Strength Coach Collective

Dr. Lon Kilgore explains why "perfect technique" doesn't exist—and what actually matters for strength development.

In this episode of the "Strength Coach Collective" podcast, host Kenny Markwardt sits down with Kilgore, author of "Anatomy Without a Scalpel" and co-author (with Mark Rippetoe) of "Starting Strength."

Lon, a veteran strength coach with over 50 years of experience, shares lessons from his decades in in the gym, as well as his time as a professor and an athlete who’s still competing into his 60s.

Kilgore explains the importance of coaching cues clients can understand, how to balance technique with loading, and how human variation in limb length and body type should influence training technique.

He also discusses strategies for improving VO2 max and what masters athletes can teach coaches about strength development.

Whether you’re a young coach looking for clarity or a veteran searching for new perspectives, Lon’s stories and experience offer wisdom you can use immediately.

It doesn't matter if you're coaching beginners or elite athletes; this episode is full of practical insights on individualizing technique and programming based on real-world evidence.

Links

Strength Coach Collective

0:47 - Using terminology people understand

12:11 - Better coaching cues

17:06 - Strength versus technique

38:54 - Improving VO2 max

45:36 - Age and training volume

Is performance in the gym the goal or simply a tool to live better in the outside world?

In today’s episode, eight-time CrossFit Games competitor and former CrossFit Seminar Staff member Chris Spealler discusses his evolution from high-intensity daily training to sustainable "Adventure Preparedness Programming."

Chris breaks down his 12-week programming blocks and explains why his gym, Park City Fit, focuses on serving adventure-loving athletes who want to better enjoy outdoor activities like skiing rather than compete in fitness.

He explains how to keep clients motivated long term, how to adjust coaching strategies as athletes’ needs evolve and why teaching fundamentals never goes out of style.

"Speal" also talks about what it takes to balance the demands of family, business and personal training, and he offers advice for coaches who want to build sustainable, fulfilling careers.

Links

Strength Coach Collective

0:30 - Programming from 2016 to now

8:44 - Handling transitions with members

19:24 - Benchmarks for progress

34:15 - Spealler’s program design

46:49 - Scaling for clients’ needs

Today on the “Strength Coach Collective,” host Kenny Markwardt sits down with Pamela Gagnon, former Division 1 gymnast, longtime CrossFit coach and the co-creator of Performance Plus Programming.

Pamela explains her “playground approach” to coaching—breaking complex skills into their fun components and strength elements—and shares practical mobility strategies that take just minutes a day.

She gives new coaches tips for working with clients, such as using simple language (“make a turtle shell” instead of “retract your scapula”) and focusing on 1% daily improvements rather than end goals that create frustration.

Kenny and Pamela also discuss coaching older populations and how gymnastics fundamentals such as balance and getting up from the floor become critical life skills as we age.

Whether you're working with nervous beginners, competitive athletes or older adults, Pamela's approach can help you teach movement skills safely without overcomplicating coaching.

Links

Strength Coach Collective

1:19 - Pamela’s journey into gymnastics

8:10 - Injury prevention and recovery

23:46 - Coaching skill progression

34:25 - Gymnastics for older athletes

48:07 - What is Performance Plus?

The one-size-fits-all approach to fitness coaching is no more. Enter blood biomarkers: the next frontier in truly individualizing client training programs.

Today on the “Strength Coach Collective” podcast, Kenny Markwardt sits down with Ash Anwar from Molecular You to explore how comprehensive blood analysis is revolutionizing fitness coaching.

While traditional medical tests look at a handful of diagnostic markers after problems develop, Molecular You analyzes 288 biomarkers to catch issues early.

In this episode, you’ll learn how biomarkers can transform your coaching by giving you insight into:

• Resilience—if clients are overtraining or recovering from exercise stress.
• Energy systems—moving beyond V02 max to determine how efficiently the body shifts between aerobic and anaerobic fuel sources.
• Cognitive performance—levels of brain plasticity and neuroprotection, showing how exercise literally makes clients smarter.

Ash also shares recommendations for testing frequency and explains how coaches can stay within their scope of practice.

Listen to find out how molecular-level data can help you optimize programming for each client’s unique physiology.

Links

Strength Coach Collective

1:32 - How biomarkers relate to fitness

20:02 - Top biomarkers for coaches

29:22 - Fitness and cognitive ability 

40:44 - Molecular You’s process

51:16 - Recommended testing frequency

In this episode, Kenny Markwardt sits down with Dr. Zach Long—a board-certified sports physical therapist who believes injured athletes should use the gym, not leave it.

Long, aka “The Barbell Physio,” explains when coaches should modify training versus refer out and how trainers can build relationships with the right medical professionals. He also offers practical tips for training athletes through pain and injury.

The pair discuss what separates quality gyms from mediocre ones, from optimal coach-to-athlete ratios to common programming mistakes.

Long also tackles coaching misconceptions such as “never lift overhead” and “don't squat below 90 degrees,” explaining why these myths can cause more harm than good.

Check out the full conversation for actionable strategies you can use to keep your athletes training safely through injuries and setbacks.

Links

Strength Coach Collective

2:46 - Good versus bad gyms

5:18 - Common programming mistakes

21:55 - When should coaches refer out?

33:31 - Preventing injuries for beginners

42:52 - Debunking fitness myths

Think teaching Olympic lifts requires 20 different cues? Think again.

Today on the “Strength Coach Collective” podcast, Chris Guerrero sits down with Mike Cerbus, a multi-time USA Weightlifting National Championship medalist and head weightlifting coach for Power Monkey Fitness.

With nearly 30 years under the bar and more than 15 years serving the fitness community, Mike shares his approach to technical excellence and long-term athletic development.

He breaks down his "feet, hands and eyes" framework for teaching any squat variation, explaining how three contact points create the foundation for everything from back squats to Olympic lifts.

Chris and Mike also discuss applying rate of perceived exertion (RPE) effectively, balancing technical excellence with engaging training and knowing when to refer out to other specialists.

Whether you're working with beginners or elite athletes, Mike’s approach can help you build movement awareness without overcomplicating coaching.

Links

Strength Coach Collective

2:14 - Simplification in coaching

15:26 - Common technical faults

23:16 - Olympic lifts with general population

34:26 - What separates good from great

44:59 - Tips to improve how clients move

Today on the “Strength Coach Collective” podcast, host Chris Guerrero is joined by Dave Durante, a multiple-time USA Gymnastics national champion, alternate in the 2008 Summer Olympics and co-founder of Power Monkey Fitness.

In this episode, Dave explains how Power Monkey brings together experts in gymnastics, weightlifting, endurance and mobility to help coaches sharpen their craft, regardless of their method or the level of their athletes.

According to Dave, every advanced skill is based on an understanding of body shapes and static positions, and he believes spotting is one of the fastest ways to build trust and confidence in athletes.

You’ll also hear his take on what really makes a great coach: how traits such as curiosity, empathy and patience separate the good from the great and matter just as much as technical knowledge.

If you’re looking to grow as a coach and build a system that prioritizes long‑term success over short‑term gains, tune in to hear the full conversation.

Links

Strength Coach Collective

2:05 - Scaling Power Monkey

8:51 - Integrating gymnastics principles

20:27 - Multidisciplinary training

34:52 - Going from athlete to coach 

37:18 - Gymnastics and longevity

47:24 - 2 traits of great coaches

In this episode of “Strength Coach Collective,” Chris Cooper and Kenny Markwardt dive into "Help Best"—Chris' first book dedicated entirely to coaching, co-authored with Kenny and three other top Two-Brain mentors.

While most coaching books focus on specific methods, this one focuses on results.

Chris and Kenny explain why "method obsession" is holding coaches back and how the Prescriptive Model creates better outcomes for clients, whether you're coaching CrossFit, Pilates or anything else.

They share their own coaching failures (such as making an NHL goalie vomit halfway through a workout) and explain why great coaches must focus on individual client needs rather than force everyone into the same program.

Ready to level up your coaching with a client-centric approach?

Tune in and then get “Help Best”—and Chris’ other titles—for free from Aug. 4 to 8, 2025, via the link below.

Links

Chris Cooper's Author Page

Strength Coach Collective

0:52 - Why write a book for coaches?

10:31 - Client-centric coaching

17:32 - Two-Brain’s coach development plan

20:24 - Coaching in an evolving industry

25:14 - Key takeaway from “Help Best”

Coaching has evolved—and programming must evolve with it.

Today on the “Strength Coach Collective,” host Kenny Markwardt sits down with HWPO Affiliate head coach Michele Letendre to talk about what effective programming looks like in today’s gyms.

They explore how program design has shifted over the years and what gym owners and coaches need to do to stay relevant in an increasingly educated, wellness-focused market.

Michele shares how her experience as a competitive CrossFit athlete and programmer helped shape HWPO’s current multi-track approach.

She explains how thoughtful program design—including blending strength cycles, aerobic development, accessory work and skill-specific blocks—creates better adherence, engagement and results.

Michele also breaks down polarized training and explains why recovery is becoming just as important as intensity.

Tune in to hear Michele’s tips for building smarter programming and staying ahead in a changing industry.

Links

Strength Coach Collective

1:58 - Games to HWPO Affiliate head coach

15:25 - The evolution of program design

21:47 - HWPO Affiliate’s 6 programs

27:07 - What is polarized training?

45:01 - Recovery & the future of fitness

What if your nutrition coaching program could practically run itself?

Today on the “Strength Coach Collective” podcast, Bahubali Shete explains how his AI-driven nutrition software, NutriChef, helps coaches save time while providing clients with more individualized support and accountability.

NutriChef pulls in intake forms, daily tracking and data from wearables to build personalized nutrition plans. And instead of removing the coach, it gives them more time to do what they’re best at: coaching.

In this episode, Bahubali talks about building the platform, why nutrition coaching requires better systems, and how coaches can use this tool to improve client results.

Bahubali and host Kenny Markwardt also discuss the future of AI in fitness—including integrated sleep, recovery and wearable tech.

Tune in to hear what’s possible when tech and coaching work together.

Links

Strength Coach Collective

1:11 - Bahubali Shete & Sanjeev Kapoor

8:53 - NutriChef’s AI-driven nutrition coaching

21:17 - Legal considerations and logistics

31:47 - Future of AI in fitness & nutrition

44:40 - Where does the coach fit in?