The Les Spellman Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Adapting Your Programming with Mark Fitzgerald Apr 17, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, I (@les7spellman) talk with Mark Fitzgerald (@FitzgeraldETS), Strength and Conditioning Coach and Lead Training Advisor for Under Armour.

We discuss how to adapt programming based on differences in sports and athletes from different backgrounds. Mark also breaks down speed in the sport of hockey and we discuss how training speed translates to the game.

One note: this podcast was originally recorded in 2022, so there are some details pertaining to that time period.

Before checking out the main talking points, I just released the Speed City membership, giving coaches and athletes access to digital speed training delivered directly on your mobile device. Check it out here: http://train.spellmanperformance.com/speedcity

Main talking points:

Adapting your programming based on different sports & athlete backgrounds
Importance of speed work for sport of Hockey
The positive effect of early acceleration
Teaching athletes to project
Simplifying training for athletes

If you're interested in learning more, check out these free resources:

5 Weekly Training Templates

2 Supplementary Speed Workouts

How Much Faster Can A Pro Athlete Get In 45 Minutes

Or follow me on the channels below:

Importance of Early Acceleration & Coaching Team Sports with Dan Pfaff Apr 04, 2023

Show notes

Episode 19: This one is special! In this episode, I (@les7spellman) talk with one of my coaching mentors, Dan Pfaff (@Pfaffsc). Dan is one of the top coaches in speed development, and training Olympic/Professional athletes including Donovan Bailey, Christian McCaffrey, Greg Rutherford, and hundreds more.

We discuss his philosophy on resistance training, early acceleration, physical & technical attributes, proximal cueing with max velocity, and more.

One note: this podcast was originally recorded in 2022, so there are some details pertaining to that time period.

Main talking points:

The evolution of the coaching industry
How Dan handles coaching team sports
Importance of early acceleration
Physical Attributes
Max Velocity
Training for the NFL Combine

If you're interested in learning more, check out these free resources:

5 Weekly Training Templates

2 Supplementary Speed Workouts

How Much Faster Can A Pro Athlete Get In 45 Minutes

Or follow me on the channels below:

Overcoming Athlete Bias in Training Mar 27, 2023

Show notes

Episode 18: In this episode, I (@les7spellman) talk about the reasons athletes should want to get faster, why we don’t have more buy-in for speed development, and solutions for common speed training misconceptions.

One note: this podcast was originally recorded in Spring 2022, so there are some details pertaining to that time period.

Before checking out the main talking points, I just released my new 8-week `Elite Speed Program` if you’re interested in how we program with our youth & elite athletes. It is on early bird special right now: https://courses.spellmanperformance.com/elite-speed-program?coupon=ELITE25

Main talking points:

Biases athletes have on getting faster
Why we should want to get faster
Why we don’t always see buy-in on speed development
Training strategies with small amounts of time
Importance of measurement when training athletes

If you're interested in learning more, check out these free resources:

5 Weekly Training Templates

2 Supplementary Speed Workouts

How Much Faster Can A Pro Athlete Get In 45 Minutes

Or follow me on the channels below:

Simplifying Training with Taylor Nelson-Cook, Trainer and General Manager, Kula Sports Performance Mar 20, 2023

Show notes

Episode 17: In this episode, I (@les7spellman) talk with Taylor Nelson-Cook (@tnelsoncook19) about ways to simplify training, the biggest thing he’s mastered over the years, and how to balance coaching vs personal life.

Taylor is an awesome trainer and even better person, he has some great insights on being a coach, and a father.

One note: this podcast was originally recorded in Spring 2022, so there are some details pertaining to that time period.

Main talking points:

Utilization of GPS in programming
Importance of simplifying training whenever possible
What is Taylor’s secret weapon of coaching?
Where did we get our inspiration?
Balancing coaching while being Dads

If you're interested in learning more, check out these free resources:

5 Weekly Training Templates

2 Supplementary Speed Workouts

How Much Faster Can A Pro Athlete Get In 45 Minutes

Or follow me on the channels below:

How To Organize Data, Jordan Collins, DBC Fitness & Miami Speed Lab Mar 14, 2023

Show notes

Episode 16: Jordan and I originally met each other in 2022 when Jordan started the Universal Speed Rating Miami Speed Lab to help amplify his speed training with his private clients.

If you’re interested in learning a proven speed system, apply to become a Speed Lab today: https://train.universalspeedrating.com/acceleratorprogram

One note: this podcast was originally recorded in Spring 2022, so there are some details pertaining to that time period.

Main talking points:

Who is Jordan Collins?
How is Jordan developing speed in his space?
Missing links in speed training right now
Who has influenced our performance philosophy
How to use data effectively
Importance of hip displacement

If you're interested in learning more, check out these free resources:

5 Weekly Training Templates

2 Supplementary Speed Workouts

How Much Faster Can A Pro Athlete Get In 45 Minutes

Or follow me on the channels below:

How To Get Athlete Buy In, Darren Hansen, Hansen Athletics Mar 06, 2023

Show notes

Episode 15: In this episode, I (@les7spellman) talk with Darren Hansen (@coachdhansen) about how he gets athletes to buy into their training at Hansen Athletics in Pocatello, Idaho.

Darren and I originally linked up when Hansen Athletics become a USR Speed Lab last year to help him implement a speed system to complement their existing strength work. If you’re interested in learning a proven speed system, apply to become a Speed Lab today: https://train.universalspeedrating.com/acceleratorprogram

One note: this podcast was originally recorded in Spring of 2022, so there are some details pertaining to that time period.

Main talking points:

Who is Darren Hansen?
What is the training philosophy of Hansen Athletics?
How to get athletes to enjoy training strength & speed
Who has influenced our performance philosophy
NFL combine training vs youth athlete training
How to properly progress athletes through drills

If you're interested in learning more, check out these free resources:

5 Weekly Training Templates

2 Supplementary Speed Workouts

How Much Faster Can A Pro Athlete Get In 45 Minutes

Or follow me on the channels below:

Speed Training Tapering Tactics Feb 27, 2023

Show notes

Episode 14: In this episode, I (@les7spellman) talk through tapering tactics with our 2023 NFL Combine draft class.

Main talking points:

My routine during 2022 vs 2023 NFL combine training
Proper tapering tactics for weeks 7 & 8 of training
Tracking physiological performance using HRV
The impact of sleep, drinking, and stress on training
How to collect individual athlete data using subjective questionnaires
When & when not to introduce new concepts in speed training
How to ensure recovery matches the work load

If you're interested in learning more, check out these free resources:

5 Weekly Training Templates

2 Supplementary Speed Workouts

How Much Faster Can A Pro Athlete Get In 45 Minutes

Or follow me on the channels below:

How To Test & Program Speed For Different Ages Feb 20, 2023

Show notes

Episode 13: In this episode, I (@les7spellman) talk through how we approach testing & programming based on an athlete’s age.

Main talking points:

High-level strategy with programming
What to test for based on age
Outcome, drivers, and strategies
Player diagnostics with existing constraints
How to benchmark your athletes based on their age
Programming strategy for early offseason, late offseason, preseason, and inseason

If you're interested in learning more, check out these free resources:

5 Weekly Training Templates

2 Supplementary Speed Workouts

How Much Faster Can A Pro Athlete Get In 45 Minutes

Or follow me on the channels below:

3 Buckets Of Speed, Dylan Carrion, Co-Founder Of Spellman Performance Feb 13, 2023

Show notes

Episode 12: In this episode, I (@les7spellman) talk with Dylan Carrion (@edge.training), co-founder of Spellman Performance, on the role of the central nervous system in sprinting.

Main talking points: