#52: From Pro Baseball to Tactical Fitness: Strength & Conditioning Insights with Michael Schofield

In this episode, I sit down with Michael Schofield, a former MLB strength coach turned tactical performance specialist. Schofield spent over a decade in professional baseball, working with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, and New York Mets before transitioning to first responder fitness.

 

We dive into how training differs across pro baseball, police, and fire academies, the biggest programming mistakes coaches make, and why simple, effective training always wins. Schofield shares his approach to strength assessments, work capacity programming, and injury prevention for tactical athletes.

 

Whether you’re a coach, athlete, or first responder, this episode is packed with practical insights on building strength, durability, and mission-readiness.

 

Topics Covered:

• Breaking into pro baseball strength and conditioning
• The grind of coaching in the minor leagues
• Differences between training MLB players and minor leaguers
• Transitioning from pro sports to tactical athletes
• Strength and conditioning for police and fire academies
• The best fitness tests for first responders
• Why simple training is the most effective
• Work capacity training for tactical athletes
• Strength programming: Wendler 5/3/1 for trap bar deadlift
• Mistakes coaches make with tactical athletes

 

Guest Bio:

Michael Schofield is a former MLB strength coach and current Director of Public Safety Health and Performance for the City of Aurora, CO. He runs Performance Code, designing strength and conditioning programs for first responders. Previously, he worked as a Major League Assistant Performance Coach for the New York Mets, the Minor League Strength and Conditioning Coordinator for the Atlanta Braves, and a Minor League Strength Coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Schofield has experience developing athlete management systems, return-to-play protocols, and performance programming for both professional athletes and tactical professionals.

 

Episode Highlights:

• [00:02:00] Breaking into pro baseball S&C and early struggles
• [00:10:45] The reality of coaching in minor league baseball
• [00:18:30] Strength training at the MLB level vs. minor leagues
• [00:27:15] Why Schofield left pro sports for first responders
• [00:35:10] The best fitness assessments for police and fire academies
• [00:42:00] How he programs trap bar deadlifts using Wendler 5/3/1
• [00:50:30] The biggest mistakes coaches make with tactical athletes
• [00:58:15] His favorite work capacity protocols for tactical fitness
• [01:06:20] Building fitness culture in first responder units

 

Resources & Links:

• Follow Michael Schofield: [@performancecode](https://www.instagram.com/performancecode)
  
  
  • Mountain Tactical Institute Home
  • Check out the MTI Athlete Team
  • Apply to be a Paid MTI Athlete
  • MTI's Daily Programming Streams

  
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