In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, we sit down with Jess Givens, Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at the University of North Dakota. Jess walks us through her early days as an apprentice at a D3 school, the leap to D1, and the valuable lessons she learned about building relationships with athletes, maintaining professionalism, and seeking mentorship. Most powerfully, she shares her honest experience with burnout and why getting support through therapy changed her life and coaching approach. From open-minded programming to meal prepping as self-care, Jess’s story is one of resilience and intentionality.

Key Takeaways:

• Jess began her career at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire as an apprentice.
  

• Transitioning to D1 helped her broaden her coaching perspective.
  

• D1 and D3 athletes often have very different mentalities and cultures.
  

• Personal connections and communication are key to athlete development.
  

• Coaches must balance professionalism with personalism to build trust.
  

• Burnout is real—seeking therapy was a pivotal moment in Jess’s career.
  

• Mentorship shaped her growth as a coach.
  

• Staying open-minded in training methods creates stronger athlete engagement.
  

• Meal prepping is part of Jess’s personal strategy for maintaining wellness.
  

Quote"One day I'm like, I need to go talk to somebody... it was nice just to have someone there I can talk to and not be judgmental at all." — Jess Givens