Julian Valerio is the founder and head trainer of Fundamental Football Academy in Wayne, New Jersey, known for developing players through technical precision, small-sided chaos, and a holistic development model that prioritizes mindset as much as skill.

This week on Coaching Soccer Weekly, we sit down with Point Pleasant Beach Head Boys' Soccer Coach John Palumbo for a wide-ranging conversation on the heart and soul of New Jersey soccer. John reflects on how the culture of the high school game in NJ has shifted since his own playing days and shares his non-traditional path into teaching and coaching—from entering education later in life to stepping up from an assistant role alongside his brother to take the helm of the Garnet Gulls. We break down his core coaching philosophy of cutting through modern tactical fluff to focus on high-intensity execution and grit, and we dive into the story behind his famous news-featured soccer jersey collection!

In this episode Coach Carroll has an extra special guest on, his wife Jordan Carroll, to talk about how to balance coaching with life, work, family, and kids and to work as a team with your wife to best wear all hats. Coach Carroll then discusses how periodization has impacted his team so far after last year's episode with Coach Shap! That episode is also included in this episode since it was accidentally taken down.