Strategies for Aspiring Strength and Conditioning Coaches

1. Seek Mentorship and Gain Experience:
Joel believes mentors are like "cheat codes in life" and can help gain firsthand experience, align personal interests, and accelerate career growth. Joel suggests reaching out to individuals and companies of interest, inviting them for a meal or drink, and requesting to observe their work. He emphasizes the value of quality mentorship and suggests experiencing a job firsthand instead of making assumptions.

2. Build Experience Early:
Joel highlights the importance of gaining practical experience alongside academic pursuits. He advises students to pursue coaching and volunteering opportunities within university strength and conditioning departments, emphasizing the need to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios. Many students leave college with only a degree and zero experience. Therefore, reading, studying, and gaining experience to implement what you have learned before starting your internship or job is essential. Joel stresses the significance of establishing ambitious goals. Competition for jobs in the sports industry is intense, whether you want to work in professional or college sports or train at high-end facilities like EXOS or Equinix. By setting lofty goals, you challenge your perceived limits and unlock your true potential.

3. Developing Personality and Presence:
Joel believes hiring energetic and charismatic individuals is crucial for engaging and motivating athletes. He values personality and presence. Beyond degrees and certifications, the ability to connect with people genuinely distinguishes professionals in this field. If you aspire to be a performance PT or trainer, it is essential to understand that this is a people and service business. Above all else, it is about personality and presence, which can be likened to “Vitamin C” (charisma) and “Vitamin E” (energy). Many people can teach a squat, so bringing a unique approach to how you show up is essential.

4. Stay Ahead Through Continuous Education:
Joel believes that his success is the result of a continuous learning process. He emphasizes the importance of investing in education, recommends reading extensively, and keeping up to date with the latest developments through podcasts and literature. Joel encourages a proactive approach, where acquired knowledge is applied in practical situations to stay ahead of a rapidly changing industry. He believes in the importance of thinking differently to keep the mind sharp.

5. Diversify Revenue Streams:
Beyond his role at Exos, he ventured into entrepreneurship, founding Wolfe Strength and introducing innovative products like the Wolfe Wedge Squad wedge and Wolfe Strap Nordic Hamstring Curl. Many strength and conditioning coaches are building their brands, and it is essential to understand the landscape of your employer, leverage your expertise, and explore additional opportunities to serve the athletes better.

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