Zach Hicks | Being Yourself as a Coach

 In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, host sits down with Zach Hicks, a Graduate Assistant at Appalachian State University. Zach opens up about his path from a small-town upbringing and a background in theater to the weight room, sharing valuable insights from his first year and a half as a GA. His unique experience in performance taught him how to step outside of his comfort zone—an essential skill in coaching. Throughout the episode, Zach stresses the importance of being genuine, building strong athlete relationships, and learning through the early struggles of coaching.Key Takeaways:Being yourself builds long-term trust and success as a coachTheater helped Zach become confident and adaptable in front of groupsRelationship-building with athletes is key to coaching effectivenessEarly sessions and mistakes are valuable learning opportunitiesTraveling with teams creates deeper coach-athlete bondsInjury management and athlete wellness are central coaching pillarsConsistency, authenticity, and reflection drive personal growthQuote: "Being able to get out of your comfort zone and still be able to handle that—that’s something theater taught me, and it’s helped me immensely as a coach." – Zach Hicks