• #80 - Alex Gibson: Athlete Development and Building a Business With a Family
    Oct 16 2025

    In this conversation, Darren Hansen and Alex Gibson discuss the complexities of athlete development, balancing personal life with business, and the importance of foundational skills in sports training. They explore the misconceptions surrounding fitness in sports, the significance of speed and high outputs, and the role of coaches in guiding young athletes. The discussion emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to training that prioritizes long-term development over immediate results.


    Takeaways:

    Balancing family and business is a significant challenge for facility owners.

    Finding the right staff is crucial for running a successful training facility.

    Youth athletes often face pressure to perform at a high level too early.

    Foundational skills like coordination and balance are essential for athlete development.

    Speed and power metrics are critical for assessing athlete performance.

    Injury prevention should be a priority in in-season training.

    Fitness tests do not always correlate with on-field performance.

    High outputs in training lead to better performance and fewer injuries.

    Coaches need to understand the specific demands of the sport they are training for.

    Athletes should be encouraged to enjoy the process of training rather than focusing solely on outcomes.

    Chapters:

    00:00Introduction to Athlete Development

    2:35 Balancing Parenthood and Coaching

    5:28 Navigating Staff and Facility Growth

    8:23 The Importance of Coordination in Youth Sports

    11:07 Managing Expectations in Youth Athletic Development

    13:52 Understanding Outputs: Speed and Power Metrics

    21:58 The Evolution of Speed and Power in Sports

    27:10 Understanding Conditioning vs. Performance

    31:15 The Importance of High-Output Training

    38:14 Building Speed Reserve for Game PerformanceKeywords

    athlete development, coaching, parenting, sports training, youth sports, speed training, injury prevention, foundational skills, athlete performance, coaching strategies


    Show More Show Less
    44 mins
  • #79 - Maximizing Athlete Performance During In-Season Training
    Aug 21 2025

    Darren Hansen discusses the importance of in-season training for athletes, emphasizing the need for consistent training to maintain performance levels. He highlights the significance of mental and physical development, the role of recovery, and the necessity of proper nutrition. The conversation aims to educate parents and coaches on how to support athletes during the demanding in-season period.


    Takeaways

    Training is crucial for athlete development.

    In-season training maintains performance levels.

    One session a week can make a difference.

    Sleep is vital for recovery.

    Fueling the body is essential for athletes.

    Consistency leads to better results.

    Time management is key for athletes.

    Mobility work enhances performance.

    Strength decreases after a month without training.

    Positive energy in training is beneficial.


    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to In-Season Training Challenges

    01:54 The Importance of Consistent Training

    05:06 Balancing Time and Recovery for Athletes



    Show More Show Less
    6 mins
  • #78 - Chris Frye: The Balance Between School and Private Training
    Apr 21 2025

    In this episode of HansenAthletics Radio, Chris Fry shares his extensive experience in private training and school settings. He discusses the nuances of working with athletes in different environments, the importance of communication between coaches and athletes, and the need for recovery in training.

    Chris emphasizes the role of technology in monitoring athlete performance and the impact of specialization in youth sports. He also reflects on the evolving dynamics of youth sports and the necessity of adapting training programs to meet individual needs.


    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Chris Fry and His Background

    03:07 Comparing Private Sector and School Settings

    06:05 Navigating Relationships Between Private Facilities and Schools

    08:52 The Importance of Communication in Athlete Development

    12:06 Understanding Training Volume and Recovery

    15:04 The Role of Technology in Training

    17:59 The Impact of Specialization in Youth Sports

    20:55 The Shift in Youth Sports Dynamics

    23:59 Adapting Training Programs for Individual Needs

    26:48 The Importance of Speed Training

    29:58 Final Thoughts and Social Media Influence

    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
  • #77 - Talent is No Longer Enough
    Mar 20 2025

    In this episode of HansenAthletics Radio, Darren Hansen discusses the critical factors that separate successful athletes from their peers. He emphasizes the importance of character, preparation, consistency, and a relentless mindset in achieving athletic success. Drawing from his extensive experience as a coach, Hansen highlights how talent alone is insufficient in competitive sports, and how developing good habits can lead to greatness both in athletics and in life.


    Takeaways

    Talent gaps exist, but character is crucial.

    Preparation involves mental and physical readiness.

    Consistency in training leads to long-term success.

    Relentlessness is key to outperforming others.

    Character development is essential for athletes.

    Good habits distinguish successful athletes.

    Athletes must be committed to their goals.

    Success in sports translates to success in life.

    Coaches prioritize character over talent in recruiting.

    Spring break is a time for athletes to reset.


    Chapters

    00:00 The Importance of Character in Athletics

    05:01 Consistency and Relentlessness in Training


    If you enjoyed this episode please subscribe and leave a review! Interested in being a guest? Connect with us on www.hansenathletics.com




    Show More Show Less
    8 mins
  • #76 - Dade Dieterich
    Mar 14 2025

    In this episode of HansenAthletics Radio, Darren Hansen interviews Dade Dieterich, a performance coach who emphasizes the importance of simplicity in training for youth athletes. Dade shares his journey in the coaching world, including his experiences at IMG Academy and his unique approach to speed development and strength training. He discusses the significance of recovery, the concept of doing more with less, and the need for athletes to develop autonomy in their training. Dade's philosophy revolves around creating an environment where athletes can learn, grow, and solve problems independently, ultimately leading to better performance and long-term success. In this conversation, Dade Dieterich and Darren Hansen discuss the critical aspects of athletic training, focusing on the importance of hip flexors, sprinting mechanics, and the innovative use of bar speed metrics. They emphasize the need for fluid periodization in training, the role of parents in trusting coaches, and the shift towards efficiency over volume in training regimens. The discussion also highlights the significance of data-driven coaching and the evolving mindset in athletic performance, advocating for a less is more approach to training.


    You might get faster just by listening.

    00:00 Introduction to Dade Dieterich and His Journey

    02:51 Experiences at IMG Academy and Coaching Philosophy

    05:54 The Concept of Doing More with Less

    08:59 Simplicity in Training and Athlete Development

    12:04 Strength Training Approaches and Techniques

    14:55 Creating Autonomy in Athletes

    18:08 Maximizing Performance Through Strategic Training

    20:34 The Importance of Hip Flexors and Sprinting Mechanics

    22:10 Bar Speed: A Game Changer in Training

    24:43 Fluid Periodization: Adapting to Athlete Needs

    27:47 Empowering Parents: Trusting Coaches

    30:06 Efficiency Over Volume in Training

    32:26 Changing Mindsets: Less is More in Training

    33:37 Data-Driven Coaching: The Power of Numbers


    Show More Show Less
    35 mins
  • #75 - Brandon Stephens: Idaho State S&C
    Mar 2 2025

    For coaches, athletes, and parents. In this conversation, Brandon Stephens, Associate Athletic Director of Sports Performance and Wellness at Idaho State University, discusses his transition from a strength and conditioning coach to an administrative role. He shares insights on the challenges of managing people, the importance of building relationships, and the evolution of training programs, particularly for female athletes. Brandon emphasizes the significance of microdosing in training, the value of athlete input in programming, and the need for trust and communication in coaching. He also touches on the dogmatic approaches in strength conditioning and the importance of flexibility in training methodologies. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the importance of open-mindedness in strength training, emphasizing that various approaches can coexist. They highlight the significance of mastering basic skills in athletic training and the value of building relationships within the professional community. The discussion also touches on the challenges faced by coaches regarding pay and the need for continuous personal and professional development. Additionally, they provide insights for parents and young athletes on the importance of focusing on fundamental skills rather than getting caught up in trends. The conversation concludes with reflections on the balance between professional commitments and personal life.


    Follow Brandon Stephens on Instagram: @Brandon.Stephens21


    Chapters:

    00:00 Introduction to Brandon Stevens and His Role

    01:36 Transitioning from Coaching to Administration

    04:31 Building Relationships and Job Security in Coaching

    07:29 The Shift in Responsibilities and Delegation

    10:23 Navigating Relationships with Athletes

    12:26 Programming Changes for Female Athletes

    15:29 Microdosing and Effective Training Sessions

    18:38 Athlete Input in Training Programs

    21:32 Trust and Communication in Coaching

    24:36 Rant on Dogmatic Approaches in Strength Conditioning

    31:45 Embracing Open-Mindedness in Strength Training

    34:12 The Importance of Basics in Athletic Training

    37:31 Building Relationships for Professional Growth

    39:40 Cannibalism in Strength and Conditioning

    42:46 Guidance for Parents and Young Athletes

    46:36 Balancing Multi-Sport Participation and Development

    53:40 Prioritizing Personal Life in Coaching


    Show More Show Less
    59 mins
  • #74 - Justin Burch
    Jan 10 2025

    Justin Burch is the Rigby High Strength and Conditioning Coach

    Insights into one of the most successful high school programs in the state. Justin has an extensive background in performance and this episode is full of quality information for athletes, coaches, and parents. Youth Athlete Development | On-site and Remotely

    Consulting | Team Training

    www.hansenathletics.com

    00:00 Introduction to Justin Burch's Journey

    09:22 Long-Term Athletic Development Philosophy

    24:52 The Importance of Movement Quality

    31:42 Breath Work and Athletic Performance

    Show More Show Less
    38 mins
  • Simple Tips Heading Into 2025
    Dec 31 2024

    Coach Darren delivers a few tips on his approach to making meaningful changes headed into 2025! Big thank you to our listeners and subscribers. Comment your new years goal!

    Big things coming in 2025!

    Show More Show Less
    3 mins