Athlete Builder Ep. 14 - Matt Nicholson - Illinois State Football Strength and Conditioning

Welcome back to the Athlete Builder Podcast. In this episode we have Matt Nicholson. Matt is the strength coach for Illinois State football and shares his journey in the field of strength and conditioning. He discusses his background as a college athlete and captain, as well as his experience coaching at various schools. Matt emphasizes the importance of building relationships and understanding the individual needs of athletes. He also highlights the need for continuous learning and open-mindedness in the field of strength and conditioning. Matt shares insights on managing groups and developing leadership within a team. In this part of the conversation, Matt Nicholson discusses velocity-based training and the importance of application in strength and conditioning. He emphasizes the role of strength in athletic performance and highlights the value of hard work and perspective. Matt also talks about the importance of reliability and adaptability in working with athletes and maintaining a positive mindset. He discusses the impact of nutrition and recovery on performance and shares his favorite music and books. Finally, he shares his dream job and what he would do with $10 million. In this conversation, Matt Nicholson shares his experiences as a college football player and discusses the importance of teamwork and dedication. He also talks about memorable game moments and the impact they have on players. We hope you enjoy this coversation with division 1 strength coach Matt Nicholson    Takeaways Velocity-based training focuses on speed and velocity rather than absolute strength. The application of training methods should be tailored to the specific needs and goals of the athlete. Strength is just one component of athletic performance, and other factors such as skill, technique, and mindset also play a crucial role. Hard work and a positive mindset are essential for success in sports and life. Reliability and adaptability are key qualities for strength coaches working with athletes. Nutrition and recovery are vital for optimal performance and injury prevention. Favorite music and books can provide inspiration and motivation during training. Dream jobs are often driven by personal passions and interests. Having $10 million can open up opportunities to pursue personal and professional goals. Teamwork and dedication are crucial in college football. Memorable game moments can have a lasting impact on players.