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Steven Thompson sits down with veteran strength and conditioning coach Monte Sparkman for a deep discussion on training philosophy, movement-based programming, and the evolution of the conjugate method for athletes.

Monte explains why he shifted away from rigid powerlifting-based templates and toward movement-specific approaches built around sprinting, jumping, trap bar work, split squats, and total-body development. The conversation explores how coaches can adapt conjugate principles without becoming trapped by tradition, while still maintaining the intent of max effort, dynamic effort, and repetition work.

The two also dive into:

* Why broad jumps, vertical jumps, and sprint metrics matter more than squat numbers for many athletes
* The importance of having a coaching filter in the social media era
* How skill athletes require different training considerations than linemen
* The role of cultural, economic, and environmental factors in athlete development
* Managing stress and expectations in the weight room
* Why consistency matters more than rigid programming

Monte shares years of experience coaching high school athletes and explains how adaptable systems—not dogmatic methods—create better long-term athletic development.

This episode is packed with practical coaching insight for strength coaches, sport coaches, and anyone trying to bridge the gap between the weight room and on-field performance.

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On this episode of the Voodoo Power Podcast, Steven Thompson sits down with Platteview High School strength and performance coach Nick Crouse to talk long-term athlete development, high school strength culture, and building better athletes from the ground up.

Nick shares his journey from Northwest Missouri State baseball to earning his master’s degree in Human Performance and Wellness Management, while discussing how those experiences shaped his philosophy on coaching young athletes. The conversation dives deep into the Nebraska Strength Coaches Organization, hosting elite clinics, and the realities of coaching in a small school environment.

Steven and Nick break down the 1x20 method, APRE programming, velocity-based training, modified tier systems, and practical ways to manage large groups of athletes while still individualizing training. They also discuss Olympic lift alternatives, readiness testing, teenage athlete recovery, and why foundational strength and movement quality still matter more than chasing trends on social media.

This episode is packed with practical coaching insight for strength coaches, PE teachers, and anyone invested in developing athletes the right way.

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On this episode of Plates and Pancakes, Steven sits down with Mike Niklos to unpack what it really means to coach movement, not just lifts.

Mike breaks down his philosophy of reverse engineering performance—starting with the end goal and building athletes backward from there. The conversation dives into how great coaches identify deficits using KPIs, why technique should be a byproduct of intent, and how to balance precision with real-world application across high school, college, and pro athletes.

They also get into the realities of coaching in today’s environment: managing multi-sport athletes, developing resilience in high-pressure systems, and teaching athletes how to handle failure without losing confidence. Mike shares how communication—not just programming—is often the difference-maker in long-term development.

The episode closes with a raw discussion on injury, accountability, and the often-blurred lines between strength coaches, sport coaches, and medical staff—highlighted by a real-world javelin case that raises tough but necessary questions.

If you want to connect data, movement, and real performance—this episode delivers.

https://youtube.com/@platesandpancakes4593
https://instagram.com/voodoo4power?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
https://voodoo4ranch.com/

To possibly be a guest or support the show email
Voodoo4ranch@gmail.com
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/voodoo4ranch