Talkin' Pitt by Pitt Sports Performance
The Strength and Conditioning and Sports Science staff at the University of Pittsburgh sit down to discuss the evolution of sports performance
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Episodes
4 days ago
4 days ago
In this episode of Talkin’ Pitt, Coach Young catches up with my good friend George Boulos, Director of basketball performance at James Madison University. We dive deep into his coaching journey from his Pittsburgh roots to bouncing between college and private sector roles, and how he found his way back to collegiate athletics.
George shares insights on:🔹 Managing high roster turnover in the transfer portal era🔹 Building trust with coaches through effective communication and GPS data🔹 How he uses isometric training (especially Spanish squats and reverse lunges) to keep his guys healthy🔹 Why the long-term athlete development model is nearly extinct in college basketball🔹 His approach to on-boarding freshmen and customizing training blocks🔹 The importance of financial literacy and side hustles in a field where burnout is real
We also geek out on programming inspiration from Christian Thibaudeau, cluster training, and using GPS tech to better understand player readiness.
This one’s packed with experience, real talk, and practical takeaways, whether you’re in the private sector, college, or somewhere in between.
Pitt Sports Performance Instagram
@pitt_sportsperformance
Pitt Sports Performance Twitter
@pitt_science
George Boulos Contact
Instagram: @gcboulos
Email: boulosgc@jmu.edu
Music Credit
Music Unlimited, “The Podcast Intro.”
Friday Apr 18, 2025
Friday Apr 18, 2025
This week on Talkin' Pitt, we sit down with Coach Dani Evans, currently in charge of women's lacrosse, volleyball, and field hockey at Liberty University.
Danny shares her journey through the field of strength and conditioning, from discovering the profession late in college to working under some of the best in the game, like Mike Boyle, Jeff Oliver, and the crew at Pitt.
We talk:
Her non-linear path into S&C and what drew her in
Interning at Mike Boyle’s, having no idea who he was
The difference between private sector coaching vs. collegiate teams
Lessons from stops at Stanford, Merrimack, and Pitt
Juggling 3 teams in-season at Liberty and how she makes it all work
Her growth as a coach and person over the last two years
This one’s packed with real talk, mentorship gems, and a behind-the-scenes look at the grind (and joy) of being a collegiate strength coach
Pitt Sports Performance Instagram
@pitt_sportsperformance
Pitt Sports Performance Twitter
@pitt_science
Dani Evans Contact
Instagram: @builtbydani
Email: devans175@liberty.edu
Music Credit
Music Unlimited, “The Podcast Intro.”
Friday Apr 04, 2025
Friday Apr 04, 2025
In this episode, Coach Devin sits down with one of the most engaging and thought-provoking voices in strength & conditioning—Joe Pedulla, Assistant Strength Coach at Oklahoma Softball and the mind behind Pedulla Performance. They delve deeply into Joe’s journey from kinesiology student to Big 12 strength coach, exploring how his transformation as a pitcher influenced his coaching philosophy and why traditional programming models often fall short.
They discuss coaching philosophies, athlete autonomy, building buy-in, navigating in-season training, and Joe’s new mentorship program, which will be live starting on June 9th, 2025. Whether you're a coach, an athlete, or simply a performance enthusiast, this one is packed with practical takeaways and powerful mindset shifts.
📌 Topics covered:
Joe's path into S&C and the shift from PT
Training with principles, not rigid methods
Using force plates, movement archetypes & athlete-led choices
Entrepreneurship and creating impact through education
The upcoming mentorship that’s more than just a course
Follow Joe on Instagram @pedullaperformance and check out his mentorship via the link in his bio!
Pitt Sports Performance Instagram
@pitt_sportsperformance
Pitt Sports Performance Twitter
@pitt_science
Joe Pedulla Contact
Instagram: @pedullaperfromance
Email: joseph.pedulla@ou.edu
Link for mentorship: https://tr.ee/Jpr525WHQe
Music Credit
Music Unlimited, “The Podcast Intro.”
Friday Feb 21, 2025
Friday Feb 21, 2025
In this episode of Talkin’ Pitt, we welcome back Dr. Tim Suchomel for a deep dive into strength and conditioning, sports science, and the future of athletic performance. Now in Pittsburgh full-time, Tim shares insights on his transition into the academic world, the evolution of sports performance education, and how Pitt is expanding its impact through online programs and research-driven training methodologies.
We discuss:🏋️♂️ How Pitt’s curriculum is evolving to develop the next generation of strength coaches and sports scientists📊 The role of velocity-based training (VBT) and how to use it effectively without compromising technique💡 Assessing athletes: When is "strong enough" truly strong enough?🔍 How to filter research, use AI in coaching, and stay updated in the ever-changing field of sports science📖 A sneak peek into Tim’s upcoming book, Science and Development of Muscular Strength
Whether you're a strength coach, sports scientist, or just passionate about optimizing athletic performance, this episode is packed with valuable insights!
🎧 Listen now and #HailToPitt!
Friday Jan 31, 2025
Friday Jan 31, 2025
Welcome back to Talkin’ Pitt! In this episode, we sit down with Anthony Cockrill, Director of Volleyball Sports Performance at SMU, to explore the evolution of his coaching career and how he’s helping redefine strength and conditioning for volleyball at the collegiate level.
Coach Cockrill has been instrumental in shaping SMU’s volleyball program as they transition into the ACC, and he’s not just training athletes—he’s changing the way we think about performance, recovery, and development. Whether you're a strength coach, an athlete, or just passionate about high-level training, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.
In this episode, we cover:
✅ SMU’s Rise in the ACC – How the program is exceeding expectations and setting new standards in volleyball performance.✅ The Coaching Journey – From an unexpected start at a D2 school to leading the charge in a Power 5 program, Anthony shares the lessons he’s learned along the way.✅ Omni Contraction Training & Weight Releasers – Why eccentric training is a game-changer and how he’s implementing it to maximize jump performance.✅ Building a Culture of Strength & Buy-In – The role of recruiting, communication, and setting clear expectations before athletes even step on campus.✅ Managing Stress & Recovery – The science of balancing training loads, nutrition, sleep, and external stressors to keep athletes at peak performance.✅ The Business of Strength & Conditioning – How strength coaches can expand their impact beyond the weight room, use social media to share knowledge, and navigate entrepreneurship in the industry.
Anthony brings an honest and refreshing perspective on what it takes to be a great coach—both in the weight room and in life. His forward-thinking approach to performance training is something every coach can learn from.
🔊 Listen now and get ready to take your coaching mindset to the next level!
Friday Dec 13, 2024
Friday Dec 13, 2024
In this episode of Talking Pit Podcast welcomes Coach John Bloom, an incredible strength and conditioning professional turned entrepreneur, to share his fascinating journey in coaching and his transition from collegiate athletics to building his own business. From his early days as an athlete mentored by a passionate strength coach to running teams as a college undergraduate, Coach Bloom reflects on the experiences and mentors that shaped his career.
In this episode, we discuss:
Coach Bloom’s unique coaching journey, starting with middle school athletes to leading collegiate teams.
His decision to leave collegiate coaching for entrepreneurship and the values that guided this transition.
The challenges and rewards of working with athletes of all ages, from middle schoolers to professionals.
An exclusive preview of his upcoming book, Strength in Numbers, featuring lessons and insights from 108 top coaches across various sports and disciplines.
Coach Bloom opens up about the importance of community among coaches, navigating burnout, and building a career aligned with personal values. Plus, he gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the structure of his book, which is designed to be a powerful resource for coaches at any stage of their journey.
Mark your calendars! Strength in Numbers launches December 10th and will be available on Amazon. Tune in for a thoughtful and inspiring conversation, and don’t miss the chance to grab exclusive bonuses during the book’s first week of release.
📚 For more on Coach Bloom’s work or to download a free preview of his book, visit JohnBloomCoaching.com. Follow him on Instagram @JohnBloom30 to stay connected!
🖤💛 Hail to Pitt!
Pitt Sports Performance Instagram
@pitt_sportsperformance
Pitt Sports Performance Twitter
@pitt_science
Strength in Numbers Link
https://a.co/d/2kOBLI6
Music Credit
Music Unlimited, “The Podcast Intro.”
Monday Dec 09, 2024
Monday Dec 09, 2024
In this special episode of the Talkin' Pitt Podcast, we feature a fascinating segment from Panther Insider, where guest host Pat Bostick dives deep into the cutting-edge world of sports science at Pitt Athletics. Joining the conversation are Dr. Tim Suchomel, director of Pitt's Master of Sports Science program, and Stephanie Mock, assistant athletic director for sports performance. Together, they unpack how sports science is giving Pitt athletes a competitive edge on the field, court, and beyond.
Highlights include:
What is Sports Science?: A multidisciplinary approach that integrates data to optimize athlete performance and guide decision-making.
Hands-On Learning: How Pitt’s unique Master of Sports Science program embeds students with teams like men's soccer and women's volleyball to provide real-world experience and contribute to success at the highest levels.
Victory Heights: A sneak peek at Pitt’s state-of-the-art sports performance facility currently under construction and its transformative potential for training, education, and recruitment.
Game-Day Readiness: Insight into how tools like force plates, wellness questionnaires, and catapult technology are used to monitor and enhance athlete performance.
Whether you're a fan of Pitt Athletics or fascinated by the science behind sports, this episode provides an inside look at the innovative strategies driving success at Pitt. Don’t miss this behind-the-scenes conversation with two leaders at the forefront of sports science!
Tune in now! 🏀⚽🏐 #H2P
Pitt Sports Performance Instagram
@pitt_sportsperformance
Pitt Sports Performance Twitter
@pitt_science
Music Credit
Music Unlimited, “The Podcast Intro.”
Friday Dec 06, 2024
Friday Dec 06, 2024
In this episode of Talking Pit, we sit down with Coach Eric Lichter of +2 University, one of the most innovative names in sports performance training. Known for his data-driven approach and extensive use of technology like the 1080 Sprint, Eric shares insights into how he built +2 University, his entrepreneurial mindset, and his philosophies on speed training.
We dive deep into Eric’s journey from private sector beginnings to serving as Ohio State’s Director of Football Performance, and back to revolutionizing the private training world. Discover how he scaled +2 University to feature cutting-edge tech and a robust team of coaches while maintaining an individualized, athlete-centered approach.
Key takeaways include:
The importance of speed training and when to integrate it into programming.
How to effectively use tools like the 1080 Sprint for resistance/assistance profiling.
Building systems for athlete performance that scale without sacrificing quality.
Why lifting after sprinting is a game-changer for performance and injury prevention.
Valuable lessons for young strength coaches on balancing innovation, mentorship, and entrepreneurial thinking.
This episode is packed with actionable advice and thought-provoking insights for coaches, trainers, and athletes alike. Whether you’re curious about advanced tech, athlete programming, or the mindset behind a successful training facility, this conversation is one you don’t want to miss.
Pitt Sports Performance Instagram
@pitt_sportsperformance
Pitt Sports Performance Twitter
@pitt_science
Eric Lichter Contact
Instagram: @ericlichter @plus2university
Music Credit
Music Unlimited, “The Podcast Intro.”
Friday Nov 15, 2024
Friday Nov 15, 2024
In this episode of Talkin Pitt, we dive into the career journey of Coach KJ, a dedicated strength and conditioning coach at the University of Oregon and a former athlete at UMBC. Join us as Coach KJ shares her path from college athlete to coach, with key stops at Pitt, Colorado, and Florida State, eventually landing her role at Oregon where she works with women’s basketball and softball. We discuss the unique challenges of coaching dual sports, managing athlete performance with advanced tools like force plates and Polar systems, and the importance of mentorship—especially for women in a male-dominated field. Coach KJ also offers insights into customizing training programs to fit each athlete’s needs, adapting to the demands of the Big Ten travel schedule, and how she approaches team readiness and recovery. This episode is packed with practical coaching advice and stories from the field—perfect for anyone interested in athletic training, mentorship, or sports performance.
Tune in to learn from Coach KJ's experiences and gain inspiration from her dedication to athlete development!
Pitt Sports Performance Instagram
@pitt_sportsperformance
Pitt Sports Performance Twitter
@pitt_science
KJ Jackson Contact
Instagram: @coach_kj24
Email: kaelinj@uoregon.edu
Music Credit
Music Unlimited, “The Podcast Intro.”
Friday Oct 11, 2024
Friday Oct 11, 2024
In this episode of Talking Pitt, we sit down with Rebekah Gold, a strength and conditioning coach with an incredible career journey. From starting out in the weight room during her high school days to working with college athletes and now high schoolers, Rebecca shares her insights and experiences along the way. We discuss her transition from a full-time coaching role to becoming a leadership and communication consultant at Art of Coaching. Rebekah talks about the challenges of balancing passion for coaching with the realities of the job, the importance of building trust with athletes, and how small changes can make a big impact in coaching. Whether you're in the S&C field or just curious about what it's like to coach athletes at various stages of their development, this episode is full of golden nuggets about leadership, communication, and athletic development.
Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with career advice, personal stories, and plenty of inspiration for coaches at every level.
Pitt Sports Performance Instagram
@pitt_sportsperformance
Pitt Sports Performance Twitter
@pitt_science
Rebekah Gold Contact
Instagram: @coach_bgold
Twitter: @sittig97
Website: www.artofcoaching.com
Music Credit
Music Unlimited, “The Podcast Intro.”