Student Athlete Performance

Most athletes think recruiting is all about highlights and stats. But with nearly 500 career wins and players who’ve gone on to D1 and the NBA, Coach Carl Howell knows the truth: culture, consistency, and accountability are what separate athletes who get recruited from those who don’t.

In this episode, Coach Howell shares:

✅ Why JUCO develops players differently than D1

✅ How culture and team-first habits make or break recruiting

✅ The #1 red flag that keeps athletes from getting offers

✅ What high school players should focus on right now

✅ Why “loving the game” is the foundation for success

Have you made one of the biggest recruiting mistakes that Carl talks about?

Connect with Coach Carl Howell:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_captainhowell/
• Twitter/X: https://x.com/SVCCoachHowell

Carbs aren’t the enemy - unless you’re an athlete trying to perform without them.

In this episode, Nick breaks down why cutting carbs leads to fatigue, stalled muscle growth, slower recovery, and even injuries. He shares real athlete stories (Boston, wrestlers, and more) that show how fueling with the right carbs at the right time can actually improve body composition and performance.

We hit on:

✅ Why carbs aren’t the reason you’re not lean✅ The science behind glycogen (your body's gas tank), energy, and muscle protection✅ The dangers of cutting carbs: cramping, fatigue, burnout, and RED-S✅ How to time carbs around workouts for max energy and recovery✅ Which carbs fuel performance vs. which ones to limit

📲 Text “CUT” to 253-470-2423 if you need help cutting and you don't want to sacrifice your performance while doing it.

Follow Nick:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicklemkerdTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nicklemkerdTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/nicklemkerd

Most athletes overlook JUCO—but it might be the best path to D1 or even pro ball.

Coach James Hattenstein has transformed Bishop State into a winning JUCO program, sending players to the next level while building men of character, accountability, and resilience. In this episode, he explains why JUCO develops athletes in ways 4-year schools can’t, and why parents and athletes need to rethink what “the right path” looks like.

We cover:✅ Why JUCO isn’t a step down—it’s a step forward✅ How JUCO athletes get more reps, more chances, and more growth✅ Why GPA and academics matter as much as performance✅ The JUCO grind that builds toughness on and off the field✅ What coaches actually look for in a recruit

Would you go JUCO? Or are you only going to go to a 4-year?

Connect with James Hattenstein:

• Twitter/X: @JHattenstein
• Bishop State Bio: Here

Think working harder is all it takes? Think again.

Athletes are losing scholarships, getting injured, and falling short of their potential—not because they don’t work hard, but because they keep making the same costly mistakes.

In this episode, Nick breaks down the “hidden tax” athletes pay when they follow bad advice, wait too long to take action, or confuse effort with real progress.

You’ll hear:

✅ Why taking the wrong advice (even from a coach or teammate) can ruin your progress

✅ The danger of waiting until it’s too late to take nutrition, recovery, or recruiting seriously

✅ Why effort ≠ results if your strategy is wrong

✅ How to filter bad information and find the right people to learn from

✅ 3 ways to avoid wasting your potential and build a real foundation for success

🎯 Don’t let these mistakes cost you your shot.

You know an athlete who’s making these mistakes. Send them this episode—don’t let them waste their shot. And if this hit home for you, subscribe so you don’t miss the next one.

🔗 Follow Nick:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicklemkerd

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nicklemkerd

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/nicklemkerd

Is cereal actually bad for athletes?

In this episode, I break down why cereal alone leads to mid-morning crashes, missed gains, and low energy. But I also share how it can work—if you use it the right way. Whether you’re training at 5am or just short on time, cereal isn’t completely off-limits… but it needs backup.

🧠 What You’ll Learn:

• Why cereal alone isn’t a performance meal

• The biggest mistakes athletes make with breakfast

• How to use cereal strategically for pre-workout fuel

• What types of cereals to avoid vs. embrace

• What to add to make cereal part of a full meal

💬 Want my Easy Breakfast Cheat Sheet?

📲 Text me “BFAST”: 253-470-2423 or on IG

🔗 Follow Nick Lemke

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicklemkerd

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nicklemkerd

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/nicklemkerd

Think you know what it takes to get recruited? Think again.

The recruiting game has changed—and most athletes are still playing by the old rules. In this episode, Andre Luciano from SRUSA pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to get noticed, evaluated, and offered a spot at the next level.

We dig into:✅ The myths about D1 recruiting that hold athletes back✅ Why coaches recruit for versatility, not just skill✅ The role grades, character, and consistency play in offers✅ How showcases and highlight reels can help—or hurt—you✅ What the “right fit” actually means (and why chasing D1 might be the wrong move)

Andre’s experience as a player, college coach, and recruiter gives him a unique 360° perspective—and this conversation is a must-listen for any athlete or parent navigating the recruiting process.

How's your recruiting process going?

📌 Connect with Andre LucianoTwitter/X: @LVHoosierGKSRUSA: SportsRecruitingUSA.com

Still running out of gas when it matters most?

This solo episode breaks down why even well-fed athletes crash in the second half—and what to do about it. I cover the 3 layers of game day nutrition (the night before, day of, and mid-game) and share real stories from athletes I work with to show how small upgrades lead to big-time performance.

💡 You’ll Learn:

• What most athletes get wrong about fueling

• The game-day meals that actually work

• Why carbs > protein when it comes to energy

• How to fuel mid-game without feeling sick

• Simple ways to upgrade your game-day routine

Want my Game Day Nutrition Guide?

📲 Text “FUEL” to 253-470-2423

📩 Or DM me on Instagram

🔗 Follow Nick Lemke

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicklemkerd

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nicklemkerd

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/nicklemkerd

Speed doesn’t just happen. It’s built—with intention, recovery, and the right tools.

This mash-up episode brings you the smartest speed insights from Jacob Cabezudo, Laura Stark, and Sal Marinello. We break down the biggest mistakes athletes make when trying to get faster—and how to train with purpose.

🎯 You’ll learn:

✅ Why most speed workouts are too long—and too slow

✅ How to gain size without losing speed

✅ Why rest and recovery are your secret weapon

✅ What to do when you don’t have a coach

✅ How movement vocabulary unlocks performance

📌 Original Episodes:

• Jacob Cabezudo: https://youtu.be/jwg5q8sp9pg?si=Z5R0pAFk3jkzaq1V

• Laura Stark: https://youtu.be/D4bqqf2kFtU?si=xQSrgz3XLrqbV5jC

• Sal Marinello: https://youtu.be/QKuGnxTY-BE?si=5NKRL0tZldSrzyN9

Lifting heavy? Eating more? Still not growing?

If you’re doing the work but not gaining muscle, this episode is for you. I walk through the three biggest mistakes I see athletes make when trying to bulk—and how to fix them without obsessing over calories or macros.

💪 Key Takeaways:

✅ Why eating more sometimes won’t work

✅ The weekend nutrition mistake that’s sabotaging your progress

✅ Why too much protein can actually slow you down

✅ Real examples from athletes who gained serious size with simple systems

Want my muscle-building nutrition guide?

📲 Text “GAINS” to 253-470-2423 or DM me on Instagram

🔗 Follow Nick Lemke

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicklemkerd
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nicklemkerd
• Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/nicklemkerd

Speed isn’t just a gift. It’s a skill you can build—if you train it right.

Coach Fred Alcazar (aka Coach Czar) is on a mission to help athletes stop wasting time and start developing real performance. In this episode, he breaks down the biggest myths in speed training, and how he helps athletes actually move better—not just lift heavier.

Whether you're an athlete who wants to unlock another gear or a parent wondering what training your kid actually needs… this episode is for you.

🎯 We dive into:

• Why athletes think they’re training for speed—but really aren’t
• What makes someone "coachable" in performance
• How data and discipline combine to drive real results
• What separates good athletes from elite developers
• How to train smarter at 13–18 to set your future up right

🔗 Connect with Coach CZAR:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/czar.athletics/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@czarathletics

Twitter/X: https://x.com/czarathletics

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CZARAthletics