Pursuit PE Podcast

In this episode, we go beyond basic accountability and dig into 8 proven strategies for keeping students engaged, motivated, and committed all semester. From goal-setting and attendance incentives to fun days and reflection exercises, you’ll walk away with practical tools to make Strength & Speed training something students look forward to—not just another class.

Main Takeaways

* Start with Clear, Achievable Goals

* Short-term wins (weekly progress) build momentum.

* Action Step: Have students set personal records AND group targets.

* Emphasize “Best Version of You”

* Avoid peer comparisons—focus on personal growth instead.

* Action Step: Use progress boards or PR bells to highlight individual success.

* Use Training Cards as Motivation

* Color-coding PRs, adding quick coach’s notes, or tracking milestones keeps students engaged.

* Pair Students for Accountability

* “Lift Buddies” help with form checks & tracking while keeping energy up.

* Attendance Tracking & Recognition

* Simple sign-ins & shout-outs (like a “100 Club” for 100 sessions completed) drive consistency.

* Use Quick Quizzes or Surveys

* 1-minute “exit tickets” or form check quizzes keep mental engagement high.

* Break the Routine with Fun Days

* Small competitions, “Mobility March” weeks, or “Technique Tuesday” themes add variety.

* Show the Big Picture

* A whiteboard schedule or end-of-phase reflection helps students see progress over time.

Link to Full Newsletter

* Motivation & Consistency: Building Momentum in Your Strength & Speed Program

Pursuit PE Consulting

Need a custom plan for Strength & Speed at your school? I offer limited consulting for high school PE coaches. Reply to learn more.

Thanks for Listening

Let’s keep pursuing excellence together!

– PrestonPursuit PE ⚡️

In this fifth voiceover episode—Part 1 of our “Workout Delivery & Progress Tracking” series—I reveal why a pen-and-paper training card system can be a game-changer. No app glitches, zero subscription fees, and a tangible blueprint that keeps students consistently improving year-round.

Main Takeaways

* No Recurring Cost: Paper cards avoid subscription or software fees. Freed-up budget can go toward equipment or other priorities.

* No Tech Glitches: No wifi dropouts or dead batteries. You focus on coaching, not troubleshooting.

* What You Measure Matters: Everything—sets, reps, jumps—goes on one sheet, making progress more tangible.

* Individualization: Simply write adjustments (“Focus on deeper squat” or “Watch knee tracking”) so students know exactly what to tweak next session.

* PRE Made Simple: Mark sets as “easy,” “moderate,” or “hard,” guiding load changes week to week.

* Track Speed & Jumps: Not just lifts—record 10-yard dash times or vertical jumps for a broader athletic picture.

* Instant Notes & Resilience Work: Jot down cues like “Elbows high” or “Foam roll hamstrings” right there, no extra steps.

* Pride & Ownership: Each card becomes a personal blueprint—physically writing goals and achievements fuels motivation.

* See Improvement Over Time: After a month or a year, students can literally see how far they’ve come.

* They Keep It for Life: Unlike software accounts that vanish post-graduation, the training card remains a lasting record of their achievements.

Links

* Free Training Card Template: Make a copy in Google Sheets and adapt it to your program.

* Link to Full Newsletter

* The Power of the Training Card: Your Blueprint for Year-Round Growth

Wrap-Up & What’s Next

If you’re curious about bridging pen & paper with light digital tracking, stay tuned—we’ll explore it in an upcoming episode, along with fresh strategies to keep your students consistently engaged.

Thanks for Listening Let’s keep pursuing our best!

– PrestonPursuit PE ⚡️

In this fourth voiceover episode (and our first paid edition), we dive into why in-season training matters so much—because skipping lifts during the competitive season could cost an athlete a full year of development over high school. We tackle game-day lifting, multi-sport scheduling, and a color-coded approach to keeping kids fresh yet progressing year-round.

Main Takeaways

1. In-Season: It’s More Than Sport-Specific

* Key Fix: Short, 25–30 minute sessions (2–4 per week), adjusting volume with a “stoplight” system (Green/Yellow/Red) that I learned from Cody Hughes to prevent overloading on competition weeks.

2. Game Day Training

* Key Fix: Low-volume, moderate-to-high load lifts can “prime” muscles and boost mindset. Keep it brief (15–30 mins), focusing on explosive work.

* Mindset: If an athlete believes they feel sharper, they usually are.

3. Multi-Sport Athletes

* Key Fix: Make in-school sessions the main “home base” for lifts. Before/after-school workouts become extras or skill-specific, reducing injuries and overtraining.

Link to Full Newsletter

* In-Season Training: The Missing Piece of Year-Round Success

What’s Next?

Thanks for tuning in to this first paid edition of Pursuit PE! In our next newsletter, we’ll explore Workout Delivery & Progress Tracking—how to measure gains efficiently without overwhelming your schedule.

Questions? Reply here—happy to help you adapt in-season lifts, game-day protocols, or multi-sport schedules.

Thanks for Listening

Let’s keep pursuing excellence together!

– PrestonPursuit PE ⚡️

In this third voiceover episode, we dig into the major scheduling and programming headaches that often derail Strength & Speed plans in busy schools—from cramped facilities and multi-sport conflicts to random half-days and last-minute schedule changes. You’ll hear practical fixes and mindset shifts to keep your classes on track, no matter how wild your calendar gets.

Main Takeaways

* Cramped Facilities

* Key Fix: Station-based rotations or “rack station” setups to reduce crowding and minimize movement.

* Balancing Multi-Sport Athletes

* Key Fix: Treat the in-school session as their main lift time; use after-school workouts as extras or skill-specific.

* Scheduling & Time Constraints

* Key Fix: Break training into “micro-sessions” and map out a weekly overview to stay flexible on half-days or assembly schedules.

* Quick Bonus: Data Tracking

* Key Fix: Use simple daily/weekly readiness surveys. Pivot to mobility or lighter technique if fatigue levels are high.

Links & References

* Weekly Class Schedule Template: A grid-based planner to map out lessons by the minute. Link here.

* Big Time Strength Podcast #168 - Amber Burson

What’s Next?

If you found these tips helpful, let me know—or share them with a colleague who’s also wrangling crowded weight rooms or multi-sport schedules. Next time, we’ll tackle “Overcoming Scheduling Roadblocks”—ranging from facility constraints to multi-sport load management.

Thanks for Listening

Thanks for tuning in to this voiceover newsletter! Let’s keep pursuing excellence one class, one session, one schedule tweak at a time.

– PrestonPursuit PE ⚡️

In this second voiceover episode, we dive deeper into how to put your year-round Strength & Speed ideas into action. We recap the five essentials of a successful program—from administrative buy-in to creating a unified vision with sport coaches—and add real-world tips on integrating everything into the school day. Whether you’re a PE teacher or a multi-sport coach, this episode will give you practical steps for embedding Strength & Speed training in a busy school setting.

Main Takeaways

* Administrative Buy-In is Non-Negotiable

* Show your principal or AD the benefits—improved health, academic focus, and athletic performance.

* Action Step: Invite them to watch a short Strength & Speed session. Once they see the impact firsthand, they’ll more likely champion the program.

* Making It Part of the School Day

* The biggest game-changer is embedding Strength & Speed into a daily PE class.

* Saves coaches from sacrificing practice time, and saves kids from 5 a.m. lifts.

* Action Step: Start small—two days a week, or every other day—and gradually scale up.

* Unified Vision with Sport Coaches

* Regular communication (weekly or monthly) keeps Strength & Speed goals aligned with in-season or off-season demands.

* Pro Tip: Show coaches how you track progress for tangible proof of athlete development.

* Looking Ahead

* Future newsletters will tackle building a year-round schedule and creating a Strength & Speed culture.

* Next week, we’ll explore Overcoming Scheduling Roadblocks in your weight room.

Links & References

* Free Guide: Top 5 Tips for Strength & Speed Success

* Recommended Article: Why Strength & Speed During the School Day?

Action Steps

* Grab the Free Guide: If you haven’t checked out the “Top 5 Tips” PDF, now’s the time.

* Bring It to Your School: Forward this episode to a colleague or invite your admin to watch a short training session.

* Reply with Your Biggest Challenge: It helps tailor future newsletters to exactly what you need.

Wrap-Up

If you found value here, let me know—or tag someone who could use a blueprint for year-round Strength & Speed. Next time, we’ll discuss “Overcoming Common Scheduling Roadblocks”—from cramped weight room facilities to balancing multi-sport athletes. Stay tuned!

Thanks for Listening

Appreciate you tuning in to this second voiceover newsletter. Let’s keep pursuing excellence together—one student, one lift, one sprint at a time!

– PrestonPursuit PE ⚡️

In this first voiceover episode, I introduce what Pursuit PE is all about—why I’m here, what you can expect in future installments, and how this newsletter-turned-podcast aims to help PE teachers and coaches build stronger, faster, and more confident students.

Main Takeaways

* Meet Preston: Learn about my years of experience in high school PE and Strength & Speed coaching.

* Why Pursuit PE: Understand the core mission—merging simple, effective methods with real-world insights so you can deliver engaging PE classes.

* Who It’s For: Whether you’re a PE teacher, multi-sport coach, or just want to elevate student performance, this podcast is for you.

Links & References

* Original Newsletter Post: “Welcome to Pursuit PE”

* Subscribe: If you haven’t already, join the mailing list to get new episodes and articles directly in your inbox.

Action Steps

* Introduce Yourself: If you’re a coach or teacher, reply or comment to share your background and what you’re looking to improve in your PE program.

* Spread the Word: Forward this episode to a colleague who might find Pursuit PE useful—building a community helps us all learn faster.

Join the Conversation

Leave a comment on Substack or message me directly to share your thoughts on this inaugural episode.

Thanks!

Thanks for listening to “Welcome to Pursuit PE.” I’m excited to share all the tips, insights, and real-world examples I’ve gathered from years in high school PE. Stay tuned for more episodes on scheduling tactics, data tracking, motivation hacks, and everything else that helps you build stronger, faster, and more confident students!