Beyond the Blocks: Track and Field Podcast

Lonnie Davis, Will Humphries and Anthony Lewis
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Sports
  • Updated Biweekly

Beyond the Blocks is a track & field podcast built on real experience, real coaching, and real conversations. Hosted by experienced coaches, the show is designed to educate, challenge, and guide athletes, parents, and coaches through the world of track & field—from youth development to elite performance. Through honest conversations, guest interviews, and behind-the-scenes insights, we give you the knowledge to make better decisions and maximize your potential. Whether chasing championships, scholarships, or long-term development—this podcast is your inside look at what it really takes!

  1. 12h ago

    Charles Ryan, Director of Track & Field at San Jose State University, Training Philosophy, Athlete Development, Recruiting, and Culture Building - Beyond the Blocks Ep. 25

    In Episode 25 of Beyond the Blocks we are joined by one of the most respected coaches in collegiate track and field. Before arriving at San Jose State University, he built championship programs at multiple levels of the NCAA, earned National Coach of the Year honors, coached dozens of All-Americans, conference champions, and NCAA qualifiers, and developed a reputation as one of the top sprint, hurdle, and relay minds in the country.His coaching journey has taken him through Louisiana Tech, Academy of Art University, Alabama State, Cal Berkeley, and now San Jose State, where he serves as the Director of Track & Field and Cross Country.Since taking over the Spartans program in 2021, Coach Ryan has helped elevate one of the most historic brands in our sport, producing school records, All-Americans, conference medalists, and national-level performers while carrying forward the legacy of Speed City.Beyond the success on the track, he's become a respected voice within the coaching profession, recently being selected to serve in a leadership role with the USTFCCCA, helping shape the future of collegiate track and field across the country.In this episode we'll be discussing the craft of coaching—training philosophy, athlete development, building a culture, and the future of our sport.Coach Ryan on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/cw_ryan3/San Jose State Track & Field on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/sanjosestatetrackandfield/

    Charles Ryan, Director of Track & Field at San Jose State University, Training Philosophy, Athlete Development, Recruiting, and Culture Building - Beyond the Blocks Ep. 25

  2. Aug 3

    UCLA Defensive Back Rodrick Pleasant on Speed, Football & Becoming One of America's Fastest Athletes - Beyond the Blocks Ep. 24

    In Episode 24 of Beyond the Blocks, we are joined by one of the most dynamic athletes to come out of California in recent years. A standout at Serra High School, Roderick Pleasant became the California state record holder in the 100 meters while also earning national recognition as one of the country’s top football recruits. After beginning his collegiate career at Oregon, he’s now back home at UCLA, where he continues to compete at one of the highest levels in college football.Follow Rodrick Pleasant on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/never.pleasant/ UCLA Football: https://uclabruins.com/sports/football UCLA Track & Field: https://uclabruins.com/sports/track-and-field

    UCLA Defensive Back Rodrick Pleasant on Speed, Football & Becoming One of America's Fastest Athletes - Beyond the Blocks Ep. 24

  3. Jul 27

    Beyond the Blocks EP 23 I Demetrius Wilson I Black Lightning Track Club I USATF Jr. Olympics in Los Angeles; Developing Elite Youth Athletes Thru High School Onto College

    Welcome to Episode 23 of Beyond the Blocks. Today's guest is one of the most respected figures in track and field. Coach Demetrius Wilson is the founder of Black Lightning Track Club, one of the premier youth programs in the country, and currently serves as the Head Track & Field Coach at Santa Ana College.In addition to those roles, he serves as the Vice President of Youth Athletics for the USATF Southern California Association, giving him a unique perspective on athlete development and the future of youth track.Whether he's coaching young athletes, mentoring families, leading a collegiate program, or helping shape the direction of the sport, Coach Wilson has dedicated his career to developing people both on and off the track.Black Lightning on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/blacklightning.tc/Santa Ana College Track & Field: https://www.sacdons.com/sports/track/index

    Beyond the Blocks EP 23 I Demetrius Wilson I Black Lightning Track Club I USATF Jr. Olympics in Los Angeles; Developing Elite Youth Athletes Thru High School Onto College

  4. Jul 20

    Beyond the Blocks EP 22 I Jacob Yowell I CSUN I Talking Athlete Development for Sprinters; Recruiting Tips

    In Episode 22, we are joined by a guest who is one of the most underrated sprint coaches in the country.Joining us in this episode is Jacob Yowell, the sprint coach at California State University-Northridge aka CSUN. Over the years, Coach Yowell has built a reputation for developing athletes, maximizing talent, and producing high-level sprinters and hurdlers.We dive into his coaching journey, talent identification, sprint development, the realities of coaching in the transfer portal era, and the human side of building successful athletes and programs.Follow Coach Yowell on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacobyowell/CSUN Track and Field:https://gomatadors.com/sports/mens-track-and-field

    Beyond the Blocks EP 22 I Jacob Yowell I CSUN I Talking Athlete Development for Sprinters; Recruiting Tips

  5. Jul 13

    Beyond the Blocks EP 21 I Jon Smith I University of Georgia I Strength & Conditioning Training

    Welcome back to Beyond the Blocks. In today's episode we're joined by Jon Smith, the Associate Director of Athletic Performance for Track and Field and Cross Country at the University of Georgia.Jon is part of the athletic performance staff behind one of the premier programs in collegiate track and field. The Georgia Bulldogs are an NCAA championship-winning program and a national powerhouse that continues to produce some of the top athletes in the country.We're excited to learn more about Jon's journey, his philosophy on strength and conditioning, and what coaches and athletes at every level can take away from the work being done at one of the nation's elite track and field programs. Follow Coach Smith on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonlsmith_/

    Beyond the Blocks EP 21 I Jon Smith I University of Georgia I Strength & Conditioning Training

  6. Jul 6

    Beyond the Blocks Ep 20 I Doug Loftus I Track & Field Announcer Reveals All: The Story Behind the Mic

    We’re back with another episode of Beyond the Blocks, where we bring you conversations with the people who help shape the sport of track and field. Today's guest is someone who has spent decades giving a voice to the sport we all love. He’s been an athlete, a coach, an educator, and one of the most recognizable public address announcers in track and field. From local youth meets to some of the biggest stages in the country, he’s had a front-row seat to countless unforgettable moments. We discuss his journey, the evolution of the sport, and some of the incredible athletes and memories he’s witnessed along the way.

    Beyond the Blocks Ep 20 I Doug Loftus I Track & Field Announcer Reveals All: The Story Behind the Mic

  7. Jun 29

    Beyond the Blocks Ep 19 I Lamont Johnson I San Jose State I NCAA Track & Field Culture, Athlete Development, and Coaching Beyond the Sport

    In Episode 19 of Beyond the Blocks we’re joined by San Jose State University, Associate Head Coach Lamont Johnson.Coach Johnson took the junior college route from Long Beach City College to Iowa State, where he competed collegiately before going on to compete professionally, while building a coaching career that has taken him across multiple levels of college track and field. Along the way, he’s coached alongside some of the most respected minds in the sport, including Charles Ryan, Leo Settle, and Olympic gold medalist Harvey Glance just to name a few.In this episode we dive into sprint philosophy, athlete development, recruiting in the NIL and transfer portal era, the current state of track and field, and much more.Thank you for taking a listen and we hope you enjoy the episode.Coach Lamont Johnson on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/coach_lamont_johnson/ https://sjsuspartans.com/sports/track-and-field

    Beyond the Blocks Ep 19 I Lamont Johnson I San Jose State I NCAA Track & Field Culture, Athlete Development, and Coaching Beyond the Sport

  8. Jun 22

    Beyond the Blocks Ep 18 I LaKeidra Hayes I Lancaster HS, TX I Winning 6A State Titles, Breaking Texas State & National Records, and Leading Young Women

    In Episode 18 of Beyond the Blocks we’re joined by Coach LaKeidra Hayes from Lancaster High School in Texas. Coach Hayes leads one of the premier programs in the country. Her program recently captured the Texas 6A State Championship, and her athletes are also the national record holders in the girls 4x100-meter relay. Beyond the championships and records, she’s built a culture and a standard that people across the country are paying attention to. To get some insight on her championship mindset please take a listen and we hope you enjoy the episode.Coach Hayes on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/coachkhayestf/Lancaster HS Girls Track & Field on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/webogirlstrack/

    Beyond the Blocks Ep 18 I LaKeidra Hayes I Lancaster HS, TX I Winning 6A State Titles, Breaking Texas State & National Records, and Leading Young Women
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About

Beyond the Blocks is a track & field podcast built on real experience, real coaching, and real conversations. Hosted by experienced coaches, the show is designed to educate, challenge, and guide athletes, parents, and coaches through the world of track & field—from youth development to elite performance. Through honest conversations, guest interviews, and behind-the-scenes insights, we give you the knowledge to make better decisions and maximize your potential. Whether chasing championships, scholarships, or long-term development—this podcast is your inside look at what it really takes!

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