#254 Rashard Hall, Part 2- BSAR
Be Legendary Podcast
In part two, I press into a word we throw around too loosely in college athletics: development. Rashard and I sort out the differences between strength and conditioning, scholar-athlete development across leadership, career, life skills and community, player development for team ROI, and capital or NIL fundraising. We also talk brass tacks on funding: start with your head coach and your development office, get everyone at the same table, and design experiences that help athletes grow while giving donors and corporate partners something meaningful to support. Rashard is clear that the NIL and...
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#253 Rashard Hall, Part 1- BSAR
Be Legendary Podcast
In this episode of Beyond Sets & Reps, I sit down with Rashard Hall, a man who’s redefining what it means to be a scholar-athlete. From his days as a standout safety at Clemson under Coach Dabo Swinney to his current mission helping athletes find purpose beyond the game, Rashard’s story is all about resilience, faith, and impact. We talk about the mindset that helped him go from a redshirt to an All-American, how adversity prepared him for life after football, and how his passion evolved into founding Scholar Athlete Elite, a company dedicated to developing athletes holistically in...
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#252 Emaly Vatne, Part 2- R2RR
Be Legendary Podcast
In the second half of the episode, we take the discussion deeper into the evolution of sport science and the challenges of applying it across different environments. Emaly and I talk about how athletes transition from national teams to their college or professional programs and the difficulties that come with inconsistent resources and data. We also explore how sports scientists are learning to balance the practical realities of technology with the need for accurate and reliable data. The conversation touches on real issues like injury prevention, pain management, and how performance staff can...
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#251 Emaly Vatne, Part 1- R2RR
Be Legendary Podcast
In the first half of my conversation with Emaly Vatne on the Research to Reps Roundtable, we dig into her background as both an Ohio State soccer alum and a sport science researcher. She shares how early experiences with HRV monitoring and internal load metrics sparked her curiosity for performance science and eventually shaped her career path. We talk through her master’s thesis work with the women’s hockey program and how she was able to quantify the effects of training load on recovery and sleep. Hearing her perspective reminded me of how critical it is to bridge research with real-life...
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#250 Krishna Lee, Part 2- BSAR
Be Legendary Podcast
In the second part of our conversation, we talk about what Krishna is doing now and the lasting impact she is making. After an impressive career as a thrower and coach, she found women’s tackle football and made her way to the U.S. national team. She represented our country on the biggest stage, won a gold medal at the World Championships, and then shifted into leadership as the general manager of the Kansas City Glory. Krishna explains the unique challenges of building women’s sports, from managing operations to supporting athletes, and how her role is about more than wins and losses. It...
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#249 Krishna Lee Part 1-BSAR
Be Legendary Podcast
In this first part of my conversation with Krishna Lee, I reflect on what it means to see one of my former athletes grow, evolve, and accomplish so much. Krishna shares her journey from growing up in Kansas City, where sports were woven into her family life, to becoming a multi-time All American and Big 12 champion at Mizzou. She talks about the impact of her coaches, especially how they invested in her as a person, not just as an athlete. That influence shaped her into someone who competed at the highest levels, earned a spot in the Mizzou Hall of Fame, and even reached the Olympic Trials....
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#248 Rett Larson, R2RR Part 2
Be Legendary Podcast
In Part 2 of our Roundtable chat with Rett Larson, we shift the focus to what happens once that trust is built. Rett breaks down how he uses warm-ups as more than just a physical prep; they're also a way to engage athletes mentally, meet the needs of coaches and support staff, and create a culture of energy and buy-in. He talks about designing sessions that athletes actually enjoy, and how that level of enthusiasm is just as important as the training itself. We also explore his use of light resistance tools like aqua bags and weight vests to keep movements sport-specific and fast, without...
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#247 Rett Larson- R2RR Part 1
Be Legendary Podcast
In Part 1 of our conversation with Rett Larson, we dive into the global perspective he brings to the strength and conditioning world. Rett has worked with elite athletes across multiple continents, including his role with the Chinese women's national volleyball team—a team with a cultural presence and history that goes far beyond the sport itself. He talks about the challenge and importance of not overhauling what already works, and instead finding ways to integrate new ideas without disrupting a winning formula. From cultural expectations to coaching philosophy, Rett explains how humility...
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#246 Dr. Curt Tomasevicz, Part 2- R2RR
Be Legendary Podcast
In part two of our Research 2 Reps Roundtable with Dr. Curt Tomasevicz, we dive deeper into the science behind bobsled training, mechanics, and athlete development. We talk about how video analysis and biomechanics shape the training of elite bobsledders, from sprint mechanics to start technique. Curt shares how his engineering background uniquely informs his work with sled design and athlete feedback, making the sport a blend of science, engineering, and raw athleticism. We also explore talent identification—how the team scouts athletes through combines (both virtual and in-person) and what...
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#245 Dr. Curt Tomasevicz, Part 1- R2RR
Be Legendary Podcast
In this episode of the Research 2 Reps Roundtable, I sit down with my co-hosts Ted and Ernie to welcome Dr. Curt Tomasevicz—Olympic gold and silver medalist, high-performance director, and assistant professor. Curt takes us on his journey from growing up in a small Nebraska town to competing in three Olympic Games and now balancing multiple roles in sports performance and academia. He shares what it takes to identify, train, and develop bobsled athletes who can handle the unique demands of the sport. We dive into what makes the perfect bobsledder, from their blue-collar work ethic to their...
info_outlineIn this episode of Beyond Sets and Reps,I continue my conversation with Dr. Tommy Stallworth, who offers an update on his current role coaching high school athletes in Georgia. Stallworth shares the excitement of guiding students through summer workouts, 7-on-7 camps, and the college recruiting process. His extensive coaching experience spans college and the NFL, providing valuable insights into the complexities of professional sports. Stallworth discusses the challenges of the NFLPA's grading system and the importance of building strong relationships with athletes to support their growth and development.
Our conversation also explores the psychological challenges athletes face, particularly the impact of social media on their mental resilience. Dr. Stallworth highlights the intricate dynamics between veteran players and rookies, and the complexities of coaching when players may have more experience or be older than the coaches. He underscores the importance of adapting to new information and staying current with research in strength and conditioning. We wrap up the episode with reflections on leadership, problem-solving, and the evolving landscape of sports coaching, showcasing Stallworth's dedication to continuous learning and improvement.
A big shoutout to our podcast sponsors Sorinex and EliteForm for making these episodes possible!