What happens when a veteran strength coach loses his role after 12 years? For Nate, it meant rediscovering his passion, redefining his path, and finding purpose beyond the weight room.
In this episode of the Sam Portland Podcast, Nate shares his candid journey through sport, coaching, and unexpected career changes. From being a thrower in college, to coaching athletes at Buffalo, to becoming a “strength coach without a strength job,” this is a raw conversation about resilience, family, and what it really means to coach.
If you’re a young coach, this one’s essential listening.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Why we skip the standard intros
01:30 – Nate’s early story: football, track & field, and the weight room
06:45 – Competing in throws and lessons from powerlifting
14:00 – The importance of competing as a coach
20:00 – First lessons in coaching contact sport athletes
27:30 – COVID, cuts, and becoming a coach without a strength job
36:00 – Balancing family, career, and quality of life
44:00 – Certifications, teaching, and the next chapter
52:00 – Why imperfections—not perfection—connect us