What does it really take to build a championship distance program — and are miles enough?

In this episode, I sit down with Andy Dirks, head cross country coach at Plainfield North, fresh off a state championship, to break down how he develops complete athletes, not just distance runners.

We explore the parallels between distance training and speed development, including:

• Why sprinting still matters for distance athletes
• How strength training fits into a championship XC program
• Moving beyond “just logging miles”
• Developing athleticism that carries over to track, sprinting, and long-term performance
• Building resilient, adaptable athletes at the high school level

This conversation challenges traditional distance training models and shows how speed, strength, and smart programming can coexist with high-level endurance performance.

Whether you coach cross country, track & field, sprint athletes, or care about long-term athletic development, this episode is about going beyond miles.

🎧 Topics Covered:

• Cross country training philosophy
• Speed training for distance runners
• Strength training for runners
• Athlete-first vs mileage-first programs
• High school coaching and development

In this episode of the Feed the Cats Podcast, Coach Tony Holler sits down with Coach Brian Weiss — a standout 400m/800m runner from the 1999 Harrisburg championship team and now the head coach at Triad High School.

Brian was part of the very first team to experience the Feed the Cats philosophy in action — when Coach Holler shifted from traditional high-mileage training to a focus on speed, recovery, and max velocity. That season ended with a state title and marked a turning point in sprint-based coaching.

Join us as we reflect on:
- How “Feed the Cats” began and changed everything
- The difference between running more and running faster
- Brian’s journey from athlete to successful coach
- Lessons from the 1999 championship season that still hold true today

🎙️ Feed the Cats Podcast 

This is all about speed and sprint training, proper workouts and overall, a new philosophy to coaching. This episode is a conversation with Dan John.

Dan John has spent his life with one foot in the world of lifting and throwing, and the other foot in academia. An All-American discus thrower, Dan has also competed at the highest levels of Olympic lifting, Highland Games, and the Weight Pentathlon, an event in which he holds the American record.

Dan spends his work life blending weekly workshops and lectures with full-time writing and is also an online religious studies instructor for Columbia College of Missouri. As a Fulbright Scholar, he toured the Middle East exploring the foundations of religious education systems. Dan is also a Senior Lecturer for St Mary’s University, Twickenham, London.

Be part of the highest quality speed, strength, and power development discussions of 2020. Learn methods of optimizing high performance.

The newest thoughts in the field, game changers you can implement immediately.

All Speakers of "Rebel Talents"

"Only dead fish swim with the current."

Thanks for watching, and I'll see you on the next one!

In this podcast episode, we sit down with Brent Strickland to explore the "Feed the Cats" speed training method. We dive deep into how this unique approach not only enhances athletic performance but also impacts cognitive abilities. 

Brent shares insights on the data behind the method and how it proves measurable improvements in speed. Whether you're an athlete, coach, or curious about the science of training, this episode has valuable takeaways for everyone!

Contact Brent Strickland here: stricklandbrent@gmail.com

Twitter: @pntrack 

Be part of the highest quality speed, strength, and power development discussions of 2020. Learn methods of optimizing high performance.

The newest thoughts in the field, game changers you can implement immediately.

All Speakers of "Rebel Talents"

"Only dead fish swim with the current."

Thanks for watching, and I'll see you on the next one!

In today's podcast, I discuss the revolutionary speed training and development of Adam Archuleta, a formal NFL safety for the Rams, Cardinals, and Bears.

Archuleta trained with Jay Schroeder to focus on speed and performance. Archuleta dominated the combine and was selected in the first round by the Rams. His unique training vaulted him into the NFL, where he spent 7 season at safety.

Twitter: @pntrack 
Instagram: Coach Tony Holler
TikTok: Coach Tony Holler

Feed the Cats is a revolutionary way of training, coaching, and teaching that values specificity, essentialism, performance, and love. After gaining a world-wide following in Track & Field, FTC has now gained a foothold in American football, along with other sports.

Thanks for watching, and I'll see you on the next one!

In this episode, I sit down with Ben Patrick, a.k.a. Knees Over Toes Guy, whose training methods have taken the internet by storm. His mission is simple: less knee pain and more knee ability — with or without equipment.

We dive into how Ben’s approach aligns with Feed the Cats Speed Training principles:
- Avoiding overtraining to stay fresh and explosive
- Building athletic skills that make you faster, stronger, and healthier
- Training smart to extend your career and performance

Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or just someone who wants to move without pain, this conversation will change how you think about training and longevity.

📌 Follow Ben Patrick: 
- https://www.youtube.com/c/thekneesovertoesguy
- https://www.instagram.com/kneesovertoesguy/?hl=en

#KneesOverToes #SpeedTraining #AthletePerformance #BenPatrick #StrengthTraining #KneeHealth #AthleteLongevity

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What if football practice was shorter, faster, and more fun — and your team won more games because of it? 

In this solo episode, I break down Sprint-Based Football (SBF) — a speed-first, low-dosage approach to coaching that prioritizes performance over grinding and winning over outworking your opponents. 

We’ll cover:
✅ Why traditional “conditioning-first” football is outdated
✅ How speed training boosts performance, health, and durability
✅ The role of max velocity in making athletes faster and less prone to injury
✅ Why short, high-quality practices create better game-day results
✅ Real-world results from programs winning over 90% of their games with SBF 

If you’ve ever wondered how to keep your players fresh, healthy, and fast all season long — this episode will change the way you think about football forever. 

📢 Learn more the USR Masterclass: https://universalspeedrating.com/ftcmasterclass

In this episode, I sit down with David Weck, founder of The Weck Method and inventor of the world-famous BOSU Ball, to dive deep into sprint mechanics, speed development, and athletic performance.

David shares his approach to movement and speed training, including:
- Head Over Foot positioning
- The Spinal Engine
- Coiling mechanics for power and efficiency
- How tools like Rope Flow, ProPulsers, and Weighted Vests enhance athletic performance

Whether you’re a coach, athlete, or just someone passionate about training, this conversation unpacks how proper mechanics can unlock new levels of speed, coordination, and athleticism.

📌 Learn more about David Weck and The Weck Method here: 
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thedavidweck/?hl=en
- Website - https://shop.weckmethod.com/

#SpeedTraining #SprintMechanics #AthleticPerformance #RopeFlow #StrengthAndConditioning 

In this episode, we sit down with Douglas Heel, founder of Be Activated—the groundbreaking muscle activation system also known in the U.S. as RPR (Reflexive Performance Reset). 

Douglas explains how poor movement patterns and stress responses can block your body’s potential—and how simple activation techniques can instantly improve strength, speed, flexibility, and overall athletic performance. 

We discuss:
 🔹 What is Be Activated / RPR?
 🔹 How to reset your nervous system and movement patterns
 🔹 Why activation improves performance across every level
 🔹 Real-life examples of athletes transforming with this method
 🔹 How YOU can integrate these techniques into your training 

This system is laughably simple to learn—and shockingly effective. Whether you're a coach, athlete, or just want to move and feel better, this episode will challenge everything you think you know about the body and performance. 

Find more from Douglas here:

- https://www.instagram.com/douglasheel_beactivated/?hl=en

- https://douglasheel.com/

🎧 Don’t miss this mind-blowing conversation with the man behind one of the most effective systems in sports performance. 

What happens when a college sells its soul to survive? In this episode, we sit down with author Rus Bradburd to unpack his latest satirical novel, “Big Time” — a hilarious and biting commentary on the wild world of college athletics and higher education.

- Link to his book, Big Time: https://amzn.to/44uoVSG

Set at the fictional Coors State University — where beer companies fund the campus, professors moonlight as cops, and the history department sells popcorn — Big Time paints a screwball but alarmingly familiar picture of what happens when money and sports hijack academia.

Bradburd, a former Division I basketball coach turned award-winning author, shares the inspiration behind the book, the real-world absurdities that shaped it, and why Big Time is resonating with readers across sports and education.

🔥 Praise for “Big Time”
“Sharp, clean hit.” — Jonathan Eig (author of Ali and King)
“A subversive, sidesplitting screwball of a novel.” — Arne Duncan, former U.S. Secretary of Education
“Provocative, hilarious, and thought-provoking.” — Jesse Washington, ESPN/Andscape

Whether you're a sports fan, a coach, a college student, or someone tired of the NCAA’s influence, this episode delivers laughs, truth, and eye-opening insights.

📘 Grab your copy of Big Time
🔔 Like, comment, and share if this hit home 

In this first episode of a two-part series, the Feed the Cats Podcast welcomes Rus Bradburd—a former Division I basketball coach, world-class ball handler, and acclaimed author. Rus shares his incredible journey from growing up in Chicago Public Schools to becoming one of the top dribblers in the game and coaching at UTEP and New Mexico State.

We dive into his transformation from coach to writer, explore how his experiences on and off the court shaped his voice, and hear stories from his impactful Basketball in the Barrio program. Rus’s unique perspective on sports, culture, and the role of athletics in social progress makes this an unforgettable conversation.

- Link to his recent book, Big Time: https://amzn.to/44uoVSG

📘 Books by Rus Bradburd include Big Time, All the Dreams We've Dreamed, and Forty Minutes of Hell.
🎻 Bonus: He’s also an accomplished fiddle player living between Chicago, Belfast, and New Mexico.

👉 Don’t miss Part 2 where we discuss his book "Big Time" in depth. 

This video is a podcast on speed training and development. The podcast is with Brian Kula. Coach Kula has worked with thousands of athletes in his career as a track & field, sport performance and football coach. He has coached multiple National Champions, All-Americans, Gatorade Players of the Year and State Champions in a variety of sports. Kula has 26 years experience in the athletic development of athletes at all levels from youth to professional. He has been certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).

Be part of the highest quality speed, strength, and power development discussions of 2020. Learn methods of optimizing high performance.

The newest thoughts in the field, game changers you can implement immediately.

All Speakers of "Rebel Talents"

"Only dead fish swim with the current."

Thanks for watching, and I'll see you on the next one! 

In today’s podcast, former NFL Safety Adam Archuleta and the legendary Dan Fichter join me to break down the revolutionary speed, power, and explosiveness training that propelled Archuleta into the NFL.  

Archuleta trained under Jay Schroeder, using extreme and unconventional methods that helped him dominate the NFL Combine, leading to his first-round selection by the Rams. His legendary “Freak of Training” video showcased his insane workouts, which set a new standard for athletic development.  

We discuss:  
🔥 The training methods that made Archuleta one of the most explosive safeties in the NFL  
🔥 How his work with Schroeder transformed his speed and strength  
🔥 The neurology behind elite athletic performance with Dan Fichter  
🔥 How these principles apply to modern-day athletes  

⚡ Feed the Cats is a revolutionary way of training, coaching, and teaching that values specificity, essentialism, performance, and love. It started in Track & Field but has now gained traction in football and other sports.  

👀 Thanks for watching—don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more performance insights! See you in the next one! 🚀 

In this episode, legendary speed coach Tony Villani joins the podcast to break down what truly matters regarding game speed.

Tony has trained some of the world’s top athletes, including Travis Kelce, Randy Moss, Anquan Boldin, Jamal Lewis, and many more. His philosophy centers on making speed the priority, training with intent, and ensuring athletes are fresh when sprinting — principles that closely align with Feed the Cats–style training.

We dive deep into:
- What game speed really means (and why it’s misunderstood)
- Acceleration vs. max velocity development
- How agility training fits into true speed work
- Why being fresh matters more than volume
- Common mistakes coaches make when training speed
- Where traditional programs go wrong

This conversation is packed with practical insight for coaches, athletes, and trainers who want speed that actually transfers to competition.

🎧 Whether you’re training youth athletes or professionals, this episode will challenge how you think about speed development.

Join this channel to get access to perks:
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What happens when an entire athletic department decides to prioritize speed, eliminate mindless conditioning, and pursue the disciplined pursuit of less?

In this Feed The Cats Podcast episode, Bill Brindley, Tyler Thielges, and Brent Strickland share why Augusta Christian (Georgia) is becoming the first premier K–12 school to implement Feed The Cats principles across all sports and P.E. classes.

This isn’t just a football change.

This is a complete athletic culture shift.

We discuss:
- Why they’re eliminating traditional conditioning
- The disciplined pursuit of less
- Prioritizing speed in all things
- High performance practice design
- Recording, ranking, and publishing results
- Building buy-in across coaches and staff
- What it takes to implement Feed The Cats school-wide
- The risks, pushback, and long-term vision

This could be the first full-scale K–12 implementation of Feed The Cats principles in the country.

This episode is for athletic directors, head coaches, PE teachers, and school leaders who believe speed is trainable and culture is intentional.

Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBPj3-_eDe-42EpKhMt4B7Q/join 

In this episode of the Feed the Cats Podcast, I sit down with my son Alec Holler to talk about his journey through sports and coaching.

Alec shares his experiences as a high school athlete, his college years, and how those experiences ultimately shaped the coach he is today. Along the way, we discuss how his athletic career influenced the development of the Feed the Cats speed training philosophy.

Coach Tony Holler originally began searching for a better training experience for Alec when he was an athlete. That pursuit eventually led to the creation of Feed the Cats — a high-performance approach that prioritizes speed, health, recovery, and joy in training.

Today, Alec has become a successful coach in his own right. He has coached the Illinois state record holder in the 110m hurdles and has been part of an incredible run at Edwardsville High School as an assistant track coach, helping the program earn:

• 3 Illinois State Championships
• 4 State Runner-Up Finishes
• 7 Total State Trophies

We talk about lessons learned from athletics, the evolution of Feed the Cats, and how the philosophy is applied today to build a championship program year after year.

If you're a coach, athlete, or sports parent interested in speed development, high performance training, and building a positive sports culture, this episode is for you.

In this episode of the Feed the Cats Podcast, I talk with strength and speed coach Zac Goodman about how to properly combine strength training and speed development for maximum performance. 

Too many athletes fall into the trap of doing too much—too much volume, too much conditioning, and not enough intent. Zac shares how the most effective programs focus on high intensity, maximum output, and full recovery. 

We break down why strength training should mirror speed training principles, and how simplifying your program can actually lead to better results, healthier athletes, and higher performance. 

In this episode: 

• How to combine strength and speed training effectively
• Why high intensity beats high volume
• The role of rest and recovery in performance
• Common mistakes in the weight room
• How to train athletes to be faster, stronger, and healthier

If you’re a coach or athlete looking to get more out of your training without burning out, this episode will give you a clear framework to follow.
 

What if speed isn’t genetic… and can actually be taught?

In this episode, we sit down with Dillon Martinez, author of Breaking The Speed Barrier, to discuss the science and coaching methods behind real speed development.

- Link to Dillon's book: https://amzn.to/3P4OPc8

We dive into why most coaches struggle to teach speed effectively, the biggest mistakes in traditional conditioning programs, and how elite coaches develop faster athletes through proper sprint mechanics, teaching progressions, and evidence-based training.

Topics include:
- The “7 UPs” of sprint mechanics
- The Three T’s of speed training
- Maximum velocity development
- Teaching acceleration and change of direction
- Multi-sport athlete programming
- Recovery and injury prevention
- Why speed is a skill — not just genetics

Dr. Martinez also shares insights from the largest research study ever conducted on speed coaching pedagogy and explains what separates great speed coaches from average ones.

If you’re a coach, athlete, parent, or sports performance enthusiast, this episode will completely change how you think about speed training.

How do you develop athletic kids in today’s youth sports environment? In this episode, Jeremy Frisch joins the podcast to discuss youth speed training, movement skill development, multi-sport athletes, and long-term athletic development.

Find more from Jeremy here: 
- https://www.instagram.com/jeremy_frisch17
- https://x.com/JeremyFrisch

Jeremy specializes in youth athletic development, strength & conditioning, and the Speed Demons program, helping young athletes build athleticism through movement, play, skill development, and smart training practices.

We discuss why movement skills and physical literacy should come before early specialization, how multi-sport athletes often develop broader athletic abilities, and why gamification of practice and training can be one of the most effective ways to improve learning, speed, coordination, and athletic performance.

In this episode, we cover:
- How to develop athletic kids
- Youth speed training principles
- Movement skills and physical literacy
- Multi-sport athletes and athletic development
- The problem with early sports specialization
- Gamification in practice and sports training
- Strength and conditioning for young athletes
- Building speed, coordination, and athleticism
- Coaching youth athletes for long-term development

Whether you’re a coach, parent, trainer, PE teacher, or sports performance professional, this conversation offers practical insights into developing faster, more skilled, and more athletic young athletes.

Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBPj3-_eDe-42EpKhMt4B7Q/join