Feed the Cats Podcast

EP18: Can You Teach Speed? Breaking the Biggest Myth in Sports with Dr. Dillon Martinez

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.

EP17: How to Combine Strength + Speed Training for Maximum Performance with Zac Goodman

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.

EP16: How Alec Holler Helped Shape Feed the Cats (From Athlete to Championship Coach)

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.

E15: The First School to Go ALL IN on Feed The Cats (K–12 Athletic Department Transformation)

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

E14: Training Game Speed, Acceleration & Why Speed Must Be the Priority with Tony Villani

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: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBPj3-_eDe-42EpKhMt4B7Q/join