Athletic Performance Podcast

In this episode, Coach Ryan Patrick sits down with performance consultant Alex Effer to break down the missing link between rehabilitation and performance training — and why many coaches struggle with exercise selection despite having more information than ever. They explore how assessment, movement constraints, and exercise progressions can work together to simplify programming while improving outcomes for athletes. Topics include: The “gray zone” between rehab and performanceHow exercises c...

In this episode, Coach Ryan Patrick sits down with Dr. Sam Liu, biomechanist, researcher, and movement specialist with the Miami Marlins organization, to break down the true physics behind jumping, dunking, and speed. They dive into what most coaches misunderstand about impulse, force, and timing — and how understanding the mechanical objective of movement changes everything. From countermovement jumps to approach takeoffs, Sam translates complex biomechanics into simple, actionable concepts...

Every parent wants their kid to succeed, but the hard truth is this: there are no elite 10-year-olds. In this episode, I sit down with Jeremy Frisch, one of the most respected voices in youth athletic development, to talk about early specialization, missing foundations, and how to actually set kids up for long-term success. We cover everything from tummy time and crawling, to why year-round sports are burning kids out, to the creative ways Jeremy designs training that looks like play but buil...

Feet, Ankles, and the Rhythm of Speed with Ryan Hopkins | Athletic Performance Podcast Ep. 50 What if the real key to speed has nothing to do with the weight room...and everything to do with your feet, ankles, and rhythm? In this episode, Coach Ryan Patrick sits down with Ryan Hopkins (Soho Strength Lab, NYC) to break down the overlooked foundations of sprinting and athletic speed. We dive into cadence, coordination, and why too many coaches slow athletes down instead of letting them chase ...

Episode Summary In this episode of the Athletic Performance Podcast, Coach Ryan Patrick sits down with Professor Paul Comfort—author, researcher, and one of the leading voices in strength & conditioning science. They unpack the real-world application of force plate testing, the myths around strength thresholds, and how to make smarter programming decisions. ✅ When and how to introduce isometric testing for youth athletes ✅ The truth about “how strong is strong enough” ✅ Why jump ratios (...

(n this episode of the Athletic Performance Podcast, Coach Ryan Patrick sits down with Lucy Hendricks — gym owner, coach, and former biomechanics educator — to unpack the often-overlooked side of coaching: human connection.Lucy shares how she navigated a toxic business partnership, personal burnout, and even a “mini cancellation” online, ultimately transforming her approach to coaching, leadership, and client relationships. We discuss: • Why soft skills may be the most valuable thing yo...

What’s the least you can do to maintain or even build muscle? How do you balance movement quality with output for athletes? And is there such a thing as “too much” technical obsession? In this episode, I’m joined by Ryan L’Ecuyer—bodybuilder, strength coach, and expert in hypertrophy and movement strategies. We cover: ✅ Minimal effective dose for hypertrophy (and why less might be more). ✅ How to balance athletic movement and output in programming. ✅ Smarter ways to train in-seaso...

In this episode, Dr. Krista Scott-Dixon joins the podcast to flip the script on “mental toughness” and reframe what true resilience looks like—especially in high-performance environments. From special operations to sport, Krista’s work helps coaches and athletes build capacity without burning out. We dive into the psychology of performance, coaching with compassion, and why goal-setting without identity work is a dead end. With her background as Director of Curriculum at Precision Nutrition a...

What separates athletes who peak at 17… from the ones who keep climbing through college and beyond? In this episode of the Athletic Performance Podcast, I sit down with rotational power coach Bill Miller to break down the blueprint for building durable, high-output baseball athletes — the kind that actually transfer their strength and speed to the field. We cover: Force vs. velocity profiling — and why most programs miss the markHow to use med ball throws, Proteus, and VBT to monitor real ada...

How do you build fast, powerful athletes without burning them out? In this episode, I’m joined by Ryan Banta—coach, educator, and author of The Sprinter’s Compendium. He’s the creator of the Critical Mass Training System and one of the sharpest minds in track & field today. We cover: Why training frequency > volume for developing female athletesHow early freshman success can be a trap—and how he avoids breaking talent too soonWhy Fly 30 testing is one of his most powerful tools for lon...

In this episode, I down with movement expert Katie St. Clair to unpack the principles behind smart training that bridges rehab and performance. We dive into how to restore movement variability, improve pelvic floor function, and go beyond isolated breathing drills to train resilient, powerful clients—without overcomplicating things. What we cover in this episode: How Katie evolved her model from detailed assessments to movement-based coachingWhen internal rotation isn’t the problem—and what t...

Episode Summary: In this episode of the Athletic Performance Podcast, Matt Hank challenges conventional speed training methods and shares his unfiltered approach to coaching athletes. If you've ever questioned the effectiveness of traditional sprint drills or wondered how to make weight room work transfer better to the field, this one's for you. 🔥 Highlights & Topics: ✅ Why Matt eliminated "punch down" sprint cues—and what he replaced them with​ ✅ The secret to integrating rotational me...