

The Strength Game
Nick O'Brien
The Strength Game is a weekly podcast dedicated to discussing all things physical culture with the coaches, athletes, iron enthusiasts, and experts deeply imbedded in the strength game on both sides of the profession; as coaches and as competitive athletes. Hosted by Nick O’Brien, each episode we discuss, rant and dive deep into all things related to strength and conditioning, high performance and training lifestyle. Join us in The Strength Game!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 7, 2026 • 1h
#158 - Tim Caron
Tim Caron is the Co-Founder and Head Coach of Allegiate Gym. Caron helped start Allegiate Gym with two of his former football players and co-founders in 2017. Since the opening in Los Angeles, they have seen the gym expand to three total locations. Prior to his work in the private sector, he spent the majority of his career in collegiate strength and conditioning. His last stop was Army West Point where he served as the head football strength coach for the Black Knights for three seasons. While at the United States Military Academy, Caron helped spearhead Army to an explosive victory over Navy in 2016 – their first win in the historic series in 15 years. Prior to Army he spent three years as the associate strength coach at USC working with the Trojans football team in addition to overseeing the swim & dive team. Caron began his full-time coaching career at Springfield College, where he worked with multiple programs including the football, men’s basketball, men’s lacrosse, women’s volleyball and women’s sprint & jump programs. He then joined the Georgia Tech staff as an associate strength coach for football in addition to overseeing the women’s basketball team for three years before joining USC. Caron also bolsters experience as an intern coach first at Velocity Sports Performance and later with Harvard University, Georgia Tech and the University of Mississippi before securing a role at Springfield College. In addition to his coaching experience, Coach Caron is heavily involved in the S&C field as an author, consultant, mentor, and speaker. He is has written numerous blog posts in addition to being the author of multiple books including Strength Deficit, How to Become a Strength Coach, and Training Sports Teams. Caron is a coaching consultant and mentor to many coaches offering both in-person and online consulting and mentorship programs in a wide range of topics for the Strength TC Collective including muscle mentorship, private mentorship, staff workshop, staff audit, and remote consult. He has spoken at various strength and conditioning conferences and been featured on many podcast in addition to being the host of his own, the Performance Health (pH) Podcast.Caron is a true strength advocate and enthusiast who has been an avid lifter with dedicated time under the bar. He still continues to train hard while coaching and running his business and gyms. Samson EquipmentSamson Equipment provides Professional Weight Room Solutions for all your S&C needs.Cerberus StrengthUse Code: STRENGTH_GAME at Cerberus-Strength.comSport KiltUse Code: TSG at SportKilt.comDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Mar 24, 2026 • 1h 29min
#157 - Colton Krueger
Colton Krueger is a Sports Performance Coach at William & Mary. Joining Tribe athletics in 2024, Krueger oversees training for the baseball, men’s and women’s soccer teams in addition to assist with football. Prior to W&M he was a graduate assistant sports performance coach at Youngstown State from 2022-2023 where he worked with the football, track & field, and men’s tennis programs. He started his coaching career as an intern at Marquette in 2020 before earning additional sports performance coaching experience at the University of Oregon with the football team in 2021 and the University of Wisconsin in 2022. A former college player at Hillsdale College continues to stay active himself in the weight room. He continues to train and compete, now in Olympic weightlifting where he has had success competing at U25 Nationals securing a podium finish in 2025 and earning a qualifying total for the American Open Finals. He is an avid lifter and enjoys skiing, golfing, traveling, and watching sports when he is not training in the weight room. Samson EquipmentSamson Equipment provides Professional Weight Room Solutions for all your S&C needs.Cerberus StrengthUse Code: STRENGTH_GAME at Cerberus-Strength.comSport KiltUse Code: TSG at SportKilt.comDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Mar 10, 2026 • 1h 33min
#156 - Mike Sullivan
Mike Sullivan is an Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach at Syracuse University where he oversees and implements the training for the women’s lacrosse and women’s tennis teams. Additionally, Sullivan serves as the head strength and conditioning coach for the USA Senior Women’s Lacrosse team joining them in 2024. Sullivan arrived on the ‘Cuse strength staff in 2023 after most previously working at Morgan State University, where he closely worked with the football team and men’s and women’s track programs. In addition to his coaching role, he also served as a performance coach at Edgewater Fitness where he implemented training programs for individuals and team clients. From 2021-2023, Sullivan was an assistant strength coach at Stevenson University working with 17 of the Mustangs’ athletic teams. Prior to that he worked closely for all in-season training and conditioning programs for Team Maryland Ice Hockey’s Under-15, U16, and U18 teams in addition to assisting with daily duties with the Washington Pride U14, U16, and U19 women’s ice hockey teams from the fall 2019 to winter 2022. While working towards his four college degrees, Sullivan held various position at the University of Maryland and Salisbury University, serving as a volunteer intern, graduate assistant and collegiate intern. Sullivan is active himself in the weight room and trains for his own health and athletic activities such as distance running and bow hunting while balancing the rigors of the competing collegiate and professional coaching schedules. He is an avid lifter and enjoys archery, running, and lawn care when he is not training in the weight room. Samson EquipmentSamson Equipment provides Professional Weight Room Solutions for all your S&C needs.Cerberus StrengthUse Code: STRENGTH_GAME at Cerberus-Strength.comSport KiltUse Code: TSG at SportKilt.comDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Feb 24, 2026 • 1h 41min
#155 - Aaron Potoshnik
Aaron Potoshnik is a Strength and Nutrition Coach working in corporate wellness in the tech industry. Potoshnik stepped into remote coaching and the private sector in 2023 following a long stint in collegiate athletics. With his own business in Alpha Performance, Potoshnik works 1-on-1 online to help individuals create a lifestyle to transform their bodies and find strength in their own skin with individualized strength and nutrition coaching. Prior to his current role he was the director of football athletic performance at San Jose State University from 2021-2023 after being promoted from lead assistant with Spartans in 2019-2020. He arrived at SJSU after two years as the assistant director of strength & conditioning at Northwestern State University working with multiple teams in addition to football. Potoshnik started his career as an intern coach at his alma mater, Washington State University in 2014 where he also spent time as an exercise physiology and performance laboratory research assistant in 2015. Additionally, he served as an intern coach at the University of Washington in 2016 before accepting a graduate assistant coach role at Northwestern State University from 2016-2017. Potoshnik is no stranger to competitive athletics himself and is an avid lifter enjoying getting outside in nature to hike during his spare time away from the weight room. He competed in Olympic weightlifter for eight years before stepping into powerlifting and now training and competing in bodybuilding. Samson EquipmentSamson Equipment provides Professional Weight Room Solutions for all your S&C needs.Cerberus StrengthUse Code: STRENGTH_GAME at Cerberus-Strength.comSport KiltUse Code: TSG at SportKilt.comDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Feb 10, 2026 • 1h 5min
#154 - Alex Dee
Alex Dee is an Assistant Sports Performance Coach at the University of Illinois Chicago where he oversees the training for the baseball, track & field/cross country, and swimming programs. Joining the Flames in summer 2025, Dee previously spent the last two year as an assistant director of sports performance at Wichita State University where he worked directly with the baseball, men’s tennis and women’s tennis programs. Dee joined the Shockers staff in 2023 after spending the previous two seasons in a similar capacity at Oral Roberts University. He has had multiple stops early in his career as an intern coach at the University of Denver in 2021, Clemson University with the Olympic staff in 2020, Marquette University in 2019 and his alma mater, the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2018. A former college baseball player at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is active himself in the weight room and continues to train, explore new ideas and methodologies throughout the collegiate year to stay active and better coach his student-athletes. Samson EquipmentSamson Equipment provides Professional Weight Room Solutions for all your S&C needs.Cerberus StrengthUse Code: STRENGTH_GAME at Cerberus-Strength.comSport KiltUse Code: TSG at SportKilt.comDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Jan 27, 2026 • 1h 35min
#153 - Matt Rodriguez
Matt Rodriguez is the Associate Head Strength & Conditioning Coach at Sacred Heart University. He returned to SHU in 2022 where he directly oversees all aspects of sports performance for both men’s basketball and men’s lacrosse, and assists with the football program. Rodriguez first served as a graduate assistant strength coach at Sacred Heart from 2016-2018 where his responsibilities included baseball, women’s rugby, track and field throwers, bowling, equestrian, and cheerleading as well as assisting with football and men’s basketball. Before returning to SHU, Rodriguez was the Associate Director of Strength & Conditioning and Head of Baseball Sports Performance at Campbell University from 2018-2022 where he helped propel the CU baseball team to reach three Big South Conference Championships that led to three straight NCAA Regional appearances, in addition to having trained 11 MLB draft picks including three first-rounders. He also coached the Camels track and field throwers and assisted with the football program. Rodriguez got his start coaching at Top Speed Performance School in Pennsylvania in 2012 while completing his undergrad degree. He spent four years coaching in the private sector before stepping into the collegiate space as an intern at the University of Pennsylvania from 2015-2016.A former college athlete, Rodriguez was as an infielder on the Montclair State University baseball team. Rodriguez is still very active himself in the weight room and trains 5-6x per week while balancing the rigors of the collegiate coaching schedule. He is an avid lifter and enjoys traveling with his wife when he is not training in the weight room. He has previously competed in Olympic weightlifting. Samson EquipmentSamson Equipment provides Professional Weight Room Solutions for all your S&C needs.Cerberus StrengthUse Code: STRENGTH_GAME at Cerberus-Strength.comSport KiltUse Code: TSG at SportKilt.comDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Jan 13, 2026 • 1h 21min
#152 - Kayla Girgen
Kayla Girgen is a registered dietician, certified personal training, and founder of the online wellness community Sugar + Strength Academy. Her background spans clinical nutrition, personal training, and years of firsthand experience coaching women through transformative lifestyle changes. As a registered dietitian and nutrition entrepreneur she founded KG the RD, LLC in 2020 on a mission to help high-achieving women lose weight without eating “perfectly.” Prior to venturing on her own she worked as a clinical dietician at CentraCare from 2020-2021, a lead dietitian and operations manager at Profile by Sanford Health from 2018-2020, and dietitian assistant at Hy-Vee from 2017-2018 in addition to multiple internships within the weight loss and nutritional space. Girgen is also an ACE personal trainer, certified since 2013. She is a freelance nutrition writer and has been featured on many popular media outlets including Men’s Health, Insider, Eat This Not That, and Parade. In addition, Girgen is the author of the new book, RUCK FIT: Build Strength and Endurance by Walking with Weight. This practical guide includes beginner-friendly training plans, rucking tips to build strength and endurance, and strategies to prevent injury and fuel your resiliency. Girgen loves to read, hike, and bike in her home state of Minnesota, and is happily married to her best friend and business/adventure partner, Jeremy. Samson EquipmentSamson Equipment provides Professional Weight Room Solutions for all your S&C needs.Cerberus StrengthUse Code: STRENGTH_GAME at Cerberus-Strength.comSport KiltUse Code: TSG at SportKilt.comDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Dec 30, 2025 • 1h 14min
#151 - Erik Hernandez
Erik Hernandez is the Associate Director of Sports Performance for Olympic Sports at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Hernandez began his tenure with the Tar Heels in August 2010 as intern coach with a year break in that stint where he served as a graduate assistant coach at the University of Tulsa in 2011 working with football and basketball, before returning to UNC as an assistant strength and conditioning coach. He was later promoted to his current title as the associate director of sports performance for Olympic sports in 2019 where he is currently responsible for the men’s lacrosse, men’s golf, women’s golf and volleyball teams. Throughout his time at Chapel Hill, Hernandez has work with several other teams including the women’s lacrosse team during their 2016 and 2022 NCAA Championship seasons. Hernandez cut his teeth in coaching in 2009 as a student intern at Loyola University Chicago, in addition to garnering experience as an intern at Arizona State University in 2010 and Niles North High School. In addition to his time working with collegiate athletes, Hernandez is the Owner of Hernandez Health and Performance where he has devised the Athlete Within Project; an online coaching program designed for former athletes who want to reconnect with their strength, and non-athletes who are ready to discover their untapped potential. Hernandez is no stranger to competitive athletics himself, as he is a former shot putter on the Loyola University Chicago track and field team. He continues to stay active himself training to be a healthy role model for his family, athletes and clients. Nowadays he typically is lifting 3-4 times a week, running 1-3 times a week and training Jiu Jitsu 1-2 times a week with this daughter. Samson EquipmentSamson Equipment provides Professional Weight Room Solutions for all your S&C needs.Cerberus StrengthUse Code: STRENGTH_GAME at Cerberus-Strength.comSport KiltUse Code: TSG at SportKilt.comDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Dec 16, 2025 • 1h 16min
#150 - Kristoffer Koerper
Kristoffer Koerper is the founder of Full Strength Father and co-founder of Built Sports Performance. He is the Director of Facility Design at Samson Equipment, where he leads the design and development of high-performance training facilities for athletic programs nationwide.Full Strength Father is a lifestyle and coaching community dedicated to helping driven, high-performing fathers maximize their physical readiness, lead their families with purpose and integrity, and live with strength in every dimension of life. Founded in 2023, Full Strength Father integrates physical, mental, and spiritual disciplines for men who commit to leading themselves and their families well.Before launching Full Strength Father, Koerper co-founded Built Sports Performance in 2021—a strength and conditioning facility delivering professional-level sports performance resources to Las Cruces, New Mexico. His coaching journey started in 2013, in a one-car garage, training athletes and everyday individuals while still in college. Over the last decade, his passion for coaching and community-building has resulted in a unique blend of high-performance training and personal transformation.A former Division I baseball player, Koerper deferred the 2007 MLB Draft to serve a two-year mission for his church. He later returned to baseball, finishing his collegiate career as a first baseman and outfielder at New Mexico State University. Today, his athletic focus is channeled into training like a champion father—strong, intentional, and fully engaged.Kristoffer is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and Precision Nutrition Certified Coach (Pn Level 1). Outside the gym, he enjoys outdoor adventures, and building a strong family culture with his wife and three sons. He is passionate about equipping men with the tools to cultivate strength, resilience, and purpose.Samson EquipmentSamson Equipment provides Professional Weight Room Solutions for all your S&C needs.Cerberus StrengthUse Code: STRENGTH_GAME at Cerberus-Strength.comSport KiltUse Code: TSG at SportKilt.comDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Dec 2, 2025 • 1h 33min
#149 - Michael Stegemoeller
Michael Stegemoeller is an Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach at the University of Pittsburgh. Joining Pitt in spring 2025, Stegemoeller works directly with the Panthers women’s lacrosse, and swimming & diving programs. He previously worked in a similar role at the University of Cincinnati, where he was responsible for training for the women’s lacrosse, swimming and diving, and track and field’s sprint and hurdle groups since summer 2022. Stegemoeller began his coaching career as performance specialist at Michael Johnson Performance from 2017-2019 after starting as an intern. From there he moved to the collegiate ranks first interning at the University of Houston in 2019 followed by serving as a graduate assistant coach at the University of Southern Mississippi from 2020-2021. He then moved on to Texas A&M University where from 2021-2022 he was a professional intern in their sports performance department prior to joining the Bearcats at the University of Cincinnati in 2022, where he was quickly promoted form his fellow position to a full-time assistant sports performance coach the same year. Stegemoeller is active himself in the weight room and trains 5-6x per week while balancing the rigors of the collegiate coaching schedule. He is an avid lifter and enjoys spending time outside when he is not training in the weight room. He has competed in a half marathon and the Deadlift Party at SummerStrong 18 and continues to train as hard as he can for as long as he can.Samson EquipmentSamson Equipment provides Professional Weight Room Solutions for all your S&C needs.Cerberus StrengthUse Code: STRENGTH_GAME at Cerberus-Strength.comSport KiltUse Code: TSG at SportKilt.comDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show


