Feb 5 • General discussion
Introduction
My name is Nathan. Known by many as Nate, or Nathaniel. I’m a former SEC-trained pole vaulter who competed for the University of Tennessee from 2015–2020. Jumping 4.90. in high school to only jumping 5.00m after 5 years at Tennessee was more than disappointing. There are several factors that played a role in me not reaching my potential (physically), but what I gained through these experiences more than makes up for any PR or All-American status.
As one of my coaches used to say, “The mind is a terrible thing to waste.” That idea stuck with me.
With an educational background in psychology and biology, combined with years of exposure to high-level coaching and sports psychology at UT, I developed a deeper understanding of how the vault actually works, physically, mentally, and developmentally. My coaches and sport psych mentors instilled an immense amount of knowledge that I want to give back to a community I’ve been part of for over 17 years.
One thing that’s always stood out to me is that if you look at elite and professional vaulters, every single one of them jumps differently. Pole vault has long chased the idea of a single “perfect model,” and I believe that’s a myth. Every body is different. Every mind is different. Every training history and competitive experience is different. Because of that, each vaulter needs to be assessed individually to understand what actually works for them.
Take the current WR holder as an example. In many of his best jumps, he’s clearly “under.” To many coaches, this seems to be an area he could "improve". Rather, I think it is perfect. There’s also a lot of conversation around the idea of a “free takeoff,” which I have strong thoughts on, and why it’s often misunderstood. There are reasons certain things work for various WR holders. The flying French man had much closer if not fully a free takeoff. On the other hand, Bubka didn’t have a free takeoff in many of his best jumps even though his coaches preached it. I have come to understand many of our coaches and athletes focuses and cues in the vault are misguided. We are looking at the wrong stuff often times.
That said, there is a method to the madness. While elite vaulters may look unique, most of them share roughly three critical positions and movements that allow them to move big poles efficiently. How a vaulter transitions through those key moments can, and should, evolve based on the individual and their biomechanics.
My aim with this space is to help vaulters of all levels better understand these often overlooked aspects of the event, not to force everyone into the same model, but to help people think more clearly about what they’re doing and why/how it functions for each individual.
While I occasionally coach at the local high school level, my goal here is to expand into the online space and create a community for people who are genuinely passionate about pole vault, regardless of experience. This includes technical discussion, training psychology, competition mindset, lifestyle factors, and the mental side of being consistent and resilient in a difficult event. While I developed greatly in my physical strength, speed, and understanding at UT, what was most valuable was the development of my mind through resilience and failure training at the highest level. Track and Field is a physically demanding sport, and if you do not get your mind on board with the rigor, you set yourself up for failure.
Outside of pole vault, I’m deeply interested in self-development and psychology. My work in the field, combined with my experience at the collegiate level, has given me lessons I believe can meaningfully help vaulters and coaches understand the event, and themselves, at a deeper level. I look to build a community of open minded athletes who wish to deepen their knowledge of this mystical and mysterious event.
With Gratitude,
N8
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Introduction
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For pole vaulters who want to understand technique, mindset, and decision-making. Video analysis, discussion, and shared learning.
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