Most of you know by now that our two co-founders, Brandon Cullen and Kirk DeWaele, spent their pre-MADabolic lifetime on the ice. While we’ve sporadically called attention to their professional hockey background, we’ve always valued it and the critical role it plays in the athletically-inspired programming that all you MADones can’t seem to get enough of. Well…it’s finally time to take the plunge and fully embrace it. In 2019, we’re wiping the slate (somewhat) clean and giving a nod to their hockey world with an interval name facelift.

You’ll still recognize many of the work to rest ratios, but we wanted to properly introduce you to our suite of fresh interval designations. Maybe now you’ll be less likely to scratch your head and mutter “WTF?” when your trainer announces “The Wily Vet” as the daily interval.

Barn Burner
The term “Barn Burner” often describes an event – typically a sporting contest – that is very exciting or intense. In hockey, this typically meant you were in for a long night. This interval definitely lives up to its name.

Broad Street Bully
Ripped from the headlines, this interval was named after one of the most polarizing hockey teams in the early 70s.  The Philadelphia Flyers were labeled “The Broad Street Bullies” because of their physical toughness and relentless tenacity. This team challenged for multiple Stanley Cup championships by beating the will out of their opponents with their nonstop, back-to-back 0:45 efforts. No matter what you threw at them, they just kept coming.

Double Shift
A term used to describe a group of highly conditioned players able to withstand and perform back-to-back efforts as needed. Double Shift, the interval, asks the same out of its participating athlete.

Dump & Chase
This term describes a style of offense in the game of hockey that is fast-paced and energetic. It requires both athleticism and endurance, and demands a degree of buy-in from the entire team in order to be effective.

E.C.H.L.
A hockey slang born in the minors. Easy Come, Hard Leave is a phrase named after the East Coast Hockey League (or ECHL). Moral of the story: it wasn’t too hard to get there but it sure as hell was hard to get out of. We thought it was very appropriate when naming this interval.

Empty The Tank
It’s gut check time.  A coach or player typically reserves this phrase for the most mentally trying point of a game, playoff series, or season.  To “empty the tank” requires a true and honest all-out effort; to contribute to the absolute limit of that player or team’s remaining energy and/or abilities.

Muck & Grind
Is a term mostly used to describe a style of play or even a type of player. All and all, it refers to a physical presence or approach that gets the job done in the absence of finesse. The title and grit belongs to a set of individuals who are not afraid to do the dirty work.

Playing Guilty
One of the best terms to come out of the hockey world. “Playing Guilty” refers to a delicate balance between one’s physical ability and mental effort. Usually, this term is used when certain players on a team may have encountered a rough evening of partying too hard the night before a game. Playing guilty is a state of mind whereby you will offer up your body and near kill yourself for the W so that your previous night’s shenanigans won’t be held against you in the event of a loss or poor performance.

Probert and Kocur
The Bruise Bro’s! Arguably the toughest 1-2 punch combo in the history of the National Hockey League. Bob Probert (‘pro’-‘BURT’)  and Joey Kocur (‘ko’-‘SUR’) were absolute killers. Having just one of these gentlemen on a team would have been scary enough, but to have both on the same roster night after night, year after year was simply cruel. And if (by a slim chance) you happen to get the better of one of them, it just meant their partner in crime was coming after you next period.

TOFTT
"Take One For The Team” is a phrase often applied to a player who decides to do something for the better of the team. Wether its blocking a 100mph slap shot, or being the wingman for a teammate at the bar. It doesn’t happen very often, but every once in a while, a situation or interval presents itself and you simply must take ownership of it.

Tea w/ Miss McGill
“The only thing better than a glass of beer is tea with Miss McGill”! A quote borrowed from the 1986 cult classic movie “Youngblood”, starring Rob Lowe and Patrick Swayze . In short, this nostalgic giggle simply needed to be the  name of one of our intervals. Go ahead and google the reference for a good laugh…

The Wily Vet
He knows the ropes and has been around forever. The Wily Vet forged his career on his ability to manage his output coupled with his veteran expertise to peak as needed. At this point in his career, he is no longer flashy but is always close by and ready to perform when it matters most.

Toe to Toe
Slugging it out at close range. In other words, a face punching contest. This phrase is used to describe a short but intense combative effort between two players who are not exactly happy with one another.

Yard Sale
Everything must go! Arguably the most challenging interval in our program. The term “Yard Sale” refers to the look and actions of an individual who (not always by choice) is physically uncomfortable. They may be lying on the floor, rolling around or simply struggling for a lick of comfort. You may even notice their shoe off in one corner and their hat off in another. Everything hurts, nothing is okay, and they are wondering if they will ever feel right again.