What happens when a football-obsessed strength coach turns into one of the most respected high school sprint coaches in America? Chris Korfist’s journey from law school aspirations to redefining sprint development at Homewood-Flossmoor High School is one of reinvention, humility, and relentless curiosity.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

🧠 How one bad year on the track sparked a decades-long quest for better coaching

📼 Learning before the internet: VHS tapes, letters, and snowstorms

🏈 Transitioning from a football identity to a track & field innovator

🌀 Building a training palette instead of following cookie-cutter programs

💥 The neurological approach behind RPR (Reflexive Performance Reset)

🧘 Why every HF sprinter begins practice with 5 minutes of belly breathing

🧪 Training sprinters with science, soul, and skepticism of "the noise"

🛠️ How a high school social studies teacher became a trusted NFL consultant

"We lose the art of coaching when we just become exercise instructors." — Chris Korfist

💡 Worth every second of your time and attention, this episode shows the power of self-reflection, mentorship, and doing things your own way.

🌟 Explore Our Library: Dive into 300+ episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such as Boo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, Diljeet Taylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois), Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more for your listening pleasure.

🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode: Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very own Gill1918 Project episode, which airs Tuesdays through Sundays. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections Podcast Network.

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From the rooftops of Udine, Italy, to the R&D department at Gill Athletics, Matteo Madrassi’s journey is anything but ordinary.

Raised with a love for climbing, parkour, and BMX, Matteo discovered pole vault at 14 and quickly soared to world junior competition. His path led him through NAIA and NCAA championships, engineering degrees, and an MBA — all while chasing Olympic dreams.

💡 In this episode:

🏙 Growing up in Italy and avoiding soccer to forge his own path

🪂 How a PE teacher spotted his talent for pole vaulting

🎓 Transitioning from Italian high school to U.S. college athletics

🏆 PRs, injuries, and the mindset to keep going

🛠 Inside his summer internship with Gill Athletics R&D

“I might not leave my mark in the sport as an athlete, but maybe I will as an engineer.” – Matteo Madrassi

🌟 Explore Our Library: Dive into 300+ episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such as Boo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, Diljeet Taylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois), Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more for your listening pleasure.

🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode: Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very own Gill1918 Project episode, which airs every Tuesday through Sunday. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections Podcast Network.

📲 Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow on Twitter (@MikeCunningham), email at mcunningham@gillathletics.com, or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍