Smalls Talk

Tom is joined by Former Division 1 Softball Player and Motivational Speaker Kelsey O'Connor to discuss the significance of building trust through shared experiences and the impact of athletic injuries on identity. Kelsey shares her journey through injury, isolation, and the emotional challenges of being a part of a sports team. She discusses the impact of her experiences on her identity and the im...

Tom is joined by Senior International Coach Brittany Rucker to discuss the complexities of coach-athlete relationships, emphasizing the importance of communication, setting expectations, and creating a safe environment for feedback. Tom and Coach B discuss how these elements contribute to personal growth and performance, and the significance of finding the right fit between coaches and athletes. T...

Tom is joined by two-time Olympian Jourdan Delacruz to discuss Jourdan's journey into weightlifting, her experiences at the Olympic Training Center, and the emotional challenges faced during the Olympics, particularly the contrasting experiences between Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. Jourdan shares insights on the importance of support systems, the realities of life in the Olympic Village, and her...

Considered one of the best basketball development coaches in the country, Steve Dagostino drops in to talk about his experience working with high level athletes. Dags joins Tom to discuss his journey in building Dags Basketball and Maximize Basketball, the importance of accountability in youth sports, and the challenges posed by the American basketball system. Tom and Steve delve into various aspe...

In this special bonus episode, Tom is joined by Coach Brittany Rucker to explore the mental aspects of meet day, emphasizing the critical role of mindset, self-awareness, and emotional resilience in facing challenges. They discuss strategies for athletes to manage expectations, control self-talk, and set clear intentions to boost performance. The conversation highlights the importance of distingui...

Tom is joined for a quarterly catch-up chat with dear friend of the show Blake Bender discuss various topics ranging from current events, personal reflections, and Tom's upcoming move to Austin. The conversation also touches on the different type of mental fitness required for ultra running, including visualization techniques and the logistics involved in preparing for such demanding races.

Tom is joined by therapist and former Division I college athlete Evan Smith to discuss how athletes define success, the principles and the processes to get there, and the cultural shifts he experienced along his own athletic journey. Evan and Tom also discuss the evolving landscape of college athletics, particularly with the introduction of NIL, and the critical role of coaching styles and support...

Tom is joined by Senior International Olympic Weightlifting Coach Brittany Rucker (also his coach) to discuss the importance of mental fitness, setting realistic goals, and understanding the qualities that make athletes successful. Brittany shares her journey from athlete to coach, discussing the challenges and insights gained along the way. She also explains the concept of the alter ego effect in...

Tom is joined by Jessica Weiss as she shares her journey living with endometriosis as a competitive athlete. Tom and Jessica discuss the lack of awareness surrounding the condition, the challenges of diagnosis, and the importance of education and advocacy. Jessica also highlights the significance of having a support system, particularly in navigating the healthcare system and managing chronic pain...

Tom is joined by Primal Mobility Coach Bekah Oh as they discuss the importance of mobility training, common misconceptions, and the key principles of Primal Mobility. Bekah and Tom talk about the significance of patience in mobility training, the indicators that suggest a need for mobility work, and essential exercises that can benefit everyone. They also explore current trends in fitness and mobi...

Tom is joined by Brennan Fleming, the owner of Armory Strength and Conditioning. They discuss Brennan's transition from a collegiate strength coach to a gym owner, the challenges he faces in business, the importance of mentorship, and the nuances of content creation in the fitness industry. Brennan emphasizes the significance of authenticity in leadership and the value of building genuine connecti...

Tom is joined by Quarterback Coach Kyle Borey to discuss his journey in football, from playing at the collegiate level to developing his own business training quarterbacks. Borey shares insights on the transition from high school to college football, the mindset required for quarterbacks, and the significance of accountability in the sport. He also explores the traits of an ideal quarterback and t...

Abbie Cooper drops by the studio to discuss her weightlifting journey and the importance of self-belief and a strong coach-athlete relationship. Tom and Abbie also talk about the importance of communication and accountability in coaching and the importance of keeping a journal to track progress and thoughts. The episode concludes with Abbie sharing her favorite exercises for overhead mobility and...

Tom is joined in the studio by longtime friend and mentor Greg Fahey (Associate Head Coach of Hampton Men's Basketball) to discuss the evolving landscape of college coaching, the impact of NIL on player transfers, and the importance of building relationships and engaging students to foster a strong fan base. Tom and Greg explore the challenges and strategies involved in coaching, the significa...

In this episode, Tom sits down with Fitness and Nutrition Coach Adam Badger to delve into his entrepreneurial journey. Adam opens up about the hurdles he faced while starting his coaching business and how a supportive partner helped him overcome them. Tom and Adam discuss the importance of focusing on daily habits over rigid timelines, and how building genuine relationships without expecting anyth...

Tom is joined by good friend and athlete Don Carey to discuss his experiences as a college athlete and his transition to professional basketball. He reflects on his time at different colleges, the challenges of being patient and watching other players, and the importance of contributing to a winning culture. Tom and Don discuss his mindset, work ethic, and the influence of his parents. Don also sh...

Tom is joined by longtime friend and Forever Forward Podcast Host Michael Thomas to discuss his path to finding purpose through the creation of his YouTube channel. They talk about the importance of being authentic and vulnerable, especially for men, and how it can lead to personal growth. They also touch on the challenges of pursuing a passion while working a nine-to-five job and the balance betw...

Tom is joined by fitness coach Andrew Holmes to discuss his recent ascent into the online coaching space and how he has leveraged his knowledge and authenticity to create genuine connections and sustainable results with clients. Tom and Andrew also discuss moving past imposter syndrome, and how they have each implemented high performance principles into their own lives.

Associate Head Strength and Conditioning Coach and Temple Football Alum Evangelos Regas joins Tom to discuss their experiences in college strength and conditioning, the challenges of coaching, and the impact of athletics on personal and professional development. They also explore the changing landscape of collegiate athletics and the importance of facing adversity. The conversation then delves int...

Tom is joined by New York Weightlifting WSO President James McDermott and USAW At Large Director Sara Soto to discuss building community in sport, the importance of a supportive training environment, and the keys to finding a great coach. 10:50 - Building a Club Community: Ownership and Support 21:58 - Finding a Coach and the Challenges of Training Alone 27:50 - Taking Care of Mental Health and Av...

Blake and Tom discuss Blake's recent trip to Australia, and his top 3 highlights from his journey to the land down under. The conversation then shifts to sports, with a focus on Australian rules football and rugby. They discuss the athleticism and physicality of these sports and compare them to American football and basketball. The discussion ends with Blake and Tom talking about the need for...

Tom is joined by Nicole Gaudenzi, Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development and Leadership at Seton Hall University, to discuss how she cultivated and implemented an environment of encouraging student athletes to be open about their mental health during her tenure at Wagner College. Nicole and Tom discuss her recent trip to March Madness, and the ways she has seen athletes embrac...

Tom is joined by 2024 Atlantic 10 Conference POY Jordan King to discuss his basketball journey, from starting as a walk-on at Siena College to becoming the A10 co-player of the year at Richmond. Tom and Jordan talk about the importance of hard work, perseverance, and betting on oneself. Jordan offers advice to high school athletes who may be facing uncertainty and stresses the value of having the...

Tom is joined by University of Michigan Athletic Counselor Ardran Carr, M.Ed., LLPC to discuss the need for preventive care in student athlete mental health. Ardran discusses his journey from former student athlete to being a licensed professional in the field of psychology. Tom and Ardran also dive into the impact NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) has had on collegiate athletes, the need for athlet...

Tom is joined by Farshad Sarrafi, co-founder and owner of Beyond Built Training to discuss the importance of understanding people, and the similarities between coaching and owning businesses. They touch on the challenges of working with athletes and the need for context in training. Also discussed is the importance of building relationships, understanding the needs of athletes, and the role of pro...