The Cost of Going Viral: Purpose, Perception, and the Weight of Attention | Lew Caralla & Alex Spanos | CEO Strength Coach Podcast | Ep. 16

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
  

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