Just Fly Performance Podcast Podcast By Joel Smith Just-Fly-Sports.com cover art

Just Fly Performance Podcast

Just Fly Performance Podcast

By: Joel Smith Just-Fly-Sports.com
Listen for free

The Just Fly Performance Podcast is dedicated to all aspects of athletic performance training, with an emphasis on speed and power development. Featured on the show are coaches and experts in the spectrum of sport performance, ranging from strength and conditioning, to track and field, to sport psychology. Hosted by Joel Smith, the Just Fly Performance Podcast brings you some of the best information on modern athletic performance available.Just Fly Sports LLC Exercise & Fitness Fitness, Diet & Nutrition Hygiene & Healthy Living Science
Episodes
  • 500: How Rhythm and Isometrics Transform the Warm-Up with Paul Cater

    500: How Rhythm and Isometrics Transform the Warm-Up with Paul Cater
    Jan 29 2026
    Today’s guest is Paul Cater. Paul is a veteran strength and conditioning coach with over 25 years of experience spanning professional baseball, collegiate athletics, and high-performance team environments. Paul is known for blending traditional strength training with rhythm, timing, gravity, and a deeply relational, art-driven approach to coaching. His work challenges purely formulaic or data-driven models and puts the live training session back at the center of athlete development. In an era where training is increasingly automated, optimized, and reduced to dashboards and numbers, it’s easy to lose the human element that actually drives performance. This conversation explores how rhythm, feel, load, and coaching presence shape not just outputs, but adaptability, resilience, and long-term athletic growth. If you’ve ever felt that “something is missing” in modern training environments, this episode speaks directly to that gap. In this episode, Paul and I explore training as a live performance rather than a static program. We discuss using early isometric and axial loading as a readiness anchor, how downbeat rhythm and eccentric timing drive better outputs, and why chasing numbers too aggressively can undermine real performance. We dive into music, movement, art, and coaching intuition, and how creating alive, rhythmic sessions builds stronger athletes, and better coaches, without relying solely on rigid protocols or excessive monitoring. Today’s episode is brought to you by Hammer Strength and Lila Exogen. Use the code “justfly20” for 20% off any Lila Exogen wearable resistance training, including the popular Exogen Calf Sleeves. For this offer, head to Lilateam.com Use code “justfly10” for 10% off the Vert Trainer View more podcast episodes at the podcast homepage. (https://www.just-fly-sports.com/podcast-home/) Timestamps 0:00 – Mountain Training Inspirations 6:00 – The Role of Community in Training 12:15 – Performance and the Observer Effect 23:27 – Shifting Training Protocols 32:32 – Balancing Data and Intuition 42:14 – Efficacy of Isometric Training 47:23 – Five-Minute Wonders 53:28 – The Art of Adaptation 57:44 – Embracing the Subconscious 1:28:06 – A Playlist for Performance Actionable Takeaways 0:07 – Mountain training inspirations Training in demanding natural environments reshapes how you view effort, pacing, and resilience. Use uneven terrain and elevation to naturally regulate intensity instead of forcing outputs. Let the environment create variability rather than programming it artificially. Periodically remove mirrors, clocks, and screens to reconnect athletes with internal feedback. 6:00 – The role of community in training Training outcomes improve when athletes feel socially anchored. Design sessions where athletes work together rather than in isolation. Use shared challenges to build collective buy-in and accountability. View community as a performance multiplier, not a soft add-on. 12:15 – Performance and the observer effect Athletes change behavior when they know they are being measured. Use testing sparingly to avoid distorting natural movement. Train without constant feedback to preserve authentic effort. Recognize when measurement helps clarity and when it creates tension. 23:27 – Shifting training protocols Protocols should evolve with the athlete, not remain fixed. Regularly reassess whether a method still serves the athlete’s needs. Avoid loyalty to systems that no longer produce adaptation. Let context, stress, and readiness guide training decisions. 32:32 – Balancing data and intuition Numbers inform decisions, but intuition completes them. Use data as a reference point, not the final authority. Trust experienced pattern recognition when data feels incomplete. Teach younger coaches how to observe, not just measure. 42:14 – Efficacy of isometric training Isometrics offer clarity, control, and nervous system regulation. Use isometrics to teach position awareness and intent. Apply them during deloads or recovery periods. Emphasize quality of tension rather than maximal force. 47:23 – Five-minute wonders Short, focused training can still drive adaptation. Use brief sessions to maintain rhythm during busy schedules. Prioritize intent and execution over duration. Stack small doses consistently rather than chasing long sessions. 53:28 – The art of adaptation Adaptation is individual, nonlinear, and context dependent. Avoid expecting identical outcomes from identical programs. Adjust based on response, not expectation. Respect that progress can look quiet before it looks obvious. 57:44 – Embracing the subconscious Much of performance operates below conscious control. Reduce over-cueing to allow automatic movement to emerge. Trust repetition and environment to shape behavior. Coach less, observe more. 1:28:06 – A playlist for performance Music influences emotional and physical rhythm. Use music intentionally to shape ...
    Show more Show less
    Less than 1 minute
  • 499: Martin Bingisser on Specific Strength and Training Transfer

    499: Martin Bingisser on Specific Strength and Training Transfer
    Jan 22 2026
    Today’s guest is Martin Bingisser. Martin is the founder of HMMR Media, one of the most trusted independent voices in throws and track & field education. A former competitive hammer thrower, Martin blends firsthand experience with deep historical and technical insight to analyze training methods, athlete development, and coaching culture. Through articles, videos, and interviews, his work bridges elite practice and practical coaching, earning him respect from coaches and performance professionals around the world. In a world of rapid-information delivery and short attention spans, the wisdom of master coaches is becoming increasingly rare. Martin has spent substantial time with two legends in the coaching world, Anatoliy Bondarchuk and Vern Gambetta. Spending time discussing the work of the past, and wisdom through the present is a critical practice in forming an effective coaching viewpoint. On today’s episode I chat with Martin in a wide-ranging conversation in coaching lessons on efficiency, adaptability, and performing under pressure (two throws, no warmups, huge crowds). We transition into Bondarchuk’s training philosophy: exercise classification, consistency, “strength” as sport-specific force production, and why weight-room PRs can distract from performance. The episode closes with motor-learning insights on rhythm, holistic cues, and how Vern Gambetta’s “general” work complements specificity. Today’s episode is brought to you by Hammer Strength and the Just Fly Sports Online Courses 30-50% off all courses until December 1, 2025. (https://justflysports.thinkific.com) Use code “justfly10” for 10% off the Vert Trainer Use code “justfly20” for 20% off of LILA Exogen Wearable resistance gear at www.lilateam.com View more podcast episodes at the podcast homepage. (https://www.just-fly-sports.com/podcast-home/) Timestamps 0:00 – Martin’s background and training lens 7:05 – Why eccentric strength matters 15:40 – Isometric intent and force expression 24:30 – Tendons, stiffness, and elastic qualities 33:50 – Managing fatigue in strength training 42:15 – Applying eccentric and isometric work 51:20 – Athlete readiness and daily adjustment 1:00:10 – Long term development and durability Actionable Takeaways 7:05 – Eccentric strength underpins many performance qualities Martin explains that eccentric capacity sets the foundation for braking, deceleration, and re acceleration. Stronger eccentric abilities allow athletes to tolerate higher forces with less breakdown. Use controlled eccentric work to improve robustness without chasing constant intensity. 15:40 – Isometrics depend on intent, not just position Holding a position is not enough to drive adaptation. Martin emphasizes producing force into the immovable position to create meaningful stimulus. Cue effort and intent during isometrics instead of passively holding time. 24:30 – Tendon stiffness supports speed and efficiency Tendons transmit force, they do not just store it. Training should respect gradual loading to avoid disrupting tendon health. Elastic qualities improve when stiffness and timing are trained together. 33:50 – Fatigue management shapes training quality Not all fatigue is productive. Martin highlights watching bar speed, coordination, and effort quality to guide decisions. End sets when movement quality degrades rather than chasing prescribed numbers. 42:15 – Match training tools to the desired adaptation Eccentrics, isometrics, and dynamics all serve different purposes. Martin stresses selecting methods based on the adaptation you want, not trends. Blend methods thoughtfully instead of stacking stressors blindly. 51:20 – Daily readiness should influence loading Athletes do not arrive the same every day. Use simple readiness cues like bar speed and coordination to adjust training. Flexibility in programming helps preserve long term progress. 1:00:10 – Durability is built over time, not rushed Long term development requires patience and consistency. Martin reinforces gradual progression to protect connective tissue. not short term peaks. Quotes from Martin Bingisser “Eccentric strength is what allows athletes to absorb and redirect force safely.” “An isometric only works if there is intent behind it.” “Tendons are not passive structures, they are active contributors to performance.” “Fatigue is not the enemy, but unmanaged fatigue is.” “You have to choose training tools based on what you want to adapt.” “Readiness is not about feelings, it is about what you observe.” “Durability comes from respecting time and progression.” About Martin Bingisser Martin Bingisser is the founder of HMMR Media, one of the most respected independent platforms covering throws, strength training, and track & field performance. A former competitive hammer thrower, Martin combines firsthand athletic experience with a sharp analytical eye to break down training theory, competition ...
    Show more Show less
    41 mins
  • 498: Aaron Uthoff on Backwards Running and Linear Sprint Speed

    498: Aaron Uthoff on Backwards Running and Linear Sprint Speed
    Jan 15 2026
    Today’s guest is Aaron Uthoff. Aaron Uthoff, PhD, is a sport scientist and coach whose work sits right at the intersection of biomechanics, motor learning, and sprint performance. His research digs into acceleration, force application, and some less conventional forms of locomotion, including backward sprinting, with the goal of connecting solid science to what actually works on the field, track, or in rehab. Backward running shows up all the time in warm-ups and general prep. Most of the time, though, it’s thrown in casually, without much thought about what it might actually be doing for speed, coordination, or tissue loading. In this episode, Aaron walks through his path into performance science, which is anything but linear. From skiing in Montana and playing desert sports, to football and track, to a stretch training horses in Australia, his journey eventually led him to research mentors in Arizona, Scotland, and New Zealand. That broad background shows up clearly in how he thinks about movement. One of the big takeaways from our conversation is Aaron’s overview of research showing that structured backward running programs can improve forward acceleration and even jumping ability. We also get into how backward running can be used as a screening and coordination tool, and where it fits into rehabilitation, including what’s happening at the joints, how muscles are working, and how to progress it without forcing things. We finish by digging into wearable resistance, including asymmetrical loading, and why this emerging tool may have more upside for speed and movement development than most people realize. Today’s episode is brought to you by Hammer Strength and Lila Exogen. Use the code “justfly20” for 20% off any Lila Exogen wearable resistance training, including the popular Exogen Calf Sleeves. For this offer, head to Lilateam.com Use code “justfly10” for 10% off the Vert Trainer View more podcast episodes at the podcast homepage. (https://www.just-fly-sports.com/podcast-home/) Topics 0:00 – Aaron’s background and coaching lens 6:40 – Seeing movement through posture and orientation 13:25 – Why breathing changes how athletes move 20:45 – Tempo, rhythm, and shaping better movement 30:10 – Constraints based coaching and problem-solving 40:55 – Sprint mechanics without over cueing 51:20 – Using environment to guide adaptation 1:01:30 – Blending strength work with movement quality 1:12:15 – Coaching intuition, feedback, and learning to see Actionable Takeaways 6:40 – Posture sets the ceiling for movement quality Good movement often starts with orientation, not technique cues. Aaron emphasizes looking at ribcage position, pelvis orientation, and head placement before trying to fix limb mechanics. Clean posture gives athletes access to better options without forcing patterns. 13:25 – Breathing influences coordination and output Breathing is not just recovery, it shapes how force is expressed. Use simple breathing resets to help athletes feel better alignment and rhythm. Watch how breathing patterns change movement quality before adding more coaching input. 20:45 – Tempo reveals how athletes organize movement Tempo exposes whether an athlete can control positions under time pressure. Slowing or slightly speeding tasks can uncover compensations without verbal instruction. Use tempo to teach rhythm instead of constantly correcting mechanics. 30:10 – Constraints beat constant verbal cueing Aaron highlights using task constraints to guide learning instead of over explaining. Change distances, targets, or starting positions to let athletes self organize. Good constraints reduce the need for constant coaching intervention. 40:55 – Sprint mechanics improve through shapes, not forcing positions Trying to force textbook sprint positions often backfires. Focus on global shapes and direction of force instead of individual joint angles. Let athletes discover better sprint mechanics through drills that preserve intent. 51:20 – Environment is a powerful teacher Surface, space, and task design matter more than many cues. Use varied environments to expand an athlete’s movement vocabulary. Small changes in environment can create big changes in coordination. 1:01:30 – Strength training should support movement, not override it Strength work should expand options, not lock athletes into rigid patterns. Choose lifts and loading schemes that preserve posture and rhythm. If strength training degrades movement quality, reassess the intent. 1:12:15 – Coaching is about learning what to ignore Not every flaw needs fixing. Aaron emphasizes knowing which details matter in the moment and which do not. Better coaches simplify their lens rather than add more rules. Quotes from Aaron Uthoff “Posture is often the biggest limiter of movement quality, not strength or mobility.” “Breathing changes how the nervous system organizes movement.” “Tempo tells you more about ...
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 9 mins
No reviews yet