Psychology of Speed: Joseph Geletko - Owner TKO Performance

Join Coach U as he sits down with Joseph Geletko, owner of TKO Athletic Performance in San Diego, for a fascinating deep dive into the psychological and neurological aspects of speed training. Joe brings a unique perspective as both a speed coach and licensed psychotherapist, working with youth athletes in baseball and soccer while also treating veterans with PTSD. This conversation explores how understanding the nervous system transforms how we train speed, why relaxation matters as much as stiffness, and how coordination beats pure effort every time.

Key Topics Covered

The Dual Coaching-Therapy Perspective (0:00-8:00)

• How psychotherapy training influences coaching philosophy
• Working with veterans and PTSD vs. coaching youth athletes
• Understanding the human experience across different contexts
• Why viewing speed training in perspective reduces pressure and increases enjoyment

The Nervous System & Speed (15:00-35:00)

• Why speed is fundamentally a nervous system activity
• How external factors (sleep, nutrition, stress, hydration) affect sprint performance
• The non-linear nature of speed progression vs. linear strength gains
• Teaching sprinting as a coordination skill, not just physical outputs

Stiffness vs. Relaxation (35:00-50:00)

• The critical difference between ground contact stiffness and flight phase relaxation
• Why facial tension affects whole-body performance through fascial connections
• Tactile feedback techniques for teaching relaxation
• The importance of breathing and spinal mobility in nervous system preparation

Practical Training Philosophy (50:00-END)

• "Once you start, never stop" - consistency over intensity
• Optimal training frequency: 2x per week for youth athletes
• Why more effort doesn't always equal better results
• Creating environments for maximal intent through competition and timing
• The 360-degree feedback approach: verbal, tactile, visual, and data-driven

Notable Quotes

"Speed training is not that important... and recognizing that helps me remove myself from taking myself too seriously as a coach."

"Speed is a function of the nervous system, and the nervous system is affected by so many other things outside of training."

"Sprinting is the highest level of coordination of nearly any human movement pattern... viewing it as a skill that needs to be learned changes everything."

"With sprint training, the more effort that an athlete gives, sometimes the slower they get. Teaching them how to relax and coordinate is actually the key."

Guest Bio

Joseph Geletko is the owner of TKO Athletic Performance in San Diego, specializing in speed training for baseball and soccer athletes, as well as ACL reconditioning. He's also a licensed psychotherapist working with veterans and active duty service members dealing with post-traumatic stress. This unique combination gives him profound insights into human performance across vastly different contexts.

Resources

• TKO Athletic Performance: San Diego, North County
• CONTACT INFO