The Speed Lab Podcast

Colby Wartman, owner of Origin Performance and Speed Lab director, blends eccentric loading and sprint mechanics into long-term athlete development. He discusses the TreadMetrics eccentric leg press, practical alternatives like depth jumps, and cues for improving ground attack. They also cover burnout risks in youth sports and how to shift programs to prioritize measurable speed.

Erica Mulholland, a strength and conditioning coach and author focused on female athlete health, shares practical coaching wisdom. She talks about how a meniscus tear shifted her focus to load management and recovery. Conversations cover why strength matters for young girls, rising ACL concerns, common training red flags, and simple weekly plans to keep athletes healthy and improving long term.

In this episode of The Speed Lab Podcast, guest host Darren Hansen sits down with coach and mentor Matt Erdman for a powerful conversation on the art of coaching. Matt Erdman Owns Veritas Athletic Performance and is a Universal Speed Rating Speed Lab Director. They dive deep into building trust with athletes, the power of positive communication, adapting coaching style to the individual, and why relationships—not just programming—drive long-term results. This episode is packed with practical insights for coaches, gym owners, and anyone looking to create a stronger training culture that actually lasts.Timestamps00:00 – Intro & why Matt Erdman stands out as a coach03:30 – Opening a facility: lessons learned & early mistakes06:20 – Systems, organization, and why clarity matters07:20 – Transition into The Power of Positive Selection11:10 – Coaching delivery, trust, and athlete relationships14:15 – Universal Speed Rating milestone & impact15:25 – Individualizing coaching styles (men vs women, personalities)18:05 – Building culture & uniting rival athletes21:10 – Being approachable without lowering standards24:10 – Consistency, clarity, and losing athlete trust27:20 – Coaching less, saying more with fewer words29:15 – Meeting athletes where they are mentally & physically33:10 – Creating “wins” even on bad training days35:05 – Communicating progress to parents37:20 – Building resilient athletes beyond speed & strength39:15 – Final thoughts & closing remarksIf you'd like to learn more about how to working with Universal Speed Rating in your facility, schedule a call: https://universalspeedrating.com/learn-more-partner-with-universal-speed-rating-speed-lab-podcast

Darren Hansen sits down with Joe Pedulla to discuss rethinking acceleration training, working with youth athletes, and practical coaching strategies for time-constrained programs. They explore how to identify athlete types, balance strengths vs. weaknesses in training, and prepare for their upcoming webinar.Timestamps00:00 - Introduction & Triple H (Hardship, Highlight, Hero)05:09 - Rethinking Acceleration: Joe's general philosophy07:50 - Teaching young athletes: Gorillas vs. Cheetahs framework (force production vs. speed)10:16 - Visual cues for coaches to identify athlete movement types16:02 - Training strengths vs. weaknesses: when to focus on each17:20 - In-season training: keeping athletes engaged and stimulated19:21 - Working with limited time (2-3 hours/week with athletes)23:40 - Sled training loads and programming discussion32:58 - Why sleds rarely make athletes slower + recovery considerations34:56 - Lateral movement patterns and "squat accelerators" in sport39:18 - Program design: subtle changes for different athlete profiles44:56 - Acceleration vs. deceleration: what separates athletes at game speed47:27 - Where to follow Joe + closing thoughts

The Speed Lab Podcast - Episode 17Substitute host Darren Hansen of HansenAthletics sits down with Ryan Paul, owner of New Athlete and veteran performance coach with over two decades of experience training athletes. With more than 12,000 athletes trained since 2001, Ryan shares his evolution from conjugate periodization to an eccentric-focused training philosophy centered on force reduction and deceleration. The conversation dives deep into why athletes often return from college slower despite being stronger, the critical importance of teaching athletes to absorb force before producing it, and how long-duration isometrics (up to 300 seconds) are transforming athlete durability and performance. Ryan also breaks down his unique assessment methods using lunge positions to identify sprinting tendencies and explains why training volume in the weight room should better reflect the demands athletes face on the field.Timestamps 0:00 - Introduction with Darren Hansen 0:44 - Ryan Paul's background and 23+ years of athlete development 2:41 - Evolution from conjugate training and its limitations 3:54 - Why athletes get hurt decelerating, not accelerating 5:08 - Common deficiencies: athletes can produce force but can't absorb it 7:29 - Why college athletes return slower but stronger 9:39 - Programming ratios: ~80% eccentric/deceleration work 11:08 - Long-duration isometrics explained (5–300 seconds) 16:01 - Cueing isometric lunges and assessing sprint type 20:49 - Using USR technology to validate training observations 22:29 - Redefining "recovery" and reducing systemic inflammation 26:21 - Personal results from eccentric training 27:01 - Favorite movements: Bulgarian split squats and toddler patterns 29:34 - Crawling, coordination, and cortex development 31:00 - Daily integration of eccentric training 31:45 - Results: healthier athletes, better repeatability, reduced injury severity 33:26 - Advice for coaches: match training volume to game demands 36:21 - Closing remarks

In this episode of The Speed Lab Podcast, Les Spellman sits down with Dr. Marc Lewis, Director of  Applied Sports Science for the Houston Texans, for a deep, practical conversation on what sport science really looks like inside elite performance environments.Dr. Lewis shares his unconventional journey — from military service to earning a PhD and leading applied sport science at the NFL level. Together, they unpack how sport science evolved in the U.S., why systems matter more than tech, how to actually manage athlete load (without “doing less”), and what coaches at any level can apply immediately.The Universal Speed Rating partners with private training facilities around the country that want to improve their speed system and grow their business. If you are interested in becoming a Speed Lab, click the link below to schedule an intro call with our team. https://universalspeedrating.com/learn-more-partner-with-universal-speed-rating-speed-lab-podcastEpisode Timestamps00:00 – Introduction & context02:00 – Marc Lewis’s early life & military background06:00 – Discovering human performance10:00 – Education path & research foundation14:00 – Entering sport science before it was a role18:00 – Why sport science over traditional strength coaching22:00 – Evolution of sport science in the U.S.27:00 – Building systems vs chasing technology32:00 – Athlete communication & buy-in37:00 – Load management philosophy in team sports44:00 – Practical guidance for high school coaches52:00 – Fatigue monitoring & force plate philosophy1:00:00 – Hidden stressors in NFL football1:04:00 – Final thoughts & future of performance

In a thought-provoking conversation, Matt Hank, Head S&C Coach at Santa Monica College and speed training innovator, shares insights on rethinking acceleration mechanics. He emphasizes the importance of respectful disagreement in advancing coaching practices. Diving into the intricacies of limb velocity over brute strength, Matt challenges conventional coaching cues and drills. He discusses organizing acceleration training effectively and critiques common flexion drills, advocating for a focus on extension timing for elite performance.

Scott Salwasser, Head NFL Combine Coach at EXOS, shares his expertise in training elite athletes for the NFL Combine. He discusses managing over 50 athletes efficiently and the importance of a low-volume, high-intensity approach. Salwasser dives into the use of advanced tech like force plates and the 1080 Sprint system for profiling speed safely. He emphasizes tailoring training based on data, the significance of strength profiling, and the strategies behind tapering as the combine approaches. His insights are a must-hear for anyone interested in athlete development!

In this different type of episode, Les shares the messy, unpolished origin story: from building the first “Speed Lab” in a school closet, to testing elite athletes before the system even existed, to struggling financially while trying to scale something no one had ever built before. He breaks down how analytics, education, business systems, and community became the pillars that carried the company past 200 Speed Labs worldwide.If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Speed Lab, schedule a time with our team at the link below. https://universalspeedrating.com/learn-more-partner-with-universal-speed-rating-speed-lab-podcastEpisode Timestamps00:00 – 01:02: Why this episode is personal + hitting 200 Speed Labs01:02 – 03:40: How COVID, fatherhood, and a school basement led to the first Speed Lab03:40 – 07:15: The first athletes tested & discovering what a “Speed Lab” really was07:15 – 12:10: Standardizing speed, early testing chaos, and building the MPH database12:10 – 17:17: Building software, courses, systems — and why community became the backbone17:17 – 20:35: Burnout, overexposure, money struggles, and NFL players stepping up to invest20:35 – 24:57: Finding his role, rediscovering the excitement, and blending family + business life24:57 – 27:28: Lessons learned: Start before you’re ready & simplify everything you build

Kyle Bolton, the Director of Speed & Performance for Oregon Football, shares his expertise on building elite speed year-round. He discusses the crucial off-season blueprint, the significance of GPS tracking, and how to blend strength with game speed while preparing for the Big Ten. Bolton also unpacks the impact of NIL and the transfer portal on coaching strategies. Plus, he reveals what sets college speed training apart from combine prep and offers vital advice for aspiring athletes aiming for the league.