The Human Kinetics Podcast

Running can be a simple sport. It can also feel overwhelming or complex at times when it comes to competing. Ian Sharman has established himself as an accomplished ultrarunner, coach, and writer, on a mission to continue breaking records while helping others find their own success. In this episode, he discusses key strategies for long-distance running, what it means to be mentally tough as a runner, and the importance of consistency. He has compiled all of this information and more in his book, The Art of Ultrarunning:  Tried and Tested Strategies for Long-Distance Runners.
Ultrarunning: Tried and Tested Strategies for Long-Distance Runners https://monkeylink.co/dff7df
Ian Sharman
Ian Sharman is an ultrarunner, coach, and journalist from the United Kingdom who lives in the trail running hub of Bend, Oregon. He founded Sharman Ultra Coaching (SUC) in 2010, bringing together a team of some of the best ultrarunners as coaches. SUC has coached hundreds of runners, from back-of-the-pack participants to winners of the most prestigious ultras in the world.
He has written for a wide variety of running and fitness magazines, including an ongoing column in Ultrarunning Magazine since 2013. He's also known as a frequent guest on ultra podcasts, especially Trail Runner Nation, in addition to hosting Podium Runner Magazine Endurance Podcast.
Sharman was voted as high as second for Ultrarunning Magazine's Ultrarunner of the Year as well as fourth for Ultrarunner of the Decade for the 2010s. Some running highlights include the all-time record for the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning; four wins in the Leadville Trail 100 Run; three wins in the Rocky Raccoon 100, including setting the record; nine top 10 finishes in the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run, including being the only person to complete the race 10 times with a combined finish time of under a week; multiple top finishes at Comrades Marathon in South Africa, including a Wall Hayward Medal; and a marathon best time of 2 hours and 21 minutes.
 

What does your in-season training look like? How much does training prior to competition impact performance? In this episode we take a look at what the research says about monitoring training loads and readiness. 
The research study being discussed in this episode is titled, Influence of Training Load on Recovery, Wellness, and Performance in Elite Soccer Athletes. It can be found in the Human Kinetics Journals.
 
Aaron Patterson, M.S., NSCA-CPT, CWPC, CSAC, CTPS
Aaron Patterson provides informative and educational content for Human Kinetics in the areas of health, fitness, strength and conditioning, and sport performance including exercise technique videos, author interviews, and podcast episodes. Certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), Aaron has over 12 years of experience as a personal trainer and sport performance coach. He holds specialty certifications as a Certified Weightlifting Performance Coach (CWPC), Certified Speed and Agility Coach (CSAC), and Certified Tennis Performance Specialist (CTPS).
 
Training primarily middle school and high school athletes, Aaron recognized the growing need for athletes to also work on their mental performance. It was then that he pursued his master's degree in Kinesiology with a focus in Exercise and Sport Psychology to become a Certified Mental Performance Consultant. As a CMPC, Aaron coaches high performers on mental aspects of their sport performance to build confidence, reduce anxiety, regulate their emotions, and more.
 
As a track and field coach specializing in jumps and sprints, Aaron is also a Certified American Sport Education Program Coach, and is a member of the National High School Strength Coaches Association (NHSSCA), the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). Aaron completed his Master of Science in Kinesiology, Exercise and Sport Psychology, from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.
 

Baseball pitchers rely on velocity to overpower batters and make other off-speed pitches more effective. But how do they do it? Is increased velocity the result of a stronger shoulder and arm, or pitch timing biomechanics? In this episode, certified trainer and sport performance coach Aaron Patterson explains the role of biomechanics in pitching velocity through the lens of a recently published research article in the Human Kinetics Journals.
 
Aaron Patterson, M.S., NSCA-CPT, CWPC, CSAC, CTPS
Aaron Patterson provides informative and educational content for Human Kinetics in the areas of health, fitness, strength and conditioning, and sport performance including exercise technique videos, author interviews, and podcast episodes. Certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), Aaron has over 12 years of experience as a personal trainer and sport performance coach. He holds specialty certifications as a Certified Weightlifting Performance Coach (CWPC), Certified Speed and Agility Coach (CSAC), and Certified Tennis Performance Specialist (CTPS).
 
Training primarily middle school and high school athletes, Aaron recognized the growing need for athletes to also work on their mental performance. It was then that he pursued his master's degree in Kinesiology with a focus in Exercise and Sport Psychology to become a Certified Mental Performance Consultant. As a CMPC, Aaron coaches high performers on mental aspects of their sport performance to build confidence, reduce anxiety, regulate their emotions, and more.
 
As a track and field coach specializing in jumps and sprints, Aaron is also a Certified American Sport Education Program Coach, and is a member of the National High School Strength Coaches Association (NHSSCA), the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). Aaron completed his Master of Science in Kinesiology, Exercise and Sport Psychology, from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.

Tactical personnel like firefighters, law enforcement officials, and military live in a high-stakes environment that requires them to be conditioned for the challenges they face. In this episode, Dr. Jay Dawes and Dr. Katie Sell, co-editors of NSCA's Essentials of Tactical Strength and Conditioning, Second Edition, discuss the importance of tactical strength and conditioning training, testing and assessing, and the value of understanding and appreciating the community of each group.
 
NSCA's Essentials of Tactical Strength and Conditioning, Second Edition https://monkeylink.co/d5d270
 
J. Jay Dawes, PhD, CSCS, NSCA-CPT, TSAC-F, FNSCA
Dr. Jay Dawes is a professor of applied exercise science at Oklahoma State University and the codirector of the university's Tactical Fitness and Nutrition Lab. Dr. Dawes has over 25 years of experience serving as an athletic performance coordinator, strength and conditioning coach, personal trainer, and educator. Throughout his career, he has worked with a wide range of populations, including collegiate and professional athletes as well as members of law enforcement, fire, and military organizations.
In addition to his applied work, Dr. Dawes regularly provides sport science support and education to elite teams and tactical units to enhance operational readiness and reduce injury risk. His research primarily focuses on improving health, fitness, and performance outcomes among tactical athletes, first responders, and athletes in traditional sports. Dr. Dawes has authored or coauthored numerous peer-reviewed publications, textbooks, and educational resources in the areas of strength and conditioning, human performance, and tactical athlete readiness. He has extensive expertise in designing and implementing evidence-based training methods and strategies, emphasizing practical approaches that translate directly to real-world scenarios.
 
Katie Sell, PhD, CSCS,*D, TSAC-F,*D, FNSCA
Dr. Katie Sell is a professor and coordinator of the undergraduate exercise physiology and human anatomy and physiology programs in the department of allied health and kinesiology at Hofstra University. The editor in chief of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) TSAC Report, Dr. Sell is a certified strength and conditioning specialist with distinction (CSCS,*D), a tactical strength and conditioning facilitator with distinction (TSCA-F,*D), and is recognized as a fellow of the NSCA (FNSCA).
Dr. Sell has been a volunteer assistant coach for Hofstra University's women's tennis program, a member of the executive council of the NSCA's tactical strength and conditioning special interest group, and a consultant to FireFit (an interagency wildland firefighter fitness task group). Her primary research interests are in fitness assessment and injury risk reduction among collegiate student athletes and in firefighter health, physical fitness, and exercise programming. Dr. Sell received her doctoral degree from the University of Utah, her master's degree from Southern Illinois University, and her bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin.

Are we doing too much? If you coach youth athletes you've probably heard them tell you, "You're doing too much." Likely with little or no context. In this episode, certified trainers Aaron Patterson and Frank Eyeson entertain that very question. Are we doing too much when it comes to our fitness? Listen along as Aaron and Frank dive into the topic to discuss how the fitness industry can sometimes feel overwhelming, but if we simplify areas that have become overly complex, we can get back to enjoying fitness and seeing real results.
 
Aaron Patterson, M.S., NSCA-CPT, CWPC, CSAC, CTPS
Aaron Patterson provides informative and educational content for Human Kinetics in the areas of health, fitness, strength and conditioning, and sport performance including exercise technique videos, author interviews, and podcast episodes. Certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), Aaron has over 12 years of experience as a personal trainer and sport performance coach. He holds specialty certifications as a Certified Weightlifting Performance Coach (CWPC), Certified Speed and Agility Coach (CSAC), and Certified Tennis Performance Specialist (CTPS).
 
Training primarily middle school and high school athletes, Aaron recognized the growing need for athletes to also work on their mental performance. It was then that he pursued his master's degree in Kinesiology with a focus in Exercise and Sport Psychology to become a Certified Mental Performance Consultant. As a CMPC, Aaron coaches high performers on mental aspects of their sport performance to build confidence, reduce anxiety, regulate their emotions, and more.
 
As a track and field coach specializing in jumps and sprints, Aaron is also a Certified American Sport Education Program Coach, and is a member of the National High School Strength Coaches Association (NHSSCA), the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). Aaron completed his Master of Science in Kinesiology, Exercise and Sport Psychology, from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.
 
Frank Eyeson, MS, NASM-CPT, CWC, CNC
Frank Eyeson provides informative and educational content for Human Kinetics in the areas of health and fitness, including exercise technique videos and podcast episodes. As a marketing and social media manager, Frank also develops strategic campaigns that connect audiences with trusted, evidence-based resources to help them move better, train smarter, and live healthier.
 
With over 10 years of experience in the fitness industry, Frank is a certified personal trainer, wellness coach, and nutrition coach through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). He holds a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology from Western Illinois University and a master's degree in Strategic Brand Communication from the University of Illinois. Frank’s content resonates with health-conscious individuals and fitness professionals alike, bridging the gap between expert knowledge and real-world application. On the Human Kinetics podcast, he brings a grounded, audience-first voice to conversations covering everything fitness—from strength training, recovery, and sport performance to nutrition, mental health, injury prevention, and overall wellness. He is passionate about making fitness education accessible, sustainable, and rooted in science. Outside of the gym and work, Frank enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, traveling, and relaxing with a good show.
  

What motivates you? Motivation can come in many forms, but not all types of motivation work for everyone. There are even some misconceptions about motivation. In this episode, certified trainer and mental performance coach Aaron Patterson discusses motivation, how it works, and what might work best for you.
 
Aaron Patterson, M.S., NSCA-CPT, CWPC, CSAC, CTPS
Aaron Patterson provides informative and educational content for Human Kinetics in the areas of health, fitness, strength and conditioning, and sport performance including exercise technique videos, author interviews, and podcast episodes. Certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), Aaron has over 12 years of experience as a personal trainer and sport performance coach. He holds specialty certifications as a Certified Weightlifting Performance Coach (CWPC), Certified Speed and Agility Coach (CSAC), and Certified Tennis Performance Specialist (CTPS).
 
Training primarily middle school and high school athletes, Aaron recognized the growing need for athletes to also work on their mental performance. It was then that he pursued his master's degree in Kinesiology with a focus in Exercise and Sport Psychology to become a Certified Mental Performance Consultant. As a CMPC, Aaron coaches high performers on mental aspects of their sport performance to build confidence, reduce anxiety, regulate their emotions, and more.
 
As a track and field coach specializing in jumps and sprints, Aaron is also a Certified American Sport Education Program Coach, and is a member of the National High School Strength Coaches Association (NHSSCA), the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). Aaron completed his Master of Science in Kinesiology, Exercise and Sport Psychology, from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.

If you are a trainer, an athlete, or someone who likes to train, you have probably done an isometric exercise. You have also likely done a dynamic strength exercise. Which do you prefer? Perhaps a better question is, which one is more effective? Certified trainer and sport performance coach Aaron Patterson dives into the research to see what it says about the most beneficial exercise type for high velocity movements.
 
Aaron Patterson, M.S., NSCA-CPT, CWPC, CSAC, CTPS
Aaron Patterson provides informative and educational content for Human Kinetics in the areas of health, fitness, strength and conditioning, and sport performance including exercise technique videos, author interviews, and podcast episodes. Certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), Aaron has over 12 years of experience as a personal trainer and sport performance coach. He holds specialty certifications as a Certified Weightlifting Performance Coach (CWPC), Certified Speed and Agility Coach (CSAC), and Certified Tennis Performance Specialist (CTPS).
 
Training primarily middle school and high school athletes, Aaron recognized the growing need for athletes to also work on their mental performance. It was then that he pursued his master's degree in Kinesiology with a focus in Exercise and Sport Psychology to become a Certified Mental Performance Consultant. As a CMPC, Aaron coaches high performers on mental aspects of their sport performance to build confidence, reduce anxiety, regulate their emotions, and more.
 
As a track and field coach specializing in jumps and sprints, Aaron is also a Certified American Sport Education Program Coach, and is a member of the National High School Strength Coaches Association (NHSSCA), the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). Aaron completed his Master of Science in Kinesiology, Exercise and Sport Psychology, from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.

Have you ever spent hours putting together a puzzle only to realize there is a piece missing? You have the picture of the finished product so you know what it is supposed to look like, but because there are pieces missing, you are never able to get the result you want. In this episode, certified trainers Aaron Patterson and Frank Eyeson discuss the missing piece to your training plan and how it can be a crucial aspect to getting the results you need.
 
Aaron Patterson, M.S., NSCA-CPT, CWPC, CSAC, CTPS
Aaron Patterson provides informative and educational content for Human Kinetics in the areas of health, fitness, strength and conditioning, and sport performance including exercise technique videos, author interviews, and podcast episodes. Certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), Aaron has over 12 years of experience as a personal trainer and sport performance coach. He holds specialty certifications as a Certified Weightlifting Performance Coach (CWPC), Certified Speed and Agility Coach (CSAC), and Certified Tennis Performance Specialist (CTPS).
 
Training primarily middle school and high school athletes, Aaron recognized the growing need for athletes to also work on their mental performance. It was then that he pursued his master's degree in Kinesiology with a focus in Exercise and Sport Psychology to become a Certified Mental Performance Consultant. As a CMPC, Aaron coaches high performers on mental aspects of their sport performance to build confidence, reduce anxiety, regulate their emotions, and more.
 
As a track and field coach specializing in jumps and sprints, Aaron is also a Certified American Sport Education Program Coach, and is a member of the National High School Strength Coaches Association (NHSSCA), the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). Aaron completed his Master of Science in Kinesiology, Exercise and Sport Psychology, from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.
 
Frank Eyeson, MS, NASM-CPT, CWC, CNC
Frank Eyeson provides informative and educational content for Human Kinetics in the areas of health and fitness, including exercise technique videos and podcast episodes. As a marketing and social media manager, Frank also develops strategic campaigns that connect audiences with trusted, evidence-based resources to help them move better, train smarter, and live healthier.
 
With over 10 years of experience in the fitness industry, Frank is a certified personal trainer, wellness coach, and nutrition coach through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). He holds a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology from Western Illinois University and a master's degree in Strategic Brand Communication from the University of Illinois. Frank’s content resonates with health-conscious individuals and fitness professionals alike, bridging the gap between expert knowledge and real-world application. On the Human Kinetics podcast, he brings a grounded, audience-first voice to conversations covering everything fitness—from strength training, recovery, and sport performance to nutrition, mental health, injury prevention, and overall wellness. He is passionate about making fitness education accessible, sustainable, and rooted in science. Outside of the gym and work, Frank enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, traveling, and relaxing with a good show.

Do weighted vests enhance sprint training, or is it simply a fad or myth within the training world? There are multiple ways to train athletes to improve their sport performance. A recent research study looked into the impact of using weighted vests in sprint training, specifically among youth baseball players. In this episode, Aaron Patterson breaks down this particular research study to share what the authors found.
 
Aaron Patterson, M.S., NSCA-CPT, CWPC, CSAC, CTPS
Aaron Patterson provides informative and educational content for Human Kinetics in the areas of health, fitness, strength and conditioning, and sport performance including exercise technique videos, author interviews, and podcast episodes. Certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), Aaron has over 12 years of experience as a personal trainer and sport performance coach. He holds specialty certifications as a Certified Weightlifting Performance Coach (CWPC), Certified Speed and Agility Coach (CSAC), and Certified Tennis Performance Specialist (CTPS).
 
Training primarily middle school and high school athletes, Aaron recognized the growing need for athletes to also work on their mental performance. It was then that he pursued his master's degree in Kinesiology with a focus in Exercise and Sport Psychology to become a Certified Mental Performance Consultant. Aaron coaches high performers on mental aspects of their sport performance to build confidence, reduce anxiety, regulate their emotions, and more.
 
As a track and field coach specializing in jumps and sprints, Aaron is also a Certified American Sport Education Program Coach, and is a member of the National High School Strength Coaches Association (NHSSCA), the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). Aaron completed his Master of Science in Kinesiology, Exercise and Sport Psychology, from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.

Do you compete in triathlons? Maybe you haven't prepped for your first race, but you've decided it is a challenge you are willing to take.  Triathlete, writer, and coach Alison Freeman has your next steps planned out for you, and she explains in this episode what it takes to prep for your first, or next, triathlon. You can learn more in her book, Unlocking Triathlon: Training Plans and Coaching Support for a Confident Race Day. The book is now available for pre-order.
 
Unlocking Triathlon: Training Plans and Coaching Support for a Confident Race Day https://monkeylink.co/896770
Alison Freeman
Alison Freeman is a triathlete, writer, and USA Triathlon Level III Coach, and was the 2025 USA Triathlon Coach Educator of the Year. She specializes in guiding beginner and intermediate athletes through their first triatlon experiences. She has completed nearly 40 triathlons, including six Ironman events and 15 half-distance events, and has qualified for USA Triathlon Nationals five times. In 2021, she finished fourth in her age group at Ironman Texas.
As cofounder and principal coach at NYX Endurance, Freeman coaches athletes to their first finish lines at sprint-, Olympic, half-, and full-distance races. She also leads beginner triathlon clinics in Boulder, Colorado, and developed an online course, The Ultimate Guide to Your First Triathlon, through NYX Endurance.
Outside of coaching, Freeman is a frequent contributor to Triathlete.com, where she has written over 50 articles on training, skill development, and the athlete mindset. Her articles emphasize clear and practical instruction, and her writing uses a supportive and accessible tone.
Freeman holds a BSE degree from Princeton University and an MBA degree from the University of California, Berkeley.