The Supersized PhysEd Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Yes Chef! Today I borrow the mindset of elite kitchens to rethink what excellence looks like in teaching and physical education. I lay out a simple “recipe” that helps us build joyful classes, reliable routines, memorable experiences, and a consistent standard students can trust.  • loving cooking shows as a lens for teaching excellence  • serving up joy daily through fun movement...

Send us Fan Mail What's up PE Nation! Today I share how we run Striker Ball for K-5 and why it fits so well as a follow-up to Foursquare and Gaga Ball. I break down the setup, the rules that keep it safe and fair, and the simple ways we teach kids to settle disputes fast.  • why Striker Ball works as a progression from Foursquare and Gaga Ball  • simple setup using medium cones and court circ...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Summer, Today I lay out a simple way to rest during summer break while still coming back ready to serve students better. I use the three Rs reflect, refocus, and regroup to review what worked, fix what didn’t, and build a real plan instead of repeating last year.  • reflecting on the previous school year with pluses, minuses, changes, and keepers  • building a PE cultur...

Send us Fan Mail Hello PE Nation! Today we bring back four square and show how we teach it from kindergarten through the upper grades without losing kids to confusion, long lines, or constant arguments. I share the exact progressions, key rules, and the creative “extra games” students love once they know the basics.  • why four square belongs in the PE curriculum and transfers to recess and home p...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome PE Nation! Today I share a part-two update on my martial arts style leadership program for elementary PE and how the belt levels are working in real life. I break down the benefits, the problems I did not expect, and what I want to change so it runs even better next year.  • belt system built around leadership, behavior, and helpfulness rather than athletic skill  • how st...

Send us Fan Mail Let's jump PE Nation! Today we map out engaging jump rope stations that scale from kindergarten to fifth grade, tie movement to heart health, and keep classes flowing with limited staff. From Chinese jump rope patterns to long rope timing, we share practical setups, cues, and safety tips you can use tomorrow. • K–1 adaptations using floor shapes and simple jumps • Chinese jum...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back PE Nation! Today I revisit the PE practices many of us grew up with—public showers, shirts versus skins, elimination games, captains’ picks—and show how small changes create safer, more inclusive classes. Stories from the 70s and 80s meet modern fixes that keep kids moving without shame. • why public showers and rigid swimming norms erode psychological safety • how pi...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome PE Nation! Today I share nine creative documentaries and series that fueled my teaching and creative work, from sushi perfection to sky-high walks, rock faces, pyrotechnics, street art, chess, and reopening an elite dining room. The thread is obsession, process, and building something that lasts. • Spinning Plates  • Jiro Dreams of Sushi  • Skywalkers and Man on Wire  • Ex...

Send us Fan Mail Jingle Bells, PE Nation! Today I share how to run Reindeer Games, a winter-themed PE event that trades endless laps for creative stations, safe movement, and real learning. We cover setup, scheduling with large classes, inclusive music, budget decor, and a full menu of flexible, fun games. • two-day versus one-day event planning • mirrored station tracks for large groups • safety...

Send us Fan Mail What's up PE Nation! Today I take a hard look at what’s working and what needs work across our PE program, from a new student leadership system to weather-bent units, a missed grant, a messy Turkey Trot tally, and a post-surgery plan that turns warmups into student-led moments. Reflection sets the tone, action steps make it real. • leadership program wristbands • weather disr...

Send us Fan Mail Gobble, gobble friends! Today I share a clear, low-stress plan for running a school-wide turkey trot with fairness, safety, and fun at the center. Let's have fun! • six-day rotation compressed into a one-day event • track layout and grade-level scheduling • dynamic warm-up and pacing reminders • splitting runners to reduce congestion • index cards and stamps for accurate lap...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the Upside Down, Today we use a Stranger Things hook to build a practical “Max” list for PE: the song, games, instant activities, warmups, attention grabs, and unit we can repeat without losing joy or learning. The aim is alignment between what we love and what students actually want. • defining a “Max” list that anchors planning • Max game: Rollout for tight spaces • M...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Hawkins PE Nation! Today we turn fan joy into teaching fuel, using Stranger Things as a lens for building classroom culture, designing our own teaching genre, empowering teams, and fighting the daily “demogorgons.” A real-life tour from Detroit to Vecna’s house sets the stage for practical PE strategies and a call to legacy. • building Hawkins as a strong, inclusive cla...

Send us Fan Mail Hello PE Nation! Today I wanted to share six new principles that guide our teaching and our lives: take risks, embrace the journey, no limits, Kaizen, love your craft, and change the game. Stories range from a final hello to a principal to the Savannah Bananas’ reinvention of baseball, with clear takeaways for any classroom. • why taking smart risks reduces regret • embracing proc...

Send us Fan Mail Let's play, PE Nation! A camp classic from 1999 gets new life in our PE classes as we teach Tractor Buoy Sea Monster, a fast, no-equipment game that borrows the logic of rock, paper, scissors. We explain the gestures, the rules and a quick partner activity that fills three to five minutes with fun and fair play. Check out this game if you’d like, and more games in my team bui...

Send us Fan Mail Let's go PE Nation! Today I want to share with you three kindergarten PE games that keep kids moving, teach boundaries, and build early math skills while staying safe and simple to run. We also answer listener questions about the PE9 book series and the ongoing saga of our inflatable mascot, Webster. • top 10 kindergarten games overview and eBook link • "Treasure Hunters...

Send us Fan Mail Let's wreck things PE Nation! We turn a simple throwing drill into a Wreck-It Ralph game that hooks K–2 and scales to older grades with smart rules, roles, and safety. Clear setups, rebuild roles, and distance tweaks keep the action fast while teaching form, teamwork, and boundaries. • using a movie theme to boost engagement • safe setup with midline and mat buffers • roles f...

Send us Fan Mail What's up PE Nation! MJ vs. Lebron- It's not even close!!! We explore the concept of becoming a "generational teacher" - an educator whose impact extends beyond a single academic year to influence generations of students through meaningful connections and holistic teaching approaches. • Go big with your ideas - don't be afraid to rock the boat for a greate...

Send us Fan Mail What's up friends! Let's talk outside PE! Teaching PE outside presents unique challenges from weather monitoring to wildlife encounters, requiring specific strategies and equipment to ensure effective instruction. Here are some things to consider: • Weather conditions • Unforeseen events • The physical toll on teachers • Specialized supplies • Multiple backup plans ready...

Send us Fan Mail Join the Galactic Battle PE Nation! Let's transform your PE class with Space Battle , a target game using four-square grids as "spaceships" where students defend their pins while trying to knock down their opponents'. This game combines strategy, teamwork, and skill development while keeping all students actively engaged throughout. • Setup requires four-square...

Send us Fan Mail What's up PE Nation! Don't let kindergarten scare you! Teaching kindergarten PE requires a thoughtful approach centered on structure, simplicity, positive reinforcement, basic games, and genuine enjoyment. When these five elements come together, kindergarten classes transform from potentially chaotic experiences into joyful learning environments where young students thri...

Send us Fan Mail What's up PE Nation! Today we dive deep into "Level 3" equipment for physical education programs, exploring how to dream big and significantly elevate your PE offerings beyond the basics. From securing $9,000 obstacle courses to writing effective grants, this episode provides a roadmap for transforming your program with strategic equipment investments. • Define your...

Send us Fan Mail What's up PE Nation! Let's talk "Game Changers" today! Scotty Scheffler, the world's #1 golfer, offers a refreshing perspective on success, prioritizing faith and family over trophies and fame. His approach stands in stark contrast to other sports heroes who often disappoint fans through personal failings. • Winning isn't Scheffler's identity – h...

Send us Fan Mail Let's Travel PE Nation! Who doesn't love "The Amazing Race"? After an unsuccessful first attempt years ago, I'm bringing back a more structured, inclusive version with carefully formed teams and diverse challenges. • Theme is vitally important • Teams will be created to include everyone • Challenges divided into three types: technical skills, logical reaso...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to school PE Nation! I created a new e-book "Team Building Games and Activities in PE," featuring games that help physical education teachers build culture and community in the first weeks of school. The 21-page resource contains engaging activities for grades K-5 that get students moving while developing teamwork skills. • Getting-to-know-you games like &qu...