Stay ConnectedUnlock the world of track & field coaching with The Gill Connections Podcast! Host Mike Cunningham brings you inspiring stories, real conversations, and coaching insights from leaders at every level. Discover a new coach’s interview every Monday. Plus, don’t miss the Ted Talks of track/field podcasts with our NEW Gill1918 Project episodes Tuesday-Sunday — short, powerful lessons from top coaches to help you grow on and off the track.
Powered by Gill Athletics — Supporting Coaches Since 1918.
Welcome to Gill1918, the track & field coaching podcast powered by Gill Athletics. Since 1918, Gill has been dedicated to empowering coaches with innovative equipment—now, we're bringing elite coaching education straight to your ears.
Our goal is to create the Ted Talks of track/field podcasts bringing the annual track clinic to your ears DAILY! Topics will include but are not limited to covering key strategies, techniques, and training principles to help you improve athlete performance, structure better workouts, enhance team culture, and more!
Whether you're a high school, collegiate, or club coach, Gill1918 is your go-to resource for quick, high-impact coaching education from the best minds in the sport.
📩 Want to contribute an episode? Submit your 10-30 minute coaching talk to mcunningham@gillathletics.com or read THIS LINKEDIN ARTICLE for information on how to get started. All coaches are invited to participate!
🎙️ Don’t forget to subscribe and follow Gill Athletics for more expert coaching insights!
#TrackAndField #CoachingEducation #Gill1918 #ByCoachesForCoaches #TrackCoach #TedTalksOfTrackFieldPodcast
We like to introduce our listeners to other track/field podcasts that might interest them and bring you value. Today we feature the Science on Track podcast from Evan Nelson. Show notes are below.
Go find Science on Track podcast on your favorite podcast app and give them a follow/subscribe and leave them a review. ENJOY!
🎙️ Podcast: Science on Track – Week-to-Week Changes in Running Volume
Host: Evan O. Nelson - Associate Professor, Physical Therapist and Director of the Velocity Project
Guests:
Dr. Mikel Joachim – Research Program Manager, University of Wisconsin
Coach Jane Wheeler – Head Girls Cross Country Coach, Pleasant Valley High School, Bettendorf, Iowa
https://velocityproject.fammed.wisc.edu
🧪 Study Overview
The episode centers on a research study titled:“Week-to-week changes in training were not prospectively associated with injuries among Wisconsin High School cross-country runners” (published in Injury Prevention, 2024).
https://injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/early/2024/07/31/ip-2024-045233
🔍 Study Purpose
To investigate whether week-to-week changes in training volume (distance, duration, intensity) are associated with injury risk in high school cross-country runners.
📊 Key Findings
No significant association was found between week-to-week changes in training volume and injury risk.
Most runners in the study averaged 20–30 miles per week, with few exceeding 50 miles.
Preseason training had a strong protective effect:
Every additional 5K (~3 miles) run per week in the preseason reduced injury risk by 17%.
Coaches’ day-to-day training modifications likely play a major role in injury prevention, even if not captured in weekly data.
🧠 Insights from the Guests
🧑🔬 Dr. Mikel Joachim:
Null results suggest that current coaching practices in Wisconsin high school programs are effective in managing injury risk.
The study relied on daily text surveys during COVID, with athletes self-reporting training and injuries.
Emphasized the importance of holistic athlete monitoring, including stress, sleep, and other sports participation.
🏃♀️ Coach Jane Wheeler:
Reinforced the importance of individualized coaching and preseason preparation.
Noted that injury risk is multifactorial, often influenced by training history, biomechanics, and external stressors.
Advocated for flexibility in coaching and communication with athletes to adapt training in real time.
🧩 Practical Takeaways for Coaches
Preseason training matters: Encourage consistent summer/winter running to reduce injury risk.
Small weekly increases (up to 30%) in training volume appear safe.
The 10% rule is not strongly supported by evidence—coaches can be more flexible.
Monitor athletes holistically: Consider stress, sleep, and other commitments.
Build strong coach-athlete relationships to better detect and respond to early signs of injury.
#velocityproject #highschoolcrosscountry #highschooltrack #highschooltrackandfield #trackcoaches #crosscountrycoaches #injuryprevention #runninginjury
Hungria Hip Hop - Meu Carona (Wilde Beats Remix) By Dj Wilde Beats is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Tanya is Founder & CEO of Sportspreneurs-A Division of Activate International and a Coach O Ambassador. She is our presenter for this, the first episode in the Youth and Beginner Series Powered by Coach O.
If you’d like to contribute an episode, we’d love to hear from you! Please contact David Mitchell at clientrelations@coacho.com to learn more about how you can get involved and/or to give feedback about this exciting new series within the Gill1918 Project.
🎙️ From Hurdles to Healing: The Resilient Journey of Lewis Edmonson
In this inspiring episode of the Gill Connections Podcast, we sit down with Lewis Edmonson, head track coach at Hearne High School (TX). From growing up racing his dad in the street to winning conference titles at Prairie View A&M, Lewis shares his deeply personal and powerful journey—one filled with competitive fire, coaching passion, and life-altering experiences.
🔥 In this episode, we explore:
🧠 How a coach’s role extends far beyond the track
🏃♂️ Summer track beginnings and a competitive bond with his father
💔 The horrific van crash that left him with a broken neck—and how football unknowingly saved him
🥇 Going undefeated in hurdles and redefining what it means to be a champion
🧱 The importance of fundamentals in coaching, regardless of talent level
🤝 The challenges and rewards of coaching multi-sport athletes in small-town Texas
💬 Why Lewis believes relationships matter more than championships
👟 Getting kids to try track through connection, not punishment
💬 “You can correct the role, but you have to praise the individual.”
— Lewis Edmonson
If you’re a coach, athlete, or just someone who believes in the power of people-first leadership, this episode will move you.
🌟 Explore Our Library: Dive into 300+ episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such as Boo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, Diljeet Taylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois), Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more for your listening pleasure.
🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode: Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very own Gill1918 Project episode, which airs every Tuesday through Sunday. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections Podcast Network.
📲 Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow on Twitter (@MikeCunningham), email at mcunningham@gillathletics.com, or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍
Adam joins us to talk about the Psychology of Coaching by Thomas Tutko and Jack Richards. Hear how this book has helped him grow as a coach and a person.
Welcome to Gill1918, the track & field coaching podcast powered by Gill Athletics. Since 1918, Gill has been dedicated to empowering coaches with innovative equipment—now, we're bringing elite coaching education straight to your ears.
Our goal is to create the Ted Talks of track/field podcasts bringing the annual track clinic to your ears DAILY! Topics will include but are not limited to covering key strategies, techniques, and training principles to help you improve athlete performance, structure better workouts, enhance team culture, and more!
Whether you're a high school, collegiate, or club coach, Gill1918 is your go-to resource for quick, high-impact coaching education from the best minds in the sport.
📩 Want to contribute an episode? Submit your 10-30 minute coaching talk to mcunningham@gillathletics.com or read THIS LINKEDIN ARTICLE for information on how to get started. All coaches are invited to participate!
🎙️ Don’t forget to subscribe and follow Gill Athletics for more expert coaching insights!
#TrackAndField #CoachingEducation #Gill1918 #ByCoachesForCoaches #TrackCoach #TedTalksOfTrackFieldPodcast
We love to spread the love here at the Gill Connections podcast, therefore today we present to you the URAVGCOACH podcast featuring Anthony Woods. Coach Woods is on a mission to become the best high school sprint coach in Illinois. In an effort to accomplish this lofty goal he's started an interview podcast featuring other coaches that he (and you!) can learn from. His first episode featured his rival Tony Holler and his second episode presented here featured our National Business Development Manager Mike Cunningham. Mike is the host of the Gill Connections podcast and features prominently on Twitter at x.com/MikeCunningham.
Go follow/subscribe to the URAVGCOACH podcast and leave them a review!
Welcome to Gill1918, the track & field coaching podcast powered by Gill Athletics. Since 1918, Gill has been dedicated to empowering coaches with innovative equipment—now, we're bringing elite coaching education straight to your ears.
Our goal is to create the Ted Talks of track/field podcasts bringing the annual track clinic to your ears DAILY! Topics will include but are not limited to covering key strategies, techniques, and training principles to help you improve athlete performance, structure better workouts, enhance team culture, and more!
Whether you're a high school, collegiate, or club coach, Gill1918 is your go-to resource for quick, high-impact coaching education from the best minds in the sport.
📩 Want to contribute an episode? Submit your 10-30 minute coaching talk to mcunningham@gillathletics.com or read THIS LINKEDIN ARTICLE for information on how to get started. All coaches are invited to participate!
🎙️ Don’t forget to subscribe and follow Gill Athletics for more expert coaching insights!
#TrackAndField #CoachingEducation #Gill1918 #ByCoachesForCoaches #TrackCoach #TedTalksOfTrackFieldPodcast
🎙️ Dr. Jim Patchell: From Hurdler to Head Coach & PhD – The Arkansas State Story
📚🎓 From dissecting regression equations to mastering the hurdles, Dr. Jim Patchell’s journey is anything but conventional. As the head coach of Arkansas State University—and an alum himself—Dr. Patchell brings a powerful blend of academic insight, coaching wisdom, and personal authenticity to this episode.
👟 Tune in as we explore:
🧠 His PhD in kinesiology and how it shaped his coaching lens
📘 Buying the legendary Track & Field Omnibook at age 15 (!)
🏃 His early days as a competitive hurdler and sprinter
🏠 What it’s like to return and lead your alma mater
💡 Valuable insights on hiring, mentoring assistants, and building a winning culture
🎯 Why he never applied for a job (and yet landed incredible ones)
🎤 🚨 Mid-Episode Shoutout – TED Talks for Track & Field? YES PLEASE.
Ever wish there was a "TED Talk" version of coaching education? Look no further.
🧠 The Gill1918 Project is our new podcast series (dropping Tuesday through Sunday) delivering bite-sized, high-impact coaching wisdom from the best in the business. By coaches, for coaches!
This is the coaching education you wish you had—inspirational, tactical, and on your time. 🎧
Start listening now!
🎯 Quote of the Day:
“If I set a goal, I'm almost all in on it.” – Dr. Jim Patchell
Whether you’re a coach, student, or aspiring PhD, Dr. Patchell’s journey reminds us that education and passion can fuel remarkable leadership—on and off the track.
🌟 Explore Our Library: Dive into 300+ episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such as Boo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, Diljeet Taylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois), Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more for your listening pleasure.
🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode: Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very own Gill1918 Project episode, which airs every Tuesday through Sunday. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections Podcast Network.
📲 Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow on Twitter (@MikeCunningham), email at mcunningham@gillathletics.com, or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍
Welcome to Gill1918, the track & field coaching podcast powered by Gill Athletics. Since 1918, Gill has been dedicated to empowering coaches with innovative equipment—now, we're bringing elite coaching education straight to your ears.
Our goal is to create the Ted Talks of track/field podcasts bringing the annual track clinic to your ears DAILY! Topics will include but are not limited to covering key strategies, techniques, and training principles to help you improve athlete performance, structure better workouts, enhance team culture, and more!
Whether you're a high school, collegiate, or club coach, Gill1918 is your go-to resource for quick, high-impact coaching education from the best minds in the sport.
📩 Want to contribute an episode? Submit your 10-30 minute coaching talk to mcunningham@gillathletics.com or read THIS LINKEDIN ARTICLE for information on how to get started. All coaches are invited to participate!
🎙️ Don’t forget to subscribe and follow Gill Athletics for more expert coaching insights!
#TrackAndField #CoachingEducation #Gill1918 #ByCoachesForCoaches #TrackCoach #TedTalksOfTrackFieldPodcast
🎙️ From Colombia to Coaching in Maine (via a Bike Ride Across Continents!)
On this week's Gill Connections podcast, we sit down with Pablo Espitia, assistant track & field coach at the University of Maine, whose story is anything but typical.
In this episode, we dive into:
🌎 Pablo’s multicultural upbringing and how sports differ in Colombia vs. the U.S.
👟 How he went from shy high school freshman to standout collegiate jumper at FIU
💬 The power of a coach learning your name — even when you're one of 200
🧠 Coaching style vs. training content: Why how you coach matters as much as what you coach
🛠️ His passion for developing career readiness programs for athletes
❄️ Adjusting from sunny Miami to snowy Maine (spoiler: he likes the snow)
💥 And yes, we talk about his year-long solo bicycle ride from Portugal to China.
Want the full adventure? Check out Pablo's guest episode on Bikepack Adventures:
👉 Pablo Espitia – Cycling the Silk Road
“What you put out there is what you get back.”
— Pablo Espitia
Tap in for a wild, inspiring ride — on two wheels and two legs.
🌟 Explore Our Library: Dive into 300+ episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such as Boo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, Diljeet Taylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois), Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more for your listening pleasure.
🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode: Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very own Gill1918 Project episode, which airs every Tuesday through Sunday. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections Podcast Network.
📲 Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow on Twitter (@MikeCunningham), email at mcunningham@gillathletics.com, or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍
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