In this special episode, Connor Agnew speaks with Mike Campagna, Financial Advisor and Senior Qualified Plans Specialist, about developing financial wellness. The conversation covers essential money habits, from budgeting and tracking expenses to tackling high-interest debt and starting retirement savings early. Mike emphasizes removing shame from financial discussions, being kind to yourself during setbacks, and making small, consistent improvements over time. Drawing parallels between financial discipline and athletic training, he offers actionable strategies to help strength coaches and young professionals take control of their financial futures.

Key Takeaways

• Start building financial habits early, just like fitness.

• Automate savings to make it easier to save money.

• Track your spending to identify areas for improvement.

• Focus on paying off high-interest debt first.

• Don’t let lifestyle inflation consume income increases.

• Retirement savings should start as early as possible.

• Be kind to yourself when facing financial setbacks.

• Use budgeting tools to categorize and visualize expenses.

• Consider refinancing student loans for better rates.

• Work with a fiduciary financial advisor for personalized guidance.

Quote "When approaching all of this stuff, be kind to yourself... A slip up doesn’t mean you quit. The same thing with your financial health—get back on the wagon and keep going." — Mike Campagna

In this conversation, Connor Agnew and Dave Nedbalek explore the evolving world of coaching. They discuss the transition from college to high school basketball, the role of family and community, and strategies for motivating today’s youth athletes. Dave highlights the importance of building relationships, fostering resilience, avoiding early specialization, and embracing creativity in coaching. The episode also delves into the value of collaboration between sport coaches and strength coaches, and the necessity of clear communication in athlete development.

Key Takeaways:

• Coaching is about relationships and understanding athletes’ needs.
  

• Moving from college to high school requires different motivation strategies.
  

• Family support is key during coaching transitions.
  

• A strong “why” can drive athlete engagement and commitment.
  

• Building resilience and grit prepares athletes for life beyond sports.
  

• Avoid early specialization for well-rounded development.
  

• Creativity and controlled chaos in practice enhance performance.
  

• Sport and strength coaches must collaborate closely.
  

• Clear communication is essential for effective teaching.
  

Quote"If I know I want to get my name called to play in that three letter league, my path, I can reverse engineer it... but how do you get kids motivated when their goals are different? That’s where the real coaching happens." – Dave Nedbalek

 Kosta Telegadas, tactical strength and conditioning coach, joins the Samson Strength Coach Collective to share his journey from collegiate coaching to the tactical field. He discusses the realities of burnout, job instability, and how side projects can provide both financial and professional freedom. Kosta emphasizes the importance of networking, time management, and building relationships to succeed in the strength coaching world. He also shares his unique experiences coaching abroad, navigating cultural differences, and finding purpose beyond winning championships.

Key Takeaways:

• Proactive action is essential for growth in strength coaching.
  

• The tactical sector offers better work-life balance and financial stability compared to collegiate coaching.
  

• Networking is vital for career advancement.
  

• Side projects can be a game changer for long-term financial security.
  

• Time management and efficiency allow coaches to balance multiple roles.
  

• Purpose in coaching extends beyond winning—impacting lives is the true reward.
  

• Coaching abroad offers cultural and financial benefits but comes with challenges.
  

Quote:

"In athletics, it's winning... In this side, it's the difference between life and death. And I know that's a heavy thought for some people... but it really is." — Kosta Telegadas

In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, Connor Agnew tackles the major changes shaping collegiate athletics today. With the rise of NIL and impending revenue sharing, Connor shares concerns about the long-term future of Olympic sports, the visibility of strength coaches, and the growing pressures placed on the profession. He offers valuable insight into how coaches can stay relevant—by advocating for themselves, tracking objective data, and addressing the mental health toll of the job. This conversation is both a wake-up call and a rallying cry for strength coaches to evolve and lead with purpose.

Key Takeaways:

• College athletics is shifting rapidly with NIL and revenue sharing.
  

• Olympic sports may be at risk under new financial models.
  

• Strength coaches must track and present data to prove value.
  

• Burnout and mental health remain critical concerns in the field.
  

• Career sustainability requires rethinking how strength coaches are perceived.
  

• Advocacy, representation, and communication with administration are essential.
  

• More strength coaches lead to better athlete safety and satisfaction.
  

• It's time for the profession to stop accepting the status quo.
  

Quote:“I see some issues with how strength and conditioning is represented... why do we as a profession just accept these things?” — Connor Agnew

 On this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, Connor Agnew interviews Maggie Smith, Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Northern Kentucky University. Maggie opens up about her journey from two-sport high school athlete to strength coach, detailing how she managed motherhood during her GA role and transitioned from personal training to collegiate athletics. She offers key insights on cultivating trust with athletes, maintaining a positive training environment, and staying adaptable throughout her coaching career.

Key Takeaways:

• Coaching while raising young children requires flexibility, support, and perspective.
  

• Building authentic relationships with athletes can redefine the coaching experience.
  

• Creating a positive environment in the weight room is essential for long-term athlete development.
  

• Transitioning from personal training to collegiate coaching demands humility and a growth mindset.
  

• Asking questions and finding mentors are crucial for early-career coaches.
  

• Consistency and kindness go a long way in athlete engagement and program success.
  

• Professional athlete experience offers a unique lens on performance and discipline.
  

• Adaptability and openness to pivoting are critical in coaching careers.
  

Quote with guest name attribution: "It’s just so cool to see athletes interact with my child... bringing them to the field and seeing how that changes the dynamic—those moments are special." — Maggie Smith

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

On this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, host Connor Agnew talks with Wakeman Chemell, Graduate Assistant at Dallas Baptist University. They discuss Wakeman’s shift from soccer to strength & conditioning, managing anxiety, the importance of internships, and how to set goals with real purpose. Wakeman unpacks his approach to building positive environments for athletes and stresses the fundamentals of professionalism—being on time, dressing for the job you want, and constantly improving your craft.

Key Takeaways:

• Transitioned from soccer to strength & conditioning.
  

• Faced significant social anxiety, overcame it by diving into experiences.

  
  

• Internships were essential for learning and growth.
  

• Goal setting starts by being honest about your reasons.
  

• A positive environment drives athlete motivation.
  

• Initiative is key to standing out as a young coach.
  

• Professionalism means showing up on time and prepared.
  

• Relationships with athletes are foundational.
  

• Always work to evolve coaching methods.
  

• Dress and carry yourself for the position you aspire to.
  

Quote:

"I definitely feel the fear a lot when I'm going into a new environment... And my way to get around it is just, you dive into it all the way." — Wakeman Chemell

On the latest edition of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, we sit down with Andrew Rafferty, Strength and Conditioning Coordinator at Clinton High School. In this episode, Andrew discusses his journey from baseball coaching to a full-time strength and conditioning role and the years-long effort to advocate for the value of a strength coach in high school sports.

We cover the importance of athlete relationships, effective communication with school administrators, injury prevention strategies, and the positive role social media can play in building a team culture. Andrew shares how humility, community, and consistency have been the cornerstones of his coaching philosophy.

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Topics Covered:

• Transition from sport coaching to strength & conditioning

• Advocating for a full-time strength coach role

• Building relationships with athletes and administrators

• Coaching with humility and perspective

• The power of positive social media

• Injury prevention and athlete engagement

• Creating lasting buy-in

• Coach community and collaboration

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Keywords: Andrew Rafferty, strength coach, high school athletics, coaching relationships, athlete development, injury prevention, sports performance, communication, coaching philosophy

In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, host Connor Agnew sits down with Nick DaCosta, Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Appalachian State University. Nick opens up about his climb from intern to coach at the same university, and what lessons he’s carried with him along the way. He discusses his work with diverse teams—like field hockey and cheer—his takeaways from the Starting Strength Seminar, and how continuous learning has shaped his approach. For Nick, trust and adaptability aren’t just buzzwords—they’re the keys to long-term success.

• Adaptability is essential in navigating different sports and athlete needs.

• Trust is the foundation of athlete-coach relationships.

• Mentorship significantly impacts career development.

• Working with international athletes requires cultural sensitivity.

• Continued education helps coaches stay relevant and effective.

• Understanding sport-specific demands improves training outcomes.

• Personal fitness goals enhance coaching credibility.

• Monitoring athlete load is vital for preventing injury.

• Strong staff bonds enhance collaboration and morale.

• Learning from seminars and practical experience is invaluable.

“That was the biggest thing for me is just building the trust with them… Once that was instilled in their minds and they were like, wow, this is actually awesome for us… that’s where you build that.”

— Nick DaCosta

Key Takeaways:Quote:

 In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, host sits down with Zach Hicks, a Graduate Assistant at Appalachian State University. Zach opens up about his path from a small-town upbringing and a background in theater to the weight room, sharing valuable insights from his first year and a half as a GA. His unique experience in performance taught him how to step outside of his comfort zone—an essential skill in coaching. Throughout the episode, Zach stresses the importance of being genuine, building strong athlete relationships, and learning through the early struggles of coaching.

Key Takeaways:

• Being yourself builds long-term trust and success as a coach
  

• Theater helped Zach become confident and adaptable in front of groups
  

• Relationship-building with athletes is key to coaching effectiveness
  

• Early sessions and mistakes are valuable learning opportunities
  

• Traveling with teams creates deeper coach-athlete bonds
  

• Injury management and athlete wellness are central coaching pillars
  

• Consistency, authenticity, and reflection drive personal growth
  

Quote: "Being able to get out of your comfort zone and still be able to handle that—that’s something theater taught me, and it’s helped me immensely as a coach." – Zach Hicks