My guest this month is Coach Amanda Berg. Coach Berg is the strength and conditioning coach at Dassel Cokato High School, located west of Minneapolis. Amanda also serves on the executive council for the NHSSCA. Coach Berg has a passion for curriculum development and that is what we cover in this month's episode. She discusses how it has developed over her teaching career, her assessment methods for classes, and the importance of education within a strength and conditioning class. Lot's of great tidbits and ideas from Coach Berg. Enjoy! Amanda Berg on Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/chargertough/Teambuildr Course: https://content.teambuildr.com/building-a-strength-training-curriculumDiscount Code for 25% off: pestrengthSimplifaster Interview on Curriculum: https://simplifaster.com/articles/episode-18-how-amanda-berg-used-systems-curriculums-to-build-a-sc-program-from-the-ground-up/https://www.xlathlete.com/Youtube Video of Interview with Wendi Irlbeck referenced on show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=vdFZnOaNZngAmanda's email: amandadberg@gmail.com
My guest this month is Coach Cody Coley, Director of Athletic Performance and Assistant Athletic Director at Christian Brothers High School in Memphis, Tennessee. In this conversation, we dive into his unique background in law enforcement, the logistics of running an effective training program, and the vital role of culture in building athletes and teams. We wrap up by exploring how he trains the Purple Wave, including his emphasis on neck training for performance and safety. Coach Coley brings energy and practical insights throughout—this episode is packed with takeaways you won’t want to miss! Enjoy!Follow Coach Coley on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachonemore/
My guest this month is Joe Stokowski, the director of sports science for Grayson High School in Loganville Georgia. Joe is also the special teams coordinator for football as well as the head coach for track and field. Coach Stokowski is a multiple coach of the year winner by Parker Resources. We discuss his journey from small town coach in Illinois to how ended up at one of the largest public schools in Georgia. We then discuss his role as a sports scientist, how and what data he tracks for football and then discuss a little speed training and more. Joe drops lots of great knowledge the whole interview. Enjoy!Coach Stokowski on X: https://x.com/CoachStokowskiCheck out his pinned twee to see all of his previous podcasts appearences as well as articles he has written. Coach Stokowski on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachstokowski/?hl=en
Season 3! Excited to kick off another fantastic season for the podcast with a live recap from Natcon. My microphone and I had the privilege to travel down to Christian Brothers High School in Memphis this past weekend and discuss the experience with a multitude of guests. You get to hear from venders, hall of famers, first timers, and more. Number one takeaway: There is nothing like experiencing a NHSSCA Natcon. Enjoy! Guest on this episodeJake Purdy-Stray Dog Strength : https://www.instagram.com/straydog_jake/Michael Bewley- NHSSCA Administrative Assistant/Critical Reload: https://www.instagram.com/criticalreload/Rashid Gayle- Rocky Bayou ChristianBrigid Freitag- Kennedy Catholic High School: https://www.instagram.com/coach_b_freitag/Ryan Lott-Pinkneyville High School: https://x.com/CoachRLottCody Coley-Christian Brothers High School: https://www.instagram.com/coachonemore/Tucker Platt- Rise Pole Vault/Oswego High School: https://x.com/tuckplatt https://x.com/Panther_Power25 https://www.instagram.com/tuckerplatt/Christie Smith-Ryan-Central Catholic High School: https://www.instagram.com/luckystreakfit1/Brian Koldoy-Springfield College: https://www.instagram.com/kolodybrian/Leo Totten-NHSSCA Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Inductee: https://x.com/tottentraining https://www.instagram.com/tottentraining/Brandon Herring-Hewitt-Trussville High School: https://x.com/BrandonHerring0
My guest this month is Paul Kolody, the strength and conditioning coach at Hunterdon Central Regional High School located in New Jersey. Coach Kolody is the 2025 NHSSCA National Coach of the Year award winner. He has previously won the regional coach of the year award in 2020. Coach Kolody will be recognzied and presented his award Friday night of Natcon in Memphis on June 27th. We dive into his background and he went from working major league baseball to ending up at HCRH. We then get into the Xs and Os of how he programs for his athletes. So many great nuggets of information and wisdom from this fantastic coach. Enjoy!Coach Kolody on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachkolody/Red Devil Strength on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reddevilstrength/Article on Coach Kolody receiving his National Coach Award: https://www.nj.com/highschoolsports/2025/02/hunterdon-centrals-kolody-named-national-strength-and-conditioning-coach-of-the-year.html
My guest this month is Coach Emily Schilling. Coach Schilling is the director of strength and conditioning at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She works specifically with men's and women's golf as well as volleyball. On top of her role at U of I, she also serves on the Illinois NHSSCA advisory board. It was great to be able to have someone on who is in the collegiate sector and involved with the NHSSCA. We go over her background in strength and conditioning. Her journey from starting out at Wisconsin-La Crosse to ending up at Illinois. We cover various topics from mentorship, transitioning athletes from high school to college, keeping training simple, and more. Emily provides a tremendous wealth of knowledge and wisdom from her years of experience at the collegiate level. She provides a great perspective as she works to help bridge the gap between high school and collegiate strength coaches. Enjoy!Instagram: @illinois_strengthCoach Schilling presenting on volleyball training: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8y4zUTxyluQ
My guest this month is Michelle Hart-Miller. A 2023 NHSSCA Hall of Fame inductee, Michelle coaches at Londonderry High School, located in New Hampshire. We discuss her background as an athletic trainer and how she also became a strength and conditioning coach to better serve the athletes at Londonderry. I think her duel role as an AT and a strength coach gives her such an incredible perspective on training student athletes. She gives so many wonderful insights into the world of athletic training that applicable to strength and conditioning coaches. Enjoy!Coach Hart-Miller on Instragram: https://www.instagram.com/lancer_power/Coach Hart-Miller on X: https://x.com/lancer_power?lang=enNHSSCA article on her HOF induction: https://nhssca.us/2023-hall-of-fame-inductee-michelle-hart-miller-2/
My guest this month is NHSSCA Hall of Famer Richard Lansky. Rich is the owner of RCL Sports Performance Services, INC. He is also a USAW international coach, and instructor. Coach Lansky is currently the strength and conditioning coach at Manatee High School in Bradenton Florida. He is also the coach for Florida Gulf Coast Weightlifting. He was a 2022 NHSSCA Hall of Fame Inductee. He has won multiple coach of the year awards through various organizations such as Special Olympics, NSCA, and the NHSSCA. We go over his hall of fame background then dive into all things olympic lifting. Benefits, regressions and progressions, olympic lifting for team sports and more! Whether you are a proponent of oly lifting or not you are sure to take something away from this interview. Enjoy! Coach Lansky on X: https://x.com/coachrichlanskyRCL Performance on X: https://x.com/rcl_performanceCoach Lansky on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachrichlansky/NHSSCA Coaches Corner Chat: https://nhssca.us/coaches-corner-rich-lansky/#:~:text=Coach%20Lansky%20was%20the%20NHSSCA,the%20NHSSCA%20Hall%20of%20Fame.Fantastic Clinic Presentation Coach Lansky Put on at the 2012 Tennessee Strength and Conditioning Clinic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91_o0bBvF7I
My guest this month is Coach Brandon Davis. Coach Davis is the head performance coach as well as the assistant athletic director for Southwest Florida Christian Academy, located in Fort Meyers. Prior to landing at SFCA, Coach Davis had stops in Alabama at Priceville High School and Madison Academy. We go over all sorts of things in this episode such as his start as a sport scientist, getting in administration, our love for the Zercher squat and curvilinear running. Coach Davis drops so many great tid bits of knowledge during this interview and I'm sure there is something you will take away from it. Enjoy! Coach Davis on X: https://x.com/Brandon_L_Davis\ Coach Davis on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandon_l_davis96/ Coach Davis on Rock Daisy Podcast: https://rockdaisy.com/ams/posts/podcasts/earning-it-brandon-davis-on-grit-growth-and-game-changing-training/ NHSSCA Clinic Registration Page: https://nhssca.us/events/list/?tribe-bar-search=state
My guest this month is Coach Tucker Platt. Coach Platt is the strength and conditioning coach at Wilbur Clatonia High School in Wilbur Nebraska. We discuss a little background info, how he went from college track into s&c. From there we dive into VBT. Coach Platt was able to secure some VBT devices in his weight room this past year. It was great hearing how adding VBT has changed, or hasn't changed some of the things he does at WC. We talk pros and cons of VBT, buy in from his athletes, how he utilizes it with Triphasic training and more. Coach Platt does a great job walking us through how he does things at WC and I think this is a very informative episode for anyone considering adding VBT . Enjoy! Coach Platt on X: https://x.com/tuckplatt Wilbur Clatonia HS on X: https://x.com/WC_Strength23 Peak Performance on X: https://x.com/peak_perform24 Peak Performance Website: https://peak-performance.carrd.co/
My guest this month is Ronnie Jankovich. Coach Jankovich is the head strength coach at Roswell High School, located north of Atlanta Georgia. He is also the offense line coach for their football program. Ronnie also serves the NHSSCA as the southeast regional director. Had a blast getting to sit down and talk shop with Coach Jankovich. We talk his background as a college football player and transitioning into the strength and conditioning field. He gives an overview on what strength training at Roswell looks like, great interveiw advice and more. Enjoy! X: https://x.com/RonnieJankovich Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roswellhornetssc?igsh=ZmtwY2JhYWR5MW0y&utm_source=qr Simplifaster Article: https://simplifaster.com/articles/simplicity-communication-competition-ronnie-jankovich/
My guest this month is Brad Jenisch. Coach Jenisch is the strength and conditioning coach at Prospect High School in Mt. Prospect Illinois. On top of being the strength and conditioning coach, he is also an assistant football, wrestling, and track coach. Coach Jenisch was also recently appointed to the NHSSCA Illinois State Advisory Board. We sit down and discuss what it's like having a dual role as both a strength coach as well as a sport coach. He then goes on to give a great overview of his programming at Prospect. Enjoy! Coach Jenisch on X: https://x.com/CoachJenisch Coach Jenisch on Instragram: https://www.instagram.com/coachjenisch/
My guest this month is Coach Kevin Vanderbush. Coach Vanderbush recently retired after an incredible 40 year career at Ben Davis High School, located in Indianopolis Indiana. Under his guidance, Ben Davis saw incredible atheltic success which resulted in 25 state titles and multiple national champions. Kevin was also one of the original four founding members of the NHSSCA. We discuss his beginings into high school strength and conditioning, and what the landscape of high school strength and conditioning looked like at the time. Coach then tells us what the beginning of the NHSSCA looked like. Coach Vanderbush shared so much experience and wisdom in this episode, you're guarenteed to take something away. Enjoy! Coach Vanderbush on X :https://twitter.com/coachvanderbush?lang=en Here is a great article by the IndyStar discussing his retirement. https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/high-school/2024/05/31/ben-davis-strength-coach-pioneer-kevin-vanderbush-retires-after-40-years-high-school-indiana/73914744007/ Hour Long Presentation by Kevin Vanderbush on HS S&C https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ec5Q3XWNR4k
My guest this month is Steven Thompson. Coach Thompson is a private strength coach located outside of Kansas City Missouri. He is the owner of Voodoo Power and host a podcast, The Voodoo Power Podcast. I had a great time sitting down and talking shot with Coach Thompson. We talk about his journey into becoming a strength coach, the decision making process from a business standpoint in regards to budget and more! Check out his podcast and enjoy the episdoe! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voodoo4power/ X: https://x.com/Voodoo4Power Voodoo Power Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gadnm2msXKVqb8rOQiIqN Voodoo Power Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/voodoo-power/id1644608223 Voodoo Power Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@platesandpancakes4593 Steve's Book "Stacking Losses" : https://www.amazon.com/Stacking-Losses-Steven-Thompson/dp/B0DCMH6HD2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2OQDZUBTFUHU4&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.wnyh5gTf0qS0bAVYw_6a2Cv9iGoTloe1z6sdd6iMk4HgCByI0SpxjdVOXP9vaFsHw_4w2sXE-9lxqhpysh2nE22pfu2WptqkB-1spLX_7fOwewLgl02OLdS6SvpQA73fIGTLPvBz7pghly54UntNbxcQYSdPH1s-J5j0IoCR9FPYbi0hrGZTNIxo7Tz0rupYqnsPbSubXgWj6ZdX36Dl4IcMRfbE19qEucmAOOvyTHA.YkLM-BwjVj5b7LNP0TySoeo-asJLA5LXqczyIZmvv7Q&dib_tag=se&keywords=stacking+losses&qid=1725223085&sprefix=stacking+loss%2Caps%2C138&sr=8-1
My guest this month is Adam Vogel. Coach Vogel works at Homewood Flossmoor High School, which is a southern suburb of Chicago. At HF he is in charge of not only strength and conditioning, but is also the department chair for PE, health, and drivers Ed. He is also the Illinois state director for the NHSSCA. We sit down and talk about his transition from his previous school Bradley-Bourbannais, to his current role at HF. Coach Vogel then gives us some great insight into his multi-layered programming. Other topics we discussed include how he makes choices on technologies to add, as well as how he manages his large workload and schedule. Enjoy! Coach Vogel's on X : https://x.com/CoachAVogel HF Athletic Performance Training on X: https://x.com/HFAPT HF APT on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hfapt/ HF APT TikTok Handle: @HFAPT
This month's episode consist of multiple mini interviews I was able to conduct while at the 2024 NHSSCA National Conference at Rock Hill High School in Frisco Texas. What an incredible experience it was! Nonstop learning and networking Thurs-Saturday. If you've never been, there is nothing quite like a NatCon. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to share the experience over the weekend, and I can't wait to do this next year in Memphis for NatCon 2025! Enjoy! List of guest in the order they appear on the episode Tucker Platt: Wilber-Clatonia High School, X-@WC_Strength23 Insta- @tuckerplatt Michaela Bubak: Casteel High School Insta-@michaelabubak NHSSCA Hall of Famers Rich Lansky (X and Insta @coachrichlansky) and Mike Srock Ronnie Jankovich: Roswell High School X-@ronniejankovich Nic Summerfield(X- @nicosummerfield) /Brian Smith: Rock Hill High School Steve Kiely: Boston College High School Insta-@coachstevekiely Steven Thompson: Voodoo Power X/Insta-@Voodoo4Power Sam Wentz: Perkins High School X-@CoachWentz_ Insta-@sam.wenz John Beerbower: McHenry High School X-@johnbeerbower insta-@beerbowerjohn Doug Ludolph: Sacred Heart-Griffin High School X-@shgstrength
Summer is here and with it another great episode to listen to. My guest this month is coach Matt Cates, strength coach at Penn High School located in Mishawaka Indiana. Coach Cates is the NHSSCA's National Coach of the Year award recipient. We kick things off with a little background information. After that we dive into the nuts and bolts of all things Penn Strength and Conditioning. Including what it's like managing over a thousand athletes, progressions through programs, their KPIs and so much more. It was truly a great experience for me getting to sit down with one of the very best in our industry and I know you'll get a ton of value out of it as well. Enjoy! Coach Cates on X- https://x.com/PennStrength Interview on Joe Kenn's podcast:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ33wzLwhso NHSSCA Natcon Link: https://nhssca.us/event/2024-national-conference-texas/
Episode 12! It's been such an amazing journey this past year putting out great content for you, the NHSSCA members. Running it back this month with another fantastic episode. My guest this month is coach Scott Pherson, director of fitness and performance for Concord High School in Elkhurt Indiana. Coach Pherson also serves on the Indiana state advisory board for the NHSSCA. We kick things off going through his incredible journey on how he got to Concord. We then go through what his summer program looks like and finish off talking about his podcast "Caffeinated Coaches". Coach Pherson provides a ton of value for us and does an incredible job of providing us a look at his programming in Concord in. Enjoy! Twitter: https://twitter.com/CoachPherson Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skottiedoesntno/ Concord Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/concord_strong/ Link for information on the Griffen Scott Pherson Scholarship: https://nhssca.us/griffin-scott-pherson-educational-scholarship/ Video breakdown of 2024 summer training at Concord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64eoDgVHifI&t=11s This episode is brought to you by Intek Strength and Iron Neck Intek Strength: https://www.intekstrength.com/ " Maximize the equipment that’s actually in the hands of your athletes: Intek Strength. For more than two decades, Intek has manufactured innovative solutions for the weight room. Dumbbells, bumpers, plates and bars are built to exceed the demands of your athletes whether the athlete is a beginner or a five star recruit. Custom product solutions can boldly carry your message in your weight room. Providing unexpected customer service is the expectation. Intek is family owned and proudly based in southern Illinois." Iron Neck: https://www.iron-neck.com/ "Iron Neck offers specialized equipment aimed at improving neck strength and mobility, designed to assist in recovery, injury prevention, posture improvement, and increasing neck size. Our product line includes various models of the Iron Neck device, accessories, and training kits, suitable for different levels of training intensity for high school athletes. Our website also features educational resources such as exercise guides and certifications. For more detailed information, you can visit our website or contact Robert Sherman." Link to Natcon registration: https://nhssca.us/event/2024-national-conference-texas/
My guest this month is arguably the strongest high school strength coach in the country-Monte Sparkman. Monte is an athletic performance coach at Colleyville Heritage High School in Colleyville Texas. We sit down and discuss his journey from powerlifter to high school strength coach. Coach Sparkman discusses how he separates his own personal powerlifting training from how he programs for and trains his athletes. Don't worry, Monte gives us a little insight into his own personal training as well. Lastly we also get into the topic of coaches taking care of our own personal health. Enjoy! Twitter: https://twitter.com/MonteSparkman Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/montesparkman/ Articles Monte has written https://simplifaster.com/articles/author/montesparkman/ https://www.elitefts.com/author/monte-sparkman/
Episode 10! We hit the double digit episode mark with coach Jonmarc Rasberry of Dyer County High School located in Newbern Tennessee. Coach Rasberry is an incredible up and coming strength coach who has been absolutely crushing it the past few years. We sit down and discuss is journey from Tennessee to Illinois, to back to Tennessee where he began his teaching and coaching career. We talk about some of the things required to get into the field such as teaching licensure, certifications and more. He discusses his current role at Dyer County, how he's worked to build trust and buy in and what he envisions the program looking like down the road. Lastly, we discuss how and why he started his own podcast "Conjugate Chats". Enjoy! Find Coach Rasberry on X- https://twitter.com/CoachRasberry Find Coach Rasberry on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachrasberry/ Conjugate Chats Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/3sJplorDBNGTtgWFzvQImA Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conjugate-chats-podcast/id1633912070 Gumroad products: https://jmrstrengthscience.gumroad.com/