ALTIS Speed Summit Podcast #3 — Featuring Loren Landow
With a career spanning private training, the NFL, and now collegiate football at Notre Dame, Loren Landow has quietly become one of the most respected minds in sport performance. In the third episode of the ALTIS Speed Summit Podcast, hosted by Stu McMillan, Landow opens up about the evolution of his philosophy, the misconceptions around NFL performance, and the underrated power of rhythm and simplicity in coaching.
Loren is also one of 20+ expert speakers at the ALTIS Speed Summit this June in Chicago — an immersive, hands-on coaching experience where you’ll connect, learn, and challenge the way you coach.
Listen to the podcast → HERE
Register for the ALTIS Speed Summit → HERE (Save $100 before March 31!)
"What do I do? I serve."
That’s how Loren Landow describes his role in coaching — not as a technician, a motivator, or a performance guru, but as someone whose primary job is to serve.
Whether he’s been running one of the most respected private training facilities in the U.S., leading an NFL performance staff, or now heading up the performance program for Notre Dame football, Landow’s north star has shifted from status to service.
“To be an athlete, you have to be selfish. To be a coach, you have to be selfless.”
It’s that shift — from ego to impact — that separates good coaches from great ones.
The Coaching Shift: Moving From Ego to Others
Like many young coaches, Landow began his career trying to prove himself — to athletes, peers, and the industry.
“When I made it about me and my attainment of things, it never fulfilled me. Once I stopped making it about me, things started to happen better.”
That insight came not just from professional maturity, but from a deep understanding of what actually moves the needle in athlete development: connection, trust, and consistency.
“It’s not just about performance anymore — it’s about connection. Real conversations, good or bad. That’s what coaching is.”
What People Don’t Understand About NFL Performance
Having worked with NFL athletes for decades, and later serving as the Director of Performance for the Denver Broncos, Landow has seen behind the curtain. And what most people think they know about pro-level sport performance? It’s often wrong.
“The speed at which these guys repeat each and every day blew my mind.”
He says most fans — and even some coaches — don’t realize the intensity and volume of NFL practices, or how little time strength coaches actually have to make developmental changes.
“You’re not always building. You’re maintaining. You’re managing. You’re problem-solving around availability, not just performance.”
In other words, at the elite level, keeping athletes healthy and on the field is often more important than shaving a tenth off their 40 or adding 20 lbs to their squat.
Misconceptions About Strength & Conditioning
When asked what separates an A-grade strength and conditioning staff from a D-grade one, Landow doesn’t point to science or facilities — he points to relationships and individualization.
“A great coach puts away their biases and asks: What is the priority adaptation right now?”
“Whoever owns the time, owns the adaptation.”
The job isn’t to run your program — it’s to complement what’s happening on the field. It’s to build resilience, not just chase performance numbers.
Landow also emphasized the need to train people, not just positions.
“Each individual needs a plan — maybe it’s not far off the tree, but it’s specific to their injury history, their training age, and their performance profile.”
"N of One Isn’t Research — It’s a Good Story."
In today’s social media landscape, sport performance is flooded with viral drills, trendy exercises, and coaches chasing novelty over necessity.
Landow’s message is clear:
“N of one isn’t research — it’s a good story.”
Too often, a method becomes popular because it worked for one athlete — but that doesn’t make it sound programming. His advice to young coaches? Root your coaching in principles, not personalities.
“Take things back to biomechanics, anatomy, and physics. That’s your filter.”
And perhaps most importantly, stay grounded in context. In a sport like football, training needs to be aligned with what’s happening on the field — not in a vacuum.
Rhythm > Perfection
One of the most powerful takeaways from Landow’s conversation was how much he now emphasizes rhythm and fluidity in movement — over chasing a textbook model.
“If movement looks rhythmic, fluid, and natural, I leave it alone. If it looks off-rhythm, I dig deeper — injury history, compensation, intent.”
This perspective came with experience. Early in his career, he admits he tried to correct every technical flaw. Now, he trusts the body more — and lets natural variation work in the athlete’s favor.
“I’m starting to believe there are very few wrong natural instincts of movement. A lot of times, as coaches, we tend to get in the way.”
What Coaching Success Actually Looks Like
Landow doesn’t measure coaching success by championships or titles. He measures it by impact — on and off the field.
And while he sees himself coaching for another 10 years, he knows the impact will last far beyond that.
“When you understand you’re here to serve, you’ll never work a day in your life. And you’ll never get fatigued or tired.”
Conclusion: Coaching That Lasts
In a field full of noise, trends, and performance metrics, Loren Landow brings us back to what really matters: service, connection, and clarity of purpose.
His philosophy isn't rooted in ego or hype, but in a deep commitment to the people in front of him — to helping athletes stay healthy, perform at their best, and develop into professionals both on and off the field.
Whether it's refining movement, filtering information, or creating an environment where athletes feel seen and supported, Landow’s message is clear: great coaching is built on trust, intention, and a relentless desire to learn.
For any coach looking to grow in this profession, it’s a standard worth striving for.
