training and how it has shifted over time. The conversation highlights the need for a more generalized approach to training and the value of assessing and evaluating athletes to tailor their training programs. We emphasize the importance of individualized coaching, pushing lactate thresholds, and incorporating lower intensity training. The discussion also touches on stress management, sleep, and nutrition as crucial factors for overall well-being and performance. Takeaways 1) Blending strength and endurance training is crucial for optimal performance in the tactical space. 2) Assessing and evaluating athletes is important to tailor their training programs. 3) Pushing lactate thresholds can improve performance and safety in tactical environments. 4) Incorporating lower intensity training and focusing on recovery can enhance endurance and overall performance. Enjoying these podcasts, subscribe to get notified when new episodes are released. If you have a question or topic you want us to address, leave a comment! Follow Phil on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/criticalo2 Follow Lee on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kaizengroundworks/ Check out his website - https://kaizengroundworks.com/ CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:29 Getting into Public Service 05:41 Transition to Tactical Athlete Preparation 11:40 Historical Context of Tactical Athlete Training 15:00 Importance of Endurance for Tactical Athletes 25:36 Shift in Testing and Training for Tactical Athletes 35:53 Assessing and Evaluating Tactical Athletes 46:05 Using Physiological Metrics to Optimize Training 49:20 The Value of Information and Education for Tactical Athletes 49:51 Value of Public Safety 50:16 Collaboration with Other Departments 51:09 Individualized Coaching 52:06 Thresholds and Safety 53:00 Pushing Lactate Thresholds 54:25 Concurrent Training 55:19 Lower Intensity Training 56:44 Importance of Sleep and Nutrition 01:01:23 Stress Management 01:04:45 Mental Strength through Training