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In this episode of the podcast, I sit down with TJ Cahill to talk about coaching principles everyone should know — not just what to coach, but how to think as a coach.TJ is a highly respected strength and conditioning coach with years of experience working with athletes across multiple levels and environments. What separates TJ isn’t a flashy system or viral exercises, but his ability to think deeply, communicate clearly, and apply principles instead of blindly following trends.He’s coached in real-world settings where constraints matter — limited time, limited buy-in, different personalities, different sports — and that experience shows in how he approaches training. TJ has a strong emphasis on long-term athlete development, adaptability, and understanding the human side of coaching, not just the physiological one.In this conversation, we dive into:• How TJ developed his coaching philosophy• Why principles matter more than methods or systems• The importance of critical thinking in an industry full of noise• Coaching the athlete in front of you, not the program on paper• What young coaches should focus on early in their careers• How to build trust, buy-in, and real progress over timeThis episode is especially valuable for coaches who feel overwhelmed by conflicting information online or pressured to chase whatever is currently trending. TJ brings a grounded, thoughtful perspective that cuts through the noise and brings coaching back to what actually matters.Whether you coach youth athletes, high school programs, college athletes, or adults who still identify as athletes, this conversation will help sharpen how you think about training, communication, and leadership.If you found this episode valuable, make sure to like, subscribe, and share it with another coach who needs to hear it.