Episode SummaryMost coaches fall into one of two camps: "I just do good work and let it speak for itself," or the guy handing out business cards like he is dealing blackjack. Both camps are missing the point. In this episode of THIRST For More, we break down the science of professional relationships for strength coaches, personal trainers, and gym owners. We cover a 20-million-person LinkedIn experiment that put the "strength of weak ties" theory to a causal test, why the best ideas come from people who bridge different groups, and why your most valuable contacts might be people you have not talked to in years. We also get honest about where the evidence is shaky, including a famous "networking makes you feel dirty" study, and we get skeptical about mentorship effect sizes and the unpaid internship economy in strength and conditioning. Gym owners get a full segment on building a professional referral web with physical therapists, athletic trainers, dietitians, and sport coaches. We finish with the 5-3-1 Network Program: five touches, three give-firsts, and one bridge introduction every week. Run it like a training block. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN Why "my work speaks for itself" is a distribution problem, not a quality problemWhat a 20-million-person randomized experiment found about weak ties and job mobilityWhy moderately weak ties beat both best friends and total strangersHow brokers who bridge groups tend to have better ideas and better careersDormant ties: the trust of an old friend plus the new information of an acquaintanceWhy networking events fail, and five ways to fix themHow to network online without sending the cringe DMWhat the data says (and does not say) about mentorship and unpaid S&C internshipsA 90-day plan for building referral partnerships as a gym ownerThe 5-3-1 Network Program, with a real example week STUDIES REFERENCEDGranovetter, M. S. (1973). The strength of weak ties. American Journal of Sociology, 78(6), 1360-1380.Rajkumar, K., Saint-Jacques, G., Bojinov, I., Brynjolfsson, E., & Aral, S. (2022). A causal test of the strength of weak ties. Science, 377(6612), 1304-1310.Burt, R. S. (2004). Structural holes and good ideas. American Journal of Sociology, 110(2), 349-399.Levin, D. Z., Walter, J., & Murnighan, J. K. (2011). Dormant ties: The value of reconnecting. Organization Science, 22(4), 923-939.Ingram, P., & Morris, M. W. (2007). Do people mix at mixers? Administrative Science Quarterly, 52(4), 558-585.Casciaro, T., Gino, F., & Kouchaki, M. (2014). The contaminating effects of building instrumental ties. Administrative Science Quarterly, 59(4), 705-735. (Discussed with integrity caveats; see episode.)Wolff, H.-G., & Moser, K. (2009). Effects of networking on career success: A longitudinal study. Journal of Applied Psychology, 94(1), 196-206.Allen, T. D., Eby, L. T., Poteet, M. L., Lentz, E., & Lima, L. (2004). Career benefits associated with mentoring for proteges: A meta-analysis. Journal of Applied Psychology, 89(1), 127-136.Eby, L. T., Allen, T. D., Evans, S. C., Ng, T., & DuBois, D. L. (2008). Does mentoring matter? Journal of Vocational Behavior, 72(2), 254-267.Read, P., Hughes, J., Blagrove, R., Jeffreys, I., Edwards, M., & Turner, A. (2017). Characteristics and experiences of interns in strength and conditioning. Journal of Sports Sciences, 35(3), 269-276.Schmitt, P., Skiera, B., & Van den Bulte, C. (2011). Referral programs and customer value. Journal of Marketing, 75(1), 46-59. DISCLAIMERThis podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical, fitness, or professional advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare and fitness professionals before making changes to your training, supplementation, nutrition, or health practices. Individual results may vary. The host and producers are not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any information, suggestions, or procedures discussed in this podcast. Subscribe & Review: If this episode added value to your training knowledge, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review! Your feedback helps us reach more fitness enthusiasts, coaches, lifters, athletes or anyone who can benefit from quality training information. About Brandon Smitley Instagram: @bsmitley @team.thirst Subscribe On YouTube! Website: THIRSTgym.com My FREE Newsletter — training insights, programming education & no-fluff content delivered straight to your inbox Free 3-Minute Performance Audit — find out what's actually limiting your results (and what to do about it) THIRST Coaching Lab - get help not only writing, but improving your program design with biweekly calls with other coaches and trainers Brandon Smitley is a world renowned strength coach and athlete for over a decade. He and his wife, Adrian, own Terre Haute Intensity Resistance and Sports Training (THIRST) where they work with youth athletes and personal training clients of all ages. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from Purdue University in Health and Fitness, and his Master’s degree from Indiana State University in Physical Education and Coaching. Brandon has been awarded Personal Trainer of the Year Awards from Purdue University and Indiana State University as well is the 2020 Reader's Choice for Best Personal Trainer in Terre Haute, IN and the Wabash Valley. Brandon is a sponsored athlete with Elitefts and NutraBio where as a competitive powerlifter he currently holds the all-time world record squat in the 132 pound weight class, with a 567 pound squat. He also holds a 330 pound bench press, and 510 pound deadlift in that weight class, totaling 1377 pounds, ranking 4th all-time. He provides online coaching and programming around the world, and has personally worked with over 200 athletes in the US, UK, France, Italy, Mexico, Canada, and other countries. Brandon’s been published at Elitefts, Muscle and Performance, and Muscle and Fitness magazine. He holds his Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), Level One Sports Performance (USAW), Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) certifications, and is educated in PRI for Fitness and Performance.
