👤 About the Guest – Brian Xicotencatl

Brian Xicotencatl is the founder of WaterPolo Strong, a performance-focused strength & conditioning platform dedicated exclusively to the development of water polo athletes. He works internationally as a strength & conditioning coach, performance specialist, and sports science researcher with a strong focus on injury prevention, mobility, recovery, and long-term athlete development.

Brian’s approach is deeply influenced by his own playing career, which was shaped by multiple serious injuries. These experiences led him to rethink traditional training methods in water polo and to build a system based on movement quality, neurological recovery, data-driven coaching, and sustainable performance.

Through WaterPolo Strong, Brian supports:

• Youth athletes (especially ages 12–18)
• College players
• Professional and national team athletes

His work combines practical coaching on deck, sports science research, and performance diagnostics to create training systems that help athletes perform at a higher level — and stay healthy longer.

🔍 Topics Covered

• Why water polo is still behind in applied sports science
• The real meaning of self-care in elite sport
• Mobility as a key factor for power, verticality, and injury prevention
• Warm-up, cool-down, and nervous system recovery
• Hydration and carbohydrate intake during training and competition
• Youth development and long-term athletic foundations
• Why proper movement quality must come before heavy conditioning
• The idea and philosophy behind WaterPolo Strong