Episode 96 – Looking Under the Hood: Prepping Olympic and Paralympic Fencers
With Dr. Darnell Hunt
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Resources
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- World Fencing League: A global fencing organization providing contemporary, viewer-friendly professional fencing events (available on YouTube).
- OPC (Olympic and Paralympic Committee): The U.S. National Olympic and Paralympic Committee headquartered in Colorado Springs, CO
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Summary
What does it take for an athlete to make it to the Paralympic or Olympic games?
In our latest LiveWell Podcast episode, we explore the world of elite athleticism through the sport of fencing. As it turns out, training to compete in the most important sporting event of your life takes a lot more than simply achieving peak physical performance. Which is where Dr. Derek Plonka comes in. Physical therapist, acupuncturist, competitive fencer, and volunteer medical staff member for USA Fencing, Dr. Plonka provides medical care that supports these high-level athletes as they work to achieve their dreams.
He sits down with us to detail the ins and outs of the fast-paced sport and the logistical realities of providing medical care at large scale national athletic events. We learn what it takes to get these fencers and parafencers to the 2028 Games physically, mentally, and emotionally. We also glean a number of holistic lessons on competition itself that are applicable to just about everyone.
In this episode we discuss:
- Breaking down the target areas, movement speeds, and technical mechanics of foil, épée, and sabre fencing.
- How different personalities gravitate toward a specific fencing sword based on behavioral traits.
- How mindset, letting go of losses, and maintaining emotional equilibrium are the key for an athlete’s success.
- Why building a platform of physical self-sufficiency helps athletes achieve their goals for healing and succeeding.
Resources Mentioned:
- World Fencing League: A global fencing organization providing contemporary, viewer-friendly professional fencing events (available on YouTube).
- OPC (Olympic and Paralympic Committee): The U.S. National Olympic and Paralympic Committee headquartered in Colorado Springs, CO.
More about Dr. Derek Plonka
Dr. Derek Plonka has been licensed as a Physical Therapist since 2000 and as an Acupuncturist since 2014. He holds advanced credentials as an NCCAOM Diplomate in Oriental Medicine, an APTA Board-Certified Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS), a Credentialed Clinical Instructor, and an NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). Dr. Plonka runs a private integrative practice in West Los Angeles, CA, blending physical therapy, traditional acupuncture, and sports performance evaluation. Beyond the clinic, he competes regionally and nationally in Sabre fencing, serves on the Volunteer Medical Staff for USA Fencing, and works as a volunteer ski patroller with the San Bernardino Mountain Patrol.
