514: Ryan Banta on Evolving Speed Training Systems

About this episode

Ryan Banta discusses his evolution in speed training and coaching philosophy.

Today’s podcast guest is Ryan Banta. Ryan is a leading sprint coach at Parkway Central High School, known for blending sport science with practical training. He has guided athletes to multiple state championships and national-level success, and is the author of The Sprinter’s Compendium. In this episode, Ryan shares his unconventional path from politics to coaching, and how early success, and failure, shaped his evolution. He reflects on moving from ego-driven outcomes to athlete-centered development, emphasizing joy, community, and long-term retention. Banta dives into the growth of his “critical mass” system, blending speed, rest, and adaptability, while highlighting the importance of mentorship, self-reflection, and continual learning in building both performance and meaningful athlete experiences. Today’s episode is brought to you by Hammer Strength and Lila Exogen.

People in this episode

Host: Joel Smith

Guest: Ryan Banta

Topics covered

• speed training
• athlete development
• coaching
• sport science
• mentorship

Keywords

• speed training
• athlete-centered development
• coaching
• sport science
• mentorship

Sponsors

Hammer Strength, Lila Exogen

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The Sprinter’s Compendium

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