The Moffitt Method Podcast

In this conversation, Joe Ryan and Christian 'Rock' Van Buren discuss the journey of becoming a strength and conditioning coach, emphasizing the importance of relationships, mentorship, and understanding the athlete's process. They explore the challenges faced by athletes during the NFL draft process and the unique demands of coaching in the private sector. Christian shares insights on effective programming for athletes, highlighting the need for a team approach and the significance of building trust and communication in coaching relationships. In this conversation, Christian "Rock" Van Buren shares his insights on preparing athletes for the combine and pro days, emphasizing the importance of tailored training programs based on individual assessments. He discusses the significance of focusing on strength and performance while maintaining a foundation in basic training principles. The dialogue also explores the role of data in coaching, the value of collaboration in building a personal brand, and the philosophy of developing athletes for practice rather than just performance. Rock's engaging anecdotes and practical advice provide a comprehensive look into the world of sports performance coaching.Takeaways Social media helps maintain connections in the coaching community. The journey to becoming a strength coach is often long and challenging. Building relationships with athletes is crucial for effective coaching. Understanding the athlete's process enhances coaching effectiveness. Mentorship plays a significant role in career development. Navigating the private sector requires a different skill set than collegiate coaching. Coaching is about developing the person, not just the athlete. The NFL draft process involves significant mental and emotional challenges for athletes. Effective programming for athletes requires a team approach. Communication and trust are key components in athlete-coach relationships. The approach to combine prep is tailored to each athlete's needs. Injury prevention is crucial during the lead-up to the combine. Data should inform training but not dictate it. Collaboration with experienced professionals enhances learning. Basic training principles are essential for athlete development. Understanding the cause of performance issues is key to effective coaching. Athletes should be prepared for the rigors of practice, not just games. Strength training should focus on both weaknesses and strengths. The importance of being adaptable in training methodologies. Social media can be a powerful tool for connection and sharing knowledge.Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background02:14 Journey to Strength and Conditioning Coaching06:38 Mentorship and Learning from Experience10:06 The Importance of Relationships in Coaching14:24 Navigating the Private Sector as a Coach18:11 Understanding the Athlete's Process21:35 Lessons from Ryan Clark28:00 Challenges Faced by NFL Draft Prospects35:16 Programming for NFL Combine Prep41:44 Navigating Combine Prep and Pro Day Strategies44:54 Understanding Athlete Assessment and Programming49:25 Training for Strength and Performance52:26 The Importance of Basics in Training58:04 Data-Driven Coaching: Symptoms vs. Causes01:02:01 Building a Personal Brand in Sports Performance01:05:58 Collaboration Over Competition in Coaching01:10:22 Fun Insights: Superpowers and Favorite Movies🌐 www.themoffittmethod.fit📧 Contact us - [email protected]📸 Instagram - https://bit.ly/3LGwDiC🐦 Twitter - https://bit.ly/3kqPc0S🐦 Coach Moffitt on Twitter - https://bit.ly/3ev6zuC 

From Dartmouth to the NFL: The Relentless Rise of Coach Tessa Grossman📝 Show Notes In this episode of The Moffitt Method Podcast, Joe Ryan sits down with one of the brightest rising stars in strength and conditioning—Coach Tessa Grossman, currently an Assistant Strength Coach for University of Colorado Football. Coach Grossman’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. From Ivy League student-athlete to multiple NFL coaching fellowships to leading roles across Division I athletics, her resume is stacked with relentless growth, grit, and elite experience. Before joining Colorado Football, Coach Grossman served as the Director of Sports Performance for VCU Women’s Basketball (2024–2025) and previously as the Associate Strength Coach for Football & Women’s Basketball at Middle Tennessee State. Her diverse background includes time with the Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets, and roles with Cal Football, the Los Angeles Rams, Mamba Sports Academy, Dartmouth College, and Keene Performance. A former Dartmouth softball player, Coach Grossman holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Dartmouth and a master’s degree in Sport Psychology from Illinois State—making her uniquely equipped to blend physical performance with mental preparation. Joe and Coach Grossman dive into:Her path through the NCAA, NFL, and private sectorsLessons learned from elite programs and high-performance environmentsThe importance of communication, culture, and athlete psychologyWhat it means to coach with purpose, presence, and passionHer advice for young coaches trying to break into the industry🌐 www.themoffittmethod.fit📧 Contact us - [email protected]📸 Instagram - https://bit.ly/3LGwDiC🐦 Twitter - https://bit.ly/3kqPc0S🐦 Coach Moffitt on Twitter - https://bit.ly/3ev6zuC 

From Basement Weights to Texas A&M: Coach Tommy Moffitt’s 38-Year Strength JourneyEpisode Summary In this episode of The Moffitt Method Podcast, host Joe Ryan flips the script and puts Coach Tommy Moffitt in the hot seat. For the first time on his own show, Coach Moff tells his full story—from lifting in his parents’ basement in the 1970s to high school strength coach at John Curtis, to Tennessee during the Peyton Manning era, to Miami, 22 years at LSU, launching The Moffitt Method, and now leading the strength & conditioning program at Texas A&M. They dig into how the profession has evolved, why the meat and potatoes still matter more than trends, how to train in the transfer-portal era, and how technology like GPS and VBT can support (not replace) great coaching. They close with some fun rapid-fire questions—superpowers in the weight room, desert-island equipment, and favorite war-movie classics that shaped his mindset. If you’re a strength coach, sport coach, or just love football and physical preparation, this is a masterclass in longevity, consistency, and culture. In This Episode, You’ll Learn:- How a junior high football coach and a basement weight room sparked a 38+ year coaching career- What Coach Moffitt learned at John Curtis, Tennessee, Miami, and LSU—and how those stops shaped his philosophy- Why he started The Moffitt Method and how it helps programs without a full-time strength coach- How the transfer portal and NIL have changed athlete development- Why his training methods haven’t radically changed in decades—and why that’s a good thing- How Texas A&M’s morning practice / afternoon lift schedule improves academics, recovery, and quality of life- How GPS, force plates, and VBT fit into a “barbell-first” philosophy- Why he categorizes athletes as skinny, force-deficient, or speed-deficient—and trains them differently- How better fueling and sports science are helping the Aggies stay healthier and heavier in-season- Coach Moffitt’s favorite movies, books, and the one piece of equipment he’d bring to a deserted islandTime-Stamped Outline 00:00 – Intro & Welcome Joe Ryan opens the show, introduces Coach Tommy Moffitt, and sets the stage for finally telling his story on the podcast named after him. 01:00 – Basement Beginnings & Early Influences- Lifting in his parents’ basement with his brothers- Early junior high and high school training- Playing at Tennessee Tech and meeting strength coach Jack Williamson, who showed him strength & conditioning could be a career03:20 – First Job at John Curtis Christian School- Moving to New Orleans sight unseen- Six years as full-time strength coach (no teaching classes)- Training every sport plus coaching O-line, wrestling, and track- Learning under legendary head coach J.T. Curtis and being part of a powerhouse program06:30 – Breaking Into College: Tennessee, Miami & LSU- Connections with Philip Fulmer, Randy Sanders, and John Stuckey- Joining Tennessee during the Peyton Manning years- Meeting Larry Coker and moving to Miami as head strength coach- Getting the cold call from Nick Saban and landing at LSU, where he spent 22 years and won a national championship12:30 – Getting Let Go, Resetting, and Creating The Moffitt Method- Being fired at LSU and taking time away from college football- Constantly helping coaches over phone/email and seeing a need for remote programming- How a conversation with Matt Bruce turned into The Moffitt Method partnership- The mission: helping high schools and coaches without strength coaches run safe, high-level training16:20 – Back to College: Joining Texas A&M- Former assistant Jeremy Jacobs tipping him off to the A&M opportunity- Driving from Baton Rouge to College Station to interview with Coach Mike Elko- Getting the job and transitioning back into the college grind18:00 – What’s Changed the Most: Transfer Portal & Schedule- Why the transfer portal is the biggest change since his LSU days- Less time to develop athletes who might only stay a year- The shift to early-morning practices and midday lifting, and how that helps:- Academic schedules- Player recovery- Coach quality of life23:00 – Programming Philosophy: Old-School Principles, New-School Tools- “The only way to get stronger is to lift heavy weights; the only way to get faster is to run fast.”- Why he avoids wholesale philosophical changes and instead makes micro-adjustments- Using decades of data from LSU and now Texas A&M to evaluate training without chasing fads27:00 – Culture vs. Fads & the Value of Old Books- Why culture—not “secret exercises”—wins- Guarding against copycat Twitter workouts- Re-reading classic texts from the 70s and 80s instead of chasing whatever’s trending online30:20 – Balancing Tactical vs. Physical Preparation- How more practice & year-round “ball” can actually hurt development- The 2020 LSU example: practicing before even starting off-season training after the national title- Making sure technical/tactical work doesn’t crush physical progress33:20 – Fueling, Food, and Holding Weight In-Season- Mandatory breakfast and lunch, conditional mandatory dinner based on target weight- Full-time nutrition support and steak/chicken/fish quality meals- How portal athletes from resource-poor programs react to A&M’s fueling setup- Why better fueling has been a game-changer for in-season bodyweight and performance36:20 – Squats, VBT & Perch: Heavy but Smart- Viral squat clips: 675–705 lb squats with impressive bar speeds- Using velocity stops instead of true max-outs- How tech like Perch, force plates, and VBT help keep athletes safe and motivated- Letting guys “push” when they’re rolling but with smart guardrails40:15 – Hearing the Bar: Coaching Feel in a Tech World- The lost art of hearing and seeing the bar moving- Why good coaches can hear a great clean or a risky lift without a screen43:10 – Life in the Transfer Portal Era- Why he stopped relying heavily on previous-school opinions of portal players- How many portal kids treat it like a second chance to “do it right”- Managing the salary cap, expectations, and development windows with limited time48:00 – No Fluff: Only What Moves the Needle- Categorizing athletes into three buckets:- Too skinny (need everything)- Force-deficient- Speed-deficient- Adjusting sets/reps and volume based on the bucket- The rule: if it doesn’t make them bigger, stronger, faster, or leaner, they don’t do it53:00 – Sports Science, Data, and Collaboration- Using GPS, force plates, Nord boards, 1080 Sprint, and more- The “force plate combine” and building detailed athlete profiles- Tight integration between strength staff, athletic training, PT, and sports science- NFL-style approach to rehab and why they’ve had so few injuries1:07:00 – Staff, Roles & How the Job Has Evolved- From doing everything at LSU to now focusing on planning and implementation- Multiple assistants, a dedicated PT for football, and better support staff- Why that structure could let him coach another 10 years (even if he jokes no one would put up with him that long)1:11:20 – Rapid-Fire: Superpowers, Movies, Books & Desert-Island Gear- Superpower in the weight room: mind-reading, a.k.a. “The Mythbuster”- Favorite movies: Band of Brothers, Fury, Shawshank Redemption- Recommended reading: classic Soviet weightlifting texts and the Bible- Desert island equipment: a kettlebell—for training and survival1:15:30 – Closing Thoughts & Where to Find The Moffitt Method- Joe thanks Coach Moffitt for his time and impact- Reminder that the Moffitt Method exists to support coaches and athletes at every level- Follow The Moffitt Method on X, Facebook, and Instagram to stay plugged into future episodes and resourcesAbout Coach Tommy Moffitt Tommy Moffitt is one of the most respected strength & conditioning coaches in football, with nearly four decades of experience across John Curtis, Tennessee, Miami, LSU, and now Texas A&M. A three-time national champion at LSU, he’s known for combining old-school barbell training with modern sports science and technology, while never losing sight of what matters most: developing tougher, healthier, faster athletes and better human beings. About The Moffitt Method The Moffitt Method provides remote strength & conditioning solutions for schools and team🌐 www.themoffittmethod.fit📧 Contact us - [email protected]📸 Instagram - https://bit.ly/3LGwDiC🐦 Twitter - https://bit.ly/3kqPc0S🐦 Coach Moffitt on Twitter - https://bit.ly/3ev6zuC 

TakeawaysJared Myatt's journey began as a timid kid who found strength coaching through a mentor.Family support is crucial for success in coaching careers.Coaching at different levels provides unique insights and experiences.Emotional intelligence is key to understanding and motivating athletes.Consistency in coaching philosophy leads to better results.Successes and failures shape a coach's approach and philosophy.Future trends in strength and conditioning include integrating sports science and technology.Personal growth is essential for effective coaching and mentorship.Cooking and family time are important passions outside of coaching.Building relationships with athletes fosters trust and motivation.SummaryIn this conversation, Jared Myatt shares his journey from a timid kid to a successful strength coach, emphasizing the importance of emotional intelligence, consistency, and mentorship in coaching. He discusses the unique experiences gained from coaching at various levels, the significance of family support, and his passion for cooking as a way to connect with athletes. Myatt also reflects on the future of strength and conditioning, highlighting the integration of sports science and technology while maintaining the core values of coaching.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background01:58 Jared Myatt's Journey to Coaching05:53 The Importance of Family Support07:57 The Long Journey of a Strength Coach10:08 The Impact of Coaching on Young Lives13:54 Emotional Intelligence in Coaching17:47 Consistency in Coaching Approach21:57 Equipment Trends in Strength Training27:46 The Future of Strength and Conditioning31:47 Leveraging AI for Social Media Engagement32:30 Transforming Athletes: The Power of Simplicity34:05 Consistency Over Complexity in Training35:54 Adjusting Training Based on Athlete Needs39:08 Balancing Coaching and Personal Life40:31 The Importance of Cooking in Coaching42:41 Building Trust Through Shared Meals43:56 Mentorship and Its Impact on Young Athletes48:35 The Role of Servant Leadership in Coaching49:42 Celebrating Triumphs in Coaching53:55 The Coach's Bible: A Source of Inspiration56:27 Pre-Game Rituals: The Power of Music57:32 Essential Equipment for Survival and Training🌐 www.themoffittmethod.fit📧 Contact us - [email protected]📸 Instagram - https://bit.ly/3LGwDiC🐦 Twitter - https://bit.ly/3kqPc0S🐦 Coach Moffitt on Twitter - https://bit.ly/3ev6zuC 

🎙️ Podcast Show Notes – The Moffitt Method Podcast Episode Simple, Savage, and Authentic: Building Better Athletes with Coach Malorie Henderlong (Auburn University)Episode Summary In this episode, host Joe Ryan sits down with Coach Malorie Henderlong, the strength and conditioning coach for Auburn University Women’s Soccer. From her early start as a college soccer player to her rapid rise through programs at TCU, Baylor, UNC, and now Auburn, Coach Henderlong shares her journey, her coaching philosophy, and what it means to train athletes holistically—both on and off the field. She opens up about finding authenticity in a male-dominated field, keeping training “simple but savage,” and how faith, relationships, and purpose have shaped her career and coaching style. This one is packed with real talk, passion, and wisdom for coaches, athletes, and anyone in performance development.Key Topics Covered 🏆 The Journey to AuburnFrom a small NAIA soccer program to elite Division I athleticsHow internships at TCU and UNC led to her dream position at AuburnBuilding confidence and credibility as a young coach in the industry⚽ Training Philosophy: Simple, Savage, EffectiveThe “Mount Rushmore” of performance training: Sprint, Jump, Squat, Hinge, Push, PullWhy front squats come before back squatsThe importance of the posterior chain and why every athlete needs RDLsUsing sprint work as both a physical and mental development tool🧠 Coaching the Whole Athlete“I don’t coach weights—I coach people.”Balancing empathy and accountability: knowing when to push or nurtureHow understanding each athlete personally builds stronger programs and trustHelping players connect purpose, faith, and performance📊 Sports Science and Modern CoachingBuilding a sports science department from scratchUsing Catapult GPS data to guide training loadsTeaching athletes to understand the “why” behind the metrics💬 Women in Strength & ConditioningOvercoming the early pressure to “fit in” with the guysThe importance of being authentic—“Wear the tennis skirt.”Advice for young women aspiring to enter the field📖 Lessons, Faith & CultureFinding light and leadership through faith-based team cultureAdapting to different regions and environments—from Indiana to Texas to AlabamaEmbracing vulnerability and authenticity as a coachCoach Henderlong’s Favorite Quotes & Lessons“We’re going to do simple, savagely well.”“Human movement is human movement. My job is to teach athletes to move exceptionally well.”“Be where your feet are—go a mile deep and an inch wide.”“I don’t coach weights. I coach people.”“Just be yourself—the right people will let your light shine.”Books & Resources Mentioned 📚 Grit by Angela Duckworth 📚 The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer 🎥 Dare to Dream – Documentary on the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team Rapid-Fire HighlightsSuperpower Wish: The ability to feel athletes’ pain to better understand their injuries.Motivational Movie: Dare to Dream (U.S. Women’s Soccer documentary).Stranded on an Island Equipment: Kettlebell—versatile for training (and survival!).Go-To Saying: “Simple, savage, and done well.”Connect with Coach Malorie Henderlong 📸 Instagram: @malorie_henderlong 💬 “I respond to every message—even the ones in requests!” Takeaway Message At Auburn and beyond, Coach Henderlong’s mission is simple: build strong, resilient, faith-driven athletes who compete with purpose. Whether it’s sprinting, lifting, or leading, her message rings true—keep it simple, stay authentic, and do it savagely well. Would you like me to create a short social media caption and episode description (for Spotify/Apple Podcasts) to match this episode next?🌐 www.themoffittmethod.fit📧 Contact us - [email protected]📸 Instagram - https://bit.ly/3LGwDiC🐦 Twitter - https://bit.ly/3kqPc0S🐦 Coach Moffitt on Twitter - https://bit.ly/3ev6zuC