Podcast Summary: Training High-Performance Athletes with Giovanna Giancola | The Omni Performance Institute
Episode Title: Training High-Performance Athletes with Giovanna Giancola | The Omni Performance Institute
Host: Shawn French
Guest: Giovanna Giancola
Release Date: January 13, 2025
Podcast: The Determined Society with Shawn French
Introduction and Vision of Omni Performance Institute
In this episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French welcomes Giovanna Giancola to discuss the Omni Performance Institute, a cutting-edge facility dedicated to personal development and high-performance training.
Giovanna Giancola shares the foundational vision of the institute:
"We had a vision for the entire complex, actually, and we wanted to be a whole wellness village."
(02:43)
The Omni Performance Institute aims to serve as a comprehensive wellness hub, combining state-of-the-art fitness facilities with holistic health services to support both aging individuals and young athletes striving for scholarships or professional careers.
Achievements of Athletes
A significant highlight of the conversation revolves around the institute's success in nurturing talented athletes. Giovanna proudly announces:
"I just found that three people that attend the classes here got selected to Division 1 schools on scholarships."
(02:43)
She further elaborates on the accomplishments:
"There's one girl got accepted into the University of Maryland."
(03:27)
"Another one is becoming a Gator, and they're all on full scholarships."
(03:34)
These achievements underscore the institute's effective training programs tailored to the specific needs of various sports, including softball, hockey, and baseball.
Facilities and Technology at the Performance Institute
The episode delves deep into the advanced facilities and technologies available at the Omni Performance Institute. Giovanna provides an overview of the tools designed to enhance athletic performance and overall wellness:
-
BOD Pod:
"It measures body fat percentage..."
(08:54) -
Q Energy:
"It'll tell you exactly if you're burning protein, fat, or carbohydrates."
(09:24) -
Stima:
"It's something like a TENS therapy, but a little more intense... you could even do a back workout on there."
(09:34) -
PEMF Mat:
"That helps stimulate your cell growth and your muscular system."
(24:12)
These technologies enable personalized assessments and interventions, ensuring that each athlete receives training and recovery protocols tailored to their unique physiological profiles.
Nutrition and Dietary Advice
A substantial portion of the discussion focuses on the crucial role of nutrition in athletic performance. Giovanna emphasizes the importance of proper protein intake:
"A lot of people think the less they eat then the more fat they'll lose and stuff, but that's not the case."
(12:54)
She continues to explain the misconception of "skinny fat":
"Their body's actually eating away the muscle and keeping the fat... you don't want to see that your body's eating all the protein to use for energy."
(13:00)
Host Shawn French adds his perspective on sustainable nutrition:
"It's the same thing with nutrition. So how do you specify or I guess differentiate from athlete to athlete with the nutritional advice that you give?"
(11:10)
Giovanna responds by highlighting her personalized approach:
"I have a list of different questions... if you're deficient in anything or if you feel tired... it's not completely changing your diet. It's adding stuff in or taking things out."
(11:10)
The conversation underscores the institute's commitment to providing individualized nutritional counseling, ensuring athletes fuel their bodies optimally without compromising their performance or health.
Building a Sustainable Wellness Community
Shawn and Giovanna discuss the importance of creating sustainable habits for long-term success. Host Shawn draws parallels between athletic training and life:
"If it's not sustainable, you don't do it... you're so burned out because the systems were not repeatable."
(19:08)
Giovanna agrees, emphasizing the need for flexibility and cultural sensitivity in nutrition plans:
"Maybe you should get blenders out or even ethnic backgrounds... making sure that they have foods that they like and nothing they don't like."
(18:26)
This approach ensures that athletes and community members can maintain their wellness routines without feeling restricted or overwhelmed.
Future Plans and Expansion
Looking ahead, Giovanna reveals exciting expansion plans for the Omni Performance Institute:
"The full vision is an actual wellness village... we gonna have some apartments. We're gonna have a hotel here where the members of the hotel can use the fitness center."
(22:25)
She envisions a vibrant community where residents can seamlessly integrate fitness, dining, and leisure without the need for extensive travel:
"You could walk around and get some food or work out or hang out with the people."
(23:23)
Additional facilities like a pickleball court on the roof and diverse dining and shopping options are in the pipeline, aiming to create a self-sufficient and dynamic wellness ecosystem.
Closing Remarks
In wrapping up the episode, Shawn encourages listeners to engage with the Omni Performance Institute:
"If you're looking just to get healthy, this is a great place to come. If you live in southwest Florida, located right here, the Omni Performance Institute in Fort Myers, Florida. Come check it out."
(24:54)
Giovanna also mentions upcoming initiatives:
"We have an eight week fitness challenge coming up... the winner could get a free membership."
(25:27)
The episode concludes with a motivational call to action, reinforcing the institute's mission to foster determination and excellence in personal development and athletic performance.
Notable Quotes:
-
Giovanna Giancola:
"We had a vision for the entire complex, actually, and we wanted to be a whole wellness village."
(02:43) -
Giovanna Giancola:
"A lot of people think the less they eat then the more fat they'll lose and stuff, but that's not the case."
(12:54) -
Host Shawn French:
"If it's not sustainable, you don't do it... you're so burned out because the systems were not repeatable."
(19:08) -
Giovanna Giancola:
"Maybe you should get blenders out or even ethnic backgrounds... making sure that they have foods that they like and nothing they don't like."
(18:26) -
Host Shawn French:
"If you're looking just to get healthy, this is a great place to come. If you live in southwest Florida, located right here, the Omni Performance Institute in Fort Myers, Florida. Come check it out."
(24:54)
This episode offers invaluable insights into the multifaceted approach of the Omni Performance Institute in nurturing high-performance athletes and fostering a sustainable wellness community. Giovanna Giancola's expertise in both physical training and nutritional counseling provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to achieve and maintain peak performance.