Talkin' Pitt by Pitt Sports Performance

In this episode of Talkin Pitt, I sit down with strength and conditioning coach and author of The Athletic Blueprint, Josh Bray, for a wide-ranging conversation on coaching, programming, and developing young athletes.   Josh works primarily with high-level youth hockey players, which creates an interesting challenge: how do you develop a well-rounded athlete when their sport becomes increasingly specialized at such a young age?   We dive into Josh’s generalist approach to training and why he intentionally exposes his athletes to movements and activities they aren't getting from hockey. From gamifying training and developing physical literacy to adjusting programs around growth and maturation, Josh shares how he tries to build adaptable athletes rather than simply creating better weight-room performers.   We also get into the realities of programming that don't always show up on paper. We talk about working with limited equipment, why logistics should influence program design, how Josh filters new training information, and why something that doesn't work with one group of athletes doesn't necessarily need to be thrown away.   Throughout the conversation, we come back to the importance of context. There isn't one perfect system or training method. Good coaching is understanding the problem in front of you, having enough tools available to solve it, and knowing when and why to use them.   We also discuss: Gamification and using competition to drive intent and engagement Developing general athleticism in highly specialized youth athletes Balancing sport demands with what athletes are not getting from their sport How Josh structures his training into prep, plyometric, strength, and accessory work Adjusting training around growth and maturation Simple strategies Josh uses for foot and ankle development with hockey players Filtering the massive amount of training information available to coaches Learning from coaches like Joe Padula and Hunter Eisenhower Why logistics and available resources have to influence programming Knowing when to regress, progress, or simply choose a different training tool The value of coaches openly sharing their ideas and processes Finding balance and longevity within the strength and conditioning profession This was one of those conversations that moves naturally from programming into philosophy and ultimately into what it means to continue developing as a coach.     Teambuildr Trial Code Use code PITT at checkout.   Josh Bray Contact Instagram: @jbraythecoach   Pitt Sports Performance Instagram @pitt_sportsperformance   Pitt Sports Performance Twitter @pitt_science                                                                            Music Credit Music Unlimited, “The Podcast Intro.”    

In this episode of Talkin’ Pitt, I sit down with Conor Cantwell from the College of William & Mary to talk about one of the biggest challenges in strength and conditioning: making informed decisions without overcomplicating the process.   Connor shares how he's using heart rate monitoring with women's basketball, why he's pursuing a PhD in the area, and how objective data can help coaches better understand training load, fitness, recovery, and readiness throughout a long competitive season. We dive into practical ways to monitor athletes without adding unnecessary fatigue, why submaximal fitness testing may become a valuable tool, and how heart rate data can improve communication with sport coaches.   Beyond monitoring, we discuss what effective conditioning actually looks like, the importance of training athletes hard enough to create adaptation, and why coaches shouldn't be afraid of planned fatigue when it's part of the process. We also explore how to make conditioning more engaging through competition and games, how to program plyometrics for basketball and volleyball athletes, and how to balance science, coaching instincts, and athlete development.   Whether you're a strength coach, sport coach, or student looking to improve your understanding of athlete monitoring and performance, this conversation is packed with practical ideas you can apply immediately.   In this episode, we cover: Connor's journey into a PhD focused on heart rate monitoring in women's basketball. How submaximal fitness testing can track aerobic fitness throughout a season. Using heart rate data to guide practice planning and monitor training load. Why recovery, fatigue, and readiness aren't always the same thing. The value of gamifying conditioning to increase athlete buy-in. Programming plyometrics for basketball and volleyball athletes. Whether strength coaches are training athletes hard enough in today's environment. Lessons from mentorship, continuing education, and building a career in collegiate strength and conditioning.     Teambuildr Trial Code Use code PITT at checkout.   Conor Cantwell Contact Instagram: @cantwellconor Email: [email protected]   Pitt Sports Performance Instagram @pitt_sportsperformance   Pitt Sports Performance Twitter @pitt_science                                                                            Music Credit Music Unlimited, “The Podcast Intro.”    

In this episode of Talkin’ Pitt, Aaron Duvall takes over hosting duties as he sits down with Dr. Justin Lima, owner of Strength Coach Network and former collegiate strength coach, for a conversation that goes far beyond sets, reps, and programming.   Justin shares his journey from coaching in the collegiate setting to becoming a business owner, discussing the challenges of building Strength Coach Network and the lessons he's learned along the way. The conversation explores how many of the skills that make great strength coaches- problem-solving, adaptability, communication, and leadership- also translate directly into running a successful business.   Aaron and Justin also dive into what it means to build a long, fulfilling career in strength and conditioning. They discuss why "work-life balance" is better viewed as work-life integration, the importance of creating systems that allow you to be both an effective coach and present for your family, and why coaches should focus less on how many hours they work and more on the results they produce.   Throughout the episode, Justin reflects on the hundreds of conversations he's had with coaches through the Strength Coach Network podcast and explains why the best practitioners are lifelong learners who aren't afraid to ask questions, collaborate, and build relationships. Rather than viewing other coaches as competition, he encourages listeners to connect with former coaches, private performance coaches, and anyone who can help them better serve their athletes.   To close the conversation, Justin shares what has him most excited about the future of sports performance. He explains why aerobic development and energy system training have become a major focus in his own learning and coaching, and why many strength coaches may be overlooking one of the biggest pieces of long-term athletic development. Whether you're an experienced coach, just entering the profession, or simply looking to become a better leader, this episode is packed with practical lessons on coaching, business, lifelong learning, and building a career that makes a lasting impact.     Teambuildr Trial Code Use code PITT at checkout.   Dr. Justin Lima Contact Instagram: @dr.justinlima, @strength_coach_network   Pitt Sports Performance Instagram @pitt_sportsperformance   Pitt Sports Performance Twitter @pitt_science                                                                            Music Credit Music Unlimited, “The Podcast Intro.”    

This episode of Talkin’ Pitt features Erica Lowery, one of the fastest-rising young coaches in collegiate strength and conditioning. Erica shares her journey from being a Division I volleyball athlete at Texas A&M University and Liberty University to becoming a strength coach at the University of South Alabama, where she works with volleyball, soccer, and cross-country athletes.   Throughout the conversation, Erica dives into the coaches and experiences that shaped her philosophy, including the impact of legendary mentors like Danny Evans and Ray Ellsworth. She opens up about transferring schools, finding confidence through training, and how strength and conditioning completely changed the trajectory of her life and career.   Devin and Erica also delve into volleyball performance training, discussing front squats vs. back squats, low-impact conditioning, force plates, jump prep, deep-tier plyometrics, injury-reduction strategies, and how training has evolved for female athletes. Erica shares why she prioritizes movement quality, athlete buy-in, and keeping athletes healthy enough to perform at a high level year-round.   The episode also explores Erica’s passion for athletic performance outside of coaching, including her experience competing in the growing sport of Apex Competition, a unique event combining sprinting, jumping, strength, and endurance testing. She breaks down how she trained for the event, balancing her competitive goals with her full-time coaching at the Division I level.   This conversation is packed with insight for strength coaches, athletes, and anyone passionate about performance, coaching, and personal growth.     Teambuildr Trial Code Use code PITT at checkout.   Coach Erica Lowery Contact Instagram: @ericalowerystrength Email : [email protected]   Pitt Sports Performance Instagram @pitt_sportsperformance   Pitt Sports Performance Twitter @pitt_science                                                                            Music Credit Music Unlimited, “The Podcast Intro.”  

In this episode of Talkin’ Pitt, Coach Young sits down with Dr. Dillon Martinez to dive deep into the world of speed development, sprint mechanics, and coaching communication. From breaking down the myth that “speed can’t be taught” to discussing how coaches can create faster, more resilient athletes, this episode is packed with practical takeaways for strength coaches, sport coaches, and anyone interested in athletic performance.   Dr. Martinez shares the story behind his book Breaking the Speed Barrier, how his father shaped his philosophy on sprint training, and why teaching speed is just as important as teaching strength. The conversation also covers sprint technique, agility vs. change-of-direction, max-velocity training for field sports, hamstring injury prevention, isometrics, coaching cues, athlete confidence, and the importance of communication and feedback in coaching.   Whether you work with track athletes, team-sport athletes, or just want to become a better coach and communicator, this episode delivers a ton of actionable insights in a simple, relatable way.     Teambuildr Trial Code Use code PITT at checkout.   Coach Dr. Dillion Martinez Contact Instagram: @martinez_dillion X : @DillionMartinez Email : [email protected]   Dr. Martinez Book “Breaking The Speed Barrier” Available on Amazon https://a.co/d/0imWiw5u   Pitt Sports Performance Instagram @pitt_sportsperformance   Pitt Sports Performance Twitter @pitt_science                                                                            Music Credit Music Unlimited, “The Podcast Intro.”