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