internships

S03|E251 The Hardest Worker in the Room | Harlee Heath
S03|E251 The Hardest Worker in the Room | Harlee Heath Athlete Development & PerformanceStrength Coach Podcast

S03|E251 The Hardest Worker in the Room | Harlee Heath

Harlee Heath did not know strength and conditioning was a career until her sophomore year of college. A few years later she is finishing her second year as a GA at Western Kentucky University, coaching cheer, dance, and basketball — and she has learned more in those two years than most coaches learn in a decade.
June 17, 2026
S02|E235 Why Coaches Should Embrace Being Wrong with Peter Kenn | Samson Strength Coach Collective
S02|E235 Why Coaches Should Embrace Being Wrong with Peter Kenn | Samson Strength Coach Collective Career Development & MentorshipStrength Coach Podcast

S02|E235 Why Coaches Should Embrace Being Wrong with Peter Kenn | Samson Strength Coach Collective

In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, we sit down with Peter Kenn, Director of Olympic Sports at SMU, to explore why coaches should embrace being wrong. Peter walks through his evolution from student-athlete to strength coach, the critical role early internships played in his development, and the core principles that guide his coaching today. He also shares insights into building SMU’s Olympic sports department, fostering shared ownership within teams, and developing an adaptable coaching philosophy grounded in learning and humility.
June 17, 2026
S02|E231 Imposter Coach with Dave Downey | Samson Strength Coach Collective
S02|E231 Imposter Coach with Dave Downey | Samson Strength Coach Collective Health, Wellness, Nutrition & RecoveryStrength Coach Podcast

S02|E231 Imposter Coach with Dave Downey | Samson Strength Coach Collective

In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, we sit down with Dave Downey, Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Brown University. Dave shares his journey from struggling through difficult internships to finding purpose in helping athletes and coaches navigate self-doubt. He opens up about his experiences with imposter syndrome, the importance of mental health in coaching, and his book Imposter Coach, which offers guidance for overcoming fear and building confidence in the strength and conditioning field.
June 17, 2026
S02|E227 Creating Internship Pipelines in Tactical S&C with Mark Christiani | Samson Strength Coach Collective
S02|E227 Creating Internship Pipelines in Tactical S&C with Mark Christiani | Samson Strength Coach Collective Strength Coach PodcastTactical, Military & Public Safety

S02|E227 Creating Internship Pipelines in Tactical S&C with Mark Christiani | Samson Strength Coach Collective

On this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, tactical strength and conditioning coach Mark Christiani joins us to discuss his journey from military service to coaching—and why creating internship pipelines must become a priority in the tactical field. Mark explains how structure and adaptability help shape effective coaching, the Army’s growing demand for qualified strength coaches, and the crucial role of nutrition, education, and mentorship in developing the next generation of tactical professionals.
June 17, 2026
S02|E219 Balancing Motherhood and Strength Coaching with Maggie Smith | Samson Strength Coach Collective
S02|E219 Balancing Motherhood and Strength Coaching with Maggie Smith | Samson Strength Coach Collective Career Development & MentorshipStrength Coach Podcast

S02|E219 Balancing Motherhood and Strength Coaching with Maggie Smith | Samson Strength Coach Collective

In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, Connor Agnew sits down with Maggie Smith, Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Northern Kentucky University. Maggie shares her inspiring path from personal training to collegiate athletics, all while raising two young children. From building athlete relationships to creating a positive weight room environment, Maggie opens up about the real-life challenges and triumphs of balancing motherhood and coaching.
June 17, 2026
S02|E217 Building Professionalism As A Coach with Wakeman Chemell
S02|E217 Building Professionalism As A Coach with Wakeman Chemell Career Development & MentorshipStrength Coach Podcast

S02|E217 Building Professionalism As A Coach with Wakeman Chemell

In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, Connor Agnew talks with Wakeman Chemell, a graduate assistant at Dallas Baptist University. From conquering anxiety to diving into internships, Wakeman shares his journey from soccer to strength and conditioning. He highlights the value of setting intentional goals, fostering athlete trust, and the everyday actions that define what it means to be a professional.
June 17, 2026
S02-E214 Being Yourself as a Coach with Zach Hicks
S02-E214 Being Yourself as a Coach with Zach Hicks Facilities, Equipment & Weight RoomsStrength Coach Podcast

S02-E214 Being Yourself as a Coach with Zach Hicks

In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, we sit down with Appalachian State University Graduate Assistant Zach Hicks. From growing up in a small town to taking the stage in theater—and now standing at the front of the weight room—Zach shares how embracing his authentic self has shaped his first year and a half as a strength coach. He discusses building relationships with athletes, learning through early challenges, and the surprising impact of performing arts on his ability to lead and connect.
June 17, 2026
S02-E213 Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone with Kacie Allison
S02-E213 Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone with Kacie Allison Career Development & MentorshipStrength Coach Podcast

S02-E213 Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone with Kacie Allison

Kacie Allison, Assistant Director of Sports Performance at Bowling Green University, joins us to explore how leaving your comfort zone leads to growth. In this episode, Kacie walks us through her transformation from dual-sport athlete to confident strength coach, the impact of the pandemic on her career, and the role mentorship plays in shaping future coaches. Her insights on internships, self-reflection, and mental toughness offer guidance for anyone on the coaching path.
June 17, 2026
S02-E209 Relationships Make the Career with Michael Tucker
S02-E209 Relationships Make the Career with Michael Tucker Leadership, Culture & CommunicationStrength Coach Podcast

S02-E209 Relationships Make the Career with Michael Tucker

In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, we’re joined by Michael Tucker of Liberty University. From internships to long-distance challenges and baseball’s deep stats, Tucker opens up about the journey that shaped him. With a strong focus on energy management and the critical role of relationship-building in coaching, he shares practical advice and personal reflections that resonate with strength coaches at every level.
June 17, 2026
S02-E205 Building a Strength & Conditioning Department with Dakota Wilson
S02-E205 Building a Strength & Conditioning Department with Dakota Wilson Program Building & OperationsStrength Coach Podcast

S02-E205 Building a Strength & Conditioning Department with Dakota Wilson

Dakota Wilson, Director of Athletic Performance at Ouachita Baptist University, shares his journey from player to coach and the process of building a strength and conditioning department from scratch. He discusses mentorship, coach buy-in, and the foundational training philosophy that drives his program.
June 17, 2026
Episode 099: Terrance McClellan (Assistant Strength Coach)
Episode 099: Terrance McClellan (Assistant Strength Coach) Athlete Development & PerformanceStrength Coach Podcast

Episode 099: Terrance McClellan (Assistant Strength Coach)

Terrance McLellan, who is a strength and conditioning coach for Atlanta Hawks basketball joins us to discuss the major takeaways he's had during his time navigating the field of strength and conditioning. Terrance speaks about the specific scenarios he's found himself in as an intern and GA leading into becoming a professional in the industry, and how he's been able to adjust in order to advance into a life in professional basketball. https://youtu.be/yYe9uHvipXI
June 17, 2026
082: John Patrick (Strength Coach and Department Chair)
082: John Patrick (Strength Coach and Department Chair) Program Building & OperationsStrength Coach Podcast

082: John Patrick (Strength Coach and Department Chair)

In this episode, John Patrick uses his vast experience and insight to provide us with a different lens to look through when trying to impact lives in the world of strength and conditioning. John talks to us about how the field has changed since the time he began coaching, and how he plans to re-shape the way we view physical preparation in his current role of Strength Coach and Department Chair for Physical Education/Human Performance at George Walton Academy in Monroe, GA! https://youtu.be/QGFtzRJVssM
June 17, 2026