Talkin' Pitt by Pitt Sports Performance

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The Strength and Conditioning and Sports Science staff at the University of Pittsburgh sit down to discuss the evolution of sports performance

  1. May 15

    Talkin' Pitt #61 Dr. Dillion Martinez - Speed Development, Sprint Mechanics & Coaching Communication

    In this episode of Talkin’ Pitt, Coach Young sits down with Dr. Dillon Martinez to dive deep into the world of speed development, sprint mechanics, and coaching communication. From breaking down the myth that “speed can’t be taught” to discussing how coaches can create faster, more resilient athletes, this episode is packed with practical takeaways for strength coaches, sport coaches, and anyone interested in athletic performance.   Dr. Martinez shares the story behind his book Breaking the Speed Barrier, how his father shaped his philosophy on sprint training, and why teaching speed is just as important as teaching strength. The conversation also covers sprint technique, agility vs. change-of-direction, max-velocity training for field sports, hamstring injury prevention, isometrics, coaching cues, athlete confidence, and the importance of communication and feedback in coaching.   Whether you work with track athletes, team-sport athletes, or just want to become a better coach and communicator, this episode delivers a ton of actionable insights in a simple, relatable way.     Teambuildr Trial Code Use code PITT at checkout.   Coach Dr. Dillion Martinez Contact Instagram: @martinez_dillion X : @DillionMartinez Email : dillon.martinez@winona.edu   Dr. Martinez Book “Breaking The Speed Barrier” Available on Amazon https://a.co/d/0imWiw5u   Pitt Sports Performance Instagram @pitt_sportsperformance   Pitt Sports Performance Twitter @pitt_science                                                                            Music Credit Music Unlimited, “The Podcast Intro.”

    1h 18m

  2. Apr 10

    Talkin' Pitt #60 Ashley Kowalewski - LSU - Freedom in Programming: Isometrics, Load Management, and Coaching Evolution

    In this episode of Talkin’ Pitt, Devin sits down with LSU’s Coach AK to dive deep into the evolving landscape of strength and conditioning, challenging traditional norms and exploring innovative approaches to athlete development.   Coach AK shares why she’s currently most excited about implementing year-round isometrics, discussing how overcoming, yielding, and quasi-isometric methods can improve athletes' health, performance, and adaptability within a system. The conversation explores how coaches can balance evidence-based principles with real-world constraints such as facility limitations, training age, and time demands.   Devin and Coach AK discuss the value of being open to professional pushbacks, why differing coaching philosophies can coexist, and how curiosity drives growth within the field. From experimenting with eccentric overload methods to rethinking the necessity of traditional 1RM testing and Olympic lifting for certain populations, this episode highlights the importance of adapting training to meet athletes' needs rather than forcing them into rigid systems. The discussion also emphasizes the importance of health over performance, the role of trust and relationship-building in athlete buy-in, and how coaches can use guided autonomy to help athletes take ownership of their development. Coach AK shares insights on navigating social media as a professional, presenting at conferences, and continuously learning through collaboration with peers.   If you’re a strength coach looking to challenge assumptions, explore new programming ideas, or better understand how to integrate isometrics into your system, this episode delivers both practical insights and thought-provoking perspectives.     Teambuildr Trial Code Use code PITT at checkout.   Coach AK Contact Instagram: @ashleykowalewski Email: ashk@lsu.edu Phone: 225-615-6989   Pitt Sports Performance Instagram @pitt_sportsperformance   Pitt Sports Performance Twitter @pitt_science                                                                            Music Credit Music Unlimited, “The Podcast Intro.”

    50 min

  3. Mar 27

    Talkin Pitt #59 Devin Young - Young Coaches stepping into their first internship

    In this episode of Talkin’ Pitt, Coach Young breaks down 5 key lessons every young strength and conditioning coach should understand when starting their first internship. Whether you are currently in school, preparing for your first internship, or working through your early experiences in the profession, this episode offers practical insights on how to make the most of these foundational opportunities.   Drawing from nearly 10 years of experience in collegiate strength and conditioning, I share lessons I learned from multiple internships and graduate assistant positions, along with common patterns I’ve observed among interns at several universities. Internships are often the first major step into the profession, and how you approach them can significantly impact your long-term development as a coach.   We discuss the importance of being a sponge, asking questions, stepping outside of your comfort zone, and maximizing the value of the time you invest early in your career. I also talk about how to identify the right internship environments, how to learn from different coaching styles, and why being proactive can separate you from other young professionals entering the field.   If you are looking to build a strong foundation in strength and conditioning, better understand internship expectations, and position yourself for future opportunities such as graduate assistant roles or full-time positions, this episode will provide practical guidance to help you navigate the early stages of your career.     Teambuildr Trial Code Use code PITT at checkout.     Pitt Sports Performance Instagram @pitt_sportsperformance   Pitt Sports Performance Twitter @pitt_science                                                                            Music Credit Music Unlimited, “The Podcast Intro.”

    23 min

  4. Feb 27

    Talkin" Pitt #58 Dr. Christian Carter - James Madison University -It Doesn’t Last: A Powerful Conversation on Mindset, Coaching, and Life

    In this episode of Talkin’ Pitt, I’m joined by Dr. Christian Carter, the Director of Olympic Sports Performance at James Madison University (JMU). Christian has been one of the most-requested guests by listeners, and this conversation delivers equal parts coaching philosophy, real talk, and practical lessons from nearly 13 years at JMU.   We start with Christian’s path into strength & conditioning: from discovering powerlifting as a teenager, to internships and graduate work, to landing at JMU in 2013 and building a career rooted in consistency, community, and culture. From there, we dive into what actually matters in performance environments: staying authentic as a coach, building a weight room that’s safe and fun, and creating buy-in through competition and intent (yes… including laser tag warm-ups).   Christian also shares a perspective that many coaches will feel the longer you’re in it, the more you question how much S&C “matters” compared to skill, sport context, and the reality of athlete lives. We dig into the limitations of sports science, the chaos of real schedules, and why the foundation is still the same: train hard, train consistently, and take care of the human.   The back half gets even deeper as Christian talks candidly about mental health, why he started a meditation group for athletes, and the importance of teaching athletes to manage their minds, not just their training loads. We close with a quick-hitter lightning round, including books, dessert, coaching favorites, and a powerful message to his 18-year-old self.   If you coach athletes, lead people, or want a conversation that’s honest and refreshing, this one’s for you.   Teambuildr Trial Code Use code PITT at checkout.   Christian Carter Contact Instagram: @drcoachcarter Email: carte5cr@jmu.edu   Pitt Sports Performance Instagram @pitt_sportsperformance   Pitt Sports Performance Twitter @pitt_science                                                                            Music Credit Music Unlimited, “The Podcast Intro.”

    1h 9m

  5. Feb 13

    Talkin' Pitt #57 Devin Young - 5 Lessons I wish I learn sooner in S&C

    For the first time ever, this is a solo episode of Talkin’ Pitt.   As we kick off 2026, Devin Young is reflecting on 10 years in the strength & conditioning profession, from interning at U-Mass Lowell to running departments at the Division I and Division III levels, to now coaching softball and track & field at Pitt. In this episode, I break down five major lessons I’ve learned over the last decade, the things I wish I understood earlier, and the principles that continue to shape how I coach, program, and lead.   We dive into: The power of mentorship and building a real network Why mastering the basics matters more than chasing advanced methods Falling in love with the process of becoming great Understanding that your best work is what you’re doing right now And how to reframe imposter syndrome into a tool for growth Whether you're a young coach trying to break into the field, a seasoned coach looking to reflect, or someone who just loves performance and development, this episode is about growth both professionally and personally.   Teambuildr Trial Code Use code PITT at checkout.   Pitt Sports Performance Instagram @pitt_sportsperformance   Pitt Sports Performance Twitter @pitt_science                                                                            Music Credit Music Unlimited, “The Podcast Intro.”

    28 min

  6. Jan 23

    Talkin' Pitt #56 Forever Panther - Jess Bova - Pitt Softball First Hall a Famer

    In this special episode of Talkin’ Pitt, Devin sits down face-to-face in Baldwin for a Forever Panther conversation with Pitt softball legend Jess Bova, the first Pitt softball inductee to the Pitt Hall of Fame.   Jess takes us inside what it was really like being a student-athlete at Pitt in the early 2000s: the pressure, the schedule, the 12 hours of study hall, and the huge adjustment from high school to college. She shares her unique path to Pitt as a preferred walk-on, how she earned scholarship money, battled early injuries, and helped build the program during its first decade, including milestone moments like making the Big East Tournament and getting Pitt softball’s first NCAA Tournament win.   We also dive into the weight room culture that shaped her: first-day “deer in headlights” energy, training in the old Pete weight room, and why strength coaches matter far beyond sets and reps from buy-in to culture to lifelong impact. Jess also shares how those experiences eventually helped lead her into coaching, CrossFit, and gym ownership, plus a full-circle moment connecting back to Pitt strength coach Tim Beltz.   To close it out, we hit quick hitters (books, desserts, podcasts), favorite Pitt memories, and Jess’s message to her 18-year-old self: keep fighting, it’ll be worth it. Hail to Pitt.   Teambuildr Trial Code Use code PITT at checkout.   Pitt Sports Performance Instagram @pitt_sportsperformance   Pitt Sports Performance Twitter @pitt_science                                                                            Music Credit Music Unlimited, “The Podcast Intro.”

    1h 12m

  7. 12/15/2025

    Talkin' Pitt # 55 Building Elite Softball Athletes with Josh Madole "Culture, Conditioning, and Commitment"

    Join us for an insightful conversation with Josh Madole, Strength and Conditioning Coach at the University of South Carolina, as he shares his journey from playing college baseball to leading strength programs for elite softball and golf athletes. In this episode, Josh opens up about:   His path from UNC Greensboro to UNC Charlotte and ultimately to South Carolina, including how working his tail off as a GA led to his current position The unique challenges of transitioning a coaching staff and team culture from one program to another Why primer lifts and optional recovery sessions are game-changers for softball performance The critical importance of watching practice and understanding sport-specific movement patterns His programming philosophy: "How you do anything is how you do everything," from heavy squats to dumbbell rotations Energy system development for softball athletes, especially the often-overlooked aerobic needs of pitchers The evolving landscape of NIL money in college athletics and what it means for team culture Why movement quality should never be sacrificed for the weight on the bar   Josh also shares his approach to building athlete buy-in, the value of being "savagely good at the basics," and why the most rewarding part of this career is the lasting impact you can have on an athlete's journey.   Whether you're a strength coach, athlete, or just passionate about performance training, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and real-world insights from the trenches of collegiate strength and conditioning.   Teambuildr Trial Code Use code PITT at checkout.   Pitt Sports Performance Instagram @pitt_sportsperformance   Pitt Sports Performance Twitter @pitt_science                                                                          Josh Madole Contact Email: JMADOLE@mailbox.sc.edu Instagram @madole_performance     Music Credit Music Unlimited, “The Podcast Intro.”

    1h 3m

  8. 11/21/2025

    Talkin' Pitt # 54 “Building Better Humans: The Coaching Philosophy of Bailey Victoria”

    This week on Talkin’ Pitt, Devin sits down with Florida State Softball Strength & Conditioning Coach Bailey Victoria for an episode packed with connection, coaching insight, and real talk about athlete development in today’s era of travel ball, the transfer portal, and rapidly evolving sports tech.   Bailey shares how she’s built one of the most detailed, athlete-centered training environments in college softball while still keeping things simple, intentional, and grounded in genuine human connection. From understanding players before they even arrive on campus, to how she personalizes training based on aerial vs. terrestrial profiles, to why “general” training still matters for 18-year-olds with tons of softball experience but very little training age… this one is loaded.   They also dive into the use of the catapult in softball (yes, FSU is one of the few programs doing it), how WHOOP fits into the broader picture of athlete readiness, and the kind of communication and culture it takes to keep a powerhouse program operating at max capacity without grinding players into dust.   This is one of those episodes that makes you rethink what “good coaching” actually looks like.   Teambuildr Trail Code Use code PITT at checkout.   Pitt Sports Performance Instagram @pitt_sportsperformance   Pitt Sports Performance Twitter @pitt_science                                                                          Austin Bailey Victoria Email: bvictoria@fsu.edu Instagram @baileyvictoria7     Music Credit Music Unlimited, “The Podcast Intro.”

    39 min
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The Strength and Conditioning and Sports Science staff at the University of Pittsburgh sit down to discuss the evolution of sports performance

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