Z-Health Blog: Athletic for Life
Being an athlete is much more than training and excelling at a particular sport. It’s about who you are, what you eat, and how you stay healthy. Taking care of yourself, especially as an athlete, is more than just a marathon — it's a lifestyle. A lifestyle that Z-Health’s whole-body approach can help you maintain.
Over the coming months I will share the Z-Health philosophy of life-long athleticism, demonstrate the blending of the many diverse disciplines that have shaped and continue to shape the system, and offer thoughts on a wide range of training topics.
Enjoy the blog. I hope you find the information, insights, and stories motivators in your athletic and personal development.
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My Vote For Best Neuro/Pain Research Blog Ever
Published April 13, 2010 by DrCobb
If you have spent any time around Z-Health, or are just beginning to learn more about who we are and what we do, you will quickly learn about Lorimer Moseley, David Butler, and a host of other brilliant neuroscientists and clinicians that we both learn from and share ideas with. Dr. Moseley has what I believe to be one of the world's best blogs on neurology and pain and I would be remiss if I did not occasionally point it out.
His blog can be found here: http://bodyinmind.com.au/
Enjoy his site and learn!
Z-Health & Kettlebell Training
Published April 13, 2010 by DrCobb
This is a copy of an article I just wrote for Pavel Tsatsouline about Z-Health and his kettlebell training program - the RKC. Enjoy!
Can RKC & Z-Health Co-Exist?
A Definitive Answer
Over the last several months it has become apparent that many people want definitive answers to some basic questions about RKC and Z-Health. Pavel has asked for this article to help put an end to the controversies and confusion. So, let’s jump right in with an extremely basic Q&A that encompasses almost all of controversies that we hear from both “sides:”
A New Blog Series Begins...
Published March 31, 2010 by DrCobb
Z-Health The Business vs. Z-Health The System
The Fitness Certification Industry
Published March 24, 2010 by DrCobb
In the last two weeks we have learned that several R, I, S & T certified Z-Health trainers have joined forces and launched their own certification course. While we do not know the content of the course, we do know all of the trainers involved as avid learners and coaches. We wish them the best in their new endeavors.
On another note, we have been receiving numerous calls over the last several months asking about the RKC, CK/FMS and many other certifications. Our advice is always to do what we do: find the best and learn from them!
Dr. Mercola on FDA
Published October 18, 2009 by DrCobb
While I am not a big fan of getting involved in political discussions, I thought that this article and Dr. Mercola's comments were excellent. Food for thought and a call to action...
Expectations
Published October 17, 2009 by DrCobb
I was reviewing some of my quotes that I keep on file today and ran across this one by Bruce Lee. Lee was for me, like most martial artists from the 70's in the States, an iconic figure for a period of time. While I was never a huge fan of his movies (apologies to any that I may offend with that statement 
) I was always fascinated by him as an athlete.
The Biggest Loser
Published October 03, 2009 by DrCobb
Just this week, I read an outstanding editorial review on the hit TV show The Biggest Loser. I am often asked about this show by both athletes and trainers, all of whom want my opinion on the show. Unfortunately, the tone of the show is so disturbing to me and I watch so little TV that I have only ever managed to watch about 5 minutes of it. This is what I tell everyone who asks... "What I have seen is dangerous and very disturbing on many levels. I also think that it is creating tremendous confusion for people who are trying to lose weight.
Coming Soon...
Published October 01, 2009 by DrCobb
If you've been following your monthly Z-Health newsletter, you are more than likely aware of some fantastic new changes in the works. The biggest one currently is that our new facility is now officially open! We took official possession of the facility today and are very anxious to begin finalizing our setup. It is a tremendous space that will serve the growing needs of Z-Health very, very well. We look forward to sharing some pictures with you soon as things take shape.
Federer - The Best Ever
Published September 27, 2009 by DrCobb
One of my favorite activities is watching the best of the best in all sports and attempting to reverse engineer the movements, coordination and motor skills that make certain athletes elite. The "past time" has occupied the vast majority of both my personal and professional life for the last 25 years. With the advent and growth of our technology, our analytical capacities have expanded exponentially. This article, from the NY Times, is a fantastic example of just this process.
Attention Density - The Neuroscience of Progress?
Published September 22, 2009 by DrCobb
Just a quick post today as we are inundated with US and European teaching responsibilities along with the opening of the new Z-Health Performance Center in Arizona. Things are busy, busy, busy! However, I wanted to take just a minute and share this great article with you. If nothing else, it should make you think... It's a great example of how the slowly emerging field of neuroscience may eventually lead us to levels of performance that boggle the mind. Enjoy!
Attention Density - The Neuroscience of Progress?
Published September 22, 2009 by DrCobb
Just a quick post today as we are inundated with US and European teaching responsibilities along with the opening of the new Z-Health Performance Center in Arizona. Things are busy, busy, busy! However, I wanted to take just a minute and share this great article with you. If nothing else, it should make you think... It's a great example of how the slowly emerging field of neuroscience may eventually lead us to levels of performance that boggle the mind. Enjoy!
Parsons' Rules
Published September 10, 2009 by DrCobb
Many of you are probably "thought provoking quote" collectors. I must confess that I am one as well. I ran across this set of Bob Parsons' 16 Rules to Live By in one of my folders recently and really enjoyed reading them again. If you aren't familiar with Bob Parsons, he is a very interesting character, probably best known currently as the founder of GoDaddy.com. While some of these statements may at first seem to apply to business, they are really great thoughts that apply to all of life - including your training. Read through the list and enjoy.
Are You Training or Typing?
Published August 27, 2009 by DrCobb
I had a conversation with a Z-Health Master Trainer this week that reminded me of the simple fact that most people prefer to talk and argue their point of view rather than listen and POTENTIALLY learn something. As Winston Churchill put it so eloquently, "Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened." 
Thirst AND Knowledge
Published August 24, 2009 by DrCobb
As a training and performance system, Z-Health is based around the ever-growing field of neuroscience. New discoveries occur daily and new insights are only a journal article away. However, within this deluge of information, one of the most important practices is looking for the unifying threads of information that can help provide an overarching paradigm of neural function. Currently, one of our most foundational paradigms in looking at neural function is that we are hard-wired for survival and not elite performance.
SI Joints & Pregnancy
Published August 20, 2009 by DrCobb
I was interviewed a few months ago for an article in Experience Life magazine for a piece on hip mobility along with Gray Cook, Mike Boyle and several others. They included a side bar about the SI Joint.
Pure Reason Is A Disease...
Published August 15, 2009 by DrCobb
If you have studied Z-Health with us to any degree, you know that our entire training system is built around the ever-expanding knowledge of the nervous system that is revolutionizing fitness training and health care. One of the most profound concepts in this approach is the application of the Pain Neuromatrix that explains that pain is a very complex process that involves your cognitive thought processes, your emotions and your physical sensations.
Foot Mobility - From an Unlikely Source
Published August 13, 2009 by DrCobb
As many of you who have studied Z-Health to any degree realize, foot mobility is one of our key tenets. Increased foot mobility, and the subsequent improvement in neural processing that results, is incredibly important in building better movement patterns. Better movement patterns, in most cases, results in not only better performance, strength and flexibility, but also decreases in pain. While we have been teaching this concept for many years, it is slowly but surely gaining momentum in the broader health and fitness worlds.
One Of The Most Profound Studies Ever
Published June 23, 2009 by DrCobb
Again, just a quick note today as I am incredibly busy finalizing our upcoming 5 day nutrition certification. However, I wanted to share a quick link to an amazing study published in 2005 that details the profound effects of OUR choices on our lives. It is a bit dense from a terminology perspective, but wade through it as best you can. It will not tell you anything that you don't already know, but it is an excellent and powerful reminder nonetheless. Enjoy!
Ready to Move?
Published June 09, 2009 by DrCobb
Just back to blogging after a very intense two weeks of teaching. Thanks for your patience. I will have additional neuroplasticity articles coming up soon as well as a number of other pieces that I guarantee that you will find quite interesting. But now, we have a very important announcement...
Summer Reading List #1
Published May 27, 2009 by DrCobb
With my extremely busy travel schedule, I often try to make good use of my air travel time by reviewing the latest info on neuroplasticity. However, this exploding science is creating a rapid growth in the available titles to review! One of my favorite resources then is the website: sharpbrains.com.
Here is their latest top 10 list of brain science book. Having read them all, I strongly agree with the suggestions. If you have been following along with the blog thus far, I would recommend that you begin broadening your education using this list:
Neuroplasticity - Part Three
Published May 09, 2009 by DrCobb
One of the most fascinating portions of the neuroplasticity topic is the wide-ranging implications of the concept. As we learn more and more about neurophysiology, it becomes incredibly clear that we are capable of reshaping both our bodies and our brains through deliberate, repetitive practice.
Tests...
Published May 05, 2009 by DrCobb
I was reminded today of one of my very favorite quotes. It is by Elie Wiesel, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and survivor of the Holocaust. He once wrote:
"Whosoever survives a test,
Whatever it may be,
Must tell the story.
That is his duty."
While I in no way would compare the efforts of developing Z-Health with what prompted these powerful words, I do like to think of the system in this light. It's origins are found in my own physical tests... One I will share at some point. I have been telling the story of those tests ever since through teaching our programs.
Intent
Published May 01, 2009 by DrCobb
I wanted to rejoin our latest theme of neuroplasticity this morning by introducing another basic physiologic principle with huge ramifications. It is called the SAID Principle, and if you have read any of our books or attended any of our professional certification programs, you will have heard a lot about this concept.
S-Phase - Coming Soon!
Published April 28, 2009 by DrCobb
Finished a training in sunny San Diego over the weekend with a fantastic group of new R-Phase trainers. Be looking for them on the website later this week. Because I am very busy working on our new course manual, just a short blog post today.
I had a chance over the last week to review the final version of our new product: S-Phase - The Complete Athlete, Volume 1. In short, it's awesome...
Neuroplasticity - Part Two
Published April 21, 2009 by DrCobb
Just returned from the outstanding Body-Mind-Spirit conference in California. I had the opportunity to speak twice - once on peripheral impacts on spinal mobility and once on the mind-muscle connection. I had two great groups of attendees from all over the world and really enjoyed the opportunity to share just a bit with them about Z-Health principles.
Neuroplasticity - A Basic Principle of Z-Health
Published April 13, 2009 by DrCobb
With the release of our new website, I have decided to spend a bit of blogging time outlining some of the scientific principles that form the foundation of the Z-Health Performance system. One such principle is termed "neuroplasticity". Many people have heard this term by now, but it is important to understand what it means, and how it plays a role in our system.
To begin, here's an excellent, simple definition of neuroplasticity from Medicinenet.com:
The Power of Clarity
Published April 10, 2009 by DrCobb
One of the things that I am most excited about with our new site is the opportunity to blog regularly and share more about the research and ongoing development that goes into Z-Health. As a part of this new site, we have had the opportunity to write extensively about Z-Health as a system. The process of doing so has been very eye-opening - to see just how far we have come in the past six years as a company and a system. It has also been a reminder to me of the power of the right word to describe exactly what we do.
Welcome To Our New Site!
Published March 03, 2009 by DrCobb
I cannot tell you how excited we are to have our new website up and running. Over a year of hard work has gone into creating our new look, new logos, new content, new products, new certifications, and new services. In case you can't tell, we have lots of new stuff for you!
Z-Health is cutting edge material that will give additional ways to treat patients or train clients. The techniques can work fast, but it is a process that you can use professionally and personally for a lifetime.
Tom, Iowa
I cannot tell you how much I recommend the Z Health certifications. After attending the Essentials of Elite Performance, I’m dedicating 10% of all brain function to finding a way to fund my next 2 years of getting through all the certification levels, ha! I’m a very critical person, and I have high expectations (that are seldom met by continuing education classes), and Z-Health is jaw dropping, hands-down, 100% amazing.
Shanie, San Francisco
Just try it, the Essentials of Elite Performance course is the one of the best athletic improvement courses and the most paradigm shifting course you can take for the cost. You will be amazed with the results.
Mike, New Jersey
You could not use your money in a better way. It is an investment in how you are going to live your life for the rest of your life if you want the best for yourself.
Bente, Denmark
The workshop was inspiring; it gives a fun, intellectually stimulating and satisfying approach to the human body and movement. It challenges a lot of ingrained beliefs and forces one to rethink the approach to training and teaching.
Erik, Denmark
Do it. It’s absolutely the best investment I have made in my career and life. Your whole world will expand and improve at the end of every workshop. There is nothing else out there like it that I have found.
Leslie, Los Angeles
Do you want to be a part of the future of the fitness industry? Gotta go to “Z”.
Stephen, Oklahoma
I needed CEUs for my NASM re-cert, but I was very excited about this workshop after having been bored by many others before it. Now it is more than a CEU quest; it has changed my view of training profoundly. I look forward to continuing [my] education and certification with you! The best workshop I have ever taken – REALLY!
Karen, Maryland
I 100% recommend Z-Health to anyone who is serious about becoming the best professional they can be.
Thomas, New Jersey
All of life is discovery. Why not discover how movement can improve everything you do physically?
Gary, Colorado
I think you guys are awesome. Passionate, articulate instruction and ample opportunities to get feedback on my performance and teaching made this a great experience.
Mark, New Mexico
I would highly recommend Z-Health. It will change your view of what you do, no matter what you do. Don’t hesitate.
Henri, New Hampshire
Awesome! I like the fact that you guys are able to present on such complex topics and still manage to do so in a language that everybody can understand. Extremely good content and good balance between theory and practice.
Tommy, Denmark
I move better; I feel better; I find movement fun again. It’s like the thrill of being a kid again. Movement becomes a thrill and a joy. If we are interested and willing, we can get better with age and good training. Z-Health is essential for good training.
Ron, California
The rabbit hole goes much deeper. Z-Health is much more than a joint mobility system.
Michael, Illinois
If I get one idea [from a workshop] and implement it, it’s worth it. This workshop gave me hundreds of ideas and I want to implement them all. I’ve absolutely never had more value for money and I’ve done a lot of workshops.
Rob, Netherlands
If you want to truly get out of pain and improve every function in your body (including the problems you aren’t aware of) then this course is priceless. You can’t buy a perfectly functioning body.
Jenny, Edinburgh
"Suffice it to say that if not for Z-Health, I would have given up on the idea of living a life free of pain and one of happiness. "
Hannah Gwyn