The Strength In Numbers Podcast

Director of Strength and Conditioning at Cistercian Preparatory School, Colton Rosseau, joins the show to discuss his transition from coaching in college to leading athletic development in a high school setting. We explore the biggest shifts he’s experienced moving sectors and what it really takes to serve athletes well at different stages of their development. This conversation goes far beyond se...

In this solo episode, I break down how to separate yourself in the coaching interview process and land your next job. From getting your foot in the door to preparing for Zoom and on-campus interviews, I walk through the strategies that make the process simpler, clearer, and far more effective. I cover how recruiting, interviewing, and sales are deeply connected, what you should be researching befo...

Julian Lo Casto, Head of Performance and Nutrition at Challenger Strength, joins the show to discuss what actually goes into building elite basketball athletes. Julian recently released his first book, The Foundation: The Proven System for Building Elite Basketball Athletes, and this conversation centers around the principles behind that system. We dive into the most common mistakes basketball pla...

Connor Abreu, owner of Thunder N Lightning Performance in New Jersey and winner of the 2024 Gym of the Year award from the Business of Strength group, joins the show to break down the strategies behind running a highly successful and profitable single-location gym. We dive into what Connor would do if he had to start over in a brand-new city with zero connections, the core principles he would use...

Joey Burton is an NBA player development coach who specializes in shooting development and has worked with more than 20 NBA players. In this episode, Joey breaks down how he built his career from training youth athletes to becoming a trusted private development coach for multiple players in the NBA. He shares what he would do if he had to start over today with zero clients or connections, and why...

Tommy Hansen, owner of Perform 4 Life and Director of Sports Performance at Top Flight Volleyball Club, joins the show to break down the realities of volleyball training and athlete development. Best known on Instagram as @freestyle_jump_guy, Tommy has become a go-to resource for jump training and performance insights in the volleyball world. We dive into what injury prevention actually is, the tr...

In this solo episode, I share 12 lessons from 10 elite coaches featured in Strength In Numbers. Each lesson comes from a real passage in the book—insights that have stuck with me and shaped how I think about coaching, leadership, and life. I unpack ideas like why feedback is a gift, how clarity drives performance, what it really means to teach athletes to fail, and why balance isn’t always the goa...

In this solo episode, I break down a framework I use called the Develop vs Display Continuum. When deciding what to do, how much to do, and when to do it, I like to think of a spectrum with “Develop” on one side and “Display” on the other. Are you trying to develop ability—or display it? I dive into how this framework shapes decision-making across different phases of the year, how to individualize...

After 20 years as a Strength and Conditioning Coach at Seton Hall University, Angelo Gingerelli recently transitioned into a new role as a professor at Kean University. He also serves as the New Jersey State Director for the NSCA and is the author of The Next 4 Years: Compete, Win, and Thrive in College Sports. In this episode, Angelo shares insights from his book and career, discussing why many a...

Flow state is one of the most powerful drivers of creativity, productivity, and fulfillment in our work—yet for coaches and others in high-demand careers it can feel impossible to access because of long days, constant distractions, and the feeling of being “on call” 24/7. In this solo episode, I dive into what Flow State is and how to use “Flow Blocks” and “Flex Time” to access it more consistentl...

After 20 years as the Director of Performance and Nutrition at Gonzaga University, Mike Nilson joins the show to share why he stepped away from strength and conditioning to begin a new chapter as a financial advisor with Ten Capital. In his new role, Mike helps athletes navigate the world of NIL and how to manage their finances.  We dive into the principles behind his career transition, how to bui...

Dan Braun, founder of Braun Performance + Rehab and host of the Braun Performance and Rehab Podcast with over 485 episodes, joins the show to share his expertise on bridging the gap between rehab and performance. We dive into the key factors that can delay the return-to-play process, the skills strength coaches should develop to support athletes during rehab, and how to manage chronic injuries—lik...

Founder of Spoken Nutrition, Jordan Bokser, joins the show to share the story behind building a supplement company designed to solve coaches’ problems and deliver products athletes can trust. We dive into how Spoken was created, how they crafted their formulas around transparency and effectiveness, and what it takes to build a brand people believe in. Jordan also breaks down common mistakes in sup...

Co-founder of Durable Athlete and VP of Performance at Texas Pro Academy, Cristian Plascencia joins the show to share how he’s reshaping basketball development in Central Texas. Alongside Zach Urbanus, Cristian has built Texas Pro Academy into a one-stop environment where players get strength and conditioning, skill development, and competitive pickup runs all under one roof. Cristian breaks down...

In this solo episode, I go behind the scenes on the process of writing the Strength In Numbers book. From the initial idea, to getting 100+ coaches to contribute, to the ins and outs of editing, publishing, and marketing, I share what went into making the book a reality. Whether you’ve thought about writing a book yourself or just want to know the story behind the pages, this episode gives you the...

Second Baptist School (Houston, TX) Director of Athletic Performance Nick Mascioli joins the show to dive into the “2K Score” he created to profile his athletes and drive engagement. He breaks down what tests determine the score, how he sets it up, and the results he has seen using it.  Nick leads the Long-Term Athletic Development from Pre-K 3s all the way through High School, and we dive into wh...

Pro basketball player De’Vion Harmon joins the show as the first athlete guest on The Strength in Numbers Podcast. Having played at three Power 5 programs (Oklahoma, Oregon, and Texas Tech) and with two NBA G-League organizations (New York and Indiana), De’Vion brings a unique perspective to the conversation. We dig into what types of coaching have helped him the most, how coaches can make a lasti...

Charlotte Christian Director of Athletic Performance, X2 Baseball Director of Performance, and North Carolina NHSSCA State Director Kyle Jacksic joins the show to share how he balances multiple coaching roles while still delivering at the highest level. Kyle breaks down his overall training philosophy, why failing fast is critical to his program succeeding, and how he built athlete buy-in and atte...

Missouri State Women’s Basketball and Women’s Golf Strength Coach Nicole Jimenez joins the show to dive into what drives her pursuit of learning and how she filters the flood of coaching info.  We also explore: - Why she has passed up higher paying jobs throughout her career. - Why you need a boss that will allow you to fail. - Why she views the statement “My best lifters sit next to me on the ben...

Strength and Conditioning Coach at Brown University and author of Imposter Syndrome: Mental Health Strategies in Strength and Conditioning , Dave Downey joins the show to dive into the topic of impostor syndrome in coaching. We explore how impostor syndrome impacts both coaches and athletes, the importance of mental resilience, and practical strategies to overcome self-doubt. Dave also highlights...

Director of Athletic Development at Triple F Elite Sports Training in Knoxville—and creator of the Plyomat—Richard Burnett joins the show to break down his “4 Pillars of Coaching”: what they are, how to develop them, and how to evaluate them. We also explore: - The differences between coaching in college, high school, and the private sector - How to know which environment is the best fit for your...

Director of Performance for the BC Lions (CFL) and Vancouver Bandits (CEBL), Tanner Care joins the show to break down how elite performance systems are built and sustained. We dig into how he uses data to drive decision making, what college and pro settings reveal about each other, and why he shifted away from a barbell-centric approach. Tanner explains how to build systems that empower your staff...

Former MLB executive and current leadership consultant as President of Stark Contrast, Kyle Stark joins the show to explore what drives development inside great organizations. We dig into how clarity of identity shapes culture, why character is the ultimate performance enhancer, and how knowing what you can and can’t develop should guide player selection. This conversation is packed with leadershi...

Director of Volleyball Sports Performance at SMU, Anthony Cockrill joins the show to unpack what real athlete development looks like—and what many people get wrong. We dive into how the transfer portal has reshaped long-term development, why so many athletes show up underprepared, and how constantly adjusting the plan to make athletes “feel good” can become a dangerous long-term strategy. Anthony...

Head Strength Coach at Bishop’s College School and Universal Academy, Josh Bray joins the show to break down how he tailors training by bucketing athletes into three archetypes based on both their physiological and psychological traits. We dive into how he individualizes programs in large group settings without losing structure. Josh also shares how and when he uses games in training, the importan...