In this episode, I’m joined by Spencer Goggin, a performance coach with a wealth of experience in speed training and athlete development. This conversation delivers valuable Elite Coaching Perspectives for anyone looking to elevate how they connect and communicate with athletes. Spencer unpacks how asking better questions can transform athlete relationships, why From Gym to Game Speed requires a completely different approach to strength and conditioning, and how frameworks like James Wild’s profiling model help individualize speed programs. We also explore more Elite Coaching Perspectives through discussions on hip lock training, rib-pelvis alignment, and the benefits of co-designing sessions with athlete input to reshape communication and performance outcomes insights that perfectly capture what it takes to bridge From Gym to Game Speed in today’s evolving sport environment.
Whether you’re a sport scientist, strength coach, or performance practitioner, this conversation challenges you to think deeper about how you connect, coach, and create lasting impact.
Coaching Beyond the Physical
Spencer Goggin reminds us that great coaching goes far beyond sets and reps. It starts with asking better questions — not surface-level ones, but questions that uncover who the athlete truly is. By taking the time to understand their background, motivations, and mindset, coaches can connect on a deeper level and create trust that accelerates progress.
Building Trust Through Insight
Trust isn’t built by trying to be an athlete’s friend. Instead, it grows through thoughtful conversations and precise feedback delivered at the right moments. Spencer emphasizes that every question should serve a purpose: to help athletes feel seen and supported while ensuring their development aligns with performance goals.
Adapting to the Uncontrollable
When training surfers, Spencer faces an unpredictable environment. Perfect waves might call for a long morning in the water, while poor conditions demand an instant shift to dry-land work. This flexible approach reflects what all high-performance coaches must master — adaptability under changing circumstances.
Individualizing Athlete Profiles
By analyzing acceleration, stride length, and frequency, Spencer classifies athletes into movement types and tailors their strength and resilience training accordingly. This ensures each athlete builds durability in their most vulnerable areas, reducing injuries while enhancing speed and control.
Collaboration and Co-Design
True progress happens when athletes have a voice. Spencer integrates co-design into his sessions, inviting athletes, coaches, and analysts to shape training together. This collective approach not only empowers athletes but also ensures that communication resonates — because how a message is delivered often determines how well it’s received.
Highlights from the episode:
– How better questions transform athlete relationships
– Why surfing challenges traditional strength programs
– Profiling athletes for speed: lessons from James Wild’s framework
– Rib-pelvis connection and the power of hip lock training
– Co-designing sessions: how athlete insights reshape coaching
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