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
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.”
Friday Sep 27, 2024
Friday Sep 27, 2024
In this episode of Talking Pit, we sit down with one of the most respected names in the strength and conditioning world, Coach Mike Boyle. With over 40 years of experience across the private sector, collegiate, and professional sports, Coach Boyle shares his thoughts on the current state of strength and conditioning.
We dive into the balance between coaching fundamentals and the influx of technology in sports performance. Coach Boyle discusses the importance of actionable data, keeping athletes engaged, and the evolution of his training philosophies. He emphasizes the critical role of soft skills in coaching and why relating to athletes is just as important as knowing the science behind strength training. Whether you’re a seasoned coach or just starting out, this episode is packed with valuable insights on building effective training systems, adapting to new ideas, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Tune in to learn how Coach Boyle continues to evolve his methods while staying grounded in the fundamentals of strength and conditioning.
Pitt Sports Performance Instagram
@pitt_sportsperformance
Pitt Sports Performance Twitter
@pitt_science
Mike Boyle Contact
Instagram: @michael_boyle1959
Twitter: @mboyle1959
Website: www.strengthcoach.com
www.mbsc.tv
www.bodybyboyle.com
Music Credit
Music Unlimited, “The Podcast Intro.”
Friday Sep 13, 2024
Friday Sep 13, 2024
In this episode of Talkin Pitt, we sit down with Mike Guadango, the founder of Freak Strength, to explore his journey from aspiring physical therapist to renowned strength coach. Mike shares his early experiences with influential mentors like Joe DeFranco, Buddy Morris, and James Smith, and offers insights on how his time at Pitt shaped his coaching philosophy. From building a gym on a shoestring budget to managing elite NFL athletes, Mike's story is packed with valuable lessons on training, business, and personal growth. Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with humor, wisdom, and practical advice for aspiring coaches and athletes alike.
Pitt Sports Performance Instagram
@pitt_sportsperformance
Pitt Sports Performance Twitter
@pitt_science
Mike Guadango Contact
Instagram: @guadango @freakstrength @mikeandbrooker
Music Credit
Music Unlimited, “The Podcast Intro.”
Friday Aug 16, 2024
Friday Aug 16, 2024
In this episode of "Talking Pit," we sit down with Angie Bramley Moyer, the Head Performance Coach at Princeton University. Angie shares her journey from growing up in Pennsylvania to becoming a key figure in collegiate athletics. We delve into her early experiences at the University of Pittsburgh, where she got her start in strength and conditioning, and discuss the evolution of her career over 21 years at Princeton. Angie provides valuable insights into the changing landscape of strength and conditioning, the importance of technology in training, and the unique challenges and rewards of working with Ivy League student-athletes. She also touches on the significance of communication and relationship-building in coaching, offering advice for young strength coaches on how to navigate their careers and mentor the next generation. Whether you're a seasoned coach, an aspiring strength professional, or simply interested in the behind-the-scenes world of collegiate athletics, this episode is packed with wisdom and practical tips. Join us for a thoughtful conversation that highlights the dedication and passion needed to thrive in the competitive field of sports performance.
Pitt Sports Performance Instagram
@pitt_sportsperformance
Pitt Sports Performance Twitter
@pitt_science
Angie Brambley-Moyer Contact
Instagram: @strengthgirl
Email: brambley@princeton.edu
Music Credit
Music Unlimited, “The Podcast Intro.”
Friday Aug 02, 2024
Friday Aug 02, 2024
Welcome to another episode of "Talking Pit"! Today, we are joined by Ben Prentice, renowned performance coach and founder of Prentice Hockey. Ben shares insights from his 25-year journey in the sports performance world, discussing the evolution of his training methodologies, the impact of technology in fitness, and the importance of mental toughness in athletes. From his experience with the New York Rangers and Boston University to training Olympic athletes and NFL players, Ben's approach to integrating isometric and eccentric training techniques is transformative. Tune in to learn about his unique Omni contraction system, the value of personalized athlete training, and why a holistic approach is key to success. Don't miss this engaging conversation packed with practical advice for coaches and athletes alike.
Pitt Sports Performance Instagram
@pitt_sportsperformance
Pitt Sports Performance Twitter
@pitt_science
Ben Prentiss Contact
Instagram: @prentissperformance
Email: info@prentisshockey.com
Music Credit
Music Unlimited, “The Podcast Intro.”
Friday Jul 19, 2024
Friday Jul 19, 2024
In this "Talking Pitt" episode, we welcome Coach AJ Whitehead from the University of Wisconsin. AJ shares her journey into strength and conditioning, starting in Indiana's basketball scene, and how her passion for the weight room led to a career in strength and conditioning. She discusses the challenges and rewards of working with a small, dedicated team and the importance of building strong relationships with athletes. AJ also talks about the significance of integrating technology in training, including using tools like GPS and Oura rings for monitoring athletes' performance and recovery. She emphasizes the importance of being present, advocating for equity in the profession, and empowering young women. The conversation also touches on the challenges of the transfer portal, the value of multiple sports experience for young coaches, and the necessity of being dependable and reliable as an intern. Finally, AJ reflects on the role of mentorship and the impact of her past experiences on her current coaching philosophy. It was great having Coach Aj on the podcast, and we thank her for coming on today's episode. We hope you all enjoy the podcast and, as always, HAIL 2 PITT.
Special Dedication
This episode is dedicated to Keith Vinci. Keith mentored Aj and Devin during their time at UMass Lowell. Keith passed away on November 17, 2022, after battling Burkitt’s Lymphoma.
Pitt Sports Performance Instagram
@pitt_sportsperformance
Pitt Sports Performance Twitter
@pitt_science
Aj Whitehead Contact
Instagram: @ajax25
Email: AW2@athletics.wisc.edu
Music Credit
Music Unlimited, “The Podcast Intro.”
Friday May 17, 2024
Friday May 17, 2024
Talkin’ Pitt Episode Thirty-Two: Coach Young hosts this week's episode and is joined by Corey Petersen, the Assistant Director of Strength & Conditioning at St. Thomas University. In this episode, Coach Petersen goes into the types of cognitive training that he does with his teams. Coach Petersen will use these in his warm-up, strength training, speed, and conditioning sessions. Coach Young asked if he could dive more into the practical side of how a coach could use this at different levels and how he would progress during different training times. Later in the episode, Coach Petersen explains how he structures his agility session with his men’s soccer team. While explaining how he adds competition to get the most intent out of the team. This episode is filled with knowledge bombs that any coach could implement in their next training session. It was great having Coach Petersen on the podcast, and we thank him for his time to chat with us. We hope you all enjoy the podcast and, as always, HAIL 2 PITT.
Pitt Sports Performance Instagram
@pitt_sportsperformance
Pitt Sports Performance Twitter
@pitt_science
Corey Petersen Contact
Instagram: @corey_petersen44
Email: corey.petersen@stthomas.edu
Music Credit
Music Unlimited, “The Podcast Intro.”
Friday May 03, 2024
Friday May 03, 2024
Talkin’ Pitt Episode Thirty-One: Coach Young hosts this week's episode and is joined by Ray Zingler of Zingler Strength & Speed. For those who have not heard of Coach Zingler, he owns and operates a private training facility that works with athletes and adult clients. In the past year, Coach Zingler has started to share more about how he trains his athletes through social media, and during this conversation, Coach Young gets a detailed view of what goes into training youth athletes for performance and life. In this episode, Coach Zingler shares how he got into coaching from his father, and we find out that he has family ties to Pitt Athletics. It shows how athletics is a small world. Coach Zingler has a wealth of training knowledge and an entrepreneurial mindset on how to run a successful coaching business. Get your notepads out because this episode is filled with gems too good to miss. We hope you all enjoy the podcast and, as always, HAIL 2 PITT.
Pitt Sports Performance Instagram
@pitt_sportsperformance
Pitt Sports Performance Twitter
@pitt_science
Ray Zingler Contact
Instagram: @zingler_strength
Website: zinglerstrength.com
Music Credit
Music Unlimited, “The Podcast Intro.”
Friday Apr 19, 2024
Friday Apr 19, 2024
In episode 30 of Talkin' Pit Podcast, we dive into the intricate world of sports performance with our special guest host, Stephanie Mock, and her special guest, Rick Franzblau, Assistant Athletic Director for Olympic Sports Performance at Clemson University. Drawing on his rich professional journey at Clemson, Rick offers a unique trove of knowledge about player development, performance analytics, and sports mechanics.
Rick expands on his fascinating work in performance development in baseball, highlighting the application of the expansion and compression model across different sports. He underscores the importance of understanding body mechanics, postures, and stances for enhancing an athlete's performance, providing a fresh, scientific perspective on sports training and empowerment.
Explore the crucial interconnection between sports analytics and sports science with Rick, as he explicates how these disciplines can be skillfully integrated to optimize performances, particularly in baseball. He delves into the role played by different body structures in sports, the benefits of being a performance coach instead of a strength coach, and how a profound understanding of sports science opens doors to a stronger talent pool in the industry.
Moving beyond traditional coaching methods, the discussion focuses on understanding human movement through shapes. Rick emphasizes how this unique outlook favors collaboration in athlete development strategies, encouraging emerging practitioners to invest in long-term learning methods like mentorships, site visits, and professional meetings to broaden their knowledge in the field.
Pitt Sports Performance Instagram
@pitt_sportsperformance
Pitt Sports Performance Twitter
@pitt_science
Music Credit
Music Unlimited, “The Podcast Intro.”