Building Better Coaches: Inside FMS with Almir Maljević

In this episode, we sit down with Almir Maljević—FMS partner in Bosnia, educator, and instructor for FMS courses—who has built a thriving system by doing one thing differently:He starts with the person, not the program.From rebuilding his own path after injury…  to realizing strength and power weren’t the missing piece…  to going all-in on screening, systems, and education…This is a real conversation about what actually works—and what most people get wrong.You’ll learn:• Why strength and power aren’t enough  • The moment he realized he needed to “empty the cup”  • How screening changed everything  • Why most coaches skip the most important step  • How to build trust before training  • The difference between being busy vs effective  • Why education—not exercise—is the real value  • How he built a business from zero clients to a scalable system  This isn’t theory.This is what it looks like when you apply the principles—and stick to them.---More about our guestWebsite: https://www.pfhsc.ba/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/team_pfhsc/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProFit.Health.StrengthAndConditioning/---#FMS #MovementPodcast #SFMA #Coaching #FunctionalTraining #PerformanceFunctional Movement SystemsYouTubeFacebookInstagramX (Twitter)Subscribe to the FMS Newsletter

Your gait—how you walk—can reveal a lot about your health, movement quality, and even your risk for injury or falls.In this episode of the Movement Podcast, Gray Cook and Lee Burton break down why gait analysis alone doesn’t tell the full story. Many people focus on the way someone walks, but the real problem often lies deeper in fundamental movement patterns like squatting, bending, rotating, balancing, and breathing.As our population ages, gait problems are becoming a major predictor of falls, joint replacements, and loss of independence. But identifying poor gait is only the first step. The real question is: what is causing the gait problem in the first place?In this conversation, we explore:• Why gait deviations happen• How compensations develop subconsciously• Why muscle strengthening alone often fails• The movement patterns that drive healthy walking• How developmental patterns and breathing can restore movement• Why functional movement matters more than isolated exercisesIf you want to better understand how gait connects to movement health, injury prevention, and long-term mobility, this episode is a must-watch.Learn more about Functional Movement Systems and our tools for assessing movement:https://www.functionalmovement.comFunctional Movement Systems YouTube Facebook Instagram X (Twitter) Subscribe to the FMS Newsletter

In this episode of the Movement Podcast, Gray Cook and Lee Burton sit down with Ryan Como, CEO of Kinetisense, to talk about where movement screening is headed next.Ryan shares how his background as a chiropractor—and as an injured D1 hockey athlete—pushed him beyond “treat the painful joint” toward multi-segment, 3D movement assessment. The conversation covers how objective scoring, population comparisons, and AI-driven recommendations can enhance—not replace—clinical expertise.We dig into:• Why FMS breakpoints hold up when compared to lab-grade systems• Turning movement screening into trend data (0–100 scoring vs. only 0/1/2/3)• Using data loops to learn what correctives work best for who• Planar plasticity: why elite athletes move well in all three planesThe long game: movement epidemiology—catching risk before injury happensLearn more: https://www.kinetisense.com/fms-kinetisense/Functional Movement SystemsYouTubeFacebookInstagramX (Twitter)Subscribe to the FMS Newsletter

Asymmetries are normal — but not all asymmetries are created equal. In this episode of the Movement Podcast, Gray Cook and Lee Burton break down the difference between anatomical, functional, and developmental asymmetry, and explain when asymmetry becomes a slippery slope that impacts performance, durability, and injury risk.They also discuss why the goal isn’t “perfect symmetry,” but keeping asymmetries from getting worse, and how movement screening helps coaches and clinicians make smarter training decisions.In this episode:• The 3 types of asymmetry: anatomical, functional, developmental• When asymmetry becomes a risk factor (and when it’s just sport-specific)• Why “don’t let it get worse” is the real goal• Key impairment asymmetries to watch: ankle dorsiflexion + grip strength• Why dynamic balance + functional patterns matter more than isolated measures• Practical ways to “scrub the corners” and restore awarenessMore from the Movement Podcast:  https://www.movementpod.com/Functional Movement SystemsYouTubeFacebookInstagramX (Twitter)Subscribe to the FMS Newsletter

In this episode of the Movement Podcast, Lisa Chase returns—this time as an author. Drawing from decades of work with professional athletes and everyday patients, Lisa dives deep into the importance of addressing the whole person in rehab, not just the symptoms.She and Gray discuss:• The inspiration behind her new book Be Responsible• Why heart rate variability (HRV) is a game changer in patient care• How nervous system regulation must come before movement• Using technology like Newbie, BFR, and Oura Ring to guide interventions• The five wellness pillars: nervous system regulation, sleep, biology, movement, and environmentWhether you're a clinician or someone navigating your own healing journey, this episode will change how you view recovery and patient outcomes.-Lisa’s Book: Be Responsible — Because the System Isn’t: https://beresponsiblebook.com/home-Learn more about Lisa and her clinic-Tools Mentioned: HRV scanner, BFR, Newbie, New Calm, Oura RingMore from the Movement Podcast:  https://www.movementpod.com/Functional Movement SystemsYouTubeFacebookInstagramX (Twitter)Subscribe to the FMS Newsletter

In this episode of the Movement Podcast, Gray Cook and Lee Burton dig into what the data really says about wellness. From widespread sleep issues and shoulder mobility limitations to the surprising role of stress, posture, and breathing, they explore how movement and lifestyle are deeply connected.Learn how Functional Movement Systems uses its Functional Wellness Screen to identify patterns—not just problems—and why tracking individual trends is more effective than chasing general advice.Topics include:Why population-level data can’t define your personal healthThe top 3 wellness issues FMS is seeing across the boardWhy pain is often the hidden culprit sabotaging sleepReal-world examples from athletes and first respondersThe critical need to “track it before you attack it”If you're a coach, clinician, or just trying to improve your own health, this episode will change how you think about lifestyle change, movement health, and the power of personalized screening.Get your free wellness assessment today!https://www.symmio.com/whats-your-wellness-scoreSubscribe for more episodes, and don’t forget: First Move Well, Then Move Often.Functional Movement SystemsYouTubeFacebookInstagramX (Twitter)Subscribe to the FMS Newsletter

What happens when a seasoned physical educator brings 31 years of experience into a conversation about the future of fitness, wellness, and youth health? In this episode of the Movement Podcast, we sit down with Massachusetts Physical Education Teacher of the Year Rick Vittum to talk about the state of youth movement, what’s broken in the system, and how we can fix it.Rick shares real stories from the trenches of high school PE, how the Functional Movement Screen is changing the game, and why kids need more than just fitness—they need awareness, mentorship, and a physical problem-solving skillset that lasts a lifetime.Whether you're a teacher, coach, parent, or practitioner, this conversation is packed with insights on movement screening in schools, how technology and culture are reshaping physical health, and what the future of PE should look like.https://www.functionalmovement.comFunctional Movement SystemsYouTubeFacebookInstagramX (Twitter)Subscribe to the FMS Newsletter

Former Indiana Pacers strength coach Shawn Windle joins the Movement Podcast to unpack 20+ years in the NBA and his evolution from athletic trainer to performance director. This episode explores the integration of sports science, the dangers of over-coaching, individualized athlete care, and the realities of modern NBA player development.Topics include:Early career challenges in a siloed sports cultureWhy HRV isn’t practical in pro sportsReal-world vs. lab testingAchilles tendon injuries in the NBAYouth sports burnout and early specializationHow to earn trust and communicate across disciplinesUsing movement screening in daily performance strategyA must-listen for strength coaches, physical therapists, sports scientists, and anyone working in high performance environments.https://www.functionalmovement.comFunctional Movement SystemsYouTubeFacebookInstagramX (Twitter)Subscribe to the FMS Newsletter

In this episode of the Movement Podcast, Gray Cook and Lee Burton sit down with Bob Alejo, a leader in the world of strength and conditioning with over 40 years of experience across professional sports, collegiate athletics, and Olympic training. This episode is a masterclass in leadership, collaboration, and the reality of applying science, data, and wisdom in high-performance settings.Whether you're a veteran coach, young professional, or healthcare provider, Bob’s perspective will challenge how you view risk, readiness, and results in sport and movement.👉 If you're a coach, clinician, or movement professional, this episode offers insights on:The power of collaboration in sportThe dangers of chasing data without contextHow to grow leadership skills in performance environmentsMentorship, ego, and humility in the strength and conditioning professionFunctional Movement SystemsYouTubeFacebookInstagramX (Twitter)Subscribe to the FMS Newsletter

In this episode of the Movement Podcast, Gray Cook and Lee Burton explore one of the most complex and debated topics in sports and rehabilitation: predicting athletic performance and ranking talent.With AI and machine learning beginning to shape how we analyze athletes, the conversation unpacks:• How performance is measured—and why it’s more than just speed and strength.• The rise of durable performers: athletes who stay healthy, consistent, and coachable.• What new research says about FMS scores and their ability to predict performance—not just prevent injury.• The growing need to consider psychological readiness, engagement, and self-awareness as critical metrics.• Why looking at movement quality, not just quantity, is essential in both elite and youth sports.Whether you're a coach, trainer, healthcare provider, or performance nerd, this discussion will help you rethink how we define, assess, and develop talent.Curious what your wellness score is? Check it out for free!https://www.symmio.co/whats-your-wellness-scoreBecome an FMS Academy Member. Your all-access membership to FMS online educationhttps://www.functionalmovement.com/fmsacademyReferenced Research Articles:Predictive Athlete Performance Modeling with Machine Learning and Biometric Data IntegrationPrediction and Injury Risk Based on Movement Patterns and Flexibility (2023)#FMS #MovementPodcastFunctional Movement SystemsYouTubeFacebookInstagramX (Twitter)Subscribe to the FMS Newsletter