The Farm & Forge Podcast

The Farm & Forge Club
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Where future greatness is built from the inside out. This is the official podcast of Farm & Forge Club, a performance facility redefining what it means to train, grow, and thrive. Hosted by athletes, coaches, educators, and changemakers, this show dives deep into the intersection of sports, mindset, mentorship, education, and wellness. From performance training tips; to stories of resilience, we talk with elite coaches, rising athletes, parents, and pros about what it really takes to raise strong kids, build community, and pursue excellence. This isn’t just about sports. It’s about life.

Episodes

  1. Jun 4

    Are College Players Using the Wrong Racquets? | A Conversation with Roman Prokes — Ep. #6

    Are College Tennis Players Using the Wrong Racquets? In Episode #6, we sit down with racquet customization expert Roman Prokes of RPNY @ Farm & Forge to discuss one of the most overlooked factors in college player performance: equipment. From incoming recruits arriving with vastly different racquet setups to the challenges coaches face supporting an entire roster, we explore how proper customization can impact performance, confidence, and even injury prevention. Roman shares common equipment mistakes he sees among college players, explains why "pro setups" are not always the right choice, and breaks down how coaches can create a more consistent equipment strategy across their teams. We also discuss the role of racquet testing, string selection, manufacturer relationships, and the competitive advantages that come from having players properly dialed in. Whether you're a college coach, player, parent, or gear enthusiast, this conversation offers valuable insight into an often-overlooked part of the game. 00:00 Intro 00:30 Why Equipment Holds Teams Back 02:59 The Mistakes College Players Keep Making 04:17 How Top Programs Gain an Edge 06:47 What Sponsors Don't Tell You 07:45 Behind the Scenes with Racquet Brands 12:02 The Advantage Most Teams Miss

    Are College Players Using the Wrong Racquets? | A Conversation with Roman Prokes — Ep. #6

  2. May 29

    Racquet Customization | A Conversation with Roman Prokes — Ep. #5

    What does racquet customization actually mean—and who is it for? In Episode #5, we sit down with Roman Prokes of RPNY @ Farm & Forge for a conversation on racquet customization: what it is, why it matters, and how even small adjustments can completely change the way a racquet feels and performs. Roman breaks down the many layers of customization—from weight, balance, swing weight, grip size, grip shape, and string setup to matching multiple frames so they play identically. He also shares how customization differs from player to player, common misconceptions around racquet specs, and what players are often most surprised to learn when they see the numbers behind their racquet. Whether you're a competitive player looking for more precision, someone searching for the right setup, or simply curious about what goes into building a racquet around an athlete, this episode offers an inside look at the details that can make all the difference. If you enjoy the episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and follow along for more conversations on tennis performance, equipment, and player development. ⁠#ForgeIn ⁠0:00 Intro 0:24 What Is Racquet Customization? 2:44 Weight, Balance & Performance 3:23 How Players Customize Their Frames 5:12 Grip & Handle Customization 7:44 Matching Racquets for Consistency 10:03 Replacing a Favorite Racquet 11:24 Racquet Myths & Common Surprises 14:59 Racquet Length & Extended Frames 16:19 Cosmetic Customization 16:55 Outro

    Racquet Customization | A Conversation with Roman Prokes — Ep. #5

  3. Mar 28

    The Racquet Evaluation Process | A Conversation with Roman Prokes — Ep. #4

    At RPNY Tennis @ Farm & Forge, we’re always focused on helping players unlock their best. In Episode #4, we sit down with legendary racquet technician Roman Prokes to break down his Racquet Evaluation Process—what it is, how it works, and why it can completely change a player’s game. From beginners to pros (including players like Sloane Stephens), Roman explains how finding the right racquet isn’t just about feel—it’s about performance, efficiency, and what your opponent experiences on the other side of the court. Think of it like finding your wand in Harry Potter… when it’s right, you know. Whether you’re a competitive athlete, a college program, or just someone who loves the game, this conversation will change how you think about your equipment. #ForgeIn 00:00 Intro 00:13 What is the Racquet Evaluation Process? 02:10 How the Process Works 04:30 Why the Opponent Matters 06:45 Finding the “Right” Racquet 10:35 Who It’s For + Session Types 13:30 Role of Coaches & Hitting Partners 15:00 Dialing In: Strings, Tension, Specs 18:00 Precision & Matching Racquets 19:00 Pro Player Case Studies 22:40 Why Equipment Matters More Than You Think 25:55 Treating Every Player Like a Pro 27:30 Closing + What’s Next

    The Racquet Evaluation Process | A Conversation with Roman Prokes — Ep. #4

  4. Mar 10

    Extended Racquet Frames: Pros & Cons | A Conversation with Roman Prokes — Ep. #3

    In Episode 3 of the RPNY Podcast, we take a closer look at extended-length tennis racquets — why some players go beyond the standard 27 inches, who actually benefits, and where the tradeoffs begin. Roman Prokes, world-renowned racquet technician and founder of RPNY Tennis, explores how racquet length evolved, why 27 inches became the modern norm, and what longer frames really change on court — from added reach and serve leverage to increased demands on footwork and timing. This episode challenges common assumptions about racquet length and offers a more thoughtful framework for players, coaches, and parents thinking about extended frames and long-term development. Subscribe for more conversations on equipment, performance, and smarter tennis decisions. 0:00 Intro 0:27 Extended Racquets Overview 3:23 Who Should Use a Longer Racquet? 6:48 Serve Benefits 8:15 Middle Ground 9:30 Advantages of Longer Racquets 11:39 27 vs 27.5 Inches 13:01 Pro Player Examples 14:03 Outro

    Extended Racquet Frames: Pros & Cons | A Conversation with Roman Prokes — Ep. #3

  5. Feb 2

    Junior Racquets & Injury Prevention | A Conversation with Roman Prokes

    In Episode 2 of The RPNY Podcast, we take a deep dive into junior racquets, equipment progression, and injury prevention—and why small details matter far more than most people realize.Roman Prokes, world-renowned racquet technician and founder of RPNY Tennis explains why juniors shouldn’t “grow into” full-size racquets—and how smart, gradual equipment changes can reduce injury risk and support long-term development. This episode connects the dots between racquet sizing, grip size, weight placement, string choice, and volume of play—showing how smart equipment decisions can remove unnecessary variables and reduce stress on growing bodies. Whether you’re a parent navigating junior tennis, a coach guiding player development, or an athlete looking to stay healthy long-term, this episode offers practical, expert insight you won’t hear anywhere else. Subscribe for more conversations with industry leaders inside the Farm & Forge ecosystem! #ForgeIn 00:00 Introduction 00:14 Why Junior Racquets Matter 02:08 Junior Racquet Sizes Explained 04:20 Why Small Changes Matter for Pros (and Kids) 06:38 How to Progress Racquet Size Safely 08:02 Grip Size Mistakes with Junior Players 10:11 Equipment Changes & Injury Risk 14:39 Grip Size as Kids Grow 18:10 How Equipment Affects the Opponent 20:21 Strings for Junior Players 25:37 When Poly Becomes an Option 29:18 Racquet Weight vs Maneuverability 31:27 Where to Add Weight for Power or Control 33:31 Final Thoughts

    Junior Racquets & Injury Prevention | A Conversation with Roman Prokes

  6. Jan 24

    Welcoming Roman Prokes and RPNY Tennis to Farm & Forge!

    In this episode, we sit down with Roman Prokes, world-renowned racquet technician and founder of RPNY, to talk about his move from New York to Tennessee and what it’s been like becoming part of the Farm & Forge ecosystem.Roman shares his first impressions of Tennessee, the people, and the culture—and what ultimately led him to bring RPNY to Farm & Forge. We dive into the evolution of the facility, the vision for what’s being built, and how this unique environment fosters both elite performance and a true family atmosphere. This episode marks the first time we’ve showcased RPNY as part of Farm & Forge on the channel—and it’s just the beginning. Follow for future episodes and conversations at the intersection of performance, craft, and culture! #ForgeIn 00:00 Intro 00:11 Roman's move to Tennessee 01:25 First Impressions of Tennessee 03:00 The People & Community at Farm & Forge 04:29 Why Farm & Forge Was the Right Fit 06:05 The Vision for the Facility 07:24 From The Barn to the New Building 08:40 Inside the RPNY Shop at Farm & Forge 11:27 A True Family Environment

    Welcoming Roman Prokes and RPNY Tennis to Farm & Forge!

  7. Jan 12

    Ep. #3 - How We Do School

    In this episode of the Farm & Forge Podcast, we pull back the curtain on how we do school — and why it looks nothing like the traditional model. Joined by our lovely teachers, we walk through what a real day looks like for students at Farm & Forge, how online academics and in-person support work together, and why personalization is at the center of everything we do. This conversation is for parents rethinking education, educators curious about alternative models, and families searching for an environment where students don’t just do school — they own it. #ForgeIn 00:00 Introduction 00:30 “How We Do School” 01:06 Why This Model Is So Different 05:15 Hands-On Learning in an Online Model 08:27 Passion-Based Education Explained 09:56 Building STEM, Coding, and Future Skills 10:51 What a Typical Day Looks Like 13:45 Balancing Academics and Athletics 15:19 Travel, Absences, and Real-Life Flexibility 18:22 Student Ownership and Self-Motivation 21:09 Preparing Students for College Independence 22:15 Playing Sports at Local Public Schools 23:19 College Admissions, Merit, and Opportunity 24:30 Why Teachers Took the Risk 25:37 Challenges of Teaching in This Model 27:00 Test Prep 29:03 Meaningful Assessment (No Busywork) 33:34 Using AI as a Tool—Not a Crutch 35:30 What Kind of Student Thrives Here 38:58 Online School Partnerships Explained 40:39 Stories That Define the Culture 44:12 Keeping Kids Excited About School 45:25 Community, Leadership, and Belonging 49:23 Closing Thoughts

    Ep. #3 - How We Do School

  8. 12/19/2025

    Ep. #2 - Meet The Teachers!

    In this episode of the Farm & Forge Podcast, we introduce you to the educators behind the work. Robert Garrett sits down with our 3 lovely teachers—Mrs. Miyake, Mrs. Harper, and Mrs. Pickman—to share their backgrounds, their journeys through education, and what ultimately led them to Farm & Forge. From decades in public and private schools to engineering, homeschooling, tutoring, and leadership roles, each brings a unique perspective on teaching and learning. The conversation explores why these educators chose to step away from traditional models, what drew them to something so different, and how Farm & Forge allows them to focus on what they love most: teaching students, building relationships, and saying “yes” more often than “no.” This episode is all about people, purpose, and perspective—and gives a deeper look into the culture that defines Farm & Forge. Subscribe for future episodes as we continue exploring how we do school, how we support students, and how education can work differently. #ForgeIn 00:00 Introduction 00:49 Meet Mrs. Miyake — Science 03:39 Meet Mrs. Harper — English 07:28 Meet Mrs. Pickman — Math 14:14 How Each Teacher Found Farm & Forge 17:00 “Is This Job Real?” 18:53 Robert Garrett’s Background 21:56 Family, Parenting & Perspective 24:02 Saying "Yes" More Than "No" in Education 24:36 Teachers on Family & Life Outside School 26:15 Community, Gratitude & Balance 29:08 Closing Thoughts

    Ep. #2 - Meet The Teachers!

  9. 08/11/2025

    Ep. #1 - Tiffany Milner & Matias Marin

    Welcome to the inaugural podcast of The Farm & Forge Club! In this episode, we sit down with Tiffany Milner and Matias Marin to dive deeper into their tennis journeys, the philosophy behind Farm & Forge Tennis, and what it takes to build a world-class training environment rooted in culture, character, and long-term athlete development. From junior tennis to college championships to the future of tennis facilities, this episode is all about building something that lasts.#ForgeIn 00:00 Intro 00:34 Tiffany Milner 06:45 Matias Marin 16:50 Farm & Forge Tennis Philosophy 24:30 Why Juniors Matter 31:30 Facility Vision & Technology 36:30 Full-Time Academy Overview 42:00 Building Culture Before Buildings 49:00 Closing Thoughts

    Ep. #1 - Tiffany Milner & Matias Marin
  • 9 Episodes

About

Where future greatness is built from the inside out. This is the official podcast of Farm & Forge Club, a performance facility redefining what it means to train, grow, and thrive. Hosted by athletes, coaches, educators, and changemakers, this show dives deep into the intersection of sports, mindset, mentorship, education, and wellness. From performance training tips; to stories of resilience, we talk with elite coaches, rising athletes, parents, and pros about what it really takes to raise strong kids, build community, and pursue excellence. This isn’t just about sports. It’s about life.

Information

  • Creator
    The Farm & Forge Club
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Farm & Forge Club
  • Show Website
    The Farm & Forge Podcast