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 sets and reps. Colton shares what drives his desire to make a meaningful impact, why he prioritizes excellence over perfection, and how he thinks about building skills and character alongside physical development. We also dive into how to structure long-term athletic development from elementary-aged athletes through college, balancing both athletic and skill progression.

This episode is packed with insight for coaches who care deeply about leadership, values, and building systems that truly serve the athlete in front of them.

This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches.

Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success.

👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here].

Chapters

00:00 Challenges and Joys of Coaching High School Athletes

10:25 Finding Purpose Beyond Monotony in Coaching

11:37 The Drive to Impact Young Athletes

14:50 Balancing Athletic Excellence with Life Lessons

16:42 Coaching Conversations: The Heart of Impact

18:31 Learning from Burnout: Efficiency in Coaching

21:29 Chasing Excellence Over Perfection

23:20 Simplicity in Programming for High School Athletes

24:46 Long-Term Goals and Skills Development

26:33 Simplifying Coaching Approaches

27:45 Skill Acquisition and Learning

30:55 Life Experiences Shaping Coaching Skills

32:28 Enhancing Communication Through Storytelling

34:02 Balancing Information Intake for Effective Coaching

35:33 Contextualizing Coaching Practices

40:26 Evolving Perspectives on Training Intensity

42:51 Foundational Development for Young Athletes

46:46 The Bigger Picture in Coaching