ALTIS World

Latest Episodes:

ALTIS Series: 1 Track Mind - S2E2 - Coach Abigi Id-Deen Sep 27, 2021

Show notes

This week we welcome Coach Abigi Id-Deen form the University of South Florida. Abigi talks to us about his coaching journey, the development of some star pupils and his 400 hurdles philosophy.

0:50 Track & Field can humble you quick ... give us an instance where you realized there are levels to this.

7:30 How has your college career influenced the way you coach?

10:00 Who are/were your primary mentors & influences?

14:15 Sometimes where you coach can have a significant impact on the event(s) you specialize in. You have had your fair share of success in the long sprints. Did you set out to be a great 400/400H coach or did it just come about due to circumstances?

25:40 I believe many of us remember and were somewhat enamored by David Verburg. Coming out of George Mason, a small school, albeit a school rich in track history, he got a lot of attention. Talk a little about his development because his first couple of years he was conference performer - then he just exploded on to the National scene!

33:30 Fast forward; at UNC you inherit a pretty talented 400H in Kenny Selmon. Kenny was the real deal out of high school. In 2018 he gets 2nd (a close second) at NCAA then goes on win USA outdoor championship. Tell us a little about his development that year. What changes, if any, and what key decision had to be made to allow for that success to take place?

40:00 Share with us (1) what you look for in a 400Her, (2) what do you see as important areas of focus (3) how do you break down the event to your athletes?

51:20 You have been around the block a few times ... leave us with a fun track story (or two)

59:30 Who would you like to listen to on the podcast?

ALTIS Series: 1 Track Mind - S2E1 - Coach Ken Harnden Aug 31, 2021

Show notes

We are BACK with Season 2 of the 1 Track Mind podcast! Our first guest this time around is Coach Ken Harnden, sprints & hurdles coach at the University of Tennessee. We talk about Ken's upbringing in Africa as well his athlete & coaching path. He is a 2x Olympian and 3x World Champs competitor and has now coached numerous NCAA champions, countless All-Americans and athletes who have gone on to shine on the international stage.

1:55 Background and upbringing in Zimbabwe

5:40 How did you get started with track?

8:00 Coming to the States and walking on at North Carolina?

10:30 Athletic development while in College

13:40 What was your ideal 400H pattern? How did you like to run your race?

16:00 Coaching Influences

19:40 Lessons, Perspectives & Impressions from your Pro Career, Olympics & World Champs

23:05 When did you decide you wanted to coach and how did that transition come about?

26:50 What is your 400H philosophy?

31:20 Evolving Stride Patterns in the 400H

36:20 Impressions of the evolution of the 400H race?

46:10 Talk to us about Walter Dix and Ngoni Makusha while at FSU. Those were some crazy talented individuals.

56:00 To conclude, give us a fun track story from your memory banks

ALTIS Series: 1 Track Mind - EP 21 - Coach Elisha Brewer Mar 08, 2021

Show notes

Our guest today Coach Elisha Brewer. She is long-time Kansas Jayhawk assistant coach and first Arkansas student-athlete to run under 13 seconds in the 100 Hurdles:

1:00 Evolution of a Coach and 15 Years at Kansas

4:00 Mentors

9:30 Experiences of being a Student Athlete at Arkansas

13:00 At what point did you decide you wanted to coach?

16:00 How does your Background in Counseling help you in Coaching?

18:30 Social Media Influence on Student Athletes now

21:30 Short Hurdle Training Philosophy

24:30 Introducing Hurdling after getting fit

27:45 400 Hurdle Approach

32:00 Considerations for Dual-Hurdlers and Michael Stigler

40:30 What do you wish you had known as an athlete?

43:30 What is important from a mentality standpoint to be a sprinter or hurdler?

47:30 Winning a Team National Championship

55:30 Importance of Kansas Relays

1:03:00 Great Track Story

Periodization Part II with Ed Lea Nov 19, 2020

Show notes

This episode builds from a previous conversation between Ed Lea (Harlequins RFC) and host Jason Hettler on Periodization. In this episode they each share specific examples of how they program for the athletes they work with and cover topics such as gender differences and curved treadmills.

ALTIS Series: 1 Track Mind - EP 20 - Coach Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie Nov 15, 2020

Show notes

For episode 20 we welcome Coach Debbie Ferguson McKenzie from the University of Kentucky. Debbie is a member of the famed Bahamas Golden Girls 4x100 Relay. After a decorated professional career we sit down and talk with her about her transition into coaching:

2:30 - Decorated Professional Track Career

8:50 - Longevity in the Sport

11:30 - Getting Into Coaching

16:15 - First Hurdle Coaching Experience

19:15 - Old vs New School Speed

21:45 - Things I Wish I Knew as an Athlete

25:10 - Track Career Helping to Coach

30:00 - Lessons from Mentors

35:45 - The Spirit of Giving

42:25 - Awesome Track Stories

Periodization with Edward Lea Oct 28, 2020

Show notes

Join Jason Hettler and Edward Lea of Harlequins RFC for a discussion around all things periodization.

ALTIS Series: 1 Track Mind - EP 19 - Coach Maurice Pierce Oct 25, 2020

Show notes

This episode we are joined by long-time Hampton Head Coach Maurice Pierce. Coach Pierce has won over 30 conference titles over his coaching career and mentored several athletes to international success...

1:35 Staying Power at Hampton & Coaching Journey

9:00 Rich Track Culture in Virginia

14:10 Coaching at an HBCU

19:50 Switching Conferences to the Big South

25:50 Coaching with Team USA

32:40 Coaching Multiple Events

36:10 Evolution of James Carter, Kellie Wells, Yvette Lewis & David Payne

46:00 Francena McCorory Development

49:50 Working with the Strengths of Athletes

1:03.40 Great Track Story

ALTIS Series: 1 Track Mind - EP 18 - Coach Calvin Robinson Oct 10, 2020

Show notes

Coach Calvin Robinson from Texas Tech is our guest this week. We discuss him going from a jumper and jumps coach to becoming one of the nation's best sprints coaches and his development along the way:

3:20 Coaching Journey for Jumper to Sprints Coach

8:45 Impactful Coaches

15:00 Winning an NCAA Team Title

20:45 Divine Odurudu and Developing the 200m Runner

31:10 Short Hurdle Training

34:15 Long Hurdle Training

37:55 Combo Sprinters & Hurdlers

41:50 A Lesson learned from Mickael Hanany

49:50 A Great Track Story

ALTIS Series: 1 Track Mind - EP 17 - Coach Boogie Johnson Oct 02, 2020

Show notes

Join us for a conversation with 2 x Nike Coach of the Year Lawrence "Boogie" Johnson. Boogie has coached Olympic and World Champions in Brianna McNeal & Dalilah Muhammad along with another slew fantastic hurdlers ... also check out his cool Hurdle Mechanic clothing line: https://hurdlemechanic.com/

1:30 Background and Mentors

10:45 Running at Arkansas

20:45 What Factors Make You a Good Coach?

27:10 From College to Pro Coach

30:30 College vs Professional Athletes

36:15 Hurdler Talent Identification

46:05 Short Hurdle Philosophy

54:30 Training Beyond Hurdling

1:01:20 400H vs 100H

1:07:30 The 400H World Record Build Up

1:17:50 Hurdling Mentality

1:25:45 Great Track Stories

ALTIS Series: 1 Track Mind - EP 16 - Coach Dana Boone Sep 24, 2020

Show notes

We are joined today by UCF Head Coach Dana Boone. Dana details her transition from jumper to sprints coach and from Assistant to Head Coach and provides insight into her training philosophy:

3:10 - Coaching Stops & Journey

9:10 - Mentors

13:00 - Difference between Assistant & Head Coach

18:30 - Influences in Head Coaching

24:50 - From Jumper to Sprints Coach

26:35 - Sprint Training Philosophy

32:45 - Favorite Event to Coach

33:20 - Weekly Setup

41:45 - Dream 4x1s and 4x4s

50:10 - Fun Track Story