In this episode of the Central Virginia Sport Performance Podcast, host Jay DeMayo welcomes Leo Stern, a rising strength coach in college basketball. Leo shares his journey from Tokyo to the U.S., detailing his passion for the weight room and how it led him to coaching. He discusses his experiences at various institutions, the importance of building relationships with players and staff, and his evolving philosophy on warm-ups and training. Leo emphasizes the significance of creating a positive environment and adapting to the needs of his athletes, while also reflecting on the collaborative nature of modern coaching. The conversation concludes with Leo’s insights on the future of coaching and the importance of mentorship.

Takeaways

Leo Stern’s journey from Tokyo to coaching in the U.S.
The importance of building relationships with players and staff.
Adapting training programs to meet individual athlete needs.
Creating a positive and fun environment in the weight room.
The evolution of warm-up routines and their significance.
Understanding the balance between authority and collaboration in coaching.
The impact of NIL on the coach-player dynamic.
Learning from each coaching stop and its unique challenges.
The role of mentorship in professional development.
The future of coaching as a collaborative effort.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Leo Stern
00:57 Leo’s Journey to Coaching
03:54 Lessons from Coaching Stops
05:45 Transitioning to Fordham University
07:55 Building Relationships with Players
11:50 Warm-Up Philosophy and Evolution
12:44 Weight Room Dynamics and Programming
14:56 Controlled Chaos in Training
19:51 The Future of Coaching and Collaboration
23:37 Reflections on Coaching Evolution
26:48 Closing Thoughts and Future Guests