Functional Path Training

Announcing GAIN 2024 Coaching by Design Workshops

GAIN 2024

Coaching by Design Workshops

GAIN started 2007. Until 2023 we have had an annual conference, this year instead, we are having GAIN Coaching by Design workshops. The annual conference held in June each year will resume in 2025. In addition, we are going international with an event in Melbourne, Australia in November. GAIN Coaching by Design workshops are open to professionals seeking innovative training ideas.

GAIN is a community of professionals eager to learn and willing to share ideas and information. GAIN is not about more exercises, sets, reps and training methods it is about passionate people who pursue excellence with honesty, integrity and respect to make a difference in the lives of the people we coach and teach.

2024 GAIN 2024 Coaching by Design Workshops

Coaching by Design

Designing and Implementing an Effective Athletic Development Program

June 15 & 16 – Notre Dame High School, Sherman Oaks, CA

            Vern Gambetta, Nick Garcia, Jim Radcliffe, Brain Fitzgerald

August 17 &18 – West Chester University, West Chester, PA

Vern Gambetta, Nick Garcia, Jim Radcliffe, Bill Knowles, & Martin Bingisser

November (Date TBD) – Melbourne, Australia

Vern Gambetta, Jim Radcliffe, Dean Benton, Nick Lumley, Ellyse Perry, & John Pryor

How much does it cost?

Tuition is $399. We also offer team discounts contact us for more information.

How do I register?

Go to https://thegainnetwork.com/events/gain2024/ to register, enrollment is limited.

Where can I learn more about GAIN Coaching by Design Workshops?

Go to www.thegainnetwork.com or call 941-378-1778. You can also email Vern Gambetta at [email protected]

2023 Retrospective

2023 was an amazing year. So much came together for me in my 54th year of coaching. Two world records for Summer McIntosh and a career defining year for Ellyse Perry in Cricket. Those  highlights did not come out of nowhere. I realize looking back on the year and my career the preparation, learning, networking that resulted in those performances. My tagline for years has been: "Coaching the best to be Better" These two women are the best and they will get better. I learned so much from them about commitment to excellence, the 24 hour athlete and the coach athlete partnership.

So where am I going in 2024? I am looking forward to more collaboration with the GAIN Network. Sharing ideas and growing professionally and personally. We will be moving to San Francisco, moving across country is not something you typically do in your late 70's but it is an opportunity to grow and most importantly be closer to family (Actually across the street). California is home - being home again will be special.

Some thoughts to sum up 2023: 1) Make the preparation be the separation - what you do when no one is watching is the difference make!  2) A quote from Bertrand Russell that really resonated with me: "The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which to burn." 3) Aristotle said "I cannot teach anybody anything. I can only make them think."

Have a Healthy, Happy and Safe New Year

Vern Gambetta, Director of Curiosity, GAIN Network

GAIN - A Brief History

I want to share with you a little bit of the history of GAIN.  We started GAIN in 2007 with 14 brave souls at the Holiday Inn sports complex in Sunrise, Florida. That was the actual physical start of it. The genesis and the idea behind Gain goes a long way back really to my early years of coaching where I quickly learned that total immersion was the best learning environment. When I went to conferences or workshops where everybody lived together did active learning. Those were the things that I got the most out of.

I started a seminar called Building and Rebuilding the Athlete in 1992, it was 16 hours over two days. Essentially it was a process of drinking from a fire hose of information. Only about 90 minutes was active learning. The rest was didactic presentations. I always would say wouldn't it be cool if we could do this with five days of multiple instructors and more active learning? So that thought was always there. I kept teaching, Building and Rebuilding the Athlete and eventually got up to teaching 12 a year until 2004 when I stopped.

I stopped teaching it then with the idea that I would start up again with what ended up being GAIN. I had two models that I looked at. I had attended an AAU track and field Learn by Doing clinic at Sacramento State in July of 1992. It was five days, 12 hours a day, a lot of time on the field and in the evening presentations. It was very inspirational, very educational and career changing. I'd also heard about what British Amateur Athletic Board were doing in England at Loughborough University, where they had the Loughborough Summer School. It was a mixture of didactic & practical sessions. I think it was like ten days. I never got to attend it, but I talked to a lot of people who did attend it and it seemed to be a terrific model. So that's the genesis where GAIN came from. The model is presenting information at a high level, getting people involved, having the best instructors that are great communicators. And the idea of GAIN is to build a strong network where people are sharing not just when they're there, but when they leave.

The structure of the day starts with an active learning session. We call it movement madness. It's a high level. There are three high level teaching stations. Then we have two didactic presentations, followed by lunch. After lunch we have workshops where we break into three groups with specific topics. It's more of a hands-on with a combination of demonstration, lecture participation, and then we have two more didactic presentations. Then we have case studies which people talk about what they're doing in their respective jobs and their situation. Followed by dinner and group sessions in the evening and roundtables and then adjourn. And after the adjournment is when some of the best learning and sharing goes on. There's a pub on campus at Rice, not necessarily to drink, but it's outside, it's beautiful, warm. It’s at meals between sessions and that where we're what makes gain special.

For those of you that attended Building and Rebuilding the Athlete, if you have a copy of your brochure or a copy of your certificate and you have not been to GAIN and you want to attend GAIN, send me that and you're entitled to a $300 discount. We hope we'll see at GAIN this year. For all of us, including myself and the faculty, it has been a real career changing experience. This is the 15th iteration of Gain. Each year, somehow, we've been able to raise the bar and make it better better each time.

Applications are open for GAIN 2023, taking place from June 13 to June 17 at Rice University in Houston Texas. Space is limited, so apply soon to secure your space. You can learn details and register at: https://thegainnetwork.com/events/gain2023/ You can learn more about GAIN on the GAINcast  from those who have attended https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2023/01/gaincast-episode-260-the-network/

GAIN - The People

 

What makes GAN special in the network of people. On the GAINcast https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2023/01/gaincast-episode-260-the-network/ listening to three GAIN network members share their experiences just underscores what the GAIN network is all about – First and foremost it is a network. A professional development network that is unparalleled. Made up of professionals working in Human Performance who want to get better at what they do by learning from the best and sharing ideas. It is an active year around community, not a one-off five-day annual event. Don’t wait – apply now to be part of this great professional development network. https://thegainnetwork.com/events/gain2023/

Building and Rebuilding the Complete Athlete

Interested to hear from any of you that attended this seminar. I started teaching it in 1992. Taught three that year and four each subsequent year until 1996. From 1996 to 2003 I taught twelve a year. It was an attempt to synthesize a large body of work across many fields.It was fun teaching, I learned as much as I taught. Eventually this led to GAIN. There was just too much information for two days and not enough time for participation. This year will be having out 15^th session of GAIN at Rice University in Houston Texas. Really looking forward to it after being online the last two years.

GAIN 2022 - Join US

Join us at GAIN 2022. GAIN is the global leader in coaching and athlete development. https://thegainnetwork.com/  If you want the most impactful professional development experience that will challenge your thinking and improve your practice join the GAIN community of professionals. The emphasis at GAIN is on sharing ideas and challenging each other to grow. No dogma here, jut learning how to ask better questions. We learn from the faculty and from each other. The participants are diverse, across sports and disciples. The characteristic is the willingness to share and challenge each other to be better.

GAIN is a special experience. It is career changing, it has been for me as the founder and those who have attended. This is not your typical clinic – it is plain and simple an experience in total immersion in learning. There is a blend of active learning opportunities, formal presentations, group discussion and informal discussion over meals and in the evening.

Johnny Parkes of IMG shares his thoughts on GAIN: "GAIN has literally been a life changer for me. GAIN is way more than just an educational platform, it is a connection to world class knowledge and practioners. There is obviously value in any presentations you watch, however the power of GAIN is in the networking both at the event and way beyond. It has become my source of learning in connecting with experts in all realms of sports performance . . . GAIN is certainly no echo chamber, where cognitive diversity is welcomed with open arms. Challenging convention respectfully, while being open-minded provide an incredible nucleus for accelerated learning and development

GAIN has helped me navigate the evolution of my coaching. I have been both a sport and athletic development coach, but more heavily on the sport coaching side. This platform helped me navigate a niche for myself in the tennis world by going all in on athletic development leadership, teaching and coaching for the sport I am most passionate about. I have learned how to apply my knowledge more skillfully for what matters in the transfer to successful outcomes for the athletes and populations I am serving."

GAIN is about challenge. It’s fun to be surrounded by people that agree with you, but you need to find people that challenge you to truly improve. That’s why Greg Gatz (Director of Olympic Sports S&C @ UNC) keeps coming back and hopes you will too: “GAIN has always set itself apart from any other conference I’ve attended. Vern, along with the GAIN faculty and members, foster the ability to step back from the status quo and challenge the traditional thought process of training and coaching. It is an invaluable resource that is surrounded by career-long professional relationships.”

See the schedule for the structure of the conference.

To apply go to https://thegainnetwork.com/events/gain2022/#registration

Don’t wait, apply now as enrollment is limited. Looking forward to seeing you at GAIN

GAIN 2022

GAIN is back in person in 2022! Applications open today for GAIN 2022, taking place from June 14 to June 18 at Rice University in Houston Texas. Space is limited, so apply soon to secure your space. Some key details are below and you can learn more and register at: https://thegainnetwork.com/events/gain2022/

When is GAIN? June 14 to June 18, 2022

Where is GAIN? Rice University in Houston Texas.

How do I apply? Submit your application at: https://thegainnetwork.com/events/gain2022/ Please be aware enrollment is limited. We will let you know within ten days if you are accepted.

What is GAIN? GAIN is a community of professional’s eager to learn and willing to share ideas and information. GAIN is not about more exercises, sets, reps and training methods it is about passionate people who pursue excellence with honesty, integrity and respect to make a difference in the lives of the people we coach and teach. It is open to Strength & Conditioning/Athletic Development coaches, Sport Coaches, Physical Therapists, ATC’s, Chiropractors, Doctors and Physical Education teachers. You can learn more about GAIN our this week’s GAINcast (https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2022/01/gaincast-episode-235-its-gain-time/) as well as the 2019 State of GAIN presentation (https://thegainnetwork.com/video/state-of-gain-2019-gambetta/).

GAIN Mission - To focus on the possibilities for enhancing human movement with no limits or limitations and emphasize connections and links between all disciplines in the same manner we emphasize connections and linkages in the body.

How much does GAIN cost? Tuition is $2299 for new attendees and $1299 for returning attendees. This includes breakfast, lunch and dinner each day, and lodging at Rice University, as well as access to the GAIN Library, GAIN Master Class Series archives, and HMMR Plus membership.

Why do I have to apply? Can’t I just sign up? Having people apply is part of what makes GAIN special. It would be easier to make it open for anyone to enroll, but that is not what GAIN is about. We are looking for people willing to share and challenge themselves and others to grow professionally. The people in the network with you are as important (maybe even more important) than the faculty experts. The connections and inspiration you get from those around you have a significant impact on the experience.

Who are the faculty? Our full faculty is listed on the GAIN website. We’ve chosen a faculty that has a tremendous breadth of experiences and a record of excellence in across all fields of sports performance from skills coaching to athletic development, to sports medicine and physical education.

Where can I learn more about GAIN? Visit our website (https://thegainnetwork.com/events/gain2022/). You can also call us at 941-378-1778 or email Vern Gambetta at [email protected]

GAIN 2022 Announcement

GAIN 2022 will be held June 14 to 18 at Rice University in Houston Texas. This is the fifteenth year of GAIN; it started 2007 with twelve attendees and four instructors and has grown to ninety attendees from all over the world and eighteen faculty. GAIN is a community of professional’s eager to learn and willing to share ideas and information.

GAIN is not about more exercises, sets, reps and training methods it is about passionate people who pursue excellence with honesty, integrity and respect to make a difference in the lives of the people we coach and teach. To learn more about GAIN go to https://thegainnetwork.com/ or call 941-378-178. Applications will open on January 20, 2020. Don't miss out on this career changing experience.

GAIN is open to Strength & Conditioning/Athletic Development coaches, Sport Coaches, Physical Therapists, ATC’s, Chiropractors, Doctors and Physical Education teachers. Those who attend are professionals seeking career advancement & renewal through a networking experience and who are interested in getting out of their comfort zone.

Reflections and Recollections

If you are interested in the genesis and evolution of my ideas and concepts over the last 53 years, please take the opportunity to access my keynote address for the Annual Sports Biometrics Conference https://sports-biometrics-conference.com/ from this winter. The title of the presentation is: Chalkboard to Virtual Reality: Reflections & Recollections. https://vimeo.com/517852147 In many ways that says it all. I am so thankful for having been able to coach spanning the decades that I have to enable to see what has changed and what has not changed. It is a reflection on what I have had to change and what is meaningful. It would be great to get from feedback from those of you who watch.

If you are interested in digging deeper into the concepts and ideas, I presented look into the GAIN Professional Development Network https://thegainnetwork.com/ and listen to the biweekly GAINcast http://www.hmmrmedia.com/gaincast/

Announcing GAIN Master Class Series

GAIN is a community of professionals eager to learn and willing to share ideas and information. This year was to be the thirteenth edition of GAIN at Rice University in June but the Covid 19 pandemic has forced a change in plans. We know we can’t recreate the unique live GAIN experience, instead we have created a whole new learning experience that takes advantage of the connectivity of the internet. I have always believed that adversity is opportunity in disguise. This is an opportunity to get out of our comfort zone and present a unique educational experience in an interactive format – the GAIN Master Class. This will not be another webinar with someone talking over PowerPoint. Instead we will have an interactive format with a featured presenter along with a panel of experts. The goal of each Master Class is to provide the highest quality actionable information, information you can use and apply now. There will be one class a month for twelve months. The topic areas will address the four areas of athletic development - Physical Education, Strength & Conditioning, Athletic Medicine & Sport Science​ - featuring experts who can connect disciplines and ideas across domains.

If you are hungry to learn, to be challenged and be comfortable with being uncomfortable, the GAIN Master Class is for you. As we proceed, we will seek your input, we will adapt, we will change to make it better for you, the learner. We promise we will not have someone reading slides to you for an hour. Each Master Class will have a plenary presentation, an expert panel, discussion groups, and exercise /training demonstrations. GAIN has never been about more exercises, sets, reps and training methods. It is about passionate people who pursue excellence with honesty, integrity and respect to make a difference in the lives of the people we coach and teach.

There will be sixteen master classes. The first class is free, open to all. The cost for a season pass is $499.99 or $55.00 for an individual session. In addition, each moth the attendees will receive a digital packet of information pertaining to that months Master Class. Contact us at [email protected] for group or institutional rates. To learn more about GAIN Master Class go to https://thegainnetwork.com/events/gain2020/ or call 941-378-178. Enroll Now! Don't miss out on this career changing experience.