89. Bertrand Théraulaz, co-founder of ActionTypes, The Motor Signature Profiling Originators

Описание: Episode Summary
In this landmark episode of Transcending Sport, Rob Crews sits down with Bertrand Théraulaz, co-founder of ActionTypes and one of the originators of motor signature profiling.

For over 35 years, Bertrand and his partner Ralph Hippolyte have developed a comprehensive approach to understanding human movement — connecting brain, body, and behavior in ways that transform how we coach athletes.

This conversation traces the complete evolution of ActionTypes: from Bertrand's early days coaching volleyball in Switzerland, through his breakthrough discovery in 1998, to the launch of the first-ever U.S. Hybrid Training Program bringing this methodology to American coaches.

This isn't a simplified binary system — this is the complete methodology, directly from one of its creators.

Key Takeaways
🎯 You Have FOUR Motor Skills, Not One
Everyone has four motor skills available — not just one fixed profile. Your "comfort zone" is used about 70% of the time, but your second motor skill is your recovery zone. Training only one leads to overuse and injury.

🎯 Two Profiles That Interact
You have a motor profile (voluntary motor system for technique execution) AND a motivational profile (autonomous nervous system for preparation and recovery). Understanding both prevents coaching errors.

🎯 "Listen to Your Body, Not Anybody"
The body always has a solution. Your brain is a coordination device designed for movement. Trust your natural patterns instead of forcing external "one size fits all" solutions.

🎯 Coach the Intention, Not the Action
The HOW belongs to the athlete. Coaches should focus on intention and context — not prescriptive technique. "Recognize WHO they are first, not WHAT they do."

🎯 Vision Strategies Matter
Some athletes use central vision first → then peripheral. Others start peripheral → then central. You cannot teach one person the opposite strategy — it must match their profile.

🎯 The Danger of Oversimplification
Reducing motor preferences to simple binary categories is dangerous. Without understanding both profiles and all four motor skills, coaches risk causing injuries and harming athletes.

Quotable Moments
"The body is the chief. The mind is the servant. Listen to your body, not anybody."
"Thinking you know is not knowing how to think."
"Coach the intention, not the action. The HOW belongs to the athlete."
"Recognize WHO they are first, not WHAT they do."
"Move to your next level. You always have a next level."
"If you do repetition only, you create sclerosis in the brain — you kill the connections."

What's Covered in This Episode
The origin story of ActionTypes (dating back to 1989-1998)
Bertrand's breakthrough discovery in Canberra, Australia (1998)
Why "one size fits all" coaching fails athletes
The four motor skills and how they coordinate together
Motor profiles vs. motivational profiles — and why both matter
Vision strategies: central-to-peripheral vs. peripheral-to-central
Applications beyond sports: therapy, autism spectrum, education
The U.S. Hybrid Training Program launching in 2026
Ethical responsibilities when profiling athletes
The 800-page ActionTypes reference book

About the Guest
Bertrand Théraulaz is the co-founder of ActionTypes, alongside Ralph Hippolyte. A former elite volleyball coach, Swiss national team coach, and director of coaching education for Swiss Olympic for 17 years, Bertrand has spent 35+ years developing the science of motor signatures. His work spans 30+ sports disciplines and has influenced elite athletes, Olympic teams (including the French handball team — Tokyo Olympics gold medalists), therapists, and educators worldwide.

Links & Resources
ActionTypes Official
Website: actiontypes.com
Website (US): actiontypes.org
Motor Signatures Research: motorsignatures.com
Instagram: @actiontypes_off
Email: [email protected]
U.S. Hybrid Training Program
Registration: actiontypesonline.com/application-form
Free 3-hour introductory session
Online hybrid sessions + self-paced course
In-person intensive weekend in Philadelphia (June 2026)
800-page reference book included
Certification as "Detect Type" practitioner
Connect with Rob Crews
Website: complete.game
Instagram: @completegame
Podcast: Transcending Sport with Rob Crews
Historical References Mentioned
Carl Gustav Jung — Psychological Types (1921)
Jean Le Boulch — Creator of Psychokinetics (science of human movement)
Raymond Soyé — Belgian physiotherapist, "walk from top/bottom" research
Walter Lowen — First to link Jung's theory with motor patterns
Carmelo Bosco — Italian scientist, created jump testing mats
Wolfgang Schöllhorn — Differential learning researcher
Catherine Benziger — Neuropsychologist, Benziger Thinking Styles Assessment

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