Home Court Health

EP 3 - Coaching Strength for Life: An Intersation with Steve Kiely & Matt McClune

Episode Summary

For the first time, Tom is joined by two of his greatest influences in coaching, Steve Kiely and Matt McClune. These men have redefined the role of "strength coach" and they share the lessons from their many years of experience educating young athletes.

Episode Notes

It sure sounds cool to be a "Strength Coach", but what does that involve, exactly? Steve & Matt are outstanding role models who can fill in the blanks for you in this episode. We discuss finding your career through skill, movements for life, effective communication, and many more hidden gems.

Here is a snapshot of our guests:

Matt McClune is currently a strength and conditioning coach at Boston College High School & has been training athletes and general population clients for more than 15 years. He is a Certified Functional Stength Coach, EXOS Performance Specialist and has completed countless other courses in the field of USA Weightlifting, speed, strength and conditioning, and Wellness. He coached football at Boston College High School from 2007 to 2014. In 2017, he joined the strength and conditioning staff at Boston College High School after serving as a personal trainer, programming director & gym manager for MBX Training from 2008-2017.

Matt was paralyzed in a car accident in 2009 after hitting a pothole on Route 3 in MA heading to work on a Sunday. He is a C6-C7 quadriplegic, and one of few with a very active and intense workout regime. In his words: "The good news is, every day is arm day."

Here is Matt, recognized with an award at BC High from Athletic Director, Jon Bartlett.

Steve Kiely is an educator, a coach, a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and an online trainer. He has spent 15 years educating middle and high school students while also serving as a strength coach for Mind and Body Cross Training from 2008-2010 and as the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Boston College High School from 2011-2020. Currently he is the Fitness Director for Wellness Literacy, a wellness and education consulting company. You can connect with him on Instagram, @coachstevekiely.

We discuss:

[2:05] Recent background; Steve & Matt working together
[15:05] Your resume is gong on a billboard: what's your job description for "strength coach" & "educator"?
[26:45] Tom’s first job in a weight room
[31:00] When did you know that you could turn coaching into a career?
[38:48] The impact of conscious communication
[45:44]: Do we need more role models or more heroes? Both?
[53:40]: Have kids changed, or have adults changed?
[1:01:32] Steve's AWEMASSED system and fitness priorities; the Buckets from Boyle
[1:16:40] “People need to be reminded more than instructed", Matt & Steve react to this coaching maxim
[1:27:38] What have you changed your mind about in the last decade?
[1:39:30] National Physical Education
[1:48:20] What are the greater benefits of Strength?

Some influences mentioned:

Thank you for listening to "Who's to Say?" with Tom Foolery.