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.
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I'm throwing a birthday party for myself and YOU'RE INVITED! My friends at Glazier Clinics are hosting a FREE Virtual Track and Field Clinic with some of the best coaches around (BYU, TCU, Under Armour, and more!) on July 24 and 25 and I want you to be there.
Register here: https://hubs.ly/Q04mV2Pd0Share it with a friend!
To help you see the quality of these presentations, and to celebrate the upcoming July clinic, here is the first part of one of the presentations from December. If you want to watch the full presentation go to Glazier Drive: https://production.glazierdrive.com/library
I'm throwing a birthday party for myself and YOU'RE INVITED! My friends at Glazier Clinics are hosting a FREE Virtual Track and Field Clinic with some of the best coaches around (BYU, TCU, Under Armour, and more!) on July 24 and 25 and I want you to be there.
Register here: https://hubs.ly/Q04mV2Pd0Share it with a friend!
To help you see the quality of these presentations, and to celebrate the upcoming July clinic, here is the first part of one of the presentations from December. If you want to watch the full presentation go to Glazier Drive: https://production.glazierdrive.com/library
In this episode, Matthew Kleinosky sits down with legendary coach and running personality Duane “Peanut” Harms, whose remarkable journey spans more than five decades in the sport. From discovering running almost by accident as a high school baseball player to coaching national teams, helping launch HOKA, and shaping generations of athletes, Peanut shares stories that are equal parts inspiring, hilarious, and unforgettable.
Memorable Quotes
“The path to success was not thinking about the immensity of the task. It was just to embark.”
“The greatest honor is when kids continue to run after they leave your program.”
“You coach the kids you get.”
“There might be part-time pay, but there is no part-time coaching.”
“I know I've impacted a lot of people positively, and hopefully they pass that along.”
Key Takeaways
Mentorship can completely alter the trajectory of a young person's life.
Great coaching is about developing people, not simply producing results.
Lifelong participation matters more than short-term success.
Multi-sport experiences create stronger athletes and more well-rounded people.
Running communities thrive when competition and fun coexist.
Success often begins by simply taking the first step and getting started.
Listen & Subscribe
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share the podcast with fellow runners and fans of running history.
Running in the ’70s with Matthew Kleinosky explores the stories, people, and culture that helped shape the running boom and continue to inspire runners today.
This past February, the great people of the Wisconsin Track Coaches Association held their annual Track/Field clinic with amazing speakers. WISTCA has graciously allowed us to share these speaker's topics on the Gill1918 Project. ENJOY!
This past February, the great people of the Wisconsin Track Coaches Association held their annual Track/Field clinic with amazing speakers. WISTCA has graciously allowed us to share these speaker's topics on the Gill1918 Project. ENJOY!
Jesse is the founder of CoachingDistance.com and was the high school coach of Simeon Birnbaum, the NCAA 1500m Record Holder and 2026 1500m Champion for the Oregon Ducks. Jesse is passionate about continually learning the craft of coaching distance and then sharing what he's learned with others. He coaches today at Rapid City Stevens HS in SD. Jesse and his wife Dr. Whitnee Coy are the founders of the Go Far Foundation to help kids and families. In just a few months, they've already distributed over 18,000 items via their food pantry. You can follow Jesse on X and IG (@CoachDistance).
If you have a topic to share, contact David Mitchell to learn more.
Nick Schneigert’s journey isn’t a straight line—and that’s exactly why this conversation matters.
From growing up in a Polish immigrant family in Chicago…to discovering track and field after getting cut from baseball…to serving in the U.S. Navy and being deployed after 9/11…to chasing a career in media…to finally finding purpose in coaching…Nick’s story is about identity.
And what happens when the title “coach” is no longer part of your daily life.
This episode hits differently.
Because for many coaches listening, there’s an underlying question we don’t always talk about: 👉 Who am I if I’m not coaching?
🔑 In this episode, we dive into:
🏃♂️ Finding track and field after adversity—and why multi-event backgrounds matter
👉Lessons from the Navy, deployment, and discipline that shaped his leadership
🎙️ Chasing a career in TV and media—and why it didn’t fulfill him
📉 The reality of life transitions, career pivots, and “low points” professionally
💡 Why coaching became meaningful—and what made it stick
🧠 The identity challenge: separating who you are from what you do
This is a must-listen for any coach who has ever wondered about life beyond the sport—or is navigating it right now.
Dive into over 350 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 Twitch.tv, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more!
🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode:
Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very own Gill1918 Project episode, which airs Tuesdays through Sundays. 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! 🎧👍
This past February, the great people of the Wisconsin Track Coaches Association held their annual Track/Field clinic with amazing speakers. WISTCA has graciously allowed us to share these speaker's topics on the Gill1918 Project. ENJOY!
This past February, the great people of the Wisconsin Track Coaches Association held their annual Track/Field clinic with amazing speakers. WISTCA has graciously allowed us to share these speaker's topics on the Gill1918 Project. ENJOY!
Desiree was a two-sport star (T&F and Basketball) for Emmanuel University in Boston. She takes a fun and entertaining look back at how she ended up competing in the T&F events that she did over her career. Did she choose them or was she the one chosen?
Desiree is currently completing her master's degree in Broadcast and Digital Journalism at Syracuse University. She is a model, an actress, and a content creator. To follow her on IG click HERE or check out her WEBSITE.
If you have a topic to share, email David Mitchell for all the details.
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