The Strength In Numbers Podcast

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

EXOS Performance Specialist Jordan Bush joins the show to take us inside the world of NFL Draft Combine prep and what it really looks like to train elite athletes at the highest level. We dive into the difference between coaching pro athletes versus youth athletes, what true collaboration with your athletes looks like, and the traits that consistently separate top performing athletes from everyone else.

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

04:20 The Evolution of Jordan's Coaching Philosophy

07:09 Building Relationships with Athletes

09:47 Adapting Coaching Styles for Different Levels

12:38 The Role of Agents in Athlete Training

15:21 Maintaining Relationships with Athletes

17:53 Understanding Athlete Feedback

20:55 The Importance of Routine and Discipline in Athletes

34:28 Navigating the Combine Process

39:27 Mental Challenges in High-Stakes Training

44:10 Focusing on Process Over Outcome

44:14 Gratifying Moments in Coaching

46:49 Closing the Skill Gap

48:12 Impactful Mentors in Coaching

51:32 Advice for Young Coaches

57:22 The Power of Social Media in Coaching

President of Metabolic Elite Christian LaValle joins the show to discuss how coaches can improve their cognitive function despite operating under constant stress. From sleep and nutrition to stress management and daily routines, we dive into the habits that fuel sharper thinking, better decision-making, and long-term resilience in high-pressure coaching environments.

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

01:52 The Importance of Generalist Skills in Coaching

03:57 Balancing Depth and Breadth in Knowledge

05:24 The Systems Biology Approach to Performance

08:01 Translating Coaching Skills to Business

11:17 Unique Aspects of Metabolic Elite

16:58 Influence of Family and Environment on Performance

21:11 Health Strategies for Coaches

24:56 Prioritizing Decisions for Better Leadership

27:09 Managing Stress and Cognitive Fatigue

29:59 Finding Balance Between Work and Self-Care

31:31 Strategies for Overcoming Burnout

34:39 The Importance of Therapy and Support

37:50 Navigating Difficult Conversations in Business

West Virginia Assistant Director of Strength and Conditioning for Men’s Basketball Jason Martinez dives into building alignment with your head coach, how to assess what a new program truly needs, and why evaluating your process matters—regardless of results.

With career stops at UNT, Iona, and East Carolina, Jason offers practical insights from years of success in high-level college basketball.

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 The Journey into Coaching

04:12 Full Circle Moments in Coaching

06:41 Transitioning to a New Staff

09:10 Navigating Resources and Relationships

11:57 Maintaining Core Values Amid Growth

14:37 Building Relationships and Assessing Needs

17:14 The Role of a Strength Coach

19:46 Partnering with Head Coaches

22:17 Staying Curious and Self-Development

24:56 Navigating Budget and Resource Needs

30:17 Growth Through Conversations

33:15 Evaluating Success and Areas for Improvement

35:45 The Importance of Process in Training

40:38 Parenthood's Impact on Coaching Philosophy

46:05 Closing the Skill Gap and Learning from Others

50:05 The Need for Open Conversations in Coaching