Samson Strength Coach Collective is created with coaches of all levels in mind! We want it to be a resource for coaches to be able to learn and grow all year round. With a great network of coaches to lean on, this will allow us to raise the standard in our industry! Nothing like some shop talk that leads to coaching gems to enhance your career.
A coaching career across collegiate athletics, the NFL, and the tactical sector offers plenty of opportunities to rethink how you work with people. For Jess Langvardt, those experiences reinforced the importance of relationships, communication, and remaining open to new ideas.
On the latest edition of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, Jess shares his journey through strength and conditioning and the lessons he carried from one environment to the next. He discusses how coaching approaches must adapt to the people being trained, their needs, and the expectations of each setting.
Jess also explores the connection between trust and athlete ownership. Understanding an athlete’s perspective, communicating clearly, and being honest about your own experiences can help build the credibility needed to encourage greater responsibility for development.
The conversation closes with a focus on continuous education. Jess explains the value of learning from different perspectives, connecting ideas across experiences, and surrounding yourself with people who push you to keep growing.
Key Takeaways:
Relationships matter at every level. Working effectively with people requires communication, understanding, and consistent attention to trust.
Adapt your approach to the environment. Collegiate, NFL, and tactical settings present different needs that should inform coaching decisions.
Build ownership through trust. Encourage athletes to take responsibility for their development through clear communication and a shared understanding of the process.
Keep learning throughout your career. Exposure to new ideas and different perspectives can improve how you approach coaching challenges.
Be open about your experiences. Sharing lessons from setbacks and failures can strengthen credibility and connection.
Choose people who challenge you to grow. Seek out colleagues and mentors who expand your thinking and encourage continued education.
Featured Quote:
“Surround yourself with people who push you to learn.” — Jess Langvardt
25 Sept 2026
Leading with Standards | Claire Quebedeaux
What does it take to lead a strength and conditioning staff while giving every team a strong athlete experience? Claire Quebedeaux joins Connor to reflect on her journey through athletic training and strength coaching to her director role at Ohio State University.
Claire discusses hiring with intention, helping coaches learn from one another, and creating a supportive staff culture. She also explains why leadership requires actions that match your words, especially when priorities shift or challenges arise. For young coaches, she offers a reminder that an internship is an opportunity to show how you work, learn, and build relationships.
Key Takeaways:
Treat internships as opportunities to earn trust and demonstrate your approach to coaching.
Set high standards across teams so athletes receive a consistent experience.
Build relationships and a staff environment where people can learn from one another.
Match leadership decisions and daily actions to the standards you communicate.
Pay attention to facility details that affect athletes and staff.
Keep adapting as your responsibilities and organization change.
18 Sept 2026
Building Buy-In Through Trust with Isaiah Myers
Athlete buy-in is not created by a training program alone. It is earned through trust, consistent communication, and a genuine investment in each athlete.
In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, Isaiah Myers shares his journey from collegiate wrestler to strength and conditioning coach. He reflects on his experiences at West Liberty, Mississippi State, Cincinnati, and Glenville State, along with the challenges of completing demanding internships and moving across multiple states.
Isaiah explains how uncomfortable situations helped him develop perseverance and adaptability throughout his career. He also discusses how coaches can earn athlete trust by building meaningful relationships, following up consistently, and using performance data to connect an athlete’s effort with measurable progress.
Key Takeaways:
Athlete buy-in begins with genuine relationships and trust.
Coaches must consistently demonstrate that they care about their athletes.
Following up with athletes can strengthen communication and accountability.
Performance data can help athletes recognize the results of their effort.
Coaches should explain why progress is happening, not simply present the numbers.
Challenging internships can develop perseverance and adaptability.
Uncomfortable career experiences often create valuable opportunities for growth.
Coaches must continue learning and adjusting throughout their careers.
Quote:
“This is happening because you put the work in.” — Isaiah Myers
Who has been a guest on Samson Strength Coach Collective
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Andy Holmes
Gage Taylor
Joshua Poahway
Johnny Fabrizius
Connor Agnew
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
116,190
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
8 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
7 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 73 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
81
Social presence
0
YouTube
82
Engagement
82
Contact Samson Strength Coach Collective
Guest appearances
Books guests
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