In this conversation, Samson speaks with Ant Blubello, a physical therapist and strength coach, about his evolution from a self-critical athlete to a coach guided by faith and emotional intelligence. Ant dives into his early struggles with body image, the power of positive self-talk, and how spiritual growth has influenced his approach to both rehabilitation and performance. He offers honest reflections on working with high-level athletes, collaborating with military personnel, and balancing the demands of therapy and strength coaching.

Key Takeaways

• Ant’s journey from overweight kid to respected coach is deeply inspiring.
  

• Relationships are the foundation of effective coaching.
  

• Positive self-talk fosters both athletic and personal growth.
  

• Faith and purpose guide Ant’s approach to performance and rehab.
  

• Coaching requires empathy, patience, and understanding of human behavior.
  

• The art of rehabilitation is as much emotional as it is physical.
  

• Balancing physical therapy with coaching provides a holistic athlete view.

  
  Quote:

“The problem with that was that it worked. Me beating myself up did lead to new PRs and better grades—but that negative self-talk bled into relationships and friendships.” — Ant Blubello