Samson Strength Coach Collective

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...

 In this episode, Samson sits down with Liane Blyn, Director of Sports Performance for Olympic Sports at Arizona State University. Liane shares how strength and conditioning has evolved through the years and what it takes to build a culture of accountability. From breaking barriers as a female coach in a male-dominated field to mentoring the next generation of coaches, Liane’s story embodies grit,...

In this conversation, Samson speaks with Ant Blubello , a physical therapist and strength coach, about his evolution from a self-critical athlete to a coach guided by faith and emotional intelligence. Ant dives into his early struggles with body image, the power of positive self-talk, and how spiritual growth has influenced his approach to both rehabilitation and performance. He offers honest refl...

Conner Freeland , Vice President of Municipal Sales at O2X Human Performance , joins the Samson Strength Coach Collective to discuss how relationships have defined every stage of his career—from the weight room to business leadership. A career-altering back injury redirected his focus to coaching, sparking a passion for helping others move, perform, and recover. Conner reflects on developing athle...

In this episode, tactical strength and conditioning coach Mark Christiani talks about his transition from military service to coaching and the lessons learned along the way. He discusses how structure and adaptability from military life translate to strength coaching, why the Army’s Holistic Health and Fitness initiative demands better preparation for coaches, and how the field can grow through me...

S02|E226 Real Education in Strength Coaching with Dr. Justin Lima | Samson Strength Coach Collective On this edition of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, host Connor Agnew speaks with Dr. Justin Lima, high-performance consultant and owner of Strength Coach Network. Justin shares his career across the B1G, ACC, Ivy League, and CAA, and how Strength Coach Network transformed his coaching knowled...

 In this special episode, Connor Agnew speaks with Mike Campagna, Financial Advisor and Senior Qualified Plans Specialist, about developing financial wellness. The conversation covers essential money habits, from budgeting and tracking expenses to tackling high-interest debt and starting retirement savings early. Mike emphasizes removing shame from financial discussions, being kind to yourself dur...

 On this edition of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, we sit down with Abbey Phillipson, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for Adaptive Sport and Head ParaPowerlifting Coach at the University of Michigan. Abbey shares her journey as an athlete with a disability and her path to becoming a leader in adaptive sports. She discusses why strength training principles apply universally, the misconc...

 On the latest edition of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, we speak with Alex Redshaw, O2X Human Performance Program Manager for Arlington County Fire Department. Alex discusses his career journey, the importance of strength and conditioning in firefighting, and the unique health challenges firefighters face. From injury prevention and cardiovascular risks to sleep education and nutrition, Al...

In this conversation, Connor Agnew and Dave Nedbalek explore the evolving world of coaching. They discuss the transition from college to high school basketball, the role of family and community, and strategies for motivating today’s youth athletes. Dave highlights the importance of building relationships, fostering resilience, avoiding early specialization, and embracing creativity in coaching. Th...

 Kosta Telegadas, tactical strength and conditioning coach, joins the Samson Strength Coach Collective to share his journey from collegiate coaching to the tactical field. He discusses the realities of burnout, job instability, and how side projects can provide both financial and professional freedom. Kosta emphasizes the importance of networking, time management, and building relationships to suc...

In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, Connor Agnew tackles the major changes shaping collegiate athletics today. With the rise of NIL and impending revenue sharing, Connor shares concerns about the long-term future of Olympic sports, the visibility of strength coaches, and the growing pressures placed on the profession. He offers valuable insight into how coaches can stay releva...

 On this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, Connor Agnew interviews Maggie Smith, Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Northern Kentucky University. Maggie opens up about her journey from two-sport high school athlete to strength coach, detailing how she managed motherhood during her GA role and transitioned from personal training to collegiate athletics. She offers key insig...

In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, we sit down with Jess Givens, Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at the University of North Dakota. Jess walks us through her early days as an apprentice at a D3 school, the leap to D1, and the valuable lessons she learned about building relationships with athletes, maintaining professionalism, and seeking mentorship. Most powerfully,...

On this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, host Connor Agnew talks with Wakeman Chemell, Graduate Assistant at Dallas Baptist University. They discuss Wakeman’s shift from soccer to strength & conditioning, managing anxiety, the importance of internships, and how to set goals with real purpose. Wakeman unpacks his approach to building positive environments for athletes and stress...

On the latest edition of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, we sit down with Andrew Rafferty, Strength and Conditioning Coordinator at Clinton High School. In this episode, Andrew discusses his journey from baseball coaching to a full-time strength and conditioning role and the years-long effort to advocate for the value of a strength coach in high school sports. We cover the importance of athl...