The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast

🌟Explore Our Library: Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such asBoo 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 ownGill1918 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 onTwitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍 

🌟Explore Our Library: Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such asBoo 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 ownGill1918 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 onTwitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍 

Lauren grew up participating in many sports along with her MLB veteran brother, Jason Bay, and went on to represent Canada in softball in 3 Olympic Games, but knew very little about track. Her perspectives changed dramatically when she became a Track & Field mom for the first-time and she's now a strong advocate encouraging families to get involved in the sport with a very affirming message for all.Lauren also leads Strong Mom--Online Health And Fitness Coaching For Moms With Careers. You can follow her and learn more on Instagram.

Kailey Johnson didn’t grow up dreaming of being a coach.She grew up in it.From playing in the sand pits as a kid while her dad coached… to competing as a hurdler at Central Methodist… to now standing on the other side of the track as a coach — her journey is a full-circle story that hits different.What makes this episode even more special?Back in January of 2021, her head coach — Kenny Anderson — joined the Gill Connections podcast as Guest #85.At that time, Kailey was a freshman athlete on his team.Now… she’s on the coaching staff.That evolution is what this podcast is all about.🔥 In this episode, we dive into:🧬 Growing up as a coach’s kid and how it shaped her perspective🏃‍♀️ Why track “stuck” when other sports didn’t🎓 Choosing Central Methodist for culture over convenience🧠 The moment she realized her original career path wasn’t it📸 How injuries led her toward creativity, photography, and communication🔁 The unexpected shift from athlete to coach🤝 What it’s like now working alongside the same coach she competed for“I had no thought of coaching at all… and now I’m here doing it every day.” — Kailey Johnson This is a story about proximity, perspective, and how being around great coaching — even when you don’t realize it — can shape your future.🌟Explore Our Library: Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such asBoo 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 ownGill1918 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 onTwitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍 

Grateful to Rekortan for hosting a Coaches Speaker Session at the 2026 Penn Relays. Recorded on Friday during the Coaches Hospitality, Rekortan invited coaches and Rekortan teammates to share their running and coaching experiences to give value to the audience. Gill Athletics is grateful for Rekortan's trust to record these sessions to bring them to you in our Gill1918 Project podcast format. There are six speakers in all, you can find them on the Gill Connections podcast published on these dates:5/3 Greg Scholars -AP RANCH5/9 Bella Whitaker- ON5/10 MaryBeth Price -Rekortan5/16 Bill Lawson - IMG Academy5/17 Kevin Quadrozzi - ON5/23 Guy Thomas - Rekortan

Grateful to Rekortan for hosting a Coaches Speaker Session at the 2026 Penn Relays. Recorded on Friday during the Coaches Hospitality, Rekortan invited coaches and Rekortan teammates to share their running and coaching experiences to give value to the audience. Gill Athletics is grateful for Rekortan's trust to record these sessions to bring them to you in our Gill1918 Project podcast format. There are six speakers in all, you can find them on the Gill Connections podcast published on these dates:5/3 Greg Scholars -AP RANCH5/9 Bella Whitaker- ON5/10 MaryBeth Price -Rekortan5/16 Bill Lawson - IMG Academy5/17 Kevin Quadrozzi - ON5/23 Guy Thomas - Rekortan

🌟Explore Our Library: Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such asBoo 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 ownGill1918 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 onTwitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍 

🌟Explore Our Library: Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such asBoo 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 ownGill1918 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 onTwitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍 

🌟Explore Our Library: Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such asBoo 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 ownGill1918 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 onTwitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍 

Katie is a mental skills coach and licensed therapist for Elevated Performance following a 13-year career as a professional runner including winning a US Road Mile Championship and being a World Indoor Championships 3000m finalist. As a competitor at all levels, Katie had to learn to overcome pre-race nerves and anxiety. She shares proven techniques and strategies to help athletes begin to do the same in the episode and in this awesome FREE resource!

There’s something powerful about a coach who knew early.Steven Sanchez didn’t just stumble into coaching—he was already studying it, researching it, and chasing it while still in high school in the Bronx. From a massive New York City high school campus to a small college in the South, his journey is anything but typical—and that’s exactly what makes it valuable.This episode is about perspective. About hearing hard truths. About choosing a path before the path fully reveals itself.Steven shares how a pivotal conversation with a mentor reshaped his trajectory, why he was studying coaching bios as a teenager, and how his willingness to bet on himself took him far from home in pursuit of growth.🔑 In this episode:🏙️ Growing up in the Bronx and navigating a 1,000-student freshman class that became 60 graduates🏈 A football-first mindset—and the injury that forced a pivot🎯 The moment a mentor told him: “Focus on throwing… and think about coaching”🧠 Studying coaching paths BEFORE even getting to college🗺️ Choosing a college based on geography, opportunity, and instinct—not just recruitment🌱 Adjusting from a massive NYC environment to an 800-student college campus💬 Quote from Steven: “I was looking at every school in the country… what have been the paths of the coaches? I was trying to figure out what I needed to do.”This one’s for the coaches who are still figuring it out—and the ones who knew early and went all in.🌟Explore Our Library: Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such asBoo 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 ownGill1918 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 onTwitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍

Grateful to Rekortan for hosting a Coaches Speaker Session at the 2026 Penn Relays. Recorded on Friday during the Coaches Hospitality, Rekortan invited coaches and Rekortan teammates to share their running and coaching experiences to give value to the audience. Gill Athletics is grateful for Rekortan's trust to record these sessions to bring them to you in our Gill1918 Project podcast format. There are six speakers in all, you can find them on the Gill Connections podcast published on these dates:5/3 Greg Scholars -AP RANCH5/9 Bella Whitaker- ON5/10 MaryBeth Price -Rekortan5/16 Bill Lawson - IMG Academy5/17 Kevin Quadrozzi - ON5/23 Guy Thomas - Rekortan

We love to being you other podcasts doing providing amazing value to the track and field coaching community. Today we feature the gang from Beyond the Blocks podcast. Go check them out on YouTube, Spotify and Apple. Also, don't forget the 'Gram. Check them out next Monday May 4th as they feature the host of THIS podcast; Mike Cunningham.In Episode 5 of the Beyond The Blocks Podcast, we sit down with James Daniels, Head of Sprints & Hurdles – High Performance for the National Scholastic Athletics Foundation (NSAF) and the NIKE ELITE program.James shares valuable insights into the development of elite sprinters and hurdlers and pulls back the curtain on how high-level athletes are built over time.In this episode we discuss:• How elite athletes structure training cycles throughout the year.• Common mistakes coaches, parents, and athletes make in the development process.• Why some youth prep phenoms struggle to keep improving in college.• What separates athletes who continue progressing from those who plateau.• The selection process and philosophy behind the Nike Elite program.Whether you’re a coach, athlete, or parent, this conversation provides practical insight into long-term athlete development and what it truly takes to succeed at the highest levels of track & field.🎙 Episode 5 – James DanielsHead of Sprints & Hurdles – High Performance👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with elite coaches, athletes, and leaders in track & field.#trackandfield #sprint #hurdles #athletics #athleticdevelopment #speed #trackcoach #beyondtheblockspodcast

🌟Explore Our Library: Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such asBoo 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 ownGill1918 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 onTwitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍 

🌟Explore Our Library: Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such asBoo 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 ownGill1918 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 onTwitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍 

🌟Explore Our Library: Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such asBoo 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 ownGill1918 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 onTwitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍 

Recovery is an often overlooked and sometimes misunderstood aspect of high performance. Coach Gail Williams (Danbury HS in CT) and her son, Shaun (former NCAA D1 athlete) bring this important topic to light in a very practical way. Gail has deeply researched effective recovery. What she learned, and what Shaun helped her apply, led to the development of PerformaFlex MR, a scientifically formulated muscle rub that promotes recovery and performance.

In this episode of the Gill Connections Podcast, Mike Cunningham sits down with Rob Jarvis, Men’s Assistant Coach at the University of Arkansas, for a deeply honest conversation about the real coaching journey.Rob’s path was anything but conventional—walking away from college football after injuries, rebuilding his athletic and professional identity, surviving a life‑altering car accident, and spending years as a volunteer behind the scenes before arriving at one of the most successful programs in NCAA track & field history.Together, Mike and Rob discuss:👉What development really means at the highest levels of the sport👉Why expectations matter—and how they elevate athletes👉Coaching through roster caps, the transfer portal, and modern NCAA realities👉Arkansas culture, championships, and the pressure that comes with tradition👉Lessons learned from mentors like Rana Reider, Mike Maynard, and Amy Deem👉Why resilience, humility, and patience still matter in today’s coaching landscapeThis episode is a must-listen for coaches, athletes, and anyone navigating a nonlinear career path—in track & field or beyond.🌟Explore Our Library: Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such asBoo 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 ownGill1918 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 onTwitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍

🌟Explore Our Library: Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such asBoo 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 ownGill1918 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 onTwitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍 

🌟Explore Our Library: Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such asBoo 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 ownGill1918 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 onTwitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍 

Jamar is the head coach of Elite Speed Track Club and an IG Creator in Columbia, SC. He successfully coaches youth athletes through collegians and is the meet director of the Carolina Challenge where the Elite Speed parents do a great job making it a positive experience for the athletes. Jamar shares his strategies for working with club parents for everyone's benefit. If you've got a topic to share, contact David Mitchell.NOTE: This episode was originally released in July, 2025.

Tamario Lattin didn’t grow up dreaming of being a track athlete… let alone a coach.In fact, he almost quit the sport before it even started.But one decision in high school changed everything—taking him from a late-start high jumper… to a back-to-back Louisiana state champion… to now shaping athletes at Grambling State.This one is real. It’s about growth, maturity, and figuring it out the hard way.🔑 In this episode, Tamario shares:🏃‍♂️ How he went from jumping 5’10” to state champion in ONE year🧠 Why he didn’t “study” track—and how that actually helped him🎓 The reality check of going from HS star to 8th place at conference in college⚠️ His turning point with academic probation🔄 How multiple college coaches shaped his coaching philosophy today🎯 What he looks for now when recruiting athletes (and what recruits get wrong)“I was just happy to be there… until I realized this was a whole different level.” — Tamario LatinThis episode is a reminder:👉 Talent gets you started👉 Perspective keeps you going👉 And growth… that comes through adversity🌟Explore Our Library: Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such asBoo 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 ownGill1918 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 onTwitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍

🌟Explore Our Library: Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such asBoo 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 ownGill1918 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 onTwitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍 

🌟Explore Our Library: Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such asBoo 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 ownGill1918 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 onTwitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍 

🌟Explore Our Library: Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such asBoo 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 ownGill1918 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 onTwitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected], 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 [email protected] 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

In 2003 the Etheredges founded Golden Elite T&F Club in FL with US Army veteran Mike as Head Coach and his wife Cheryl serving as Board President and Co-Leader. Since then, they have directly impacted the lives of over 2,500 youth by using T&F as the platform to promote academics, character development, and a drug-free lifestyle. Mike and Cheryl team up here to share from their experience to inspire coaches and parents learn how to mentor and lead youth beyond athletics into lifetime success. We'd love to hear from you, too! Contact David Mitchell if you've got something you'd like to present or a topic you'd like to hear. 

Some coaching journeys start with a plan.Mason Rebarchek’s started with a middle school PE teacher… and a simple instruction:“Run faster than you can.”From that moment, a hurdler—and eventually a coach—was formed.In this episode, Mason shares how early influences, unexpected decisions (including nearly joining the military), and a deep love for training shaped his path to becoming the Director of Track & Field and Cross Country at Winona State.What stands out most?He wasn’t a “student of the sport” early on.He just showed up, trusted his coaches, and fell in love with the process.That foundation still drives how he leads today.🧠 How a single middle school coach can change the trajectory of a life🏃 Why hurdling became his identity (and why technique mattered so much)🎯 The mindset shift that changed everything: “It’s a beautiful day for football”The real moment he chose track over the military path🔁 Why he wasn’t a “track nerd”… but still became a great coach👥 Lessons on attitude, buy-in, and controlling your mindset as an athlete💬 Quote from Mason: “I wasn’t asking questions. I wasn’t studying the sport. I just did what I was told… and fell in love with it.”This is a powerful reminder for every coach:You don’t always know which moments matter most.But your impact? It sticks.🌟Explore Our Library: Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such asBoo 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 ownGill1918 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 onTwitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍

The crew at the University of South Florida put on an excellent clinic in Tampa, Fla this past fall of 2025. Speakers included Sammy Dabbs, Erik Jenkins, Vince Anderson, Chris Korfist, and Dwight Phillips.Today we share part 2 of Vince Anderson's talk on acceleration training. Enjoy!Don't forget to join us over on YouTube for the video version of Monday's Gill Connections Podcast as well as Twitch.TV for 24/7 track/field Gill Connections Podcast interviews.

The crew at the University of South Florida put on an excellent clinic in Tampa, Fla this past fall of 2025. Speakers included Sammy Dabbs, Erik Jenkins, Vince Anderson, Chris Korfist, and Dwight Phillips.Today we share part 1 of Vince Anderson's talk on acceleration training. Enjoy!Don't forget to join us over on YouTube for the video version of Monday's Gill Connections Podcast as well as Twitch.TV for 24/7 track/field Gill Connections Podcast interviews.

Maddie is an internationally recognized sports dietitian on a mission to get science-backed nutrition information into the hands of coaches, parents, and athletes. She was a D1 runner who went on to be a USATF Indoor finalist at 3k and is the founder of Maddie Riley Nutrition. Maddie shares insights along with practical strategies to prevent and overcome common tummy troubles for athletes of all ages. NOTE: This episode was previously released in November. With outdoor T&F in full swing, Maddie's wisdom holds much value for coaches again today!If you've got a topic to share or one you'd like to hear, contact David Mitchell.

Evan Gerish didn’t take the traditional path to becoming a college coach… and that’s exactly what makes this conversation so powerful.From a kid racing his uncle in the driveway… to a self-made hurdler… to having his career cut short by a heart condition… Evan’s journey is full of unexpected turns.And somewhere along the way, he became what he proudly calls a “hurdle nerd.”But this episode isn’t just about hurdles—it’s about identity, resilience, and the impact of coaching beyond the track.🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:🧠 Why development beats shortcuts in coaching🏃 How Evan built elite hurdlers without elite resources🎯 The truth about recruiting: “It’s a sales job”📉 What happens when your athletic identity gets taken away🔁 The powerful mindset: “92 is 50% of 99”🎤 The unforgettable moment Evan shares his original slam poetryEvan’s story is a reminder that great coaches aren’t built in straight lines—they’re shaped through adversity, curiosity, and a relentless desire to help others grow.💬 Quote from Evan:“I loved bringing someone along and showing them how to do something that worked for them.”If you’re a coach who cares about development, relationships, and doing this the right way… this one will stick with you.🌟 Explore Our Library: 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 [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍

The crew at the University of South Florida put on an excellent clinic in Tampa, Fla this past fall of 2025. Speakers included Sammy Dabbs, Erik Jenkins, Vince Anderson, Chris Korfist, and Dwight Phillips.Today we share part 2 of Sammy Dabbs' talk on the intermediate hurdles. Enjoy!Don't forget to join us over on YouTube for the video version of Monday's Gill Connections Podcast as well as Twitch.TV for 24/7 track/field Gill Connections Podcast interviews.

The crew at the University of South Florida put on an excellent clinic in Tampa, Fla this past fall of 2025. Speakers included Sammy Dabbs, Erik Jenkins, Vince Anderson, Chris Korfist, and Dwight Phillips.Today we share part 1 of Sammy Dabbs' talk on the intermediate hurdles. Enjoy!Don't forget to join us over on YouTube for the video version of Monday's Gill Connections Podcast as well as Twitch.TV for 24/7 track/field Gill Connections Podcast interviews.

Steve is the creative force behind @Speedy_Sto on IG where his weekly U12 T&F Rankings are published. He's also the meet director of The Speedy Sto Rankings Showcase each May in High Point, NC. Steve makes a compelling case for each of us to celebrate athletes early to help them shape great character for the future---beyond sports and into adulthood. If you've got a topic on your heart to share with our youth T&F audience, contact David Mitchell to learn more.

Nate Browne didn’t grow up dreaming of becoming a Division I head coach. He grew up racing cousins in a church parking lot in Iowa. He chased a scholarship. He switched from the 400m to the 800m and found his event. He built All-American credentials.And then he walked into the business world.📉 Yellow Pages sales.📉 Subprime lending.📉 A $12,000 year and $30,000 in credit card debt.Until one morning he realized something powerful:He loved the hour and a half coaching more than the eight hours in the office.In this episode, Nate walks us through:🏃‍♂️ The race that turned him into an 800m runner📚 How a mentor changed his life—and redirected it💼 Why making “good money” still felt wrong🎤 The moment he realized coaching was his calling🧠 How he learned to coach the whole person👩‍🏫 The lesson that changed how he coaches women👥 Why assistant coaches must be developed—not managed🏆 What makes UC Riverside a life-changing experienceThis isn’t just about winning Big West titles.It’s about building champions for life.“When I stop being excited to wake up and impact young people, that’s when I’ll get out of coaching.” – Nate BrowneIf you care about mentorship, leadership, or becoming a better coach and person—this one is for you.🌟 Explore Our Library:Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such as Boo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, DiljeetTaylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan,as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou(Illinois), Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) andmany 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 ConnectionsPodcast Network. 📲 Stay Connected: Wantto get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow on Twitter (@MikeCunningham),email at [email protected],or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍

The crew at the University of South Florida put on an excellent clinic in Tampa, Fla this past fall of 2025. Speakers included Sammy Dabbs, Erik Jenkins, Vince Anderson, Chris Korfist, and Dwight Phillips.Today we share part 2 of Dwight Phillip's talk on coaching the triple jump. Enjoy!Don't forget to join us over on YouTube for the video version of Monday's Gill Connections Podcast as well as Twitch.TV for 24/7 track/field Gill Connections Podcast interviews.

The crew at the University of South Florida put on an excellent clinic in Tampa, Fla this past fall of 2025. Speakers included Sammy Dabbs, Erik Jenkins, Vince Anderson, Chris Korfist, and Dwight Phillips.Today we share part 1 of Dwight Phillip's talk on coaching the triple jump. Enjoy!Don't forget to join us over on YouTube for the video version of Monday's Gill Connections Podcast as well as Twitch.TV for 24/7 track/field Gill Connections Podcast interviews.

In just 3.5 years as Director of T&F/XC at The Lawrence School in NJ, Coach Duncan's athletes and teams have earned 22 county, conference, and state team titles to go with 20 HS All-Americans and 2 World Jr Qualifiers. Derrhyl spent 6 years as a pro T&F athlete and combines that knowledge with a very effective coaching style that focuses on developing the whole person. His new book Coach's Playbook shares insights on inspiring others to be great people as well as great athletes. We'd love to have you join the fun! If you have a topic to share, contact David Mitchell to learn how.

Rick Moore didn’t set out to become a legendary pole vault coach. He was a football guy. A wrestler. A chicken farmer. A middle school coach trying to figure it out.Then one junior high track meet changed everything.From that moment forward, Rik built one of Georgia’s most dominant programs:🏆 Six straight state titles in the vault🥇 Multiple 1–2 finishes at the state meet🚀 Coaching Georgia’s first 16-foot high school male vaulter🏅 A state team championship… with no ring and no paradeHe coached through triumph and tragedy, gave up football to protect track, commuted an hour for 16 years to support his family, and eventually transitioned into officiating and facility consulting.More than anything, Rik explains why track & field bonds people differently:>The 100-lb miler and 300-lb thrower sharing the same grind>Male and female athletes training through the same 400m pain>Every great athlete starting in the same place“Track and field has done more for me than I’ll ever do for it.”— Rik MooreThis is a conversation about legacy, loss, leadership, and why track & field becomes more than a sport.🌟 Explore Our Library:Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such as Boo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, DiljeetTaylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan,as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou(Illinois), Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) andmany 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 ConnectionsPodcast Network. 📲 Stay Connected: Wantto get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow on Twitter (@MikeCunningham),email at [email protected],or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍

The crew at the University of South Florida put on an excellent clinic in Tampa, Fla this past fall of 2025. Speakers included Sammy Dabbs, Erik Jenkins, Vince Anderson, Chris Korfist, and Dwight Phillips.Today we share Chris Korfist's talk on sprint training. Enjoy!Don't forget to join us over on YouTube for the video version of Monday's Gill Connections Podcast as well as Twitch.TV for 24/7 track/field Gill Connections Podcast interviews.

The crew at the University of South Florida put on an excellent clinic in Tampa, Fla this past fall of 2025. Speakers included Sammy Dabbs, Erik Jenkins, Vince Anderson, Chris Korfist, and Dwight Phillips.Today we share part 2 of Dwight Phillip's talk on coaching the long jump. Enjoy!Don't forget to join us over on YouTube for the video version of Monday's Gill Connections Podcast as well as Twitch.TV for 24/7 track/field Gill Connections Podcast interviews.

The crew at the University of South Florida put on an excellent clinic in Tampa, Fla this past fall of 2025. Speakers included Sammy Dabbs, Erik Jenkins, Vince Anderson, Chris Korfist, and Dwight Phillips.Today we share part 1 of Dwight Phillip's talk on coaching the long jump. Enjoy!Don't forget to join us over on YouTube for the video version of Monday's Gill Connections Podcast as well as Twitch.TV for 24/7 track/field Gill Connections Podcast interviews.

David is a Coach O Ambassador and nationally known T&F announcer. He also serves as the Director of Client Relations for CoachO.com Leaning on his personal experience as a high school T&F coach, David encourages coaches to attend or host a 9th/10th grade-only meet and shares his insights on how it helps the athletes, coaches, and team. If you have a topic to share on this podcast, contact David to learn more.

Some coaching stories are about wins.Some are about rebuilding.This one is about truth, belief, and resilience when the system fails you.Sol Stephens’ journey spans classrooms, weight rooms, locker rooms, and boardrooms — from a second-grade teacher who changed his life, to building successful college programs, to having that program cut while doing everything right.This is not a bitter conversation.It’s a grown one.In this episode, Sol shares:🧠 How self-awareness became his greatest coaching skill🏃‍♂️ Why “math and science” applies to every event group📚 Lessons learned from mentors like Brooks Johnson and others who shaped his philosophy💥 What it feels like to have a program cut after growth, success, and academic excellence🏫 Why honesty in hiring matters more than prestige🔍 What coaches should listen for when evaluating institutional health🌱 How healing, perspective, and leadership can grow after lossThis conversation is for:Coaches who feel unseenCoaches questioning fit and alignmentCoaches who know their value but refuse to dim their light💬 “I didn’t do anything wrong — and that’s the hardest part.” — Sol StephensSol’s story isn’t about where he was — it’s about who he’s becoming.And why sometimes the right season arrives only after the hardest one.🌟 Explore Our Library:Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such as Boo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, DiljeetTaylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan,as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou(Illinois), Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) andmany 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 ConnectionsPodcast Network. 📲 Stay Connected: Wantto get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow on Twitter (@MikeCunningham),email at [email protected],or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍

The crew at the University of South Florida put on an excellent clinic in Tampa, Fla this past fall of 2025. Speakers included Sammy Dabbs, Erik Jenkins, Vince Anderson, Chris Korfist, and Dwight Phillips.Today we share part 2 of Vince Anderson's talk on 400m training. Enjoy!Don't forget to join us over on YouTube for the video version of Monday's Gill Connections Podcast as well as Twitch.TV for 24/7 track/field Gill Connections Podcast interviews.

The crew at the University of South Florida put on an excellent clinic in Tampa, Fla this past fall of 2025. Speakers included Sammy Dabbs, Erik Jenkins, Vince Anderson, Chris Korfist, and Dwight Phillips.Today we share part 1 of Vince Anderson's talk on 400m training. Enjoy!Don't forget to join us over on YouTube for the video version of Monday's Gill Connections Podcast as well as Twitch.TV for 24/7 track/field Gill Connections Podcast interviews.

Latasha is an Olympic Gold Medalist in the 4x4, World Record Holder in the 4x2, 2-time Olympian, and Hall of Famer. Currently, she leads Christ Studios and the LC Treasures Within Foundation which provides scholarships to students. Latasha shares from her journey moving from perennial HS state champ to Olympic champion and encourages young athletes, their parents, and coaches to provide patience and grace during their process of growth toward greatness.We'd love to hear from you, too! Contact David Mitchell to learn how to join the Gill1918 Youth Series team of presenters.

Some coaches leave the sport because they’re burned out.Some leave because they’ve lost their passion.Devin Green stepped away for a different reason — his son.In this deeply honest conversation, Devin walks us through a coaching journey that started with a high-school 4x400 emergency, grew through years of building programs in Arizona, and ultimately led to one of the hardest decisions a coach can make: choosing family over the stopwatch.This isn’t a retirement story.It’s a priority story.In this episode, Devin shares:🏃‍♂️ How a last-minute relay leg changed the trajectory of his life🧠 What young coaches get wrong (and eventually learn) about control and leadership📈 Why structure — not talent — is the real difference in successful programs🤝 How reaching out to other coaches shaped his philosophy more than certifications ever did👨‍👦 The quiet moments that made him realize he was missing time he could never get back🧭 Why stepping away now doesn’t mean the door is closed foreverThis episode is for:➡️Coaches feeling stretched thin➡️Coaches questioning their current season➡️Coaches who love the sport — but love their family more💬 “I don’t regret coaching at all. I just realized this season of life required something different.” — Devin GreenIf you’ve ever wondered when it’s okay to step away — or if that thought alone makes you feel guilty — this conversation is for you.🌟 Explore Our Library:Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such as Boo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, DiljeetTaylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan,as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou(Illinois), Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) andmany 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 ConnectionsPodcast Network. 📲 Stay Connected: Wantto get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow on Twitter (@MikeCunningham),email at [email protected],or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍

Coach Dr. Dillon Martinez talks to us about ways to effectively give our athletes feedback as well as the six mistakes when giving feedback. This episode is perfect for coaches of all events of all ages. A link to his book can be found here: https://a.co/d/0aCWfu9iWelcome to Gill1918, the track & field coachingpodcast powered by Gill Athletics. Since 1918, Gill has been dedicatedto empowering coaches with innovative equipment—now, we're bringing elitecoaching education straight to your ears.Our goal is to create the Ted Talks of track/field podcastsbringing the annual track clinic to your ears DAILY! Topics will include butare not limited to covering key strategies, techniques, and training principlesto help you improve athlete performance, structure better workouts, enhanceteam culture, and more!Whether you're a high school, collegiate, or club coach,Gill1918 is your go-to resource for quick, high-impact coaching educationfrom the best minds in the sport.📩 Want to contribute anepisode? Submit your 10-30 minute coaching talk to [email protected] read ⁠⁠THISLINKEDIN ARTICLE⁠⁠ for information on how toget started. All coaches are invited to participate!🎙️ Don’t forget tosubscribe and follow Gill Athletics for more expert coaching insights!#TrackAndField #CoachingEducation #Gill1918 #ByCoachesForCoaches#TrackCoach #TedTalksOfTrackFieldPodcast