S&C Chit Chat

by James Burk

Careers Fitness

Season 2

Nick Mascioli - Houston Second Baptist

In this episode of the S&C Intern Chit Chat Podcast, James Burk and the interns sit down with Nick Mascioli, Strength Coach at Houston Second Baptist, for an in-depth discussion on Long-Term Athletic Development (LTAD). Mascioli breaks down his K-12 progression model, which moves from foundational motor skills in Pre-K to building the habit of measurement with sprinting data in middle school, and finally to "chasing numbers" with key performance indicators (KPIs) and bar speed tracking in high school. The conversation also covers the tactical use of sports science technology—including Output Sport, Dasher, OVR, and the Rock Daisy data management system—and the philosophy behind implementing game day lifts for young athletes. SOCIAL: https://x.com/mascioli_nick https://www.instagram.com/sbs_athleticperformance/?hl=en OTHER PODCAST: https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/ep-22-nick-mascioli-transforming-the-weight-room-into/id1811118851?i=1000725696237 https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/e103-nick-mascioli/id1522528277?i=1000597860487 https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/episode-71-training-high-school-athletes-with-nick/id1387367873?i=1000483243286 https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/episode-16-pittsburgh-pirates-organization-strength/id1387367873?i=1000419059741

Peter Kenn - SMU

In this episode of the S&C Intern Chit Chat Podcast, special guest Peter Kenn from SMU dives deep into his strength and conditioning philosophy. He breaks down the tier system as a flexible training management approach, ideal for maintaining training consistency despite missed sessions. Kenn discusses how he tailors training for diverse Olympic sports like swimming, soccer, and equestrian, emphasizing needs analysis and foundational athleticism. He also offers a transparent look at the SMU internship program, focusing on mentorship, hands-on experience (including using sports science tech like the plymat and Nordboard), and a coaching philosophy that values critical thinking over D1 playing experience. Finally, he shares his top book and resource recommendations for young coaches looking to advance their career and organizational knowledge. SOCIAL: https://www.instagram.com/peterkenn1 https://x.com/PeterKenn1 OTHER PODCAST COACH KENN HAS BEEN ON: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-coaches-should-embrace-being-wrong-with-peter-kenn/id1522528277?i=1000739852308 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-strength-coach-is-an-asset-to-everyone/id1688781157?i=1000690918361 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peter-kenn-director-of-olympic-performance-smu-108/id1706391289?i=1000731608327 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/24-creating-a-shared-understanding-inside/id1668860146?i=1000610431530 https://www.nsca.tv/videos/ep-114-joe-kenn-peter-kenn-w-captions https://youtu.be/-FMe-F1GEoM?si=ecfVAVD8lzftCZnV

Season 1

Dakota Flash Wilson - Ouachita Baptist Strength and Conditioning

Join James Burk and his crew as they chat with Dakota Flash Wilson, D2 Strength and Conditioning Coach at Ouachita Baptist. Coach Wilson shares invaluable insights on his philosophy for success at the D2 level, including prioritizing work ethic in interns, the transition from peer to coach, embracing the "performance coach" role, and the strategic use of Velocity-Based Training (VBT) with Vituv and OVR jump bars. Plus, learn why he believes sleep is the single biggest performance limiter for college athletes and his "blunt one number" approach to communicating data with sport coaches. SOCIAL: https://x.com/Coach_Dflash https://www.instagram.com/coach_dflash_wilson OTHER PODCAST WITH DAKOTA FLASH WILSON https://youtu.be/2JdAHLSIS7U?si=zTESHoTMdp5npZ9E https://youtu.be/56aDHhi20qw?si=jTS8nQ0Ky_9CgCgB

Kevin Yoxall - aka "Yox" S&C Legend

We are incredibly lucky to host a true legend and icon in the strength and conditioning business, Kevin Yoxall (aka Yox).Join us for a deep dive into Yoxall's extensive coaching career from TCU and UCLA to Auburn, his transition to a sales role with Dynamic Fitness and Strength, and the evolution of his training philosophy. He shares invaluable advice for young coaches, including why to avoid the "performance coach" title, the power of strong relationships, and his unwavering belief in mastering the basics and proper technique over overcomplicating training. Yoxall also discusses his experience coaching diverse sports, managing interns, and the powerful "why" that drives his passion for developing athletes into responsible adults. SOCIAL: https://www.instagram.com/kevinyoxall OTHER PODCASTS YOX HAS BEEN ON: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kevin-yoxall-dynamic-fitness-and-strength/id1659846420?i=1000644479251 https://tawatson.com/podcast/resilient-stories-with-coach-kevin-yoxall/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coach-kevin-yox-yoxall-with-dynamic-fitness-strength/id1047756191?i=1000529649872

David Van Dyke - Rutgers Men's Basketball Strength and Conditioning

David VanDyke, a veteran strength coach at Rutgers, talks about his basketball training philosophy. VanDyke details his risk-averse, "low and slow barbecue approach" to in-season programming, prioritizing consistency and efficiency with short 20–35 minute workouts. Learn how he implements Velocity-Based Training (VBT) using Elite Form, manages load based on individual athlete feedback and minutes played, and utilizes ConnectsOn and Hawkin force plates for athlete monitoring and long-term trend analysis. The discussion also covers soft tissue work for common basketball foot issues, such as the "toe-up knee bend," and VanDyke's key hiring preferences for self-sufficient, professional problem-solvers. Finally, get rapid-fire resource recommendations, including Cal Dietz Triphasic and books by Ryan Holiday.

Glenn Cain - Rutgers Women's Basketball

Join host James Burk and the HSU interns as they sit down with Rutgers University Strength and Conditioning Coach Glenn Cain to explore the realities of a career in professional training. Coach Cain dives into his "constant evolution" in training philosophy, his data-driven load management methodology using Polar technology, and the logistical challenges of coaching across Rutgers' sprawling campus facilities. He shares candid insights on the importance of "soft skills," building trust with athletes, and the enduring value of the Springfield College network. This conversation offers invaluable advice for aspiring strength coaches on mentorship, interviewing, and finding your professional "why." SOCIAL: https://x.com/GCainStrength OTHER PODCAST COACH CAIN HAS BEEN A GUEST: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/samuel-dunn/episodes/Ep-68-Perspective-with-Glenn-Cain-Associate-Director-at-Rutgers-University-e2anl3j/a-aag98bs

Michelle Diltz - Alabama Softball, Cheer and Dance, Women's Golf

This episode is a dynamic Q&A session with a top strength and conditioning professional from Alabama, Michelle Diltz, delving into the nuances of training college cheerleading and softball teams. The discussion covers: Customized Training: Detailed breakdowns of in-season and off-season strength programs for both sports, including limited Olympic lifting for cheer, and the use of force plate testing for injury prevention and landing efficiency. Career and Certification Advice: Essential guidance for aspiring strength coaches, emphasizing the importance of CSCCA membership and the SCCC certification, as well as test-taking strategies for the CSCS exam (focusing on graphs and vocabulary). Professional Development: Reflections on key career focus areas, including the overlooked value of sprint technique development and the challenge of integrating sports science data with traditional strength methods. SOCIAL: https://www.instagram.com/diltzmichelle OTHER PODCAST COACH HAS BEEN ON: https://youtu.be/FlnVoGjvkLw?si=p_VChh-R6tDGWCxi https://youtu.be/MAlF-nhcG3k?si=BKMBVE3apiCB-Vl4 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/strength-conditioning-plans-michelle-martin-diltz-university/id1503740738?i=1000534705541

Bryan Kegans - UNT Football

In this episode, we sit down with Bryan Kegans from the University of North Texas Strength & Conditioning program to dissect what it takes to run a successful, high-performing department. Coach Kegans dives into the non-negotiables for their internship, revealing the rigorous selection process, the need for "eager as hell" and proactive individuals, and the resulting high attrition rate that weeds out all but the most committed. He shares the program's success in placing former interns in full-time roles, emphasizing the value of curiosity, the capacity to "grind," and effective athlete interaction as the core traits for entry into the strength and conditioning journey. The conversation then shifts to the nuts and bolts of UNT's philosophy, covering their use of sports science to manage athlete load. Coach Kegans details their reliance on Catapult GPS for tracking total distance and Zone 5 speed, along with Hawkin Dynamics Force Plates for monitoring jump performance. He explains their innovative approach to data analytics, leveraging UNT students to customize tools like Microsoft Power BI in-house. The discussion concludes with a breakdown of the in-season training split (M-Structural Reset, W-Isometric/Power, F-Pure Power), a preference for the trap bar deadlift, and an exploration of movement optimization techniques like RPR (Reflexive Performance Reset) and the root-cause analysis of the Square One system. SOCIAL: https://x.com/Kegans2 https://www.instagram.com/bkegans OTHER PODCAST COACH KEGANS HAS DONE: https://youtu.be/i5BJrslfyBQ?si=iCbbBwyp9XUTs7r7 https://meangreensports.com/podcasts/-gmgcast-bryan-kegans/96 https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/hwcp-podcast/episodes/Ep-88-Hangin-with-Coach-Bryan-Kegans-e1iag3t/a-a7t8j0h

Andrew Nilo - Texas State Baseball - Strength and Conditioning

Tune in for a deep dive into strength and conditioning with Andrew Nilo, Texas State Baseball / Olympic Director and former Hardin Simmons Cowboy. In this insightful "Chit Chat" session, Andrew Nilo shares his philosophy on goal-oriented training, moving beyond traditional sports science to focus on pressurization and biomechanics. Learn why he prioritizes addressing "hardware" (movement deficiencies) over simply adding "horsepower" (strength) to maximize an athlete's "shelf life," using his unique "engine vs. driver issue" analogy.Nilo also covers: The practical, time-intensive commitment of utilizing data and technology (GPS, force plates, VBT). The importance of highly individualized training approaches over fixed systems. The necessity of sprint and jump as non-negotiable movements for all athletes. Valuable career advice for young professionals and insights into his current role, including developing the internship curriculum. SOCIAL: https://x.com/NiloAndrew https://www.instagram.com/kilos_with_nilo/?hl=en OTHER PODCAST - COACH NILO HAS BEEN ON: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/andrew-nilo-high-level-baseball-performance/id1522528277?i=1000683427782 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/andrew-nilo-increasing-human-bandwidth-for-athletic/id1695907028?i=1000664590688 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-5-andrew-nilo-oral-roberts-university-sports/id1772982579?i=1000677367767

Steven Strobis - Arkansas Track & Field

Coach Strobis, who recently completed his first year with the highly decorated program, dives deep into his philosophy and career path. Topics covered include: Sports Science & Athlete Monitoring: Why the Arkansas program prioritizes on-the-track observation over daily reliance on technology (though they utilize Tendo units and force decks in specific training blocks). Coaching Philosophy: His use of a master's degree in sport and exercise psychology to identify the root cause of athlete performance issues (physical, mental, emotional, or social). Programming: The specialized programming required for the diverse track and field disciplines, including a detailed discussion on Olympic lifts teaching progression (a 4-6 week, low-intensity, high-volume orientation) and his approach to resisted sprints using sleds for technical reinforcement. Recovery Protocols: Insights into their state-of-the-art recovery resources and why the team takes a hard stance against icing, preferring to let the natural inflammation process occur. Professional Development: Advice for aspiring strength coaches on utilizing diverse skill sets (like graphic design or PowerAI) to stand out, and his recommended resources including the books "It Takes What It Takes" and "Peak," and the podcast "Kentucky Blue." SOCIAL: https://www.instagram.com/sc_strobis/

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