Building the Athlete

What does healthy sports parenting really look like? In this episode of Building the Athlete , Scott Benson welcomes Jonathan Carone, founder of Healthy Sports Parent, for a thoughtful conversation about the challenges facing today's youth athletes and their families. Together they discuss the pressures of modern youth sports, early specialization, emotional regulation, skill development, tech...

Joe Horst shares his remarkable journey from foster care and juvenile detention to becoming an athlete, mentor, and source of inspiration for others. In this conversation, Joe discusses the challenges he faced growing up, the mindset shifts that changed his life, and the role faith, gratitude, and perseverance played in helping him overcome adversity. He also shares lessons on resilience, personal...

Wyatt Reeder joins the podcast to share his journey from playing multiple sports growing up to earning the opportunity to compete at the Division I baseball level. In this episode, Wyatt talks about transitioning from hockey to baseball, overcoming injuries, building mental toughness, and the role his family played throughout his athletic journey. We also discuss athlete development, training for...

Fresh off his commitment to Tennessee Tech University, Caleb Hollenbeck joins the show to share his journey through college basketball, the transfer portal, and the process of finding the right fit both on and off the court. Caleb opens up about the realities of today’s college basketball landscape, the importance of strength training and physical development, and why basketball IQ, discipline, an...

Connor Hollenbeck shares his journey from small-town basketball to Division I, breaking down what truly drives long-term success. This episode covers the importance of athletic development, the realities of the transfer portal, and how team culture and accountability shape high-level athletes. Connor also explains how the junior college route played a key role in his growth—and why consistency in...

What separates good athletes from great ones? Mindset. In this episode, Stachia (Reuwsaat) Padilla- 2x NCAA Champion, 9x All-American, and National Hall of Fame inductee- shares the mental strategies that helped her succeed at the highest level. From overcoming pressure to building discipline and resilience, Stacia breaks down 5 essential tips to help you develop a winning mindset in sports and be...

Reese Ross, a Division I women’s basketball player at the University of Utah, shares what it truly takes to compete at the highest level. From her journey through high school to earning a spot in college basketball, Reese breaks down the importance of strength training, injury prevention, and developing a relentless mindset. She also opens up about the mental health challenges athletes face and ho...

Fuzz Caan shares his journey from athlete to coach while exploring what it truly takes to develop elite performers. In this episode, we discuss talent identification, coaching philosophy, and the importance of building athletes from the inside out. Fuzz explains why resilience, community, and individualized coaching are essential to long-term success in sports. We also dive into the differences be...

The end of an athletic career can feel more disorienting than any loss on the field. In this episode, Scott Benson and Kim Fauskee discuss the hidden emotional and identity challenges athletes face after sports. From resilience and family influence to emotional intelligence and the evolving NIL landscape, this conversation dives deep into what truly prepares athletes for long-term success. Key the...

What’s holding high jump back in the U.S.? And are coaches teaching the event the wrong way? In this episode, Scott Benson sits down with elite high jump coach Jeremy Fischer , founder of MVA Athletics , to challenge the traditional approach to coaching high jump. Jeremy explains why too many athletes are trained to “clear the bar” instead of mastering approach rhythm, posture, and takeoff mechani...

In this episode of Building the Athlete, we break down speed training for athletes and why most athletes (and coaches) are getting it wrong. From acceleration and deceleration mechanics to the difference between game speed vs track speed , this conversation dives deep into what actually improves sports performance. We cover: How to increase speed for any sport The difference between strength train...

In this episode of Building the Athlete , Scott Benson talks with former Division I basketball player Morgan Kane about the pressures facing today’s athletes. They discuss basketball overload, the value of multi-sport participation, and why mindset, strength training, and nutrition matter more than ever. The conversation also touches on NIL, the transfer portal, and the importance of mental health...

In this episode of 'Building the Athlete,' host Scott Benson welcomes performance coach Justin Kegley, who shares insights from his decade-long experience training female athletes at Movement Fitness in Rockford, Illinois. Justin discusses the unique challenges and needs of female athletes, particularly in strength training and injury prevention. He highlights the alarming statistics regar...

Volleyball coach Alison Furno joins Scott Benson for an in-depth conversation on the game of volleyball—on and off the court. They break down volleyball positions, what coaches truly look for in athletes, and how players can better understand and embrace their role on a team. From athlete development and training mindset to coaching perspective and communication, this episode delivers practical in...

What actually drives athletic performance—and what’s just noise? In this episode, we sit down with Taylor Houchin to break down the truth behind speed development, strength training, and modern sports performance coaching. We cut through common training myths and discuss what truly matters when developing athletes at every level. instagram: @bensonsportstraining

In this conversation, Haleigh Timmer, a standout basketball player from Oklahoma State University, shares her journey from a young athlete to a collegiate star. She discusses the importance of early exposure to sports, the value of multi-sport participation, and the mental toughness required to succeed at higher levels of competition. Haleigh reflects on her experiences in high school athletics, t...

Mental toughness isn’t built overnight. In this episode w/ Jake Sullivan, we dive into overcoming mental hardships, learning real confidence, and developing emotional maturity — on and off the field. This conversation breaks down what growth actually looks like when life, sport, and pressure hit all at once. If you’re an athlete, coach, or parent navigating setbacks, self-doubt, or emotional chall...

College volleyball recruiting has changed — and many athletes and parents are still operating with outdated information. In today’s episode of Building the Athlete , we sit down with Robert Cagle , Vice President of National Scouting Report (NSR) , to break down what volleyball recruiting really looks like in 2025. We cover: How college volleyball coaches evaluate recruits The biggest recruiting m...

In this conversation, Dr. Nate Zinsser, a sports psychology expert, discusses the importance of confidence in performance, the universality of self-doubt, and the role of visualization and self-talk in overcoming anxiety. He emphasizes the need for intrinsic motivation and discipline over mere outcome-based goals, while also addressing the impact of technology on young athletes. The discussion hig...

In this episode, Coach Tony Holler breaks down the real foundation of elite athletic performance: health, speed, recovery, and athlete availability . We discuss why the top teams in sports maintain a 98–99% health rate and how prioritizing recovery leads directly to faster athletes and more consistent team success. From the misconceptions around conditioning to the importance of rest, sleep, and m...

In this conversation, Scott Benson interviews James Hall, Deputy Athletic Director at New Mexico State, discussing his extensive experience in college athletics, the importance of academic success for student-athletes, the evolving landscape of NCAA regulations, and the impact of NIL on recruiting and financial opportunities for athletes. Hall shares insights on the challenges and changes in colle...

The truth about SPEED in baseball — what it really takes and why it separates good from great.

Join Scott Benson as he interviews Tip Reiman, a tight end for the Arizona Cardinals, exploring his inspiring journey from a small town to the NFL. Discover Tip's passion for strength and conditioning, his experiences as a walk-on at the University of Illinois, and the importance of mindset and intrinsic motivation in achieving success. Gain insights into training, nutrition, and recovery, and...