Join us for an insightful conversation with Zach Fowler of The Performance Course. We dive into non-traditional career paths in strength and conditioning, moving beyond college and high school coaching. Zach shares his journey from an 8-year-old athlete at PC to a Site Coordinator, the critical importance of initiative for young strength coaches, and how PC utilizes technology and specialized programming (including tiered systems and VBT) to train high school athletes. Plus, hear his recommendations for essential coaching qualities, a must-read book, and a top-tier podcast.

SOCIAL:

https://x.com/Z_Fowl37

https://www.instagram.com/zachfowler37/

The "S&C Chit Chat with Ross Garner" includes conversation about facility conflicts, staff introductions, and an in-depth look at Ross Garner's career path and high school strength and conditioning philosophies. Career Advice: Master's in Education + CSCS provides best job security for high school S&C coaches.

• Training Philosophy: Conjugate training approach, primarily using deadlifts and the snatch (preferred over the clean for high school athletes).
• Deadlift Focus: Strong belief in deadlift's carry-over to speed; emphasizes correcting upper back posture.
• Speed Training: Speed and jump work is done after strength training to "prime" athletes and teach them to "be fast tired."
• Technology & Grants: Used business background to secure two $5,000 grants for iPads and data collection (Rock Daisy).
• Job Stability: Highlighted the value of standalone, 12-month strength coach positions (like the one at Cleburne) for program consistency.
• Recommendations: Book: Chosen Suffering. Podcast: Voodoo Power with Steve Thompson.

COACH GARNERS LINKTREE:

https://linktr.ee/coachrgarner

https://www.instagram.com/coachrgarner/

SOCIAL FOR COACH GARNER:

https://x.com/CoachRGarner

OTHER PODCASTS COACH GARNER HAS BEEN ON:

https://rss.com/podcasts/victoryoverselfradio/

https://youtu.be/WSvH6RUejB8?si=z0dDIu1UP3y9ScEK

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chosen-suffering-friday-night-speed-w-coach-ross-garner/id1659846420?i=1000749257750

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nhssca/episodes/Work-Capacity-with-Ross-Garner--Effingham-County-High-School-e3e4opf

https://www.youtube.com/live/YSU3CKG4_jI?si=OOrZgjiwM3ULCvQU

Michael Gragg does a phenomenal job at Harding University and in this podcast. I on the other hand did less than desirable in pressing record for the first 10 minutes.

Tune in for a "S&C Chit Chat" with Coach Michael Gragg from Harding University. We break down the technical and philosophical pillars of their national championship-winning strength and conditioning program. Topics include: the use of Catapult GPS, VBT systems (Vitru), and a Just Jump mat for athlete readiness; the high-low, four-day offseason training split; and the core importance of ground-based movement, team culture, and earned player autonomy.

SOCIAL:

https://www.instagram.com/mdgragg50/?hl=en

https://x.com/MichaelGragg

OTHER PODCAST:

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/culture-warrior-michael-gragg-head-strength-conditioning/id1806921751?i=1000719474083

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4HuTrzh36Z4ZB4Jd2khe9D

https://castro.fm/share/episode/2X4rs3

https://youtu.be/aTID4ANcpFg?si=oCfHzMIgOlr8zQdU

https://youtu.be/oH9mrOoRAdI?si=OMySWkVSnb_BVorf

In this episode, James Burk, Brock Calvo, Jaxson Money, and Colin Elliot chat with HSU alumni Cameron Prater, an alum who is now the Internship Coordinator and Sports Science Coordinator for SMU Football. They dive into Prader's career journey, from his time at Hardin-Simmons University to his professional blueprint. The discussion covers his philosophy for training interns—prioritizing hard work and on-time arrival—and the core principles of SMU's football strength and conditioning program, including their four-day upper/lower split, daily posterior chain work, and the use of the Catapult system with "Player Load" as a key metric.

SOCIAL:

https://www.instagram.com/primetimeprater/?hl=en

In this must-listen episode of S&C Chit Chat, we sit down with John Bloom—Strength and Conditioning Coach at Parish Episcopal School, founder of Elevated Athlete Development, and host/author of the Strength and Numbers podcast and book. John provides incredible insight into his transition from collegiate D1 men's basketball to running his own private business, Elevated Athlete Development, discussing the motivations for seeking greater autonomy. We dive deep into:

• The Power of Mentorship: John shares how Tim Ferriss’s Tribe of Mentors inspired him to write his book, creating an essential resource for new S&C professionals.
• Coaching Certifications & Business Savvy: Hear his take on the practical value of certifications like Precision Nutrition versus the CSCS, and the importance of hiring smart people and developing marketing and sales systems in a private coaching business.
• Training Philosophy: We cover his application of FRC and RPR components at the high school level, how he defines training "blocks" as a superset of exercises, and his approach to training young athletes for skill acquisition.

John also shares a vital piece of advice for new coaches—focus on coaching competence first—and recommends Range by David Epstein. Don't miss this one!

SOCIAL:

https://www.instagram.com/johnbloom30/?hl=en

https://x.com/johnbloom30?lang=en

OTHER PODCAST:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-strength-in-numbers-podcast/id1811118851

https://basketballimmersion.com/the-basketball-podcast-ep359-with-john-bloom-on-insights-from-expert-coaches/

https://www.samsonequipment.com/strength-coach-podcast/e133-john-bloom/?srsltid=AfmBOoo2u0G0E4oIM7BXYeG0Udecld5Yx06ueboZqqo42_bnHjNoYHpA

https://coachobrien.com/episode-133/

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/strengthcoachcollective/episodes/John-Bloom--Episode-133-e2buatb/a-aak21i2

S&C Chit Chat is your essential resource for actionable strength and conditioning coaching philosophies. Join us as we dive deep with leading experts like Coach Scott Leech of Rhode Island to discuss cutting-edge athlete development. We cover everything from programming strategies—including prioritizing RDLs and a five-day high-low offseason structure—to hands-on coaching techniques like "scores and stops" and "contact prep" drills. Gain the confidence and practical knowledge you need to build athlete buy-in and implement new methods, moving beyond "old school" ways. Perfect for coaches, interns, and anyone passionate about modern S&C.

SOCIAL:

https://www.instagram.com/sleech72/

https://x.com/ScottLeech72

PRODUCTS:

Gridiron Warrior- https://scottleech72.gumroad.com/l/Gridiron

Scores and Stops- https://scoresandstops.com/

Contact Prep Course- https://scottleech72.gumroad.com/l/Contact

OTHER PODCAST:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gridiron-warrior-podcast/id1844851139

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/scott-leech-merging-football-training/id1695907028?i=1000675015028

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/smarter-high-school-strength-conditioning-with-scott/id267200514?i=1000741932336

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/scott-leech-designing-and-implementing-better-agility/id1527568824?i=1000723934077

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-better-athletes-scott-leech-on-high-school/id1720375694?i=1000657146125

In this candid chat with Colton Razo from Ohio State University, we dive deep into the strength and conditioning profession. Coach Razo shares invaluable advice for young coaches on networking professionally (using LinkedIn and respectful outreach) and discusses the unexpected administrative challenges of a full-time role, including their successful experience with writing grants. We also cover their systematic approach to track and field workout design, the use of Velocity-Based Training (VBT) devices for program evaluation, and a coaching philosophy that prioritizes internal feedback over filming. Plus, get their top book recommendation, Science and Practice of Strength Training by Mel Siff.

SOCIAL:

https://www.instagram.com/razo_strength/

OTHER PODCAST:

https://podcasts.apple.com/gt/podcast/385-why-the-best-strength-coaches-are-ghosts-colton/id1454042483?i=1000738308014

In this episode of the S&C Intern Chit Chat Podcast, James Burk and the interns sit down with Nick Mascioli, Strength Coach at Houston Second Baptist, for an in-depth discussion on Long-Term Athletic Development (LTAD). Mascioli breaks down his K-12 progression model, which moves from foundational motor skills in Pre-K to building the habit of measurement with sprinting data in middle school, and finally to "chasing numbers" with key performance indicators (KPIs) and bar speed tracking in high school. The conversation also covers the tactical use of sports science technology—including Output Sport, Dasher, OVR, and the Rock Daisy data management system—and the philosophy behind implementing game day lifts for young athletes.

SOCIAL:

https://x.com/mascioli_nick

https://www.instagram.com/sbs_athleticperformance/?hl=en

OTHER PODCAST:

https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/ep-22-nick-mascioli-transforming-the-weight-room-into/id1811118851?i=1000725696237

https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/e103-nick-mascioli/id1522528277?i=1000597860487

https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/episode-71-training-high-school-athletes-with-nick/id1387367873?i=1000483243286

https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/episode-16-pittsburgh-pirates-organization-strength/id1387367873?i=1000419059741