Have a question for Rob? Email him directly, rob@mtntactical.com Fixing Chronic Ankle Rolls from Trail Running Athlete:I keep rolling my ankles during trail runs. What exercises, drills, or protocols from the exercise list can I work in to build up strength and mobility in that area. Rob:The DOT Drill. How to Mix MTI Plans with Mountain […]
SSD
Leg Blasters vs Barbell Squats and Deadlifts: When Each Works Best
By Rob Shaul, Founder How to MTI’s bodyweight Leg Blasters stack up against traditional barbell lower body lifts like back squats and deadlifts? Both are staples in our system, but they are distinct tools for different physiological objectives. Here’s my take, based on years of programming, research, and field-testing. What Leg Blasters Train Leg Blasters […]
Arete 10.22.25
Military / National Security Poland Signals Readiness to Arrest Putin on ICC Warrant en Route to Trump Summit, Moscow TimesWhat U.S. Forces Face as Venezuela Puts Russian-Armed Military on Wartime Alert, military.comIn reversal, at least 250 US troops will remain at Iraq air base, Task & PurposeWhy Qatar is building an air force training facility […]
Q&As 10.20.25
Avoid Overtraining: Why You Shouldn’t Repeat the Smoke Diver Plan Athlete:Good morning,I recently purchased the Smoke diver prep course from yall. I have a little under a year before I go to the next selection and figured I could just repeat the program leading up to selection. Is that advisable or what would you recommend?Thank […]
$11,690 for 20-30% Improvement: My Experience with Fat and Plasma Knee Injections
By Matt Hirschberg, MTI Contributing Writer I spent just under $11,690 on a pair of knee injections — micro-fragmented fat (MFAT) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) — hoping to buy myself more time in the mountains. The result? About a 20–30% improvement. Not a miracle, but not nothing either. This is my honest account of that […]
MTI’s Nutrition Guidelines: Simple, Proven, Unchanged in 15 Years
By Rob Shaul, Founder For more than 15 years, MTI’s nutritional guidelines have remained the same. They haven’t changed because they haven’t needed to. They’re simple, sustainable, and proven to work for thousands of mountain and tactical athletes. They don’t rely on supplements, powders, or calorie counting. And they reject diet fads in favor of […]
Arete 10.15.25
Department of War / National Security Mapping the rise in Israeli settler attacks across the occupied West Bank, Al JazeeraTexas National Guard members removed from 60-day Illinois deployment for failing ‘mission requirements’, FoxNewsTexas calls back National Guard members after some heavyset troops face viral mockery, MSNBCCruise Missiles Are the Present and Future of Warfare, RANDPreparing […]
Q&As 10.13.25: Ranger Prep, Counter-Poaching Fitness, Carnivore Results & More
–––––––––––––––––Preparing for Ranger School With 11 Weeks Until January Athlete:I am expecting to get a slot to attend Ranger school around January with a 3 week long pre ranger program directly beforehand. I do not have a set date yet. Once I have my date I am planning to start the 8 week Ranger School […]
High Relative Strength:
The First of Four Critical Fitness Demands Tactical Athletes and Mountain Professionals Must Train By Rob Shaul, Founder Mountain professionals and tactical athletes face a wide and unpredictable range of physical demands. From short, violent efforts to long-duration grinds, they require strength, endurance, work capacity, and chassis integrity. A patrol officer may need to sprint […]
Arete 10.8.25
Military / National Security Adam Driver will portray Air Force Medal of Honor recipient John Chapman, Task & PurposeMilei turns to Falklands as Argentina’s troubles mount, UK Defense JournalBritish fighters again scramble overnight to defend Poland, UK Defense JournalPutin Spends Subdued 73rd Birthday at Work, Moscow TimesUS military kills senior al Qaeda-affiliated attack planner, Defense […]