The Strength In Numbers Podcast cover art

The Strength In Numbers Podcast

The Strength In Numbers Podcast

Written by: John Bloom
Listen for free

About this listen

Coaching is more than just X’s and O’s—it’s about the principles, philosophies, and mindset that shape great leaders. Building on the ideas from the book "Strength In Numbers," this podcast brings together top coaches from across the sports world (and beyond) who are driven to learn, grow, and lead with purpose. Through in-depth conversations, we’ll explore how elite coaches think, operate, and make decisions for long-term success. Whether you’re a coach, leader, or lifelong learner, this podcast is your mentorship playbook—helping you be your best while building a career that lasts.John Bloom Self-Help Success
Episodes
  • EP 40: Jorge Ruiz | Recruiting, Roster Building, and the Rise from Video Coordinator to Assistant GM
    Jan 20 2026

    Jorge Ruiz, Assistant Coach and Assistant GM at Weber State University, joins the show to share his path from Video Coordinator to one of the youngest assistant coaches in the nation and his recent promotion to Assistant GM.


    We dive into how Jorge approaches recruiting and roster building in today’s unpredictable college sports landscape, what he evaluates in high school recruits versus the transfer portal, and what coaches often miss about players like Damian Lillard and Dillon Jones, who became 1st-round NBA picks.


    Jorge also breaks down what makes Weber State unique in developing professional-level talent, how strength coaches can add value in the recruiting process, and his in-season approach to skill development that balances long-term growth with keeping players fresh.


    🔗Check out more from Jorge 👇


    Instagram: @ruizjorge1


    This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches.


    Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success.


    👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here].


    Chapters


    00:00 Introduction and Background

    03:13 Career Journey at Weber State

    04:51 The Value of Longevity in Coaching Roles

    08:26 Understanding the Assistant GM Role

    09:46 Navigating Roster Management and Recruitment

    11:14 The Importance of Honest Communication in Recruiting

    13:04 Fitting Roles and Managing Expectations

    15:38 Finding the Truth in Recruitment

    17:35 Managing Challenging Personalities

    20:27 Expectations and Ownership in Player Development

    22:03 The Path to Professional Success

    28:10 What Big Schools Miss in Talent Recruitment

    34:16 Choosing the Right School for Development

    35:40 The Pressure of Immediate Production in College Basketball

    39:40 The Importance of Development and Growth

    41:49 The Impact of Alumni on Current Players

    47:33 Identifying Talent: What Sets Players Apart

    52:04 The Role of Strength Coaches in Recruiting

    58:04 The Costs of Pursuing Greatness in Coaching

    59:54 Finding Purpose in Coaching Relationships

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 9 mins
  • EP 39: Anthony Cockrill | The Complete Guide to Volleyball Sports Performance
    Jan 13 2026

    Anthony Cockrill, Director of Volleyball Sports Performance and Assistant Director of Olympic Sports at SMU, returns to the Podcast for his second appearance after his first episode became our most downloaded episode ever.


    In this conversation, we go deep into the systems behind elite volleyball performance. Anthony breaks down jump and swing mechanics, squat progressions, jump training, building bulletproof shoulders, getting your first chin-up, and how he balances physical preparation with skill development.


    We also dive into assessments, warm-ups, gymnastics movements, nutrition, injury mitigation, and how to organize training to support long-term athlete development.


    This episode is packed with practical insight and high-level thinking for anyone training volleyball players—or athletes at any level.


    🔗Check out more from Anthony👇


    1st Episode with Anthony: The Epidemic of the Underprepared Athlete (#1 MOST DOWNLOADED EPISODE) - [click here]


    Framework For Flight - PDF Program: [click here]


    Instagram: @anthonycockrill


    This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches.


    Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success.


    👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here].


    Chapters


    00:00 Intro

    03:10 Jump Mechanics: Understanding the Approach

    14:56 Visual Feedback and Skill Acquisition in Jumping

    17:38 Body Awareness and Squatting Fundamentals

    25:54 Plyometric Training for Vertical Jump Improvement

    34:48 Swing Mechanics: Enhancing the Volleyball Arm Swing

    41:01 Why Volleyball Players Should Throw Footballs

    48:32 Key Movements for Shoulder Health

    51:14 Getting Your First Chin Up

    01:00:49 Nutrition for Young Athletes

    01:09:11 Game Day Nutrition and Timing

    01:11:14 Effective Warm-Up Strategies

    01:18:03 Balancing Skill and Physical Development

    01:22:11 The Importance of Physicality in Youth Sports

    01:25:39 Assessment and Evaluation Processes

    01:32:55 Reflecting on Injury Management and Prevention

    01:36:58 Building Routines for High-Pressure Situations

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 43 mins
  • EP 38: Darren Hansen | Creating a Gym Athletes Never Want to Leave
    Jan 6 2026

    Owner of Hansen Athletics and Speed Lab Director with Universal Speed Rating, Darren Hansen joins the show to break down how he’s built one of the top performance facilities in the region by making speed development a true priority. Voted the best performance facility in Southeastern Idaho, Hansen Athletics is known for both results and culture.


    We dive into how Darren creates an environment athletes can’t wait to return to, how he programs in the private sector, and how to build systems that make high-quality training scalable as your business grows. Darren also shares the biggest mistakes he sees in youth athlete development, how they run assessments and onboard new athletes, and what actually drives long-term progress.


    We also touch on the business side—what truly fuels growth, where coaches overcomplicate things, and how to build a model that lasts.


    This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches.


    Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success.


    👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here].

    Chapters


    00:00 Intro

    01:51 The Story Behind Hansen Athletics

    04:42 Culture and Environment at Hansen Athletics

    08:49 Coaching Staff and Development

    13:41 Making Them Want To Come Back

    18:12 Scalable Individualized Training

    19:45 Onboarding New Athletes

    20:50 Balancing Training Loads

    21:54 Scaling and Structuring Programs

    24:32 Integrating Middle School and High School Athletes

    31:33 Fostering Positive Competition Among Young Athletes

    33:56 Common Mistakes in Youth Athletic Development

    38:32 The Importance of Diverse Experiences for Young Athletes

    41:00 Building a Business from Scratch in a New City

    43:05 Drivers of Growth in Established Athletic Programs

    46:59 Incentivizing Referrals in Youth Sports Training

    47:38 Learning from Controversial Training Methods

    51:16 Reflecting on Decision-Making and Growth

    Show More Show Less
    59 mins
No reviews yet