Samson Strength Coach Collective

 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...

In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, host Connor Agnew sits down with Nick DaCosta, Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Appalachian State University. Nick opens up about his climb from intern to coach at the same university, and what lessons he’s carried with him along the way. He discusses his work with diverse teams—like field hockey and cheer—his takeaways from the...

 In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, host sits down with Zach Hicks, a Graduate Assistant at Appalachian State University. Zach opens up about his path from a small-town upbringing and a background in theater to the weight room, sharing valuable insights from his first year and a half as a GA. His unique experience in performance taught him how to step outside of his comfort z...

In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, we sit down with Kacie Allison, Assistant Director of Sports Performance at Bowling Green University. Kacie shares her powerful journey from college athlete to strength coach and opens up about how embracing discomfort led to personal and professional breakthroughs. Drawing from her experience in softball and triathlon, Kacie discusses the c...

In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, Charles Kenward of Incarnate Word University joins us to break down the nuanced relationship between teaching and coaching. As someone running both Olympic and football strength programs solo, Charles brings a unique lens on time management, communication, and athlete development. He emphasizes how the weight room isn't just for physical tra...

In this engaging episode, Aaron Clayton, Partner at Performance Chefs, shares his journey from fine dining to the frontlines of athletic performance. He unpacks the critical role of a performance chef, emphasizing how timing, hydration, and trust play into nutrition strategies that elevate an athlete’s career. Aaron highlights the importance of collaboration across performance teams, balancing per...

In this conversation, Keegan Smith details his path from high school football in Alabama to working under Scott Cochran at Alabama and now coaching Olympic sports at Georgia Southern. He reflects on the emotional demands of coaching, building authentic relationships with athletes, and creating a culture rooted in trust and personal growth. Keegan emphasizes the value of early strength exposure, te...

In this candid episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, Michael Tucker, Strength and Conditioning Coach at Liberty University, reflects on his coaching journey—from internships to leading performance programs. Michael emphasizes how foundational relationships are to coaching success. He dives into pacing, motivation, energy management, and maintaining professional and personal relationship...

S02|E208 Unbreakable Athletics with Jim Beebe | Samson Strength Coach Collective In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, we’re joined by Jim Beebe—owner of Unbreakable Athletics and creator of the Athlete Builder system. Jim opens up about a powerful turning point in his life: a moment in his front yard with his son that sparked a radical transformation. We talk about how that mom...

Elite Athlete Nutrition with Jessica Isaacs On this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, we sit down with Jessica Isaacs—elite athlete, sports dietitian, and voice of reason in the chaotic world of performance nutrition. Jessica shares her incredible journey from serving as an aircraft mechanic in the military to becoming a trusted expert in collegiate and elite athlete nutrition. She...

S02E207 Asking Reflective Questions in Coaching with Sean Swetnam | Samson Strength Coach Collective On the latest edition of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, we sit down with Sean Swetnam , Assistant Director of Football Performance at UCLA . In this episode, Sean shares his path from private sector training to coaching at a Power Five program—and how that journey shaped his approach to athl...