How to Train and Recover for High-Demand Combat Sports

To succeed when training elite MMA fighters and athletes in high-demand, high-risk sports, coaches must balance sport-specific preparation with intelligent recovery and individualized strategies that prevent overtraining and support safe weight management. In this episode of the “NASM CPT Podcast,” host Rick Richey talks with guest Brandon Harris, a UFC performance coach and founder of Premier Fitness Systems, about how trainers working with NASM can apply these principles to help both elite and everyday clients thrive.

Listeners will learn why "addition by subtraction"—removing unnecessary or excessive training instead of adding more—is often key for athletic success, especially in fighters who already have demanding training schedules. The conversation explores practical approaches to energy system development, wheat cutting, recovery techniques (including breathwork and nervous system regulation), and the role of curiosity and education in a successful coaching career.

After listening, you will understand how to evaluate training volume, when to pull back or push intensity, how to address weight cut challenges, and how to foster resilience for long-term performance and health.

Chapters:

[00:00] What is addition by subtraction in elite athlete training, and why does it matter?

[06:18] Why did Brandon Harris move from commercial gyms to starting his own business?

[09:21] How did certifications like NASM and curiosity influence Brandon Harris’s career path?

[14:18] How do you prepare fighters’ bodies and minds for the demands and risks of MMA and combat sports?

[17:03] How do you train both explosive power and endurance for MMA athletes?

[18:11] What does addition by subtraction look like in real training sessions?

[20:21] Why do coaches sometimes reduce training rather than add more, and what are real-world examples?

[24:39] How does weight cutting work in fight sports, and what are the risks?