Athletic Performance Podcast

In this episode, Coach Ryan Patrick sits down with Joel Smith to break down what athleticism actually means—and why modern training often misses the mark.From over-structured youth sports to the loss of rhythm, creativity, and autonomy, this conversation challenges conventional strength and conditioning and offers a more integrated approach to developing real athletes.Inside this podcast: Why strength ≠ athleticism  The role of play, rhythm, and environment in performance  How over-coaching is limiting athlete development  Why early specialization can backfire  The difference between training outputs vs training transfer Practical ways to integrate rhythm and movement variabilityConnect with Joel Smith https://www.just-fly-sports.comJust Fly Performance Podcast  @justflysportsConnect with Coach Ryan Patrick @coachryanpatrick 

In this episode, Coach Ryan Patrick sits down with performance consultant Alex Effer to break down the missing link between rehabilitation and performance training — and why many coaches struggle with exercise selection despite having more information than ever.They explore how assessment, movement constraints, and exercise progressions can work together to simplify programming while improving outcomes for athletes.Topics include:The “gray zone” between rehab and performanceHow exercises can function as assessmentsCenter of mass and smarter progressionsWhy more mobility isn’t always betterRethinking foam rolling and tissue workSimplifying complex coaching conceptsAbout Alex Effer Performance consultant and educator helping coaches bridge movement, rehab, and strength training through practical systems.ConnectIG: @alex.efferResilient EducationIG: Coach Ryan Patrick 

What separates athletes who last from those who burn out? In this episode, Coach Ryan Patrick sits down with strength coach and former D1 soccer standout Erica Mulholland to unpack the real D1 Durability Formula.They dive into the psychology and physiology of building durable and resilient athletes. They explore how confidence, creativity, and consistent exposure build athletes who can handle the demands of elite sport. From ACL recovery realities to youth sport specialization, this conversation bridges science and coaching experience to help parents, coaches, and athletes understand what truly drives long-term performance.Here's what we tackle:The role of free play and creativity in developing movement confidenceHow to prevent burnout and overuse injuries in youth athletesWhy strength training is the foundation of athletic durabilityWhat "never go to zero" means for in-season trainingHow to balance intensity, recovery, and joy for sustainable performance🎧  Watch or listen to the full episode to learn how to build athletes who are not just strong, but built to last.Guest: Erica Mulholland | Strength & Conditioning Coach | Former Johns Hopkins All-American | ACL Prevention Specialist 📸 Instagram | Website | BookConnect with Ryan: Instagram → @coachryanpatrick⏱️ Chapters0:00 – Introduction: What is the D1 Durability Formula? 2:45 – Erica’s journey from D1 soccer to strength coach 6:10 – Why today’s youth athletes lack confidence 10:25 – The role of play and creativity in development 14:40 – The lie of early specialization 19:25 – How fear and comparison kill progress 23:05 – ACL injury realities and return-to-play mistakes 27:30 – Why "cleared" doesn’t mean "ready" 32:15 – Managing preseason spikes and overtraining 36:50 – What strength training really does for durability 41:20 – "Never go to zero" and the truth about in-season training 45:15 – Balancing joy, discipline, and longevity 49:30 – How to pick the right coach and program 54:10 – Final thoughts on building athletes who last

In this episode, Coach Ryan Patrick sits down with Dr. Sam Liu, biomechanist, researcher, and movement specialist with the Miami Marlins organization, to break down the true physics behind jumping, dunking, and speed.They dive into what most coaches misunderstand about impulse, force, and timing — and how understanding the mechanical objective of movement changes everything. From countermovement jumps to approach takeoffs, Sam translates complex biomechanics into simple, actionable concepts every coach and athlete can apply.If you’ve ever looked at a force plate trace or a highlight dunk and wondered what’s really happening there, this episode is for you.Chapters00:00 – Intro: Dunks, data, and the science of flight04:25 – The simple physics behind jumping higher08:45 – Why more approach speed isn’t always better12:10 – Force × Time: What coaches get wrong about impulse17:00 – The “Mechanical Objectives” framework explained21:40 – How to use biomechanics without overcomplicating training28:15 – What elite jumpers really do differently33:50 – Jumping with vs. without a ball: The overlooked factor39:10 – Translating jump mechanics to pitching and sprinting47:15 – Absorbing force vs. managing momentum52:40 – What Sam’s research is revealing about human performance57:30 – Final thoughts: curiosity, humility, and the pursuit of better coaching🔗 Links & ResourcesFollow Dr. Sam Liu on InstagramDr. Liu’s research publications: Connect with Coach Ryan Patrick:  Key Takeaways✅ What great jumpers do with force✅ Mechanical objectives simplify coaching by focusing on outcomes, not aesthetics.✅ The biggest limiter to jump height ✅ Force plates are tools → interpretation > data.✅ The principles that make a better jumper also make a better pitcher or sprinter.

In this episode of the Athletic Performance Podcast, host Ryan Patrick dives deep with Fabian Salazar, a veteran trainer with 15 years in the game, co-founder of Fit Factor in Houston, and a master of soccer-specific speed and strength development. Fabian shares his origin story from Bally Total Fitness to building a brick-and-mortar gym with his brother, emphasizing mindset shifts, coordination over max effort, and the power of in-person coaching. We explore common training pitfalls, balancing speed work with recovery, and the psychological edge for young athletes. Whether you're a coach, parent, or athlete, Fabian's insights on slowing down, using video feedback, and long-term commitment will reshape how you approach performance.Relevant Links:Fabian's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fabian_salazarcpt/ Fit Factor Gym: https://www.instagram.com/fit_factor_houston/Athlete Accelerator Program: https://athlete-accelerator.com/Connect with Ryan: https://www.instagram.com/coachryanpatrick/Chapters:[00:00:00] Intro and Fabian's origin story[00:06:00] Biggest mistakes in soccer speed training[00:16:30] High-leverage strength moves for athletes[00:24:30] Mindset shifts and using tech in coaching[00:32:00] In-person vs. online coaching realities[00:45:45] Individual differences in acceleration[00:51:30] Balancing family, business, and chaos[00:58:00] Advice for young coaches[01:02:00] Microdosing training experiments[01:07:00] What's next: Athlete Accelerator program

Every parent wants their kid to succeed, but the hard truth is this: there are no elite 10-year-olds. In this episode, I sit down with Jeremy Frisch, one of the most respected voices in youth athletic development, to talk about early specialization, missing foundations, and how to actually set kids up for long-term success.We cover everything from tummy time and crawling, to why year-round sports are burning kids out, to the creative ways Jeremy designs training that looks like play but builds athletic monsters. Whether you’re a parent, coach, or athlete, this conversation will change how you see youth sports.Physical Education: Building the FoundationChildren Moving: A Reflective Approach to Teaching Physical EducationFollow JeremyInstagram | XFollow me:Instagram | PeakFAST on IG

In this episode of the Athletic Performance Podcast, Coach Ryan Patrick sits down with Sara MacKenzie, Director of Strength & Conditioning at Cal Poly.Sara shares her journey from a $0/hour intern at Arizona State to running a full department at Cal Poly, the challenges of coaching 500+ athletes solo, and how parenting reshaped her coaching philosophy.We cover everything from building systems under resource constraints to balancing toughness and empathy in the weight room — and why durability, not numbers, is the ultimate metric of success.📌 What You’ll LearnHow Sara broke into strength & conditioning when few women had a seat at the tableWhy her Arizona State internship became the turning point in her careerThe systems she uses to manage programming for hundreds of athletesHow COVID forced Cal Poly into a “wedding tent weight room”Balancing parenthood, leadership, and athlete development without burning outWhy Sara chose legacy and community over chasing jobs across the country🔗 Links & ResourcesCal Poly AthleticsFollow me: Ryan Patrick on IG

Feet, Ankles, and the Rhythm of Speed with Ryan Hopkins | Athletic Performance Podcast Ep. 50What if the real key to speed has nothing to do with the weight room...and everything to do with your feet, ankles, and rhythm?In this episode, Coach Ryan Patrick sits down with Ryan Hopkins (Soho Strength Lab, NYC) to break down the overlooked foundations of sprinting and athletic speed. We dive into cadence, coordination, and why too many coaches slow athletes down instead of letting them chase outputs.This conversation is packed with practical takeaways for coaches, athletes, and parents who want to understand what really drives speed on the field.What You’ll Learn• Why most athletes are leaking performance through their feet and ankles.• The critical role of rhythm (4+ steps per second) in top-end speed.• How to balance technical drills with letting athletes “run wild.”• The problem with always adding more force in S&C.• Training strategies that actually transfer to game speed.Chapters00:00 – Rhythm and cadence: the heartbeat of speed01:15 – Ryan Hopkins’ journey: from Equinox to Soho Strength Lab05:00 – Untapped opportunities in youth development07:00 – The foot & ankle problem (and how to fix it)12:00 – Training progress: why it takes 1–2 years, not 4 weeks16:00 – Drills vs. outputs: what really drives speed22:00 – Session structure: blending rhythm, ranges, and pushes29:00 – Common errors: cadence, hip separation, and over-striding36:00 – Teaching range of motion and coordination39:00 – What’s overvalued: slowing things down to make athletes “fast”42:00 – Combine prep: retuning Ferraris, not building them48:00 – Rethinking resisted sprints & horizontal force50:00 – Why static starts are overrated53:00 – Change of direction and deception: sport speed vs straight-line speed🔗 Resources & LinksSoho Strength LabComprehensive Calf Force Profiling – Dylan Carmody & Andy McDonaldFollow Ryan Hopkins on Instagram → @sslryanConnect with Ryan Patrick → @coachryanpatrickJoin the ConversationIf you’re a coach, parent, or athlete serious about speed, drop your biggest takeaway in the comments. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share so we can keep bringing you world-class conversations with performance experts.

In this episode, Coach Ryan Patrick sits down with Yassir Kahook, Sports Science Coordinator and Strength Coach at Cressey Sports Performance Florida. Yassir pulls back the curtain on how CSP integrates force plates, Proteus Motion, and the 1080 Sprint into athlete development—from pro baseball players to youth athletes.You’ll learn:The key force plate metrics that matter (and the ones that don’t).Why the shape of the force-time curve may be more valuable than jump height.How force plates reveal athlete readiness and fatigue beyond the surface.Practical testing insights for high school, college, and pro athletes.How sports science connects to on-field performance like sprinting, cutting, and throwing velocity.Whether you’re a coach, athlete, or just a performance nerd, this episode will help you separate the signal from the noise in sports tech—and apply data where it counts most.📍 Follow Yassir on Instagram: @ykahook 📍 Read his Substack: Performance Science

Episode Summary In this episode of the Athletic Performance Podcast, Coach Ryan Patrick sits down with Professor Paul Comfort—author, researcher, and one of the leading voices in strength & conditioning science. They unpack the real-world application of force plate testing, the myths around strength thresholds, and how to make smarter programming decisions.✅ When and how to introduce isometric testing for youth athletes✅ The truth about “how strong is strong enough”✅ Why jump ratios (RSI, DSI, EUR) can mislead coaches✅ Programming lessons from rugby, soccer, and pro athletes✅ Why periodization is a blueprint, not a rigid scriptLinks & ResourcesConnect with Coach Ryan Patrick Follow Professor Paul Comfort - X | Research GateSubscribe on Apple Podcasts / Spotify / YouTube