Samson Strength Coach Collective

On this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, we sit down with strength and conditioning coach Stephen Antley to discuss his journey from college athlete to coach. Stephen shares valuable insights on building strong relationships with athletes, developing a culture that drives performance, and navigating the challenges of the profession. From lessons learned through adversity to practic...

Nick Raszeja, Assistant Strength Coach for Syracuse University Football, shares his journey from athlete to coach and the mindset that fueled his rise in strength and conditioning. He discusses the importance of hard work, discipline, and adaptability, along with insights on transitioning roles, building relationships, and continuously improving as a coach. This episode provides practical advice f...

In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, Mike B. Brown, Director of Performance at Strength and Performance Training, shares his journey from high school athlete to professional strength coach. Mike dives into how varied experiences across the private and collegiate sectors helped shape his philosophy, emphasizing the importance of learning from every opportunity. He also provides...

On this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, we sit down with Kristen Flateau, Strength and Conditioning Coach at Edward Waters University. Kristen shares her path into the profession, the work of transforming a weight room with limited resources, and the mindset required to build a strong culture from the ground up. The conversation explores how facility upgrades can change athlete pe...

Harlee Heath found strength and conditioning the way a lot of great coaches do. Not from a plan, but from a moment. A female strength coach walked into her exercise science class at the University of Central Arkansas, described the job, and that was it. Harlee walked up after class and said she wanted to intern. Two years later she was leading women's tennis on her own and traveling with the footb...

Trevor Sackmann, Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at the University of Hawaii, joins the Samson Strength Coach Collective to discuss how the role of the strength coach continues to evolve. Drawing from a unique career path that included coaching internationally in China and developing athletes in college settings, Trevor explains why today’s strength coach must be more than a weight room...

In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, Jess Kinder, Senior Associate Athletic Trainer at Appalachian State University, joins the show to unpack one of the most overlooked dynamics in sports performance: the relationship between the strength coach and the athletic trainer. Jess shares how her background in athletic training shaped her athlete-first approach and why trust and commu...

In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, we sit down with Nico Scharinger, Coaching Assistant at Florida State University. Nico shares his unique journey from playing soccer in Europe to pursuing a career in strength and conditioning in the United States. Throughout the conversation, Nico discusses the major cultural differences between European and American strength and conditioni...

In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, Leo Totten shares insights from a 50-year career in strength and conditioning. From his early influences in Olympic weightlifting to leading successful teams and mentoring generations of coaches, Leo reflects on how the profession has evolved and what remains timeless. Leo discusses the importance of cultivating a growth mindset, striving fo...

In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, Jeff Madden reflects on his legendary career in strength and conditioning, beginning as a 21-year-old coach and evolving into a national championship-winning leader. He shares the critical role quality equipment plays in athlete development, the collaborative innovations he experienced with Samson Equipment, and the realities of navigating u...

In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, Richard McClure breaks down what truly separates high-quality strength equipment from the rest. Drawing from his experiences in elite collegiate programs like USC, UCLA, and Kansas State, Richard explains how durability is tested in real-world training environments—not just in theory. He reflects on the legacy of well-built equipment, the ro...

In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, Samson sits down with Dana LeDuc to discuss his experiences working with Dave and Linda Schrader, founders of Samson Equipment. Dana shares his journey from being a world-class shot putter to serving as a strength coach at the University of Texas. Along the way, he reflects on how strength training methodologies and equipment have evolved ov...

In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, Jerry Simmons shares a lifetime of lessons learned through strength coaching at every level—from college football and the NFL to Special Forces training. Growing up on a farm instilled a work ethic that shaped his coaching philosophy and expectations. Jerry reflects on mentorship, athlete evaluation, equipment quality, and the relationships...

Rick Huegli joins the Samson Strength Coach Collective to celebrate 50 years of Samson Equipment and reflect on his decades-long career in strength and conditioning. From his early aspirations as a college football coach to leading programs at Wake Forest and the University of Washington, Rick discusses the realities of earning athlete trust, navigating outdated myths about strength training, and...

In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, Bill Foran—former Head Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Miami Heat—walks through his decades-long career in sports performance. Bill discusses his transition from college athletics to the NBA, the cultural standards that defined the Heat organization, and how quality equipment and strong relationships shaped athlete development. He als...

In this special 50 Year Legacy Series episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, Doug Briggs shares decades of perspective on the evolution of strength and conditioning. Doug breaks down how training philosophies have shifted, the growing focus on injury prevention, and the cultural changes within gyms. Drawing from personal experience, he explains why returning to basic training principles...

As part of the Samson Legacy Series celebrating 50 years of Samson Equipment, Scott Warman joins the Samson Strength Coach Collective to share stories from his pioneering career in strength coaching. Scott discusses the evolution of training across sports, the importance of safety in the weight room, and the innovations in equipment design that helped establish Samson as an industry leader. He als...

On the latest edition of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, we sit down with Blaine Johnson, Assistant Athletic Director of Sports Performance at Rider University. In this episode, Blaine shares what it was like building a strength and conditioning program from the ground up, navigating limited resources, and learning how to earn buy-in across an entire athletic department. We dive into mentors...

S02|E237 Reflections on a Year of Growth | Samson Strength Coach CollectiveIn this solo episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, Connor Agnew takes time to reflect on the past year—reviewing personal and professional goals, lessons learned, and the life experiences that reshaped his priorities. Connor Agnew discusses the importance of balancing work and family, navigating health and person...

In this conversation, Keane Hamilton discusses his unique career path that blends collegiate strength coaching with teaching in higher education. He explains how he frames research alongside real-world examples, why flexibility matters more than rigid systems, and how effective communication helps bridge the gap between academics and athletics. Keane also shares insight into the future of strength...

In this conversation, Peter Kenn, Director of Olympic Sports at SMU, traces his path from student-athlete to strength coach, emphasizing how early internships shaped his foundation and understanding of the profession. He outlines his coaching principles, the evolution of SMU’s Olympic sports department, and the essential role of communication, shared ownership, and culture in program development....

In this episode, Lilly Simon of the University of North Carolina dives into “The Illusion of Choice”—the idea that small, seemingly simple decisions can shape the direction of a coaching career. Drawing on her journey from lacrosse athlete to strength coach, Lilly explains how taking initiative, reflecting on personal values, and making intentional choices have positioned her for early success in...

Justin McKenna, Director of Basketball Performance at Bucknell University, joins the Samson Strength Coach Collective to discuss his journey through the strength and conditioning world—from small-school beginnings to experiences at powerhouse programs like Duke and Kentucky. He dives into the importance of being adaptable, filling additional roles that support overall team operations, and developi...

In this engaging conversation, Dr. John Harry shares his journey from athlete to academic in biomechanics and strength conditioning. He emphasizes bridging research with practical application, helping coaches understand the purpose behind their methods. The discussion covers technology’s role in coaching, momentum versus velocity, and the importance of movement quality and clarity in data interpre...

Dave Downey, Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Brown University, joins the Samson Strength Coach Collective to discuss the realities of coaching insecurity and self-doubt. From difficult internship experiences to exploring sports psychology, Downey shares insights from his journey and his book Imposter Coach . He highlights how vulnerability and empathy can strengthen relationships betw...