Woodgym with Petrone
Self-Improvement
About
Petrone has spent 30 years training elite athletes and some of the most successful entrepreneurs and executives in the United States. This podcast, recorded in his renowned Woodgym, offers a peek into the lives and perspectives of the exceptionally driven individuals that train with Petrone.
Episodes
- Setting Sleep PRs with Dr. James Choo
Dr. James Choo candidly shares his difficulties implementing sleep science, detailing how he used WHOOP data and an LLM to audit his habits and regain confidence in fundamental sleep principles.
- The Tables Turn - Charlie's Story
Charlie recounts his personal journey, detailing early work experiences, training with his father, academic challenges, and the development of his first workout program at age 13, which laid the groundwork for his later endeavors.
- Army Ranger Reese Staley
Army Ranger Reese Staley discusses his achievements and current assignment in Germany since his last appearance in 2019. He and Charlie explore training philosophy, life overseas, and changes over the past five years.
- Tony Vitello Returns
Tony Vitello returns to Woodgym to discuss his historic move from coaching Tennessee baseball to managing the San Francisco Giants. He shares insights on his championship season, the decision to join MLB, and lessons learned about building…
- Woodgym Rewind: Tony Vitello 2019
This episode features University of Tennessee head baseball coach Tony Vitello discussing his passion for baseball, life experiences, and personal journey. The conversation took place after a training session at Woodgym.
- College Pt 2: But Really, Is it Worth it?
Well folks, it's yet again time for an Out Back at Petrone's episode. We realized the first panel was all college peeps, so Charlie diversified by bringing Ross on to school us on some reasons to stick to street-smart studies. Did everyone…
- Is College Still Worth It?
Charlie and the gang break down one of the biggest questions facing young people today. From student debt to real-world job opportunities, they explore whether traditional degrees still translate into success, how the value of education ha…
- What It Means to Train Like a Pro: Lincoln Bartholomew Pt 2
Lincoln returns to share what it was like living with Charlie for two weeks immersed in the Woodgym world. From early mornings to intense training sessions, Lincoln gives an unfiltered look at the daily rhythm, lessons learned, and the min…
- Tennessee Football with Chris and Jamie Fautz
Charlie chops it up with his Jersey bestie Chris and his wife Jamie the day after her first UT football game at Neyland Stadium! They relay the game day including the tailgating, entering the stadium, the energy of the competition, and fin…
- Lincoln Bartholomew
Top amateur motocross rider Lincoln Bartholomew is living with Charlie for two weeks to sharpen his mind and body and make a push for the pro level. Catch their first conversation out back at Petrone's place!
- Jeff Christensen
Backyard vibes again at the Woodgym pod! Petrone sits down with former Yankee Jeff Christensen for a wide-open talk on baseball, training, and life beyond the game. There's cigars, there's wine, there's tequila! Pull up a chair and hang ou…
- Out Back, Pt 5
The final cook-out episode with the production crew and it happens to be Charlie's birthday too! There's no better gift than 5 stars and a review...
- CJ Newton
In this episode of The Wood Gym with Petrone , Charlie sits down with sports videographer CJ Newton for a conversation about capturing athletes in their element. From the challenges of filming at high speed to telling stories through the l…
- Out Back, Pt 4
In this episode of Wood Gym with Petrone, Charlie and the crew dive into the hard truths of relationships — when to set boundaries, when to prune, and how to keep communication sharp and honest. It’s a conversation about protecting your en…
- Out Back, Pt 3 "Line in the Dirt"
On the back patio, the crew dives into the hard stuff—choices that shape your future, boundaries that protect your peace, and ultimatums that demand clarity. They talk through the uncomfortable process of pruning relationships and mindsets…
- Out Back, Pt 2
Chaz rounds up the production team again for food, drinks, and discussion! More on choices, boundaries, ultimatums and responding to the feedback from part 1.
- Out Back at Petrone's
We did it -- outdoor podcast! This episode is about choices -- the ones that build you, break you, and define your path. Charles gets out of the sweat lodge conditions at the Woodgym and takes a break from the star athletes to chop it up w…
- JP Peace
Charlie sits down with West High footballer JP Peace to discuss his recent commitment to Tennessee and more.
- Chef Bruce Bogartz
Chef's table special! This week Charlie sat down with Chef Bruce Bogartz, a true Knoxville legend. Tune in to hear about his journey as a local chef, his challenges and victories in serving Knoxville, and what drives him to continue to lea…
- Living with Abandon Part 2: The Next Five Tenets
The guys gather once again in the office (but without the Woodgym's resident Burt Reynolds this time) for part 2 of Charlie's dive into the 10 steps he recommends when cutting away the crap and focusing on what matters!
- Griffin Delong: Mutual Aid Amidst Helene Fallout
Griff recounts the herculean efforts by locals and volunteers from around the country to coordinate relief in the Appalachian mountains after a cataclysmic storm devastated isolated East TN and NC dwellers.
- 5 Tenets of Living With Abandon: Part 1
Charlie is at it again with the meditation, the mountain bike rides, the journaling -- ya'll know what that means it's time for another SOLO DOLO episode of the show! How would you live if you knew you only had a day or a week left? What f…
- How Winners Do It
In this solo dolo episode, Charlie tries to define the mindset of a champion, drawing from his 30 years of experience working with elite athletes and successful entrepreneurs. He talks about how the best stay consistent and don't let mista…
- How Successful People Do It
Charlie addresses the gym and imparts some wisdom from the Woodgym office desk in a short, sweet, solo episode.
- Wrapping Up a 'Selfish' Seven Weeks in the South
Even though Theo Benedet had been to Tennessee before to train at the Woodgym, he wasn't prepared for what was in store the last 7 weeks. For one, Charlie still couldn't say his last name (although they got that sorted, finally). Listen as…
- Maxence LeBlanc
Charlie sits down with Ohio State football commit and Woodgymer Max to discuss his path from Montreal to Tennessee and the continuation of the Canadian Pipeline.
- Theo Benedet: Refining the Canadian Pipeline
The Canadian football savant is back for a second round of live-in training down south, and he and Charlie have dove into the deep end this time for 7 straight weeks. "Don't surrender to down days" has been a mantra in the gym, and it seem…
- Dr. Kevin Sprouse
Charles sits down for a stirring discussion with Dr. Sprouse to talk everything from diet, training, genetics, blood work, and their new favorite pastime -- pickleball! This humble brainiac preaches performance knowledge gained from his ti…
- Farrar Strum
Long time Woodgym-er and world-class opera singer Farrar Strum lends his powerful pipes to the show. He shares how he started singing, how he started training with Charlie, and what it's like navigating mental health challenges and repeate…
- Michael McKenry
The man, the myth, the legend, The Fort! A true Woodgym OG returns to the show to chop it up with Charlie about the past, the present, and what they are aiming for in 2024.
- Eddie Reymond: the Nutrition Guy
Charles sits down with a performance peer and partner (and new friend) to hear a real American success story. Eddie Reymond recounts one of the coolest, most winding adventures we've heard on the pod. From Switzerland, to the States, atten…
- Brian DeBusk
This is a special one. Strap in and tag along as Charlie and the man, the myth, the Woodgym legend from way back, Brian DeBusk talk early days of Petrone Training. They dig in deep: business, healthcare, technology, Brian’s fascinating edu…
- Kentel Williams
Charlie sits down with the former star Austin Peay RB and current pro footballer to get perspective on how athletes have fared through the fallout of the pandemic. They also talk training and what it takes to prepare for pro ball in the of…
- Riley Jenne
The Harvard DB and Charles took a break from off-season training to delve into his challenges and growth in Cambridge and the Woodgym after his first two years studying and playing Crimson football. The two talk training and the need for e…
- Claire Brock
Another Emory Eagle joins the show as Claire tells Charlie about a fateful fall, how she fit in at the Woodgym, and how she plans to put an exclamation point on her basketball career while looking forward to what awaits after.
- Change, Or Don't
Charlie addresses us listeners directly with a 'State of the Woodgym' address and a lesson from the heart. Quit waiting on someone else to change or meet their full potential.
- Chris Fautz
Charlie finally sits down with his childhood pal from Jersey, and they totally pick up where they left off. Rare opportunity to hear from a friend that pre-dates the training and the Woodgym!They get entrepreneurial -- Fautz walks us throu…
- Andres Miyares
One of the latest live-in Woodgym-ers joins Charlie all the way from Miami, FL. Listen along as Andres shares his story of finding Charlie and entrusting the Woodgym with his off-season development. Finally, Charlie unpacks some light ailu…
- Jacob Saylors
Jacob sits down and reflects on a grueling pro-day transformation and fine-tuning preparations with Charles and Griff. Find out what brought the ETSU RB from Jasper, TN out to the Woodgym. With over 1300 yds and 15 touchdowns last season,…
- Aaron Dykes
Long-time Woodgym-er, footballer, and Richmond Spider Aaron comes on the show to recap his intense pro day prep with Charlie.
- Body Composition and the Role of Nutrition
Our favorite professor is back and answering all of our nutrition questions! Lee Murphy returns to the pod for a focused talk on how athletes of all ages (or even geeks like our producer, Ben) can fuel up properly for training and performa…
- Theo Benedet: The Canadian NFL Pipeline in 2023
Sasha returns down south with yet another exciting football player from the frigid lands of Canada. The gang catches up, hears about Theo's perspective of the pandemic as an opportunity, and discusses why they believe in their system with…
- Diet or Destiny? Talking Nutrition with Lee Murphy
Do you know how to read a food label? Charles sits down with nutrition expert Lee Murphy, a University of Tennessee Distinguished Lecturer specializing in nutrition and public health. They chat about all things dietary and metabolic in an…
- The New Normal for Young Athletes with Rory Gibbs
Charlie brings in yet another og Woodgym-er in Rory Gibbs to talk 7 on 7, the Transfer Portal, and how the accelerated transformation of high school and college sports is affecting the youth who comprose these leagues.
- Brinley Murphy: Athletic Wunderkind
Charles laid down the gauntlet with the conclusion episode of the Woodgym's Mental Toughness series, calling out our youngest athletes and claiming that it's "easier than ever before to be great." Well, folks, in perhaps the quickest and m…
- Daniel Bituli: Revolutionizing Mental Training
Beloved VFL and cerebral pro LB Daniel Bituli returns to the Woodgym office for his debut podcast! Listen along with Chaz and the crew for an expedition into the mind of an elite athlete. Daniel plans to launch a digital training platform…
- Mental Toughness: Conclusion
What did the Woodgym learn from our series of deep dives into mental fortitude? Dr. James Choo and Charlie sit down once more at the round table to try and put a final pin in it!
- Nick Evennou
Summer break comes to an end with the Woodgym finally at a cool 86 degrees, so we had to return to podcasting. Couldn’t have asked for a more special guest than an OG Woodgym-er from back in the Homberg days: Nick Evennou. Nick is a born r…
- Mental Toughness: Martial Arts Legend Draculino
Vinicious "Draculino" Magalhães graces the Woodgym with an extensive collection of insights gleaned throughout an unbelievable career in martial arts. Learn how dispirate communities of Brazilian surfers and martial artists coalesced in a…
- Mental Toughness: Pro Cyclist Kaysee Armstrong
Chaz, Choo, and the crew continue to explore the topic with Knoxville's resident biking bad*** Kaysee Armstrong. Kaysee's story is awesome and left us all astounded and inspired. We explore the roles of heredity and childhood in mental tou…