Pro basketball player De’Vion Harmon joins the show as the first athlete guest on The Strength in Numbers Podcast. Having played at three Power 5 programs (Oklahoma, Oregon, and Texas Tech) and with two NBA G-League organizations (New York and Indiana), De’Vion brings a unique perspective to the conversation.

We dig into what types of coaching have helped him the most, how coaches can make a lasting impact, and what he would change about his own development if given the chance. De’Vion also shares how he would approach building a college roster and creating team chemistry while navigating the dynamics of NIL.

This episode flips the script, giving us a chance to learn directly from the athletes we coach—and the ones we aim to impact most.

This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches.

Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success.

👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here].

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to De'Vion Harmon

04:08 The Importance of Coaching Relationships

06:39 Navigating Feedback and Self-Improvement

09:18 Adapting to the Changing Landscape of College Basketball

11:53 Building a Cohesive Team in a Transfer Portal Era

14:42 Understanding Roles and Expectations

17:19 Advice for High School Recruits

19:50 Reflecting on Recruitment Experiences

22:33 Transitioning from High School to College Basketball

28:05 Lessons from the G League Experience

30:35 The Impact of Structure on Player Development

33:12 Finding Balance: Coaching and Player Autonomy

36:46 The Importance of Work Ethic and Ownership

38:56 Lasting Lessons from Coaches

41:50 Building Strong Foundations for Success

45:17 The Role of Parents in Athlete Development

48:55 The Value of Playing Pickup Basketball

Charlotte Christian Director of Athletic Performance, X2 Baseball Director of Performance, and North Carolina NHSSCA State Director Kyle Jacksic joins the show to share how he balances multiple coaching roles while still delivering at the highest level.

Kyle breaks down his overall training philosophy, why failing fast is critical to his program succeeding, and how he built athlete buy-in and attendance numbers with lessons borrowed from Disney.

We also explore how his own injury background shapes the way he LEADS athletes through Return to Play, and why every coach should be a Dot Connector—not a Dot Collector. 

This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches.

Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success.

👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here].

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Kyle Jacksic's Journey

04:08 Balancing Multiple Roles in Athletic Performance

06:59 Building a Private Training Business

09:48 The Importance of Support Systems

12:44 Navigating Career Growth and Family Planning

15:35 Creating a High-Quality Training Environment

18:16 The Role of Vulnerability in Coaching

21:00 Return to Play Philosophy and Its Impact

23:43 General Preparedness and Athlete Development

26:09 Adapting Training for Diverse Skill Levels

28:57 Complexity in Programming for Athletes

36:00 Adapting Training for Freshmen Athletes

38:19 The Importance of Failing Fast

42:38 Evolving Perspectives on Strength Training

46:21 Connecting Dots in Coaching Development

55:23 Balancing Information and Practical Application

Missouri State Women’s Basketball and Women’s Golf Strength Coach Nicole Jimenez joins the show to dive into what drives her pursuit of learning and how she filters the flood of coaching info. 

We also explore:

This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches.

Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success.

👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here].

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

06:28 Pursuing Further Education

11:52 Personal Training and Experimentation

17:09 Balancing Skill and Adaptation

22:55 Holistic Programming in Athletic Training

28:06 Choosing Experience Over Immediate Pay

32:40 Sacrifices in Pursuit of Coaching Excellence

36:55 Seeking Feedback and Continuous Improvement

Strength and Conditioning Coach at Brown University and author of Imposter Syndrome: Mental Health Strategies in Strength and Conditioning, Dave Downey joins the show to dive into the topic of impostor syndrome in coaching.

We explore how impostor syndrome impacts both coaches and athletes, the importance of mental resilience, and practical strategies to overcome self-doubt.

Dave also highlights the need for leadership development, building a supportive environment, and how social media can shape our self-perception.

This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches.

Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success.

👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here].

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dave Downey and His Journey

02:52 The Shift from Physical to Mental Coaching

03:42 Understanding Imposter Syndrome in Coaching

07:04 The Impact of Job Transitions on Imposter Syndrome

09:28 Navigating Overwork and Avoidance

14:42 Strategies to Recognize and Overcome Imposter Syndrome

20:27 The Role of Social Media in Self-Perception

27:02 Supporting Athletes Through Transitions

33:54 Breaking Down Daunting Goals

34:58 The Importance of Career Growth

37:56 Evaluating Job Opportunities

41:54 Creativity During Adversity

45:04 Gratifying Moments in Coaching

47:52 The Impact of Mentorship

55:23 The Need for Leadership Development

Director of Athletic Development at Triple F Elite Sports Training in Knoxville—and creator of the Plyomat—Richard Burnett joins the show to break down his “4 Pillars of Coaching”: what they are, how to develop them, and how to evaluate them.

We also explore:

Whether you're new to coaching or reevaluating how you show up across roles, Richard brings clarity to what truly matters for long-term impact.

This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches.

Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success.

👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here].

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Impact of Coaching

02:54 The Four Coaching Pillars

11:29 Evaluating Coaching Effectiveness

18:02 Mentorship and Growth in Coaching

20:45 Hiring and Evaluating Coaches

27:37 Differences in Coaching Environments

35:43 Transitioning from College to High School Coaching

37:50 The Disconnect in Strength Conditioning Education

38:59 The Evolving Landscape of Coaching Careers

40:13 The Value of Early Athletic Development

43:06 Finding Satisfaction in Coaching at Different Levels

45:47 Creating Pressure and Avoiding Complacency

50:26 Long-Term Athletic Development and Youth Sports

56:25 Adapting Training to Individual Needs

01:01:28 Balancing Business and Impact in Coaching

Director of Performance for the BC Lions (CFL) and Vancouver Bandits (CEBL), Tanner Care joins the show to break down how elite performance systems are built and sustained. We dig into how he uses data to drive decision making, what college and pro settings reveal about each other, and why he shifted away from a barbell-centric approach.

Tanner explains how to build systems that empower your staff and how strength coaches can drive organizational success by impacting more than just the weight room. We also talk about his transition into consulting, and the mindset shift from collecting inputs to developing your own ideas and frameworks.

This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches.

Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success.

👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here].

Chapters

04:34 Balancing Multiple Roles

07:20 Building Effective Systems For Your Staff

10:00 Differences Between Collegiate and Professional Environments

12:28 The Importance of Autonomy in Training

15:04 Integrating Strength and Conditioning Principles Within the Sport

17:52 Establishing Trust and Communication with Coaching Staffs

20:28 The 10-80-10 Rule

25:43 Using Data to Drive Decision Making

32:26 Supercompensation or a Poor Response?

35:54 Partnering with Pro Athletes

40:52 Career Development in Coaching

45:48 Starting in Consulting and Education

Former MLB executive and current leadership consultant as President of Stark Contrast, Kyle Stark joins the show to explore what drives development inside great organizations. We dig into how clarity of identity shapes culture, why character is the ultimate performance enhancer, and how knowing what you can and can’t develop should guide player selection. This conversation is packed with leadership insights and developmental gems—making it a must-listen for coaches, leaders, and anyone invested in long-term success.

This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches.

Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success.

👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here].

Chapters

02:19 Career Journey and Defining Success

04:18 Character Development and Player Selection

06:58 Impacting Change in Players

10:31 Behavior-Based Interviewing Techniques

14:19 Finding Clarity in Identity

20:38 Character vs. Talent in Winning

24:24 Character as a Competitive Advantage

25:17 Dimensions of Athletic Development

27:39 The Importance of Character in Skill Development

30:49 Long-Term Success vs. Short-Term Wins

34:52 Getting Athletes to Their Next Developmental Dot

37:24 Sustaining Success in Coaching

41:57 Balancing Drive and Relational Skills in Leadership

Director of Volleyball Sports Performance at SMU, Anthony Cockrill joins the show to unpack what real athlete development looks like—and what many people get wrong. We dive into how the transfer portal has reshaped long-term development, why so many athletes show up underprepared, and how constantly adjusting the plan to make athletes “feel good” can become a dangerous long-term strategy. Anthony also shares his thoughts on load management, kinesthetic awareness, and where the collegiate strength and conditioning field is headed.

This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches.

Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success.

👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here].

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Anthony Cockrill

06:45 The Evolution of Strength and Conditioning in College Sports

12:23 Understanding Athlete Development

17:19 Balancing Short-Term Gains with Long-Term Development

27:29 Building Trust with Coaching Staff

33:39 Capacity Meets Demand in Training

42:52 Characteristics of High-Performing Athletes

Head Strength Coach at Bishop’s College School and Universal Academy, Josh Bray joins the show to break down how he tailors training by bucketing athletes into three archetypes based on both their physiological and psychological traits. We dive into how he individualizes programs in large group settings without losing structure. Josh also shares how and when he uses games in training, the importance of educating athletes, and his approach to long-term development.

This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches.

Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success.

👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here].

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Josh Bray's Journey

03:28 Navigating Young Athletes' Mindsets

04:47 Athlete Archetypes and Group Dynamics

10:42 Intent and Engagement in Training

12:33 Strengths vs. Weaknesses in Training

14:38 Implementing Bucketing Strategies

16:36 Establishing Foundations in New Environments

18:19 The Role of Education in Athlete Development

20:12 Data-Driven Decision Making

22:31 Incorporating Games and Competitions

26:21 Creating a Positive Training Environment

27:14 Fostering Excellence Among Athletes

29:10 Reassessing Programming Decisions

31:25 The Importance of Mental Toughness in Athletics

34:55 Crafting the Ideal Development Path for Young Athletes

39:04 The Role of Curiosity and Continuous Learning in Coaching

45:45 Balancing Inputs and Outputs in Coaching

52:32 Personal Training's Impact on Coaching Philosophy

54:29 Closing the Gap in Personal Skill Development

55:57 The Value of Mentorship in Coaching

57:37 The Importance of Patience and Commitment in Athletic Development

Owner and Director of Player Development at Kingdom Performance, Keith Spencer joins the show to share how he’s built a training environment rooted in community, relationships, and long-term development. From partnering with parents to creating unforgettable experiences for athletes, we explore how Keith overdelivers and builds something far greater than just basketball skills. This episode dives into the business side of coaching, the depth of athlete development, and the keys to leaving a lasting impact.

This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches.

Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success.

👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here].

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Kingdom Performance

02:39 Building a Community in Sports

05:35 Developing Staff and Intentionality

08:30 Creating Impactful Relationships with Athletes

11:17 Engaging with Parents for Holistic Development

14:09 Exceeding Expectations in Training

17:02 The Importance of Confidence in Athletes

19:50 The Role of Debriefing in Player Development

22:58 Personalized Training and Ownership

25:37 Identifying Areas of Opportunity

28:28 Creativity in Basketball Training

34:17 Empowering Young Athletes

41:27 Balancing Business and Purpose

45:39 International Experiences and Cultural Impact

51:36 Building Character Beyond Basketball

01:00:13 Navigating Challenges and Finding Gratification