Building the Athlete

Wyatt Reeder joins the podcast to share his journey from playing multiple sports growing up to earning the opportunity to compete at the Division I baseball level. In this episode, Wyatt talks about transitioning from hockey to baseball, overcoming injuries, building mental toughness, and the role his family played throughout his athletic journey.We also discuss athlete development, training for speed and mobility, the recruiting process, and what young athletes can do to separate themselves both on and off the field.If you’re an athlete, coach, or parent looking for insight into high-level sports development and mindset, this episode delivers valuable lessons and real experiences.Topics Covered:Multi-sport athlete developmentBaseball recruiting processInjury recovery & resilienceStrength, speed & mobility trainingMental toughness in sportsFamily support and accountabilityLife lessons through athleticsMake sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with athletes, coaches, and leaders.#WyattReeder #Baseball #Division1Baseball #SportsPodcast #AthleteMindset #BaseballRecruiting #MentalToughness #Training #CollegeAthletics #MultiSportAthlete

Fresh off his commitment to Tennessee Tech University, Caleb Hollenbeck joins the show to share his journey through college basketball, the transfer portal, and the process of finding the right fit both on and off the court.Caleb opens up about the realities of today’s college basketball landscape, the importance of strength training and physical development, and why basketball IQ, discipline, and mental toughness can separate athletes at the next level. He also discusses how training from a young age helped shape his confidence and competitive edge throughout his career.This episode is a great listen for athletes, coaches, parents, and anyone interested in the mindset and development required to compete in modern college sports.Leave us a comment if there's any topics you want covered! Be sure to check out bensonsportstraining.com and follow our instagram @bensonsportstraining to stay up to date!

Connor Hollenbeck shares his journey from small-town basketball to Division I, breaking down what truly drives long-term success.This episode covers the importance of athletic development, the realities of the transfer portal, and how team culture and accountability shape high-level athletes. Connor also explains how the junior college route played a key role in his growth—and why consistency in training separates good from great.If you're serious about development—whether as an athlete, coach, or parent—this episode offers practical insight into what it actually takes.Check out our instagram and youtube channel @bensonsportstraining

What separates good athletes from great ones? Mindset.In this episode, Stachia (Reuwsaat) Padilla- 2x NCAA Champion, 9x All-American, and National Hall of Fame inductee- shares the mental strategies that helped her succeed at the highest level.From overcoming pressure to building discipline and resilience, Stacia breaks down 5 essential tips to help you develop a winning mindset in sports and beyond. She also shares how those same principles translated into her career after athletics.Whether you’re an athlete, competitor, or just someone chasing big goals, this conversation will give you the tools to level up mentally.In this episode:How to build a champion’s mindsetThe role of discipline and consistencyHandling pressure and adversityTransitioning from sports to real lifeMental habits of elite performersLike and subscribe! We appreciate you------check out our partners below: Serta Mattresses: serta.qq3wj3.netBranded Bills (10% off): brandedbills.sjv.io/bO6RP6www.bensonsportstraining.com

Reese Ross, a Division I women’s basketball player at the University of Utah, shares what it truly takes to compete at the highest level.From her journey through high school to earning a spot in college basketball, Reese breaks down the importance of strength training, injury prevention, and developing a relentless mindset. She also opens up about the mental health challenges athletes face and how she’s learned to balance academics, performance, and personal well-being.Whether you're an aspiring athlete or just looking to build discipline and resilience, this episode is packed with real insight and practical takeaways.In this episode:The path to Division I basketballStrength & conditioning for peak performanceInjury prevention strategiesMental health in athleticsBalancing school, sports, and lifeLike, comment, follow! We appreciate our Building the Athlete fans--- check out our partners below: Serta Mattresses: serta.qq3wj3.netBranded Bills (10% off): brandedbills.sjv.io/bO6RP6

Fuzz Caan shares his journey from athlete to coach while exploring what it truly takes to develop elite performers.In this episode, we discuss talent identification, coaching philosophy, and the importance of building athletes from the inside out. Fuzz explains why resilience, community, and individualized coaching are essential to long-term success in sports.We also dive into the differences between the UK and US athletic systems and explore how emerging technology like AI could reshape how future champions are discovered.This conversation is a must-listen for athletes, coaches, and anyone interested in the mindset behind high performance.If you enjoyed please give a like, comment, follow! Serta Mattresses: serta.qq3wj3.netBranded Bills: brandedbills.sjv.io/bO6RP6

The end of an athletic career can feel more disorienting than any loss on the field.In this episode, Scott Benson and Kim Fauskee discuss the hidden emotional and identity challenges athletes face after sports. From resilience and family influence to emotional intelligence and the evolving NIL landscape, this conversation dives deep into what truly prepares athletes for long-term success.Key themes include:• Athlete identity beyond performance• The mental shift required after competition• Individualized transition support• NIL’s impact on money mindset• Building relationships for life after sportsA must-listen for athletes, coaches, and leaders navigating growth beyond the game.

What’s holding high jump back in the U.S.? And are coaches teaching the event the wrong way?In this episode, Scott Benson sits down with elite high jump coach Jeremy Fischer, founder of MVA Athletics, to challenge the traditional approach to coaching high jump.Jeremy explains why too many athletes are trained to “clear the bar” instead of mastering approach rhythm, posture, and takeoff mechanics — and how that mindset shift can completely change athlete performance.They break down:• The biggest mistakes high jump coaches make• Why quality reps beat high-volume practices• The decline of U.S. high jump development• How basketball and volleyball pull talent away from track• Coaching post-collegiate athletes vs. youth athletes• Building sustainable athlete development modelsJeremy also shares insights from his own journey from athlete to elite coach, plus rapid-fire advice for aspiring coaches looking to elevate their impact.If you care about high jump, track and field, youth sports development, or maximizing athlete performance, this episode will challenge your perspective and sharpen your coaching lens.Subscribe for more conversations on coaching, performance, and sports development.Check out @bensonsportstraining on IG and FB

In this episode of Building the Athlete, we break down speed training for athletes and why most athletes (and coaches) are getting it wrong. From acceleration and deceleration mechanics to the difference between game speed vs track speed, this conversation dives deep into what actually improves sports performance.We cover:How to increase speed for any sportThe difference between strength training and true speed developmentWhy acceleration and deceleration training matterCommon speed training mistakesInjury prevention through eccentric trainingSports performance programming for long-term athlete developmentThe role of nutrition and recovery in speed and performanceIf you’re a coach, parent, or athlete looking to improve explosiveness, agility, sprint speed, and overall athletic performance, this episode gives you practical insight into building real game speed that transfers to competition.Speed isn’t just about running fast — it’s about mechanics, consistency, recovery, and training with purpose.Whether you coach football, basketball, soccer, baseball, track, or any field or court sport, this episode will challenge how you think about sports performance training.Subscribe for more content on:Speed trainingStrength & conditioningAthlete developmentInjury preventionSports nutritionRecovery strategiesPerformance coachingTrain fast. Recover smart. Build better athletes.Like this episode, leave a comment about topics your curious about, and give this podcast a rating! Follow us on IG @bensonsportstraining for more content

In this episode of Building the Athlete, Scott Benson talks with former Division I basketball player Morgan Kane about the pressures facing today’s athletes. They discuss basketball overload, the value of multi-sport participation, and why mindset, strength training, and nutrition matter more than ever. The conversation also touches on NIL, the transfer portal, and the importance of mental health and identity beyond sport.Like and follow. instagram: bensonsportstraining

In this episode of 'Building the Athlete,' host Scott Benson welcomes performance coach Justin Kegley, who shares insights from his decade-long experience training female athletes at Movement Fitness in Rockford, Illinois. Justin discusses the unique challenges and needs of female athletes, particularly in strength training and injury prevention. He highlights the alarming statistics regarding ACL injuries among female athletes and emphasizes the importance of tailored training programs that focus on strength, stability, and injury risk reduction. Justin also introduces his upcoming books, 'Becoming the Unshakable Female Athlete' and 'Raising the Unshakable Female Athlete,' aimed at empowering both athletes and their parents with the knowledge needed to navigate the competitive sports landscape.Please leave a Spotify review! Comment any questions below!Get 10% off your first order with BRANDED BILLS from this link brandedbills.sjv.io/bO6RP6 CODE:Branded10Check out our instagram and facebook @bensonsportstraining

Volleyball coach Alison Furno joins Scott Benson for an in-depth conversation on the game of volleyball—on and off the court. They break down volleyball positions, what coaches truly look for in athletes, and how players can better understand and embrace their role on a team.From athlete development and training mindset to coaching perspective and communication, this episode delivers practical insight for athletes, parents, and coaches at every level.Whether you’re new to the game or deeply involved in volleyball, this episode offers valuable takeaways you can apply right away.Topics covered:• Volleyball positions explained• What coaches look for in athletes• Player development & mindset• Coaching philosophy & communication• How athletes can stand outbensonsportstraining.com instgram: @bensonsportstraining

What actually drives athletic performance—and what’s just noise?In this episode, we sit down with Taylor Houchin to break down the truth behind speed development, strength training, and modern sports performance coaching. We cut through common training myths and discuss what truly matters when developing athletes at every level.instagram: @bensonsportstraining

In this conversation, Haleigh Timmer, a standout basketball player from Oklahoma State University, shares her journey from a young athlete to a collegiate star. She discusses the importance of early exposure to sports, the value of multi-sport participation, and the mental toughness required to succeed at higher levels of competition. Haleigh reflects on her experiences in high school athletics, the transition to college basketball, and the impact of the transfer portal on her career. She emphasizes the significance of training consistency, self-identity outside of sports, and the lessons learned through her athletic journey, including the importance of mindset and perseverance.instagram @bensonsportstraining x @haleightimmerCheck out our website for more information! www.bensonsportstraining.com

Mental toughness isn’t built overnight. In this episode w/ Jake Sullivan, we dive into overcoming mental hardships, learning real confidence, and developing emotional maturity — on and off the field. This conversation breaks down what growth actually looks like when life, sport, and pressure hit all at once. If you’re an athlete, coach, or parent navigating setbacks, self-doubt, or emotional challenges, this episode is for you.instagram @bensonsportstraining www.bensonsportstraining.com

College volleyball recruiting has changed — and many athletes and parents are still operating with outdated information.In today’s episode of Building the Athlete, we sit down with Robert Cagle, Vice President of National Scouting Report (NSR), to break down what volleyball recruiting really looks like in 2025.We cover:How college volleyball coaches evaluate recruitsThe biggest recruiting mistakes athletes and parents makeClub vs. high school volleyball — what actually mattersScholarships, the transfer portal, and NIL opportunitiesWhat athletes should be doing right now to stand outWhether you’re a volleyball athlete aiming to play at the next level or a parent navigating the recruiting process, this episode gives you clear, honest insight from someone inside the system.🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts + Youtube📲 Follow Building the Athlete for weekly conversations on performance, recruiting, and development

In this conversation, Dr. Nate Zinsser, a sports psychology expert, discusses the importance of confidence in performance, the universality of self-doubt, and the role of visualization and self-talk in overcoming anxiety. He emphasizes the need for intrinsic motivation and discipline over mere outcome-based goals, while also addressing the impact of technology on young athletes. The discussion highlights practical strategies for athletes to enhance their mental game and navigate the pressures of performance.The Confident Mind: https://a.co/d/ggGlGqKinstagram @bensonsportstraining www.bensonsportstraining.com for more information!

In this episode, Coach Tony Holler breaks down the real foundation of elite athletic performance: health, speed, recovery, and athlete availability. We discuss why the top teams in sports maintain a 98–99% health rate and how prioritizing recovery leads directly to faster athletes and more consistent team success.From the misconceptions around conditioning to the importance of rest, sleep, and metrics-based training, this conversation highlights why fast athletes win more—and why recovery is the ultimate competitive advantage.

In this conversation, Scott Benson interviews James Hall, Deputy Athletic Director at New Mexico State, discussing his extensive experience in college athletics, the importance of academic success for student-athletes, the evolving landscape of NCAA regulations, and the impact of NIL on recruiting and financial opportunities for athletes. Hall shares insights on the challenges and changes in college sports, emphasizing the need for athletes to adapt to new metrics and expectations in their pursuit of success.

The truth about SPEED in baseball — what it really takes and why it separates good from great.

Join Scott Benson as he interviews Tip Reiman, a tight end for the Arizona Cardinals, exploring his inspiring journey from a small town to the NFL. Discover Tip's passion for strength and conditioning, his experiences as a walk-on at the University of Illinois, and the importance of mindset and intrinsic motivation in achieving success. Gain insights into training, nutrition, and recovery, and learn how intentionality and consistency play a crucial role in both sports and life.instagram: @bensonsportstraining www.bensonsportstraining.comfor more information!