In this episode of the “Strength Coach Collective” podcast, host Chris Guerrero talks with veteran coach Jason Leydon, founder of CrossFit Milford and Conquer Athlete.

Jason has coached a number of elite athletes throughout his career, including CrossFit Games podium finishers, international record-holding powerlifters, USA Weightlifting national-team members, All-American wrestlers and state-champion basketball players.

Today, Jason dives into what truly sets great coaches apart—no matter who their clients are: a deep understanding of training principles, the ability to adapt to the individual, and a commitment to community and connection.

He explains why chasing methods before mastering the basics can limit a coach’s potential, and he shares tips for building a strong coaching career and avoiding burnout.

Whether you’re working with competitive athletes or the general public, this episode will challenge you to reflect on how you can help your clients best.

Links

Strength Coach Collective

1:32 - Tailoring training for diverse athletes

13:21 - Lessons from coaching elite athletes

26:56 - Avoiding burnout as a coach

38:37 - Most common coaching mistakes

42:30 - The future of strength & conditioning

Today, Michael Rutherford joins “Strength Coach Collective” to tell coaches how to help their clients get stronger and recover better.

Host Kenny Markwardt sits down with Michael—aka “Coach Rut”—to unpack decades of lessons in strength training and conditioning.

Coach Rut shares his journey from his early days in college strength coaching to pioneering the Max Effort Black Box (MEBB) method, which blends conjugate strength work with CrossFit-style conditioning.

He says building strength first is non-negotiable for effective conditioning and explains why so many athletes struggle to throttle back on intensity when their recovery demands it.

You’ll hear how Coach Rut's 2x2x2 training model helps athletes make progress without burning out and why HRV tracking—when done right—can revolutionize individualized programming.

Listen to hear all of Coach Rut’s no-nonsense insights, and for more support, join the Strength Coach Collective via the link below.

Links

Strength Coach Collective

00:52 - Coach Rut’s background

17:22 - Max Effort Black Box

20:08 - Building strength first

38:05 - The role of HRV in training

50:27 - Tips for new trainers

Some see kettlebells as just another piece of equipment, but Pat Damiano believes they should be at the core of strength training.

In this episode of “Strength Coach Collective,” host Chris Guerrero sits down with Pat, a fitness coach who specializes in kettlebells and has amassed over 400,000 followers on social media.

Pat shares how kettlebell training evolved from a supplemental tool to the foundation of his coaching and explains why they are so effective for strength and conditioning.

He breaks down the most common mistakes coaches make with kettlebells, from only programming swings to not challenging clients with heavier weights, and he lists the core movements every coach should master.

Chris and Pat also discuss how kettlebells can be used to improve athletic performance, build resilience and create effective training sessions for clients with limited time.

Tune in to hear Pat’s top tips for incorporating kettlebells into your training program with confidence.

Links

Strength Coach Collective

02:56 - Evolution of Pat’s training philosophy

07:29 - Biggest kettlebell mistakes

17:32 - Top three kettlebell movements

26:12 - Kettlebell certifications and resources

32:54 - How to start incorporating kettlebells