The Strength In Numbers Podcast

John Bloom
  • 5.0 (7)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Coaching is more than just X’s and O’s—it’s about the principles, philosophies, and mindset that shape great leaders. Building on the ideas from the book "Strength In Numbers," this podcast brings together top coaches from across the sports world (and beyond) who are driven to learn, grow, and lead with purpose. Through in-depth conversations, we’ll explore how elite coaches think, operate, and make decisions for long-term success. Whether you’re a coach, leader, or lifelong learner, this podcast is your mentorship playbook—helping you be your best while building a career that lasts.

  1. 1D AGO

    EP 46: 5 Ideas to Challenge Your Thinking + Books to Read

    In this episode, I share five ideas designed to challenge the way you think about coaching, leadership, and development. We explore the potential benefits of injuries, why autonomy matters in player development through “20% Time,” and how player selection decisions can shape the floor and ceiling of your team. I also break down why the ability to develop yourself is the most crucial skill, and an idea for staff development with 5-Minute Meetings. I also share recommendations for books that I’ve loved across business, self-development, coaching, and fiction. This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches. Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success. 👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here]. Chapters 00:00 Why Injuries Can Be Helpful 02:35 Autonomy and 20% Time in Player Development 05:13 Choosing the Right Players for Team Success 07:29 The Skill of Self-Development 10:07 5-Minute Staff Meetings 12:36 Book Recommendations

    26 min

  2. FEB 24

    EP 45: Adam Menner | From Intern to Co-Owner: The Playbook for Accelerating Skill Development

    Adam Menner, co-owner and managing partner of Team Varsity House Brands and the Business of Strength, joins the show to dive deep into skillset development, ownership, and accelerating your growth as a coach and business leader. In this conversation, Adam breaks down how to identify the best in your field, reverse engineer the skills that make them elite, and use tools like AI to compress your learning curve. He shares how he applied those principles to move from intern to co-owner in a rapid amount of time, and how choosing the right opportunity vehicles can change the trajectory of your career. We also explore common mistakes coaches and gym owners make, why sacrifice must evolve over time, the role of deprivation in long-term growth, and how to intentionally position yourself in rooms with high-level people. 🔗Check out more from Adam 👇 Instagram: @adammenner @varsityhouse @businessofstrength Website: businessofstrength.com And make sure to listen to the Business of Strength Podcast also! This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches. Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success. 👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here]. Chapters 00:00 Intro 04:41 From Intern to Co-Owner 07:18 Key Skills for Rapid Development 09:54 The Importance of Self-Awareness and Problem Solving 12:29 Skill Acquisition: Depth vs. Breadth 15:15 Intrapreneurship vs. Entrepreneurship 17:34 Building a Gym from Scratch 20:01 Redeveloping Skills: Starting from Zero 28:43 Leveraging AI for Skill Development 35:06 Skill Sets and Opportunity Vehicles 38:38 Common Constraints for Coaches 49:05 The Transition from Self to Team Leadership 51:48 Balancing Personal Life and Business Sacrifices 56:32 Building Connections and Networking for Growth 1:01:10 The Role of Deprivation in Motivation 1:07:10 Identifying Skills for Future Growth

    1h 11m

  3. FEB 17

    EP 44: Antonio Bostic | Simplifying, Leading, and Coaching at the Next Level

    Antonio Bostic, assistant basketball coach for the Grand Rapids Gold—the G League affiliate of the Denver Nuggets—joins the show to discuss his transition from college basketball to coaching at the pro level. After serving as a college assistant at Oral Roberts and Abilene Christian, Antonio shares what’s different about coaching in the G League, from playing styles to daily demands. We dive into the importance of simplifying as a coach, modeling consistency through both wins and losses, and the easiest way for college freshmen to earn playing time. Antonio also reflects on what made the Abilene Christian team special and able to upset Texas in March Madness, and whether those mid-major Cinderella stories will still happen in the modern era of college basketball.  🔗Check out more from Antonio 👇 Instagram: @antoniobostic5 This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches. Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success. 👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here]. Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:44 Transitioning from College to G League Coaching 02:49 Adapting Coaching Styles: Lessons from the G League 04:13 Work Ethic and Mindset of Professional Players 06:06 Learning from the Pros: Young Players' Development 07:59 Impact of Personal Experience on Coaching Philosophy 09:57 Evolving Coaching Practices 11:35 Engagement in Training: Balancing Skill Development and Team Play 13:47 Simplifying the Game: The Importance of Clarity 21:02 Coaching Aspirations and Career Path 22:20 Impacting Players and Setting an Example 24:45 Faith and Defining Success in Coaching 28:00 Navigating Recruitment for High School Athletes 32:39 Team Dynamics and Upsets in College Basketball 41:35 Finding Purpose in Coaching

    46 min

  4. FEB 10

    EP 43: Blair Orr | The Phase System – Data-Driven Athlete Individualization at Scale

    Blair Orr, founder of LEAD Athletic Performance, joins the show to break down how he’s built one of the top athlete-only sports performance facilities in California. We dive into why Blair chooses to serve and market exclusively to athletes, how he crafts a gym culture that keeps athletes coming back, and the intentional conversations he has during onboarding to set expectations and drive long-term success. Blair also walks through his Phase System—a data-driven framework he built to bucket athletes into different levels of programming. We unpack how the system works, why it creates clarity for both coaches and athletes, and how to scale high-quality programming without losing individualization. 🔗Check out more from Blair 👇 Instagram: @lead.blair @leadperformance This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches. Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success. 👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here]. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:21 The Start of LEAD 12:20 Focusing on Athlete Training vs. Adult Training 15:49 Navigating Seasonality in Athlete Training 20:42 Creating an Addictive Experience for Athletes 28:03 Onboarding New Athletes and Success Meetings 35:07 The Phase System: Data Driven Programming 56:17 Utilizing Technology in Training 59:33 Designing a College Like Weight Room Environment 01:06:48 Longevity as a Gym Owner 01:11:11 Future Plans and Business Growth 01:13:29 Mentorship Cycle

    1h 21m

  5. FEB 3

    EP 42: How Great Coaches Approach Long-Term Athletic Development

    This episode is centered on Long-Term Athletic Development and features insights from six high-level coaches. Together, they share how they think about developing athletes from early childhood through adulthood. Featuring Nick Mascioli, Richard Burnett, Tanner Care, Justin Lovvorn, Josh Bray, and Colton Rosseau, this conversation explores what matters most at each stage of development and how to build systems that prioritize long-term growth over short-term results. This episode is designed for coaches who want a clearer framework for developing athletes over time and creating environments that maximize long-term development. 🔗Check out more from these Coaches👇 Instagram:  Nick Mascioli - @nickmascioli @sbs_athleticperformance Richard Burnett - @richardburnett @triplefknoxville @plyomat_att Tanner Care - @coach.care Justin Lovvorn - @justinlovvorn.shooting @shootershq Josh Bray - @jbraythecoach This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches. Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success. 👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here]. Chapters 00:37 Nick Mascioli 07:53 Richard Burnett 18:11 Tanner Care 20:07 Justin Lovvorn 24:41 Josh Bray 28:17 Colton Rosseau

    33 min

  6. JAN 27

    EP 41: Issac McBride | Development, Recruiting, and Playing for a Greater Purpose

    Issac McBride joins the show to share his journey through basketball and the lessons that shaped him as both a player and a person. Isaac played at Kansas, Vanderbilt, and Oral Roberts, before most recently competing in the G League with the Santa Cruz Warriors. At ORU, he was a three-time All-Conference selection, a conference champion, the Summit League Preseason Player of the Year, and averaged over 19 points per game in back-to-back seasons. In this conversation, we dive into Issac’s development as an athlete, his advice for players making the jump from high school to college, and the most impactful things his coaches did to support his growth. He also offers an athlete’s perspective on recruiting—what matters during official visits, how players and programs can find the right fit, and what coaches sometimes miss in the evaluation process. Issac closes with a powerful reflection on why he chose to turn down bigger programs and more money to stay at Oral Roberts for his final season—a decision rooted in values, trust, and long-term vision. This episode is packed with insight for athletes navigating their careers and coaches looking to better serve the players they lead. 🔗Check out more from Issac👇 Instagram: @issac5mcbride This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches. Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success. 👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here]. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Issac McBride 05:01 Transitioning from High School to College Basketball 07:46 The Importance of Learning from Mistakes 10:45 The Role of Inspiration and Community in Development 13:23 Fruition of Repetition 16:21 Coaching Impact on Player Development 18:49 Identifying Good Coaches and Programs 21:33 The Importance of Sacrifice in Coaching 24:27 Creating a Love for the Game 26:53 Building a Positive Team Environment 28:41 The Importance of Research in Recruitment 31:24 Building Genuine Relationships in Recruiting 34:18 Understanding the Whole Athlete 38:04 Challenges of Team Cohesion in Modern College Basketball 40:49 Finding Purpose Beyond the Game 47:26 Choosing Passion Over Money 52:57 The Role of Truth Tellers in an Athlete's Life

    1 hr

  7. JAN 20

    EP 40: Jorge Ruiz | Recruiting, Roster Building, and the Rise from Video Coordinator to Assistant GM

    Jorge Ruiz, Assistant Coach and Assistant GM at Weber State University, joins the show to share his path from Video Coordinator to one of the youngest assistant coaches in the nation and his recent promotion to Assistant GM. We dive into how Jorge approaches recruiting and roster building in today’s unpredictable college sports landscape, what he evaluates in high school recruits versus the transfer portal, and what coaches often miss about players like Damian Lillard and Dillon Jones, who became 1st-round NBA picks. Jorge also breaks down what makes Weber State unique in developing professional-level talent, how strength coaches can add value in the recruiting process, and his in-season approach to skill development that balances long-term growth with keeping players fresh. 🔗Check out more from Jorge 👇 Instagram: @ruizjorge1 This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches. Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success. 👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here]. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:13 Career Journey at Weber State 04:51 The Value of Longevity in Coaching Roles 08:26 Understanding the Assistant GM Role 09:46 Navigating Roster Management and Recruitment 11:14 The Importance of Honest Communication in Recruiting 13:04 Fitting Roles and Managing Expectations 15:38 Finding the Truth in Recruitment 17:35 Managing Challenging Personalities 20:27 Expectations and Ownership in Player Development 22:03 The Path to Professional Success 28:10 What Big Schools Miss in Talent Recruitment 34:16 Choosing the Right School for Development 35:40 The Pressure of Immediate Production in College Basketball 39:40 The Importance of Development and Growth 41:49 The Impact of Alumni on Current Players 47:33 Identifying Talent: What Sets Players Apart 52:04 The Role of Strength Coaches in Recruiting 58:04 The Costs of Pursuing Greatness in Coaching 59:54 Finding Purpose in Coaching Relationships

    1h 9m

  8. JAN 13

    EP 39: Anthony Cockrill | The Complete Guide to Volleyball Sports Performance

    Anthony Cockrill, Director of Volleyball Sports Performance and Assistant Director of Olympic Sports at SMU, returns to the Podcast for his second appearance after his first episode became our most downloaded episode ever.  In this conversation, we go deep into the systems behind elite volleyball performance. Anthony breaks down jump and swing mechanics, squat progressions, jump training, building bulletproof shoulders, getting your first chin-up, and how he balances physical preparation with skill development. We also dive into assessments, warm-ups, gymnastics movements, nutrition, injury mitigation, and how to organize training to support long-term athlete development. This episode is packed with practical insight and high-level thinking for anyone training volleyball players—or athletes at any level. 🔗Check out more from Anthony👇 1st Episode with Anthony: The Epidemic of the Underprepared Athlete (#1 MOST DOWNLOADED EPISODE) - [click here] Framework For Flight - PDF Program: [click here] Instagram: @anthonycockrill This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches. Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success. 👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here]. Chapters 00:00 Intro 03:10 Jump Mechanics: Understanding the Approach 14:56 Visual Feedback and Skill Acquisition in Jumping 17:38 Body Awareness and Squatting Fundamentals 25:54 Plyometric Training for Vertical Jump Improvement 34:48 Swing Mechanics: Enhancing the Volleyball Arm Swing 41:01 Why Volleyball Players Should Throw Footballs 48:32 Key Movements for Shoulder Health 51:14 Getting Your First Chin Up 01:00:49 Nutrition for Young Athletes 01:09:11 Game Day Nutrition and Timing 01:11:14 Effective Warm-Up Strategies 01:18:03 Balancing Skill and Physical Development 01:22:11 The Importance of Physicality in Youth Sports 01:25:39 Assessment and Evaluation Processes 01:32:55 Reflecting on Injury Management and Prevention 01:36:58 Building Routines for High-Pressure Situations

    1h 43m
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Ratings & Reviews

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About

Coaching is more than just X’s and O’s—it’s about the principles, philosophies, and mindset that shape great leaders. Building on the ideas from the book "Strength In Numbers," this podcast brings together top coaches from across the sports world (and beyond) who are driven to learn, grow, and lead with purpose. Through in-depth conversations, we’ll explore how elite coaches think, operate, and make decisions for long-term success. Whether you’re a coach, leader, or lifelong learner, this podcast is your mentorship playbook—helping you be your best while building a career that lasts.

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