Samson Strength Coach Collective

Understanding the Why with Technology | Dr. John Harry

In this engaging conversation, Dr. John Harry shares his journey from athlete to academic in biomechanics and strength conditioning. He emphasizes bridging research with practical application, helping coaches understand the purpose behind their methods. The discussion covers technology’s role in coaching, momentum versus velocity, and the importance of movement quality and clarity in data interpretation. Key Takeaways: * Understanding biomechanics is fundamental to athletic development. * Coaches must bridge the gap between research and practice. * Momentum, not just velocity, is essential for effective training. * Clarity in terminology prevents confusion in performance data. * Overreliance on technology can hinder coaching intuition. * Understanding the “why” behind training methods enhances effectiveness. * Research informs practice—but experience completes the picture. * Simplified methods often lead to better athlete outcomes. Quote: “It's all about how you interact with the environment. The interaction with the environment is overcoming gravity, it's force application, and putting those things together within the laws of motion—and that's how movement goes.” — Dr. John Harry

Imposter Coach with Dave Downey

Dave Downey, Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Brown University, joins the Samson Strength Coach Collective to discuss the realities of coaching insecurity and self-doubt. From difficult internship experiences to exploring sports psychology, Downey shares insights from his journey and his book Imposter Coach. He highlights how vulnerability and empathy can strengthen relationships between coaches and athletes, and how initiatives like Brown’s “Bruno Cares” support mental health and peer connection. Key Takeaways * Imposter syndrome is common among coaches and athletes. * Mentorship and honest reflection are key to personal growth. * Building genuine athlete relationships drives effective coaching. * Mental health must be prioritized within performance programs. * Leadership is developed through resilience, empathy, and consistency. * Programs like Bruno Cares foster community and support among athletes. Quote “It got to a point where they told me, ‘Hey man, I don’t think coaching is for you.’ That’s hard to hear when you’ve invested everything into it.” — Dave Downey

Embracing Adversity with Liane Blyn

In this episode, Samson sits down with Liane Blyn, Director of Sports Performance for Olympic Sports at Arizona State University. Liane shares how strength and conditioning has evolved through the years and what it takes to build a culture of accountability. From breaking barriers as a female coach in a male-dominated field to mentoring the next generation of coaches, Liane’s story embodies grit, growth, and purpose in the ever-changing landscape of athletics. Key Takeaways * Building professional connections is vital for growth in coaching. * Communication styles and expectations have evolved across generations. * Structure and consistency benefit both coaches and athletes. * Transitioning from athletic training to strength coaching can redefine a career. * Female coaches continue to face unique barriers in male-dominated fields. * The transfer portal has transformed athlete development and retention. * Adversity builds resilience and fosters accountability. * Competing in strength sports can deepen a coach’s credibility and empathy. Quote: “75% of kids drop out of organized sports by the time they get to high school. You can’t just point the finger and blame the coach—look in the mirror sometimes.” — Liane Blyn

Balancing Therapy and Coaching with Ant Blubello

In this conversation, Samson speaks with Ant Blubello, a physical therapist and strength coach, about his evolution from a self-critical athlete to a coach guided by faith and emotional intelligence. Ant dives into his early struggles with body image, the power of positive self-talk, and how spiritual growth has influenced his approach to both rehabilitation and performance. He offers honest reflections on working with high-level athletes, collaborating with military personnel, and balancing the demands of therapy and strength coaching. Key Takeaways * Ant’s journey from overweight kid to respected coach is deeply inspiring. * Relationships are the foundation of effective coaching. * Positive self-talk fosters both athletic and personal growth. * Faith and purpose guide Ant’s approach to performance and rehab. * Coaching requires empathy, patience, and understanding of human behavior. * The art of rehabilitation is as much emotional as it is physical. * Balancing physical therapy with coaching provides a holistic athlete view. Quote: “The problem with that was that it worked. Me beating myself up did lead to new PRs and better grades—but that negative self-talk bled into relationships and friendships.” — Ant Blubello

The Power of Relationship Based Coaching with Conner Freeland

Conner Freeland, Vice President of Municipal Sales at O2X Human Performance, joins the Samson Strength Coach Collective to discuss how relationships have defined every stage of his career—from the weight room to business leadership. A career-altering back injury redirected his focus to coaching, sparking a passion for helping others move, perform, and recover. Conner reflects on developing athlete buy-in, teaching recovery in tactical populations, and how mentorship and servant leadership continue to guide his approach to building people and programs. Key Takeaways: * A major injury led Conner to discover his passion for coaching. * Recovery and simplicity often create the greatest progress. * Buy-in starts with authenticity, humility, and consistency. * Servant leadership connects coaching and business development. * Mentorship and curiosity fuel long-term professional growth. * Tactical coaching requires empathy, recovery education, and adaptability. * Great leaders build people through relationships, not authority. * Leaving every role or program better than you found it defines success. Quote: “OK, now what do I do? I need to rehab. I need to like… get back to be able to just squat and move again, like what do I do? And it was kind of going through that rehab process with the ATs, the PTs, the docs, strength coaches—getting that one-on-one attention. It was really cool to see that you can make substantial progress even from an injury, to get back to moving well. That became an avenue for me to stay in sports and provide value to others the same way others had poured into me.” — Conner Freeland