wellness

S03|E261 Redefining Tough in the Weight Room | Andy Holmes
S03|E261 Redefining Tough in the Weight Room | Andy Holmes Health, Wellness, Nutrition & RecoveryStrength Coach Podcast

S03|E261 Redefining Tough in the Weight Room | Andy Holmes

Most coaches teach toughness. Few stop to define it. Andy Holmes, Business Development Manager for the Americas at Informed Sport and Informed Choice and Strength Chaplain at Ottawa University, makes the case that the easy way out is fighting and drinking. Doing the hard thing is what being tough actually looks like. In this episode he brings that framework into a weight room of 150 to 200 football players, covers the real risk of untested supplements and NIL deals, and shares what it means to coach athletes beyond the game they play.
June 17, 2026
S03|E260 Finding Your Way Through Adversity | Gage Taylor
S03|E260 Finding Your Way Through Adversity | Gage Taylor Health, Wellness, Nutrition & RecoveryStrength Coach Podcast

S03|E260 Finding Your Way Through Adversity | Gage Taylor

Adversity often becomes the greatest teacher. In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, Sports Performance Coach Gage Taylor shares how injuries, setbacks, and unexpected challenges shaped his coaching philosophy, strengthened his resilience, and helped him discover his purpose in sports performance.
June 17, 2026
S02|E233 Filling Roles to See Team Success with Justin McKenna | Samson Strength Coach Collective
S02|E233 Filling Roles to See Team Success with Justin McKenna | Samson Strength Coach Collective Health, Wellness, Nutrition & RecoveryStrength Coach Podcast

S02|E233 Filling Roles to See Team Success with Justin McKenna | Samson Strength Coach Collective

In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, we sit down with Justin McKenna, Director of Basketball Performance at Bucknell University. Justin shares his unique path into strength and conditioning, the many hats performance coaches must wear, and how giving athletes autonomy leads to better engagement and outcomes. From nutrition strategies to communication, Justin offers insight into what it takes to elevate basketball performance in today’s fast-evolving landscape.
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|E225 Developing Financial Wellness with Mike Campagna | Samson Strength Coach Collective
S02|E225 Developing Financial Wellness with Mike Campagna | Samson Strength Coach Collective Health, Wellness, Nutrition & RecoveryStrength Coach Podcast

S02|E225 Developing Financial Wellness with Mike Campagna | Samson Strength Coach Collective

In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, Connor Agnew sits down with Mike Campagna, Financial Advisor and Senior Qualified Plans Specialist, to discuss the fundamentals of financial wellness. From creating a budget to managing debt and starting retirement savings, Mike provides practical guidance for strength coaches and young professionals looking to secure their financial future.
June 17, 2026
S02|E221 The Tactical Advantage with Kosta Telegadas | Samson Strength Coach Collective
S02|E221 The Tactical Advantage with Kosta Telegadas | Samson Strength Coach Collective Strength Coach PodcastTactical, Military & Public Safety

S02|E221 The Tactical Advantage with Kosta Telegadas | Samson Strength Coach Collective

In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, tactical strength coach Kosta Telegadas discusses his journey from collegiate athletics to the tactical sector. He reveals the challenges coaches face in college programs, the benefits of tactical coaching, and how building a strong network and developing side projects can lead to greater stability and purpose.
June 17, 2026
S02|E220 The Future of Strength Coaching in College Athletics with Connor Agnew | Samson Strength Coach Collective
S02|E220 The Future of Strength Coaching in College Athletics with Connor Agnew | Samson Strength Coach Collective Health, Wellness, Nutrition & RecoveryStrength Coach Podcast

S02|E220 The Future of Strength Coaching in College Athletics with Connor Agnew | Samson Strength Coach Collective

In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, Connor Agnew breaks down the current and future state of strength and conditioning in college athletics. From NIL and revenue sharing to athlete safety and mental health, Connor shares his thoughts on how strength coaches can position themselves for long-term success and sustainability. This conversation challenges the profession to adapt, evolve, and elevate its standards to remain essential within athletic departments.
June 17, 2026
S02|E218 Taking Care of Yourself as a Coach with Jess Givens | Samson Strength Coach Collective
S02|E218 Taking Care of Yourself as a Coach with Jess Givens | Samson Strength Coach Collective Health, Wellness, Nutrition & RecoveryStrength Coach Podcast

S02|E218 Taking Care of Yourself as a Coach with Jess Givens | Samson Strength Coach Collective

In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, Jess Givens, Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at the University of North Dakota, opens up about her transition from Division III to Division I coaching, the differences in athlete culture, and the crucial role of communication and relationship-building. Jess also shares her personal experience navigating burnout and how seeking therapy helped her regain balance and clarity in her life and coaching career.
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-E211 The Importance of a Performance Chef with Aaron Clayton
S02-E211 The Importance of a Performance Chef with Aaron Clayton Health, Wellness, Nutrition & RecoveryStrength Coach Podcast

S02-E211 The Importance of a Performance Chef with Aaron Clayton

In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, Aaron Clayton, Partner at Performance Chefs, dives deep into the often-overlooked world of performance chefs. From understanding how timing and hydration impact performance to exploring collaboration with trainers and dietitians, Aaron breaks down why a performance chef is essential for modern athletes. This episode is packed with insights on nutrition, athlete recovery, and the human side of fueling greatness.
June 17, 2026
S02-E208 Unbreakable Athletics with Jim Beebe
S02-E208 Unbreakable Athletics with Jim Beebe Health, Wellness, Nutrition & RecoveryStrength Coach Podcast

S02-E208 Unbreakable Athletics with Jim Beebe

In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, we sit down with Jim Beebe—owner of Unbreakable Athletics and founder of the Athlete Builder. Jim walks us through how one moment with his son changed the course of his life, leading him to build a gym and coaching philosophy focused on mindset, nutrition, and life-long accountability. His story is a powerful reminder of how fitness can reshape not just bodies, but entire families and futures.
June 17, 2026
Samson Strength Coach Collective: E066 Steve Georgio (Fordham University)
Samson Strength Coach Collective: E066 Steve Georgio (Fordham University) Health, Wellness, Nutrition & RecoveryStrength Coach Podcast

Samson Strength Coach Collective: E066 Steve Georgio (Fordham University)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjbn_7sh4zc In this episode, Steve Georgio, Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Fordham University talks to us about establishing staples in an athlete's approach to training, nutrition, and how he goes about meeting them halfway. Steve also gives us insight into the ways in which his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu journey has shaped some of the concepts and philosophies he uses when it comes to his career as a coach, and his life as a brother, son, friend, and mentor.
June 17, 2026
Samson Strength Coach Collective: E065 - Robert Schmidt (Monsignor Farrell High School)
Samson Strength Coach Collective: E065 – Robert Schmidt (Monsignor Farrell High School) Health, Wellness, Nutrition & RecoveryStrength Coach Podcast

Samson Strength Coach Collective: E065 – Robert Schmidt (Monsignor Farrell High School)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVhgXJ10m7Q&list=PLxq_OWThB2iSscx30C1qEisoHmOQRJ5Fp&index=62 In this episode, I catch up with long-time friend Robert Schmidt, who is now the Assistant Athletic Director of Sports Performance & Student Wellness at Monsignor Farrell High School in Staten Island. Rob and I interned at The University of Alabama together, and he has since taken a trip through the peaks and valleys of Strength and Conditioning prior to landing his current role. Rob discusses the type of value he can have on high school athletes, and demonstrates the creativity and flexibility he has as a coach by still being able to provide his players with a quality…
June 17, 2026
Samson Strength Coach Collective: E055 - Joel Reinhardt (University of Massachusetts Amherst)
Samson Strength Coach Collective: E055 – Joel Reinhardt (University of Massachusetts Amherst) Strength Coach PodcastTactical, Military & Public Safety

Samson Strength Coach Collective: E055 – Joel Reinhardt (University of Massachusetts Amherst)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eY2MdhYrBVM&list=PLxq_OWThB2iSscx30C1qEisoHmOQRJ5Fp&index=52 What does "reverse-engineering sport" mean? The term seems to have infiltrated the world of sport performance, but how do we come to a consensus on what it means to truly prepare athletes for sport? In this episode, UMass Assistant Director of Sport Performance, Joel Reinhardt walks us through a variety of topics consisting of his definitions of reverse-engineering sport, areas where we fall short in our pursuit, time distributed to specific motor-skills for certain sports, how their performance staff manipulates stress using Fergus Connolly's Four Co-Actives (Physical, Psychological, Technical, Tactical), and most importantly using quantitative and qualitative means to…
June 17, 2026
Samson Strength Coach Collective: E061 – Quan Thompkins and Chauncey Scissum (UConn Football)
Samson Strength Coach Collective: E061 – Quan Thompkins and Chauncey Scissum (UConn Football) Health, Wellness, Nutrition & RecoveryStrength Coach Podcast

Samson Strength Coach Collective: E061 – Quan Thompkins and Chauncey Scissum (UConn Football)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIsf56J6JEU&list=PLxq_OWThB2iSscx30C1qEisoHmOQRJ5Fp&index=58 In this powerful interview, two of UConn Football's Assistant Strength Coaches share their personal stories of overcoming adversity in sport performance, and life. Quan Thompkins and Chauncey Scissum take us through specific obstacles they have encountered, and how they've used these experiences to find success in coaching. Samson Strength Coach Collective: E061 – Quan Thompkins and Chauncey Scissum (UConn Football) is built for strength and conditioning environments that need equipment which holds up under daily use. The current page highlights https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIsf56J6JEU&list=PLxq_OWThB2iSscx30C1qEisoHmOQRJ5Fp&index=58 In this powerful interview, two of UConn Football's Assistant Strength Coaches share their personal stories of overcoming adversity…
June 17, 2026
Samson Strength Coach Collective: Episode 032 – Brendon Ziegler (CSU Bakersfield)
Samson Strength Coach Collective: Episode 032 – Brendon Ziegler (CSU Bakersfield) Strength Coach PodcastHealth, Wellness, Nutrition & Recovery

Samson Strength Coach Collective: Episode 032 – Brendon Ziegler (CSU Bakersfield)

https://youtu.be/iAa5opIIJA4 This episode features Director of Sport Performance for CSU Bakersfield, Brendon Ziegler. Previously recorded early on in 2020, coach Ziegler sits down with Nate Barry to discuss his journey, the intangibles of coaching, and return to play protocols due to COVID 19 pandemic. Samson Strength Coach Collective: Episode 032 – Brendon Ziegler (CSU Bakersfield) is built for strength and conditioning environments that need equipment which holds up under daily use. The current page highlights https://youtu.be/iAa5opIIJA4 This episode features Director of Sport Performance for CSU Bakersfield, Brendon Ziegler. Previously recorded early on in 2020, coach Ziegler sits down with Nate…
June 17, 2026
Samson Strength Coach Collective Episode 019 | Kelly Murphy
Samson Strength Coach Collective Episode 019 | Kelly Murphy Health, Wellness, Nutrition & RecoveryStrength Coach Podcast

Samson Strength Coach Collective Episode 019 | Kelly Murphy

Anthony Grasso sits down with Coach Kelly Murphy in this edition of the Samson Strength Coach Collective. Coach Murphy is the Assistant Director of Strength & Conditioning for Olympic Sports at Virginia Tech University and is certified through the Collegiate Strength & Conditioning Coaches Association as well as the National Strength & Conditioning Association. Coach Kelly is also a Registered Dietitian which was her primary field before becoming a strength & conditioning coach.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLfD-AIhpfU&t=58s
June 17, 2026