In this episode of Simply Walk the Talk, Joshua sits down with Coach John Williams, owner of Axon Sport Performance and Elevate with John, to explore how he became a world-class coach without ever playing tennis. From performance training and electrical muscle stimulation to redefining what it means to “earn trust,” Coach John shares lessons on coaching at the highest level, respecting professional lanes, and focusing on recovery as much as performance.
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5 Key Takeaways
•Results and trust matter more than titles or social media clout.
•Coaching is about principles, biomechanics, and relationships—not just technical skill.
•Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) can accelerate training and recovery while reducing injury risk.
•Recovery is as critical as performance for long-term success.
•Being a great human—showing integrity, respect, and consistency—translates across every role.
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Timestamps
00:00 START – Setting the scene at the US Open & Coach John’s background
03:00 – Meme therapy, communication, and perspective on social media
05:00 – Why John doesn’t call himself a “tennis coach”
09:00 – Respecting professional lanes and checking pedigrees in coaching
11:00 – Becoming a full-time coach without playing tennis
14:00 – Transitioning from performance training to tactics and mechanics
17:00 – First experiences with professional triathletes
18:30 – Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS): history, use, and results
27:00 – Stimulus, response, and the importance of recovery
37:00 – Real-world case study: 120% strength gain in 4 weeks using EMS
44:00 – Why recovery matters as much as performance
50:00 – The pickleball and paddle conversation
56:00 – The “lunch invoice” story and lessons on integrity
01:02:00 – Raising kids, responsibility, and life lessons
01:04:00 END – Closing thoughts: being your best in every session
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Resources Mentioned & Guest Info
Axon Sport Performance: https://www.axonsportperformance.com
https://www.instagram.com/elevatewithjohn
https://www.elevatewithjohn.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-williams-4956107/
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