Episode 013 - Ryan Banta: Building Elite Performers in the Modern High School System

Episode 013 - Ryan Banta: Building Elite Performers in the Modern High School System

In Episode 013 of the Speed of Life Podcast, we have an in depth discussion with Coach Ryan Banta about the ups and downs of high school Track and Field in the modern age, including all of the challenges he faces on a daily basis in developing high performing young athletes.  We talk about Coach Banta’s evolution as a high school coach, taking on a significant amount of responsibility at an early age.  But more importantly, we find out how hard Ryan works to make sure the athletes have a great experience through carefully planned workouts, successful competition outcomes and learning how to manage both academic and athletic pursuits.  We find out that great coaches can exist at any level along the development path.  It is easy to understand why we need great coaches at the high school level to help develop a proper physical and mental foundation for great things beyond high school, both on and off the track.   Ryan Banta is Parkway Central High School Girls Head track and field coach 2003 to the present, and Parkway Central High School Head XC coach 2013 to present. His athletes have achieved 159 school records (FR, JV, Varsity), 11 top-five team finishes at the state championships, team state title in 2022, 14 district championships, 8 district runner-up finishes, 16 conference team titles, 319 state semi-finalist (sectionals), 233 state qualifiers, 3 state records (3200, 4×800, and 100HH), 23 national ranked events, 209 All-state Medalists, 203 for track & field alone (currently 9th all-time in Missouri state history), 24 state champions, 25 runner-up performances, and 3 Gatorade athletes of the year all done in a single gender at Parkway Central High School. HS coach of Olympian Emily Sisson. You can find out more information on Ryan Banta below:   Instagram:       https://www.instagram.com/ryan.banta/ [https://www.instagram.com/ryan.banta/]   Twitter/X:       https://x.com/SprintersCompen [https://x.com/SprintersCompen]   Amazon:         https://www.amazon.com/Sprinters-Compendium-Ryan-J-Banta/dp/1946208566/ [https://www.amazon.com/Sprinters-Compendium-Ryan-J-Banta/dp/1946208566/]     Audio versions of the "Speed of Life" Podcast are available below:   Spreaker https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/speed-of-life-podcast--6893415 [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/speed-of-life-podcast--6893415]   Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4pKknVG2wNItjJedBbH3v4 [https://open.spotify.com/show/4pKknVG2wNItjJedBbH3v4]   Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speed-of-life-podcast/id1882245235 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speed-of-life-podcast/id1882245235]   iHeart Radio https://iheart.com/podcast/325517264 [https://iheart.com/podcast/325517264]   Amazon Music https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/99a1193a-a928-4134-86bd-27716ae49c22 [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/99a1193a-a928-4134-86bd-27716ae49c22]     You can reach Derek Hansen at the following locations:   Websites http://www.SprintCoach.com [http://www.SprintCoach.com] https://www.runningmechanics.com/ [https://www.runningmechanics.com/] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/derekmhansen/ [https://www.instagram.com/derekmhansen/] YouTube http://youtube.com/derekmhansen [http://youtube.com/derekmhansen] https://x.com/DerekMHansen Twitter/X https://x.com/DerekMHansen [https://x.com/DerekMHansen] LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekmhansen/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekmhansen/]

Episode 012 - Andrew Hauser: Making Aerobic Fitness Important Again

Episode 012 of the Speed of Life Podcast covers the work of Andrew Hauser in the areas of athlete performance and rehabilitation.  Andrew has worked the bulk of his early career in professional sports for various team in Major League Baseball, but has since taken his talents to the private sector, working out of Scottsdale, Arizona and establishing himself as a top practitioner for pro athletes.  We discuss his approach to assessment and treatment, as many of his initial referrals are for injured athletes.  We also talk about the importance of re-establishing basic fitness qualities in injured athletes, more specifically with the aerobic and circulatory systems.  Using advanced technology, Hauser makes sure that no stone is unturned in his process and athletes are more than ready to return to their sport in top condition.   Andrew Hauser is a leader in the manual therapy, rehab, and training space within professional sports. He previously oversaw the Rehab Department for the Los Angeles Dodgers, as well as the Performance and Medical Departments for the Atlanta Braves before starting Continuum High Performance. Andrew was one of the first high performance directors in Major League Baseball. He is able to take many tools and complex systems and integrate them into an easily understandable manner that allows athlete’s to gain autonomy and knowledge of their care.   You can find out more information on Andrew Hauser below:   Instagram:       https://www.instagram.com/andrew_hauser_atsc/ [https://www.instagram.com/andrew_hauser_atsc/]   Website:          https://www.continuumhp.com/ [https://www.continuumhp.com/]     Audio versions of the "Speed of Life" Podcast are available below:   Spreaker https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/speed-of-life-podcast--6893415 [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/speed-of-life-podcast--6893415]   Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4pKknVG2wNItjJedBbH3v4 [https://open.spotify.com/show/4pKknVG2wNItjJedBbH3v4]   Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speed-of-life-podcast/id1882245235 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speed-of-life-podcast/id1882245235]   iHeart Radio https://iheart.com/podcast/325517264 [https://iheart.com/podcast/325517264]   Amazon Music https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/99a1193a-a928-4134-86bd-27716ae49c22 [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/99a1193a-a928-4134-86bd-27716ae49c22]      You can reach Derek Hansen at the following locations:   Websites http://www.SprintCoach.com [http://www.SprintCoach.com] https://www.runningmechanics.com/ [https://www.runningmechanics.com/] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/derekmhansen/ [https://www.instagram.com/derekmhansen/] YouTube http://youtube.com/derekmhansen [http://youtube.com/derekmhansen] https://x.com/DerekMHansen Twitter/X https://x.com/DerekMHansen [https://x.com/DerekMHansen] LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekmhansen/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekmhansen/]

Episode 011 - Adam Ross: Practical Performance Nutrition Guidelines for Everyone

In Episode 011 of the Speed of Life Podcast, we talk performance nutrition with Adam Ross.  Rather than engaging in an over-complex analysis of diet and nutrition strategies, we keep things very basic and fundamental.  Adam discuses some of the common problems he faces with clients on a daily basis, whether it is eliminating processed foods from their diet, identifying key targets for macro-nutrients and determining sounds sources of supplementation.  While it is common for clients to search for the magic-bullet of nutrition that can solve all of their problems, we find out through Adam that often the simple answer is able to provide the best outcomes for most people.   Adam Ross, RD, is a Registered Dietitian, Sports Nutritionist, and Performance Strategist based in New York.  Searching for ways to improve his athletic performance, Adam began researching nutrition and saw the benefits and pitfalls of trying to change his diet without scientific knowledge or expert support. After playing Division I hockey at Merrimack College and then playing for professional teams affiliated with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens, Ross followed his interest in nutrition and returned to school to complete a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics from Queens College in New York.  Ross worked for several years as a performance nutrition coach at Drive495 training gym in Manhattan before moving to St. John’s University as the campus dietitian, advising their Division I sports teams, other students, and faculty members on nutrition. While there, Ross also supported students navigating everything from eating disorders to the basic challenges of adjusting to college life.  Ross also developed his own private nutrition coaching practice, and in 2018 he began treating patients online. This allowed him to work with a broad spectrum of people, from professional athletes to people looking to try new diets as they got older to improve their energy and longevity.     You can find out more information on Adam Ross below:   Instagram:       https://www.instagram.com/nutritioncoach_adam/ [https://www.instagram.com/nutritioncoach_adam/]   Website:          https://arnutrition.net/ [https://arnutrition.net/]     Audio versions of the "Speed of Life" Podcast are available below:   Spreaker https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/speed-of-life-podcast--6893415 [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/speed-of-life-podcast--6893415]   Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4pKknVG2wNItjJedBbH3v4 [https://open.spotify.com/show/4pKknVG2wNItjJedBbH3v4]   Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speed-of-life-podcast/id1882245235 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speed-of-life-podcast/id1882245235]   iHeart Radio https://iheart.com/podcast/325517264 [https://iheart.com/podcast/325517264]   Amazon Music https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/99a1193a-a928-4134-86bd-27716ae49c22 [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/99a1193a-a928-4134-86bd-27716ae49c22]     You can reach Derek Hansen at the following locations:   Websites http://www.SprintCoach.com [http://www.SprintCoach.com] https://www.runningmechanics.com/ [https://www.runningmechanics.com/] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/derekmhansen/ [https://www.instagram.com/derekmhansen/] YouTube http://youtube.com/derekmhansen [http://youtube.com/derekmhansen] https://x.com/DerekMHansen Twitter/X https://x.com/DerekMHansen [https://x.com/DerekMHansen] LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekmhansen/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekmhansen/]

Episode 010 - Mickey Brueckner: Making the Most of the Off-Season Training Period

Episode 010 of the Speed of Life Podcast is heavily focus on the concept of off-season training for professional and collegiate athletes.  We discuss the off-season training process with Mickey Brueckner, a private trainer that provides training for high level clients that have to prepare – sometimes with very short time windows – for the physical demands of a long and intense competitive season.  With Mickey having a background as an athlete in baseball, he spends a lot of time working with athletes from this sport and catering to their unique needs in the off-season.  Given that he was been heavily involved in a high-velocity throwing sport, he has also had significant success with football quarterbacks, sought after as an off-season expert for these athletes for building both performance qualities and overall resiliency.  We discuss the complexities and challenges of preparing these highly skilled athletes for the demands of their sports, while also maintaining a successful business.   As a former collegiate athlete whose own athletic journey was altered by injury, Mickey's passion for athlete development began during his college years. Fueled by a desire to understand and elevate athletic performance, Mickey dedicated himself to mastering performance and development, establishing “The ANNEX” as a premier destination for both amateur and professional athletes in the New York/New Jersey region. For over almost 20 years, Mickey has honed his expertise, with a particular emphasis on performance enhancement and injury prevention for overhead throwing athletes. His dedication has yielded remarkable results, evidenced by the success of his clients at all levels of competition. Mickey's clientele boasts an impressive array of achievements, including two MLB First Round Draft Picks, a Cy Young Award Winner, a Super Bowl MVP, as well as World Series and Super Bowl Champions.     You can find out more information on Mickey Brueckner below:   Instagram:       https://www.instagram.com/mickbrueckner/ [https://www.instagram.com/mickbrueckner/]   Website:          https://www.mickbrueckner.com/ [https://www.mickbrueckner.com/]     Audio versions of the "Speed of Life" Podcast are available below:   Spreaker https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/speed-of-life-podcast--6893415 [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/speed-of-life-podcast--6893415]   Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4pKknVG2wNItjJedBbH3v4 [https://open.spotify.com/show/4pKknVG2wNItjJedBbH3v4]   Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speed-of-life-podcast/id1882245235 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speed-of-life-podcast/id1882245235]   iHeart Radio https://iheart.com/podcast/325517264 [https://iheart.com/podcast/325517264]   Amazon Music https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/99a1193a-a928-4134-86bd-27716ae49c22 [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/99a1193a-a928-4134-86bd-27716ae49c22] You can reach Derek Hansen at the following locations:   Websites http://www.SprintCoach.com [http://www.SprintCoach.com] https://www.runningmechanics.com/ [https://www.runningmechanics.com/] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/derekmhansen/ [https://www.instagram.com/derekmhansen/] YouTube http://youtube.com/derekmhansen [http://youtube.com/derekmhansen] https://x.com/DerekMHansen Twitter/X https://x.com/DerekMHansen [https://x.com/DerekMHansen] LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekmhansen/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekmhansen/]

Episode 009 - Thomson Remo: Using the Bicycle to Profile Power Output in Sports

In Episode 009 of the Speed of Life Podcast we are joined by Thomson Remo.  Given Thomson’s extensive background in the sport of cycling, we spend the first moments of the interview covering his early beginnings and development in both road cycling and track cycling.  This was followed by a deep dive by Thomson into the sport of powerlifting, where he also experienced significant success.  With all of this practical experience under his belt, Thomson combined his love for equipment and technology with his knowledge of training and strength and conditioning, helping companies maximize the contributions of their products.  Thomson discusses his involvement with sport teams in assessing power output using accessible stationary bike technology that is relatively safe, valid and reliable.  We discover that more teams are embracing his methods for this reason.   Thomson Remo is a Strength & Performance Specialist trusted by professional teams, universities, and performance facilities worldwide. He’s the Global Lead Educator for multiple industry-leading fitness equipment brands, and he developed testing protocols still used today by USA Cycling and the NHL Combine.  Thomson was also a former professional road and track cyclist with over 20 years of competition experience.  He has also participated at a high level in the sport of powerlifting, achieving two U.S. Powerlifting National Championship titles.  He has presented on high performance topics at the annual strength coach meetings held by the NHL, NBA and MLB.  Thomson’s approach is shaped by years of firsthand experience—on the bike, on the platform, and in the field.     You can find out more information on Thomson Remo below:   Instagram:       https://www.instagram.com/coachthomsonremo [https://www.instagram.com/coachthomsonremo]   Website:          https://thomsonremo.com/ [https://thomsonremo.com/]     Audio versions of the "Speed of Life" Podcast are available below:   Spreaker https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/speed-of-life-podcast--6893415 [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/speed-of-life-podcast--6893415]   Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4pKknVG2wNItjJedBbH3v4 [https://open.spotify.com/show/4pKknVG2wNItjJedBbH3v4]   Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speed-of-life-podcast/id1882245235 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speed-of-life-podcast/id1882245235]   iHeart Radio https://iheart.com/podcast/325517264 [https://iheart.com/podcast/325517264]   Amazon Music https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/99a1193a-a928-4134-86bd-27716ae49c22 [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/99a1193a-a928-4134-86bd-27716ae49c22] You can reach Derek Hansen at the following locations:   Websites http://www.SprintCoach.com [http://www.SprintCoach.com] https://www.runningmechanics.com/ [https://www.runningmechanics.com/] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/derekmhansen/ [https://www.instagram.com/derekmhansen/] YouTube http://youtube.com/derekmhansen [http://youtube.com/derekmhansen] https://x.com/DerekMHansen Twitter/X https://x.com/DerekMHansen [https://x.com/DerekMHansen] LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekmhansen/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekmhansen/]