Feed the Cats: Speed Training with Tony Holler

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Feed the Cats

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Hosted by
James Breese

Everyday Athlete. Founder of @strengthmatters. Love snowboarding, cricket, Manchester United, the mountains, coffee and trail running.

Ever wondered if there’s a secret to unlocking unparalleled speed in athletes? Dive into our latest episode where we sit down with Tony Holler, the mastermind behind the revolutionary “Feed the Cats” program and author of “Tired is the Enemy”. With over 40 years in the track and field arena, Tony challenges traditional training methods, emphasizing quality over quantity.

Discover the philosophy that has reshaped training regimens and led countless athletes to success. Whether you’re an aspiring athlete, a coach, or just a sports enthusiast, this is one conversation you won’t want to miss!

Speed is truly the tide that lifts all boats.

Tony Holler

Timeline Summary:
02:00Tony Holler’s Coaching Philosophy and Journey. 03:46Origins and Impact of “Feed the Cats” and Coaching Approach. 14:11Record, Rank, and Publish Philosophy. 27:34Essentialism in Training. 30:47Benefits of the Atomic Workout in Various Sports. 33:26Speed as a Universal Enhancer.
Key Takeaways:
  • Feed the Cats Approach: Tony Holler introduces the “Feed the Cats” approach, which emphasizes the importance of prioritizing speed in training and avoiding over-conditioning. This approach focuses on keeping athletes fresh and prioritizing their health and speed over exhaustive training.
  • Essentialism in Training: Tony draws a parallel between effective training and the concept of essentialism. The idea is to focus on what’s truly essential in training, cutting out unnecessary practices, and ensuring that every aspect of training serves a purpose.
  • Atomic Workout: The “Atomic Workout” is a training regimen that can be completed in 15 minutes, focusing on speed drills and timed sprints. It’s designed to challenge the central nervous system and improve speed and athleticism.
  • The Importance of Loving the Training: Tony mentions that athletes perform better when they love their training. This passion and enjoyment can lead to a willingness to push through challenges and perform at one’s best, especially in crucial moments like the fourth quarter of a game.
  • Adapting Training Across Sports: James and Josh share anecdotes about how they’ve adapted Tony’s principles for different sports, from cricket to marathon running. 
Websites and Links Mentioned:

Train athleticism away from the sport. And stop trying to reverse engineer the sport itself in training.

Tony Holler

Growth actually comes by expanding your comfort zone.

James Breese

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