Send us a text In this episode, Head Strength & Conditioning Coach Hunter Haralson of Collinsville Public Schools sits down with Steven to talk about the evolution of high school strength training, athlete development, and what it truly takes to build a winning culture. Hunter shares his journey from Lawrence, Kansas, to wrestling at Lindenwood University, to becoming a sixth-year Head S&C Coach and leader in one of the most respected programs in Oklahoma. With certifications in CSCS...
Send us a text In this episode, Steven sits down with Maddie Harrelson, Coordinator of Strength and Conditioning at Owasso High School, to explore her journey from Washington, Iowa, to the heart of one of Oklahoma’s most competitive athletic programs. Maddie shares how her experiences at Lindenwood University, Quincy, and Mississippi State shaped her nine-year coaching career and her passion for developing strong, resilient athletes. The conversation opens with real-life connection—Steven an...
Send us a text Coach Tucker Seay, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Dalton High School, joins Steven to discuss his evolving approach to athlete development and performance. Drawing from his background in exercise science and insights from Super Training, Tucker breaks down how he balances speed, volume, and neural fatigue in his programming. They explore his transition to head coach, the implementation of the Lightened method with bands for confidence and control, and his findings on ...
Send us a text In this episode, Steven sits down with John Coleman, the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, Powerlifting Coach, and Algebra teacher at Pollok Central High School in Lufkin, Texas. John shares his unconventional journey into coaching—starting from being fired from a summer camp job to becoming a respected leader in both the classroom and the weight room. They dive deep into training high school powerlifters, exploring how John blends 531 programming, max-effort and dynamic s...
Send us a text In this episode of Plates and Pancakes, Steven sits down with Coach Donoho from APG Strength for a wide-ranging conversation that blends athletic performance, coaching wisdom, and a touch of horsemanship. The two discuss the art of developing young athletes, tackling topics like early sports specialization, asymmetries, and injury prevention — all through the lens of practical coaching experience. Coach Donoho shares insights from his time on the Tennessee State Advisory Board...
Send us a text In this episode, Steven Thompson sits down with Dr. Ivey, the Senior Athletic Director for Health and Performance at the University of Louisville, to explore what it truly takes to build a championship-level athletic program. Dr. Ivey brings decades of experience in sports psychology, strength and conditioning, and mental performance coaching, sharing powerful insights from his time at the University of Missouri, the NFL, and now at Louisville. The conversation dives deep int...
Send us a text In this episode, Steven Thompson sits down with Clay Bewley, Speed, Strength, and Conditioning Coach at Willow Canyon High School in Surprise, Arizona, and former coach at Estrella Foothills High School. With over two decades of experience coaching at the high school and collegiate levels — including Northern Arizona, Jacksonville University, Angelo State, UNLV, and Faith Lutheran — Coach Bewley shares powerful insights on athlete development, recruiting, and the evolving lands...
Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with David Abernethy, high-profile strength coach, athlete, and co-founder of Tsunami Barbell. With nearly 25 years of experience as a college athlete and coach at schools like Methodist, Western Carolina, Clemson, Ole Miss, Western Kentucky, and Furman, David has shaped the performance of countless athletes — from Eli Manning to future pros across multiple sports. We dive into: • The coaching journey from college sidelines to building Tsunam...
Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with Keith Caton, Head Strength Coach at Manvel High School, whose career spans 11 stops across collegiate and high school athletics, including powerhouse programs like Baylor, Auburn, Syracuse, Missouri, and Indiana. Coach Caton shares insights on: The transition from college to high school coaching and preparing athletes for the next levelProgressions, regressions, and protocols that build long-term athletic successThe role of technology, hear...
Send us a text What does it take to set a world bench press record at 62? 💪 Legendary coach Bill Gillespie shares his journey from the NFL to Westside Barbell, and the discipline, faith, and training principles that shaped his success. In this episode, Steven sits down with Bill Gillespie—legendary strength coach, world-record bench presser, and longtime mentor in both athletics and life. Bill shares stories from his decades of coaching at Liberty University, his time in the NFL with the Sea...
Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with Brad Jenisch of Prospect High School (Illinois) to talk about what happens when a coach sees a need and decides to build something from the ground up. We cover: How to solve the problem right in front of youOvercoming stigma and outside perceptionsBetting on yourself and identifying gaps in athlete developmentWhy certain training doesn’t always carry over to sportApplying Vermeil’s Athletic Development Pyramid and Bondarchuk’s principles in...
Send us a text In this episode, we’re joined by Bill Miller, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), baseball performance coach, and author of Swing Fast, Throw Fast, and Testing is Training. Bill has worked with athletes from Little League through the professional ranks, helping them unlock explosive power, higher velocity, and long-term durability. A former four-year starter at Trinity Christian College, Bill has built his career around applying cutting-edge methods of stre...
Send us a text Former University of Oregon head wrestling coach Chuck Kearney shares his journey from the heartbreak of a cut program to building a player-led, athlete-owned wrestling culture at St. Mary’s University in Leavenworth, Kansas. In this episode, Coach Kearney dives into: • How losing Oregon wrestling reshaped his coaching philosophy • Lessons from his own wrestling days at Oklahoma State • Shifting from a win-based, transactional program to an athlete-centered, ...
Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with Zack Fleming, the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach at Dobyns‑Bennett High School in Kingsport, Tennessee. With program leadership since 2015 and recognition as the 2022 Tennessee HS Strength Coach of the Year ℹ️ , Zack brings transformative insight into building an impactful program at the high school level 🔑 Key Topics Covered: From Transactional to Transformational Coaching: Shifting mindset to elevate athlete experienceLearn...
Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with Chukwuebuka “Chuk” Enekwechi, Olympic shot putter, African record holder, and 22.10 m thrower, for an inside look at the life of a professional athlete chasing greatness. We dive into: • Preparing for the Olympics and life as a professional thrower • His massive 22.10 m shot put throw and what it takes to compete at that level • Pro wrestling conversations and how entertainment ties into athletic mindset • Nutrition and...
Send us a text 🎙 Podcast with Adam Vogel | Homewood-Flossmoor High School (IL) In this episode, we sit down with Adam Vogel, a top high school strength and conditioning coach from Homewood-Flossmoor High School in Illinois, to break down some of the most innovative strategies for athlete development. We dive into: • Square 1 principles for foundational movement and performance • Tempering techniques for recovery and tissue quality • Eccentric speed development and how it t...
Send us a text this episode of Plates & Pancakes, we’re joined by Andrew Rafferty, strength and conditioning coach at Clinton High School in Clinton, Mississippi. The focus? Rotational power development — specifically for baseball and softball athletes looking to hit harder, throw faster, and move with intent. Coach Rafferty breaks down the biomechanics behind generating torque, building a strong linear push off the back leg, and creating an efficient block leg to transfer force. W...
Send us a text George Adams is in his 7th year as the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Madison-Ridgeland Academy. Adams oversees all aspects of the MRA athletics strength and conditioning program. Since arriving at MRA, Adams has been a part of eight state championships (three football, three boys’ & girls’ track and field, and two boys’ basketball). He has served on the NHSSCA Mississippi Advisory Board since 2020, was named the 2022 Mississippi State Coach of the Year, and is now...
Send us a text BJ Whitehead is the Head Strength and Conditioning, Powerlifting and, D Line Coach for Dayton ISD. On top of his coaching duties Coach Whitehead is an accomplished Powerlifter hitting a 2000.7 total in raw competition. Whitehead has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Kinesiology from Stephen F. Austin University. Strength Training Podcast for Athletes, Coaches, and Lifters”“Top Strength & Conditioning Tips for Peak Performance”“Expert Advice on Muscle Growth, Recovery, and S...
Send us a text Coach Dieppa is the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Noblesville H.S. Prior to Noblesville Dieppa spent time at Pike township as the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, Assistant Director at TCBOOST, Performance ambassador for Plae, Assistant Sport Performance Coach at the University of Connecticut, Football Strength and Conditioning Intern at Mississippi State, Graduate assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Northwestern State, P.E. Wrestling and Football Coach ...