Voodoo Power

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Steven sits down with John Coleman, the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, Powerlifting Coach, and Algebra teacher at Pollok Central High School in Lufkin, Texas. John shares his unconventional journey into coaching—starting from being fired from a summer camp job to becoming a respected leader in both the classroom and the weight room.They dive deep into training high school powerlifters, exploring how John blends 531 programming, max-effort and dynamic sessions, and recovery management to keep athletes strong and healthy throughout the season. The conversation expands into balancing public school and private coaching, developing baseball and softball speed, and adapting powerlifting principles for athletic performance.John and Steven also reflect on the realities of coaching teenagers, from teaching proper technique to managing parental expectations, NIL pressures, and evolving high school strength culture. The episode wraps with insights into mentorship, competition prep, and stories from influential coaches across Texas’ strength community—including Monty Sparkman, Seth Ford, and Donnie Thompson.Whether you’re a coach, teacher, or athlete, this episode offers valuable takeaways on building strong athletes and stronger relationships through intelligent training and genuine mentorship.https://youtube.com/@platesandpancakes4593https://instagram.com/voodoo4power?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=https://voodoo4ranch.com/To possibly be a guest or support the show email Voodoo4ranch@gmail.comhttps://www.paypal.com/paypalme/voodoo4ranch

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Plates and Pancakes, Steven sits down with Coach Donoho from APG Strength for a wide-ranging conversation that blends athletic performance, coaching wisdom, and a touch of horsemanship. The two discuss the art of developing young athletes, tackling topics like early sports specialization, asymmetries, and injury prevention — all through the lens of practical coaching experience.Coach Donoho shares insights from his time on the Tennessee State Advisory Board for the NHSSCA and explains how a supportive network of coaches has shaped his growth. Steven and Donoho also explore surprising parallels between classical horse training and athletic movement, uncovering lessons from dressage that translate to curvilinear sprinting and power development.The conversation takes thoughtful turns into faith, discipline, and purpose — reflecting on how spiritual grounding and human connection enrich both coaching and life. Whether you’re a coach, athlete, or lifelong learner, this episode offers a blend of science, philosophy, and strength that reminds us: the best performance starts with understanding motion, mindset, and meaning.https://youtube.com/@platesandpancakes4593https://instagram.com/voodoo4power?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=https://voodoo4ranch.com/To possibly be a guest or support the show email Voodoo4ranch@gmail.comhttps://www.paypal.com/paypalme/voodoo4ranch

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Steven Thompson sits down with Dr. Ivey, the Senior Athletic Director for Health and Performance at the University of Louisville, to explore what it truly takes to build a championship-level athletic program.Dr. Ivey brings decades of experience in sports psychology, strength and conditioning, and mental performance coaching, sharing powerful insights from his time at the University of Missouri, the NFL, and now at Louisville.The conversation dives deep into:💪 Strength & Conditioning Coaching Philosophy – Going beyond traditional weight training to create complete, resilient athletes.🧠 Mental Performance & Athlete Mindset – How goal setting, resilience training, and self-awareness shape elite performers.🤝 Authentic Coaching Relationships – Why vulnerability and connection matter more than ever in athlete development.🎯 Program Design & Progression Systems – Level-based training methods that prevent plateaus and optimize performance.👥 Leadership & Staff Development – Building strong, aligned coaching teams through collaboration and trust.🌱 Coach Growth & Self-Development – How continuous learning, communication, and reflection lead to long-term success.Dr. Ivey also discusses his core leadership values—Care, Communicate, and Collaborate, offering practical lessons for coaches, athletes, and performance professionals striving for excellence.🎧 Tune in for an hour of real conversation on coaching culture, athlete development, and high-performance leadership—from one of the most respected minds in collegiate sports.https://youtube.com/@platesandpancakes4593https://instagram.com/voodoo4power?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=https://voodoo4ranch.com/To possibly be a guest or support the show email Voodoo4ranch@gmail.comhttps://www.paypal.com/paypalme/voodoo4ranch

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Steven Thompson sits down with Clay Bewley, Speed, Strength, and Conditioning Coach at Willow Canyon High School in Surprise, Arizona, and former coach at Estrella Foothills High School. With over two decades of experience coaching at the high school and collegiate levels — including Northern Arizona, Jacksonville University, Angelo State, UNLV, and Faith Lutheran — Coach Bewley shares powerful insights on athlete development, recruiting, and the evolving landscape of modern athletics.💪 Topics Covered: • Building high-performing strength programs across 22 school-sponsored sports • Implementing the conjugate system and tracking athlete performance • Managing recruiting, NIL changes, and program integrity in college sports • Maintaining motivation, preventing burnout, and engaging reluctant athletes • Balancing athletic development with academic and behavioral standards • Funding and organizing high school training programs effectivelyCoach Bewley also opens up about his journey from small-town roots to leading a premier Arizona athletic program — emphasizing connection, accountability, and long-term athlete growth.📈 Whether you’re a strength coach, athletic director, or sport science enthusiast, this episode delivers real-world coaching wisdom and leadership lessons from one of the most respected high school coaches in the country.⸻🔔 Subscribe for more episodes featuring top coaches and performance experts.🎧 Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTubehttps://youtube.com/@platesandpancakes4593https://instagram.com/voodoo4power?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=https://voodoo4ranch.com/To possibly be a guest or support the show email Voodoo4ranch@gmail.comhttps://www.paypal.com/paypalme/voodoo4ranch

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we sit down with David Abernethy, high-profile strength coach, athlete, and co-founder of Tsunami Barbell. With nearly 25 years of experience as a college athlete and coach at schools like Methodist, Western Carolina, Clemson, Ole Miss, Western Kentucky, and Furman, David has shaped the performance of countless athletes — from Eli Manning to future pros across multiple sports.We dive into: • The coaching journey from college sidelines to building Tsunami Barbell • Working with legends, including the Harbaugh family and Louie Simmons’ influence • The Speed Force Max Training System and Iron Disciples nonprofit • How fascia training, AR, and oscillation improve performance • Conjugate principles in the weight room and training that actually carries over to sport • Building accountable athletes, longevity in coaching, and the art of finding an edgeDavid shares wisdom on maximizing athletic potential, balancing innovation with fundamentals, and what it takes to stay passionate across decades in coaching.👉 Subscribe for more conversations with leaders in strength, performance, and athlete development.https://youtube.com/@platesandpancakes4593https://instagram.com/voodoo4power?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=https://voodoo4ranch.com/To possibly be a guest or support the show email Voodoo4ranch@gmail.comhttps://www.paypal.com/paypalme/voodoo4ranch

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we sit down with Keith Caton, Head Strength Coach at Manvel High School, whose career spans 11 stops across collegiate and high school athletics, including powerhouse programs like Baylor, Auburn, Syracuse, Missouri, and Indiana.Coach Caton shares insights on:The transition from college to high school coaching and preparing athletes for the next levelProgressions, regressions, and protocols that build long-term athletic successThe role of technology, heart rate monitoring, and peripheral vision training in modern performanceBalancing speed, strength, recovery, and energy systems for both multi-sport and single-sport athletesHis experience with tempering, mobility work, and recovery modalitiesLessons from working with elite athletes in 15 bowl games and multiple championshipsThe ups and downs of chasing big logos, losing jobs, and maturing through 20+ years in the fieldWhether you’re a coach, athlete, or parent, this conversation gives a raw look into what it takes to keep athletes fast, resilient, and prepared for the next step in their journey.👉 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more conversations with leaders in strength and conditioning!https://youtube.com/@platesandpancakes4593https://instagram.com/voodoo4power?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=https://voodoo4ranch.com/To possibly be a guest or support the show email Voodoo4ranch@gmail.comhttps://www.paypal.com/paypalme/voodoo4ranch

Send us Fan MailWhat does it take to set a world bench press record at 62? 💪 Legendary coach Bill Gillespie shares his journey from the NFL to Westside Barbell, and the discipline, faith, and training principles that shaped his success.In this episode, Steven sits down with Bill Gillespie—legendary strength coach, world-record bench presser, and longtime mentor in both athletics and life. Bill shares stories from his decades of coaching at Liberty University, his time in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks, and his journey to setting a world bench press record at age 62.The conversation dives deep into:💪 Bill’s training philosophy and lessons from Westside Barbell🏈 What separates NFL athletes from college players⚖️ Finding balance, avoiding burnout, and staying passionate🙏 How discipline, preparation, and faith shape performance and life🔥 Practical takeaways for strength coaches and athletes, from improving bench press mechanics to building competitive driveBill also reflects on his weight loss journey, the role of hope and perseverance, and the importance of being a husband, father, and grandfather above all else.If you’re a coach, athlete, or simply someone chasing excellence, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.#StrengthTraining #Coaching #BenchPress #AthleteDevelopment #BillGillespiehttps://youtube.com/@platesandpancakes4593https://instagram.com/voodoo4power?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=https://voodoo4ranch.com/To possibly be a guest or support the show email Voodoo4ranch@gmail.comhttps://www.paypal.com/paypalme/voodoo4ranch

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we sit down with Brad Jenisch of Prospect High School (Illinois) to talk about what happens when a coach sees a need and decides to build something from the ground up.We cover:How to solve the problem right in front of youOvercoming stigma and outside perceptionsBetting on yourself and identifying gaps in athlete developmentWhy certain training doesn’t always carry over to sportApplying Vermeil’s Athletic Development Pyramid and Bondarchuk’s principles in a high school settingRecycling proven methods that work: conjugate training, max effort, dynamic effort, and repetition effortBrad shares a refreshing perspective on coaching, showing how building culture, addressing real needs, and adapting timeless methods can transform a high school strength program.If you’re interested in high school performance, coaching philosophy, or practical ways to bridge the gap between the weight room and the playing field, this conversation is for you.https://youtube.com/@platesandpancakes4593https://instagram.com/voodoo4power?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=https://voodoo4ranch.com/To possibly be a guest or support the show email Voodoo4ranch@gmail.comhttps://www.paypal.com/paypalme/voodoo4ranch

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Rodney Pierce and Landon Robinson of Ligo Sports  explore how AI is reshaping the recruiting landscape. Instead of giving quick answers, they dive into big ideas—tracking stats, creating “power numbers” to rank athletes, improving equity in recruiting, building detailed athlete profiles, and sparking early communication between athletes and coaches. This conversation pulls back the curtain on where recruiting might be headed and how technology could change the game for the next generation of athletes.https://youtube.com/@platesandpancakes4593https://instagram.com/voodoo4power?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=https://voodoo4ranch.com/To possibly be a guest or support the show email Voodoo4ranch@gmail.comhttps://www.paypal.com/paypalme/voodoo4ranch

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we’re joined by Bill Miller, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), baseball performance coach, and author of Swing Fast, Throw Fast, and Testing is Training. Bill has worked with athletes from Little League through the professional ranks, helping them unlock explosive power, higher velocity, and long-term durability.A former four-year starter at Trinity Christian College, Bill has built his career around applying cutting-edge methods of strength training and performance measurement to baseball players of all levels.We dive deep into eccentric strength, its role in injury prevention and deceleration, and how athletes can transfer training into on-field velocity gains.What you’ll learn in this episode:Why eccentric strength > concentric strength in building speed and resilienceUsing eccentric tempos to target force production and injury preventionBuilding quality mass that carries over to throwing velocityKPI tracking: RSI, jumps, bar speeds, grip strength, and med ball throwsDeveloping rotational power, hip extension speed, and block-leg strengthConnecting strength work to velocity in pitchers, outfielders, and quarterbacksIsometrics, max effort, and dynamic effort training for throwing velocityWriting and sharing ideas: from training notes to published booksHow to adjust programs without overhauling everything each cycleBill also explains how to create a competitive training environment where athletes track progress, chase improvement, and reinforce intent in every rep.Whether you’re a baseball coach, pitcher, or strength professional, this conversation is loaded with insights you can apply immediately to improve velocity, durability, and athletic performance.https://youtube.com/@platesandpancakes4593https://instagram.com/voodoo4power?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=https://voodoo4ranch.com/To possibly be a guest or support the show email Voodoo4ranch@gmail.comhttps://www.paypal.com/paypalme/voodoo4ranch