In this episode of the CEO Strength Coach Podcast, Ron McKeefery interviews Matt Durant, the head strength coach at the University of La Verne. They discuss the unique aspects of coaching at the Division III level, emphasizing the importance of building relationships, creating a unified coaching philosophy, and leading by example. Matt shares insights on developing accountability among athletes and staff, the significance of investing in personal relationships, and balancing a coaching career with family life. The conversation highlights the impact of coaching on athletes' lives and the lessons learned from years of experience in the field.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Coaching Philosophy

03:06 The Division III Experience

06:12 Building Relationships and Team Culture

09:00 Empowering Athletes and Peer Coaching

11:57 The Role of Passion in Coaching

15:02 Creating Structure and Accountability

17:54 Investing in Staff Development

21:04 Life Lessons from Coaching

23:56 The Impact of Personal Experiences on Coaching

28:11 Building Relationships in Coaching

30:35 The Importance of Life Skills in Athletics

33:36 Finding Fulfillment Beyond Ambition

36:28 Embracing Challenges as Growth Opportunities

39:48 Cross-Training and Team Unity

40:53 Learning from Every Coach

43:55 Advice for Young Coaches

Takeaways

• Coaching at the Division III level allows for deeper relationships with athletes.

• Building a unified coaching philosophy is essential for team success.

• Leaders must set the standard and lead by example.

• Creating accountability among athletes fosters a stronger team culture.

• Investing in staff development is crucial for a successful program.

• Relationships with athletes extend beyond the weight room.

• Balancing personal life and coaching is key to long-term fulfillment.

• Coaches should embrace challenges as growth opportunities.

• Teaching athletes to coach each other enhances their learning experience.

• The ultimate goal of coaching is to positively impact athletes' lives.

#coaching, #strengthtraining, #DivisionIII, #athletedevelopment, #leadership, #teamculture, #relationshipbuilding, #coachingphilosophy, #staffdevelopment, #personalgrowth

In Episode 16 of the CEO Strength Coach Podcast, host Ron McKeefery sits down with Lew Caralla @LewCaralla (Rice University) and Alex Spanos @turbostrengthnu (Northwestern University) for a powerful roundtable on the realities of being a strength coach in the public eye. Both coaches have experienced viral moments that brought massive attention—some positive, some critical—from peers and the broader sports world.

They discuss how to stay authentic amid outside judgment, the fine line between passion and perception, and the responsibility that comes with influence. The conversation dives deep into leadership, motivation, and what it really takes to get athletes to believe—on game day and beyond.

This episode is a must-listen for coaches navigating visibility, criticism, and the balance between doing what’s right for your players and what’s accepted by the profession.

Chapters

00:00 – Intro Ron McKeefery opens the roundtable and introduces guests Lew Caralla (Rice University) and Alex Spanos (Northwestern University).

01:13 – The Viral Moments Alex and Lew share the stories behind their viral clips and how sudden visibility changed perceptions.

04:26 – Passion, Purpose & The Public Eye Alex explains his approach to energy, culture, and authenticity in front of players and the world.

06:50 – Lew’s Wall Sit Story Lew recounts the viral Louisiana wall-sit video that exploded overnight and how he handled the attention.

07:43 – Coaching Beyond the Weight Room Lew shares why motivation matters—especially for athletes without strong father figures.

09:30 – Belief, Buy-In & Mental Toughness The group discusses how to get 125 alphas to believe, push limits, and play for one another.

13:15 – Coaching Roles & Authentic Energy Are coaches “playing a character” on game day? The balance between personality and performance.

17:05 – Doing Whatever It Takes The panel explores humility in leadership—no job too small, no ego too big.

18:46 – Why Coaches Judge Each Other Lew and Ron break down jealousy, negativity, and the lack of unity within the profession.

22:02 – Advice for Young Coaches Alex offers guidance on staying grounded, building trust, and creating genuine relationships.

25:10 – Balancing Family & the Profession How to stay present at home and why family is your true foundation.

40:12 – The Dark Side of the Profession Lew talks about job instability, being let go, and how to prepare for transitions.

42:14 – Building Longevity & Connections Ron and Lew share the importance of networking, gratitude, and having backup plans.

45:15 – Final Reflections: Celebrate Each Other The coaches close by urging unity, humility, and appreciation in the strength community.

46:51 – Outro Ron wraps up the episode with closing thoughts and thanks to Lew and Alex.

Takeaways

• Authenticity Over Optics

• The Double-Edged Sword of Visibility

• Intent Matters More Than Image

• Coaches Need to Model Belief

• Motivation Is Personal

• Peer Judgment Is Inevitable

• Relationships Build Resilience

• No Job Too Small

• Family First, Always

• Celebrate Each Other’s Wins
  

#CEOStrengthCoach #StrengthCoachLife #LeadershipInSport #CoachingCulture #GameDayEnergy

In this episode of the CEO Strength Coach podcast, host Ron McKeefery interviews Candice Walls @WallsPerformance, a multifaceted strength coach, boxer, and entrepreneur. They discuss Candice's transition from college coaching to high school, the importance of embracing new opportunities, and the challenges of balancing personal and professional life. Candice shares insights on building a successful business model in strength coaching, the significance of community engagement, and the necessity of trusting and empowering team members. The conversation emphasizes the importance of networking, financial management, and the lessons learned through entrepreneurship, ultimately highlighting the rewarding nature of helping others and personal growth.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Candice's Journey

01:22 Transitioning from College to High School Coaching

05:07 Embracing New Opportunities and Revenue Streams

06:43 Letting Go of Ego and Finding Fulfillment

10:06 Building Better Humans: The Impact of Coaching

12:08 Time Management and Balancing Responsibilities

19:05 Creating a Sustainable Business Model

25:16 Innovative Fundraising and Community Engagement

26:33 Building Connections in the Strength Community

32:45 Navigating the Business Side of Coaching

38:39 Trusting Your Team and Delegating Responsibilities

44:49 Lessons Learned from Coaching and Business

Takeaways

• Embrace where you are and be present.

• Building multiple revenue streams is crucial.

• Community engagement can lead to unexpected opportunities.

• Trusting your team is essential for growth.

• Networking is key to finding new clients.

• Managing finances is critical for business success.

• Letting go of ego can lead to personal growth.

• Creating a supportive environment fosters success.

• Innovative fundraising can enhance program resources.

• Helping others is the ultimate reward in coaching.

#strengthcoaching, #entrepreneurship, #personalgrowth, #communityengagement, #businessmodel, #timemanagement, #coachingcareer, #revenuestreams, #networking, #financialmanagement