Welcome back to another edition of Perfect 10.0 PT Enlightenment! I’m Brandi Smith — physical therapist, performance coach, and former two-time National Championship collegiate gymnast. Whether you’re a parent, coach, or athlete, I’m so glad you’re here.
This Week’s AMA: The Pyramid of Performance
A few weeks ago, I casually mentioned something that clearly struck a chord — the Pyramid of Performance. Your questions poured in, so this week, we unpacked it together!
Pillar vs. Pyramid: Why the Shape Matters
Too often, athletes are developed using a pillar model — progressions stacked vertically with little thought to the foundation below. But here’s the problem: performance doesn’t thrive on a narrow base. It crumbles.
That’s why we use the Pyramid of Performance.
At its foundation is Movement Literacy — the true root of athleticism. It’s not just knowing what to move, but how to move with coordination, control, and awareness.
This literacy begins at birth. From the moment a baby lies on a parent’s chest, every wiggle, push-up, roll, and crawl builds the brain-body connection that underlies all future movement.
But here’s the challenge: modern lifestyles — increased screen time, reduced physical play, and rising neural divergence — are disrupting these early milestones. As a result, many young athletes are compensating their way through movement rather than mastering it. And that limits their potential.
Physical Intelligence Starts Early — But It’s Never Too Late to Build
Whether you're working with toddlers or teens, it’s crucial to identify and address gaps in movement literacy. That’s where real progress — and injury resilience — begins.
Watch the full session by clicking the below button.
Wishing you and your athletes a strong finish to the season!
To your success,
Brandi Smith
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