For sure riding motocross is having skills on the bike but you also need to be in great shape. You need the strength to adjust the bike on track (you need fitness on the bike to manipulate it, you need vascular endurance to go through the insane intensity of a race and you need to be energetic). To have the strength is a must, but sometimes it is not the quantity of your training but the quality of it. Everyone is different with particular needs and weaknesses to beat. Here comes the coach. He will help you assess where are your needs, and work on a training program. Widely considered as one of the leading motocross trainers in the industry,  I had to interview Tyler Kalisiak, a very inspirating man in his personal life but also in his job.

 

 

 

 

 

IM: Tyler, you have been dedicated to training athletes for six years now, first at Rockwell Training Facility and now on your own and in affiliation with Icon Sports Performance. Does your experience from your own years of competition in MX help you to be a better coach? Does it help to understand the real needs?

 

TK: Without a doubt I believe it helps. I think growing up competing and racing in Supercross, I really do have the benefit of translating what it feels like not only on the bike racing but off the bike on race day as well to my training programs.

 

 

 

IM: Do you find that being with people and supporting them achieving their goals is a great ethical job? What is the greatest reward you get from it?

 

TK: I tell you what, my job is the best! When I bring athletes from where they once were and develop a plan for them, then watch them reach their goal or win a series/race, that what puts a huge smile on my face.  After about 6 years now of doing it, I still wake up daily excited and grateful for what I do.

 

 

 

 

IM: MX is an amazing but insane sport, almost chaotic at times. How can we grow our invisible muscle (the mental strenght) to stay resilient with the up and downs?

 

TK: The greatest thing you can have in your program is the right people surrounding you through the struggles. It's under the tough times and trials in our lives that strengthen us mentally/emotionally when overcoming them. Have health people around to help with that.

 

 

 

IM: You said that probably ADD and Autism cases that multiply with the years could be caused by our modern alimentation. What do we need to stop to absorb asap?

 

 

TK: Nutrition is such an insanely huge part of anyones health…it’s your health! Bottom line is that America wants to make food and products easier to grow, create, taste, build profit on etc without the consideration of your health in mind. The crazy thing too is that the government supports the way the food industry is driven. It’s a massive money producing industry that also funds the medical field with all of the issues it creates in us.

 

 

 

 

IM: How can we maintain energy in this sport with a low sugar diet?

 

TK: You body turns all carbohydrates into sugars in the human body, so it is misleading to say that sugar itself gives you energy. But the key is having balanced nutritional intake. Your blood sugar always being stable it where it’s at. 

 

 

 

 

IM: Some people think the harder you train the better you are? Do you agree?

 

TK: NOPE! Hahaha. That is the easiest thing to think when you have no knowledge backing it up. If it was as easy as killing yourself every day, everyone would be in shape.

 

 

 

 

IM: When I am doing a Bikram yoga session and my stretches really hurt, I am always wondering if I need to push harder or if I have to listen to my body and take it easy.  How can we know the difference between  pushing more to go further or respecting our body's limits?

 

TK: Definitely listen to your body. Pain is your body saying stop. If the pain is reoccurring and frequent, see a rehab specialist. Everyone is at difference places in their daily fitness and just because someone can stretch so far or lift so much, in no way means you should be there as well. 

 

 

 

IM: Since 'tomorrow is never guaranteed and that we have today to make a change' (one of your quote, I love it!). What best advice could you give for today even if everyone is different?

 

TK: Everyone needs to have goals in life. But to always live day by day worried on what the future may bring, you will miss out on today’s opportunity that it has for you.

 

 

 

 

IM: If we want to keep one or two very important nutritional principles in mind, which one would it be?

 

TK: The two main things would be to eat balanced (fat/protein/carbohydrates) all throughout the day and to read all labels on your food. If you don’t know what it is (ingredient wise) then don’t eat it!

 

 

 

 

IM: Some athletes are following you since years. Does confidence and friendship are the key?

 

TK: Confidence in any coaches program is very necessary. If you lack confidence, it’s hard for your to build successfully. Then with friendships, it is important to create those with all athletes. The athlete has to enjoy being around you, but knowing how to separate your friendship and business is really important.

 

 

 

Tyler Kalisiak

Icon Sports Performance

 

Strength & Conditioning Specialist 

949-275-8497 direct

Tyler@TylerKalisiak.com

IG: @TylerKalisiak 

38397 Innovation court, suite 104, 

Murrieta, CA, 92563

 

www.TylerKalisiak.com