CVASPS The Podcast

In this episode of the Central Virginia Sport Performance Podcast, we welcome Pat Lewis to the show. We explore Pat’s journey through collegiate strength and conditioning and how his experiences shaped a detail-oriented, athlete-first approach to coaching. The conversation emphasizes the importance of education, communication, and individualized programming in developing stronger, more prepared athletes.Pat shares his philosophy of “figuring it out” as a coaching mindset, highlighting how adaptability and problem-solving help coaches meet athletes where they are. He discusses the value of building programs around athlete history, assessment, and current needs rather than relying on one-size-fits-all methods. The discussion also covers how education can improve athlete ownership of nutrition, hydration, and recovery.The episode also dives into the importance of onboarding new athletes, balancing general and specific training interventions, and using foundational movement principles across a wide range of ability levels. Pat reflects on the role of structural balance, full range of motion, and practical application of Charles Poliquin’s principles in modern program design.The conversation concludes with Pat sharing insights on mentorship, athlete accountability, and the importance of consistency in the small details. Listeners walk away with a clearer understanding of how thoughtful coaching, education, and individualized systems create long-term success.

Main Topics Covered:

• The “figure it out” mindset in coaching and problem-solving

• Building individualized programs from athlete assessment and history

• Athlete education around nutrition, hydration, and recovery

• Onboarding new players into a performance program

• Applying foundational movement principles across different athletes

• Balancing general and specific training in diverse rosters

• Structural balance, full range of motion, and safe training foundations

• The role of mentorship, accountability, and communication in coaching

Key Insights:

• Great coaching is built on adaptability, not rigid systems

• Athlete ownership improves when education is simple and consistent

• Individual needs should guide exercise selection and progression

• Small details in communication and implementation can create major performance gains

• Foundational movement principles still matter in modern training environments

• Coaches must balance efficiency with personalization when working with varied athletes

• Long-term success comes from structure, consistency, and continuous learning

• Strong mentorship helps build stronger coaches and stronger program

Final Notes:

This episode emphasizes that excellent coaching depends on attention to detail, athlete education, and a willingness to adapt systems to the individual. Use these principles to create stronger relationships, improve performance outcomes, and build a coaching process that lasts.

In this episode of the Central Virginia Sport Performance Podcast, host Jay DeMayo welcomes Duke's Preston Greene to the show. They explore Preston's extensive journey through the world of high-performance coaching, from his beginnings at Clemson to his current role at Duke. The conversation emphasizes the importance of humility, work ethic, and a growth mindset in coaching.Preston shares his insights on talent identification and the necessity of adapting training systems to fit each athlete, rather than forcing athletes into a rigid system. He discusses the value of clinical experience over purely theoretical research, highlighting how real-world coaching can lead to more effective athlete development.The discussion also delves into the challenges of modern coaching, such as managing program design within compressed timelines and the evolving landscape of college basketball. Preston reflects on his experiences with different coaching philosophies and the importance of maintaining foundational principles while being flexible to adapt to new environments.The episode concludes with Preston offering advice on mentorship and the significance of building a strong coaching tree. He shares his admiration for influential figures in the field and suggests future guests for the podcast, providing listeners with a wealth of actionable wisdom and inspiration.

Main Topics Covered:

Key Insights:

Final notes: This show emphasizes the importance of experience, adaptability, humility, and ongoing mentorship in performance coaching. Use these principles to elevate your approach, foster strong athlete-coach relationships, and develop future leaders in the field.

In this weeks episode of The Podcast we are joined by Zane Scott to discuss the strategic focus on internal mobility within sports performance departments, emphasizing its role in strengthening staff loyalty and improving team dynamics. He shares insights from his experience at FAU, highlighting the importance of developing career pathways and creating growth opportunities for staff. Zane explains how transparency in setting expectations can aid in retaining staff and how understaffing can be leveraged as a catalyst for departmental growth.

The conversation delves into mentoring young coaches and managing their career transitions, balancing long-term athlete development with short-term wins, and the benefits of diversity in coaching experiences across different levels, from D2 to high-major programs. Zane underscores the significance of building a cohesive, adaptable team culture, emphasizing humility and resilience in staff development.

He also discusses tactical approaches for advocating for departmental resources and growth, sharing examples of promoting staff. The episode concludes with reflections on the power of consistency, shared purpose, and the importance of nurturing internal talent to build a transparent, growth-oriented environment.

Takeaways

In this episode of the Central Virginia Sport Performance Podcast, host Jay DeMayo welcomes Alabama's Henry Barrera back to the podcast. They delve into Henry's journey from coaching high school basketball to his current role at Alabama, emphasizing the importance of continuous growth and development. The discussion highlights the significance of curiosity, feedback, and simplicity in coaching, as well as the integration of analytics in training, known as "Bamalytics" at Alabama.

Henry shares his philosophy of building partnerships with athletes, moving away from a militaristic approach to a more collaborative one. He emphasizes the value of intuition and experience, supported by data, to enhance athlete performance. The conversation also explores the role of journaling and networking in personal and professional growth, underscoring the need for truth-tellers in one's life.

The episode concludes with reflections on the challenges of modern coaching, the importance of vulnerability, and the pursuit of authentic growth. Henry offers insights into his training principles, such as mastering movement and strategic overload, and shares his admiration for influential figures in the field, suggesting future guests for the podcast.

Key Points:

 • Growth mindset and continuous development are central to Henry's coaching philosophy.

 • Henry emphasizes building partnerships with athletes, moving away from a militaristic approach.

 • Training is categorized into three buckets: strong, build, and explode, tailored to athlete needs.

 • Relentless passion and showing up every day are crucial for growth and learning.

 • "Challenge creates change" is a guiding principle in Henry's approach.

 • Mastering movement to maximize power is a key training principle.

Quotes:

 • "It's one of our core values here, continuous growth to me."

 • "Challenge creates change, you know?"

 • "Principles for me, if we're talking training, number one is always going to be master movement to maximize power."

 • "I kind of have three buckets in my head and on paper really, strong, and explode."

 • "The biggest thing right now in terms of growth and learning and development is showing up every day with relentless passion."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Growth and Development

03:06 The Importance of a Growth Mindset

05:54 Frameworks and Filters in Coaching

09:04 Building Relationships with Athletes

11:52 The Role of Challenge in Growth

14:38 The Power of Journaling and Reflection

17:33 Truth Tellers and Honest Feedback

20:15 The Intersection of Personal and Professional Growth

23:35 Mastering Movement and Compounding Growth

26:26 Conclusion and Future Aspirations

In this episode of the Central Virginia Sport Performance Podcast, host Jay DeMayo welcomes East Carolina University Men's Basketball Strength Coach Colton Susen. They delve into Colton's journey through various coaching roles at universities like Michigan and Southern Illinois. The discussion focuses on the importance of individualized training programs for athletes, emphasizing risk profiling and the use of objective measures to tailor workouts. Colton shares insights on progression and regression in training, particularly in squatting techniques, and the role of technology like flywheels in enhancing performance. The conversation also touches on the significance of building a culture of accountability among athletes and the challenges of adapting training methods to the evolving sports environment. The episode concludes with reflections on the importance of maintaining standards and the continuous pursuit of improvement in coaching practices.

Key topics:

In this episode, Jay DeMayo hosts Vinnie Calautti to explore the critical practice of auditing training programs in sport performance coaching. Vinnie delves into the nuances of using objective data to enhance athlete performance and minimize injuries. He emphasizes the importance of moving beyond mere exercise selection to evaluate the stimulus and output of training programs. By leveraging tools like force plates, coaches can gain valuable insights into performance metrics, allowing for more informed adjustments.Vinny also discusses the impact of external factors such as stress, exams, and personal issues on athlete performance, highlighting the need for coaches to consider these elements when assessing performance dips. The conversation covers strategies for injury mitigation, focusing on ground interaction and foot mechanics, and the integration of innovative tools like the Active Foot System (AFS) to complement traditional strength training.The episode further explores the balance between coaching philosophy and the use of technology, emphasizing the significance of fostering athlete commitment over mere compliance. Vinnie shares insights on the benefits of slow, deliberate training tempos to enhance reaction and response, and the art of adapting coaching methods based on athlete feedback.Listeners will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to maintain composure amidst fluctuating data and external pressures, and the importance of balancing objective data with the art and intuition of coaching. The episode concludes with reflections on the evolution of coaching from art to science and back, and the influence of mentorship and industry insights on coaching practices.

Key Topics:

Summary
In this episode of the Central Virginia Sport Performance Podcast, host Jay DeMayo interviews Ben Steenrod, a strength and conditioning coach at Temple. They discuss Ben's journey from working in Olympic sports to basketball. The conversation highlights the importance of versatility, relationship-building, and continuous learning. Ben shares insights on how his diverse coaching experience informs his approach, the significance of small actions in building team culture, and the use of technology in training. The episode concludes with reflections on the challenges and rewards of coaching in today's environment.
Key Topics:

In this episode, host Jay DeMayo welcomes Kennesaw State's Seth Thomsen, to The Podcast. They explore Seth's journey from playing Division III basketball to coaching, highlighting his experiences across various institutions. The discussion delves into the challenges and rewards of coaching multiple teams, the importance of technical proficiency, and the role of adversity in building resilience. Seth shares insights on maintaining athlete readiness, the significance of nutrition, and fostering a competitive yet supportive team culture. The episode concludes with reflections on the evolving landscape of college sports and the importance of developing strong relationships within a team.

Key Takeaways

Quotes

Timestamps

In this episode of the Central Virginia Sport Performance Podcast, host Jay DeMayo welcomes Priya Sidhu to The Podcast where she shares with us the foundational aspects of building a successful athletic program from scratch. Priya shares her journey in collegiate strength and conditioning, emphasizing the importance of culture, communication, and trust. The discussion covers how to integrate performance staff into team norms, the role of programming in aligning with coaching philosophies, and the impact of modern transfer culture on athlete management. Priya also highlights the significance of competitive training environments and the holistic development of athletes beyond sports. The episode concludes with insights into the challenges and rewards of coaching in today's dynamic environment.

Key Topics

This episode emphasizes that entrusting the performance staff with the foundation of culture and athlete development is pivotal for building sustainable, high-functioning teams. Coaches should focus not only on the physical but also on cultivating trust, clarity, and aligned standards, especially amidst the rapid changes in transfer dynamics and athlete expectations.

Summary
In this episode of the Central Virginia Sport Performance Podcast, host Jay DeMayo welcomes Alan Bishop to explore the art of building resilient teams in sports. They discuss Alan's journey in coaching and the impact of transfer portal dynamics on team building. The conversation emphasizes the importance of cultivating a demanding off-season culture, balancing individualized training with team cohesion, and fostering accountability and resilience. Alan shares insights on leadership, the evolving landscape of coaching, and the role of relationships in athlete success. The episode concludes with reflections on the challenges and rewards of coaching in today's dynamic environment.

Key topics

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction to Houston program success and coach Alan Bishop
 02:04 - How portal day influences team roster construction
 03:57 - Balancing transfer influences with athlete development
 04:55 - Importance of exercise transferability
 06:24 - Tailoring training for individual needs
 07:45 - Margins between successful training and overtraining
 08:21 - Significance of a demanding off-season
 09:28 - Transfer as training maturity
 10:22 - Effects of season length and planning
 11:48 - Incorporating isometrics and regenerative strategies
 12:46 - Well-thought-out programming aligned with philosophy
 13:43 - Navigating coaching changes and adaptation
 14:37 - Managing player stress and recovery
 15:42 - Impact of offseason programming on cohesion
 16:11 - Building relationships amidst challenges
 17:09 - Relationship building in coaching and loyalty
 18:36 - Purposeful decision-making and communication
 19:53 - Approachability and safe environment for development
 20:26 - Offseason culture and recruitment transparency
 22:11 - Setting high standards and accountability
 23:35 - Culture of ownership through team efforts
 25:29 - Team conditioning and collective identity
 26:12 - Challenging athletes to reinforce ownership
 27:02 - Setting clear, measurable standards
 28:02 - Norms for accountability and routines
 29:01 - Data-driven conditioning and accountability
 30:49 - Courage in coaching—pushing comfort zones
 33:49 - Challenges creating shared ownership
 35:07 - Management of trophies, resilience, and expectations
 36:02 - Opportunities to overcome adversity
 36:57 - Balancing results with development
 37:27 - Impact of a demanding head coach
 38:55 - Role of luck, relationships, and staffing
 40:21 - Insights on mental toughness and careers
 41:19 - Future guest suggestions
 43:11 - Importance of relationship-building and program fit
 43:40 - Future conversations with coaching minds
 44:05 - Closing thoughts: learning and mentorship

Additional Notes