

Coach Em Up Podcast
Tim Riley
Coach Em Up Podcast is here! Hosted by renowned coaches Tim Riley and Zack Zillner, Coach Em Up traverses all things training, performance, gains, and growth. Guests include your favorite coaches, current and former pro athletes, entrepreneurs, and influencers. Everyone can learn something from someone else- and we wanna learn from the best.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 9, 2025 • 1h 36min
What Everyone Gets Wrong About Hybrid Training with ALEX VIADA | Ep. 93
Alex Viada, a trailblazer in hybrid training and author, shares his remarkable journey from powerlifting to ultramarathons. He defines hybrid training as the blend of strength and endurance, which has grown from skepticism to mainstream popularity. The conversation delves into programming principles for hybrid athletes, the importance of fitness longevity, and the interplay of strength and cardio. Alex emphasizes humility in performance and critiques fitness elitism while offering practical strategies for those just starting their hybrid training journey.

Dec 2, 2025 • 1h 34min
Fitness Tribalism Exposed: Finding a Middle Ground with CLIFTON HARSKI | Ep. 92
Check out Clifton! @cliftonharskikettlebells @cliftonharskiUse code "Tim" to get 15% off at https://davidgreyrehab.comCode "coachemup10" for 10% off EVERYTHING at https://Eleiko.com/coachemupGet a free trial with TrainHeroic ➡️ https://bit.ly/coachemuppodcastTim Riley hosts Clifton Harski on Coach 'Em Up to break down fitness industry tribalism and the blind spots of different training methodologies. Clifton shares his journey from skinny basketball player to respected fitness educator, working with brands like Kettle Athletics and Animal Flow while running certifications nationwide.They dive deep into why different fitness tribes (bodybuilders, kettlebell enthusiasts, sports performance coaches) fail to see beyond their own training philosophies, and how to connect the consistent themes across various approaches. Clifton offers practical wisdom for new trainers and challenges the "one way only" mentality plaguing the industry.

Nov 25, 2025 • 1h 36min
Building Gyms, Gettin Yolked, and Just Being Yourself | ALAN THRALL | Ep. 91
Alan Thrall, a former Marine and founder of Untamed Strength Gym, discusses his journey from military life to becoming a successful gym owner and YouTube star. He shares how his viral 'How to Squat' video transformed his career and highlights the importance of authenticity in content creation. Alan also reveals key business lessons for aspiring gym owners and explains how fatherhood reshaped his training focus. Additionally, he emphasizes the joy of fitness over strict dieting, while urging parents to prioritize quality time with their kids.

Nov 18, 2025 • 1h 25min
Understanding Movement & Biomechanics with ALEX EFFER | Ep. 90
Join exercise physiologist Alex Effer, the founder of Resilient Rehab, as he shares his journey from T-Nation aficionado to a leading expert in biomechanics. He explores the crucial integration of rehabilitation and strength training, emphasizing joint positions' impact on muscle function. Alex advocates for focused learning over information overload and provides practical insights on movement assessment, including the center of mass. Learn how body structure influences athletic roles and the importance of individualized training approaches.

Nov 11, 2025 • 1h 24min
Kettlebells, Coaching Coaches, & Community with HUNTER CRINE | Ep. 89
In this engaging conversation, Hunter Crine, a kettlebell coach and founder of Kettlebell Coach University, shares insights from his journey in fitness and community building. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship and individualized training approaches. Hunter discusses his struggles with anxiety and how therapy shaped his growth, as well as the significance of combining physical and mental coaching. He also explores the value of kettlebells in enhancing athleticism and the need for authentic connections in fitness communities.

Nov 5, 2025 • 1h 50min
Fighter Psychology, Movement Cults, & Mentorships with ALEX STERNER | Ep. 88
Check out Alex on socials! @alex.sterner @ElectrumPerformance Use code "Tim" to get 15% off at https://davidgreyrehab.comHead over to https://VALD.com to request a demo!Code "coachemup10" for 10% off EVERYTHING at https://Eleiko.com/coachemupGet a free trial with TrainHeroic ➡️ https://bit.ly/coachemuppodcastIn this episode, Tim Riley sits down with Alex Sterner, a strength and conditioning coach specializing in combat sports, to discuss the art and science of coaching elite athletes. Alex shares his journey from jiu-jitsu practitioner to respected coach, emphasizing the crucial role of mentorship in developing coaching expertise.They dive deep into the psychology of combat athletes, exploring their masochistic tendencies and how coaches must balance intensity with preservation. Alex reveals strategies for effective communication with high-level fighters and debunks common misconceptions in the science-based fitness community.The conversation takes a critical turn as they examine movement cults, the absurdity of longevity claims from Functional Patterns, and the ethical responsibilities of coaches. Alex offers invaluable advice for aspiring coaches, stressing the importance of mentorship, personal training experience, and maintaining humility.Subscribe right now! If you don't, Naudi will slide into your DMs and deliver his ultimate functional patterns manifesto, killing you instantly from the sheer magnitude of knowledge entering your brain. So I'd subscribe if I were you.

Oct 28, 2025 • 1h 42min
How Renaissance Periodization Became a Hypertrophy Kingpin ft NICK SHAW | Ep. 87
Check out Nick and RP! @nick.shaw.rp @RenaissancePeriodization Use code "Tim" to get 15% off at https://davidgreyrehab.comHead over to https://VALD.com to request a demo!Code "coachemup10" for 10% off EVERYTHING at https://Eleiko.com/coachemupGet a free trial with TrainHeroic ➡️ https://bit.ly/coachemuppodcastNick Shaw, CEO and co-founder of RP Strength, joins Tim to discuss building a successful fitness business, practical approaches to training and nutrition, and the entrepreneurial mindset needed for success.Nick shares the origin story of Renaissance Periodization (RP Strength) and how it evolved from a simple e-book to a comprehensive fitness app. He discusses the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of providing value before expecting returns, and why consistency trumps perfection in both business and fitness.They discuss how RP Strength leveraged customer transformations as marketing, the power of free content in building brand authority, managing negativity and maintaining focus on your mission, practical approaches to fitness that prioritize sustainability, and the value of long-term thinking in both business and personal development.Subscribe for more conversations with top coaches and fitness professionals! If we get 1 billion subscribers in the next week, Zack said he'll come back for another episode!

20 snips
Oct 21, 2025 • 1h 41min
Building a Sustainable Fitness Career with ANDREW COATES | Ep. 86
In this engaging discussion, Andrew Coates, a seasoned fitness industry veteran and podcaster, shares insights on building a sustainable coaching career. He emphasizes the importance of authentic relationships over mere networking and offers practical advice for new coaches navigating the evolving landscape of online versus in-person training. Andrew discusses the shift in the fitness industry due to social media, warns against the pitfalls of chasing fame, and highlights the significance of consistent presence in creating opportunities. His tips are a must for aspiring coaches!

Oct 14, 2025 • 1h 24min
Lower Body Rehab, Mechanics, & Movement Accuracy | Q&A with DAVID GREY | Ep. 85
Check out David on socials! @DavidGreyRehab And use code "Tim" to get 15% off at https://davidgreyrehab.com Head over to https://VALD.com to request a demo!Code "coachemup10" for 10% off EVERYTHING at https://Eleiko.com/coachemupGet a free trial with TrainHeroic ➡️ https://bit.ly/coachemuppodcastJoin host Tim Riley and special guest David Gray in this value-packed episode of Coach 'Em Up Podcast! David shares insights from his masterclass with OKC Thunder, discusses the differences between Irish humility and American confidence, and answers audience questions on athletic performance, injury mitigation, and rehabilitation.David dives deep into treating chronic injuries, shares his perspective on what's missing in physical therapy and coaching today, and breaks down his approach to hip impingements and Achilles tendon issues. This episode is packed with practical advice for coaches, athletes, and fitness professionals looking to elevate their game.Subscribe if you want to see David move to Austin! He said he'd do it if we can get the channel to 10k subscribers by the end of the month! He also doesn't know he said that, but that's beside the point...

Oct 7, 2025 • 1h 33min
Strength Coach Q&A | Building Culture, Body Recomping, & Sprinting Tips | Ep. 84
Check out the boys! @timrileytraining @zack_zillner Use code "Tim" to get 15% off at https://davidgreyrehab.comHead over to https://VALD.com to request a demo!Code "coachemup10" for 10% off EVERYTHING at https://Eleiko.com/coachemupGet a free trial with TrainHeroic ➡️ https://bit.ly/coachemuppodcastTim and Zack reunite on the Coach 'Em Up Podcast to discuss training culture, coaching philosophies, and their upcoming ventures. Zach shares stories from Miami, including a growing podcast fanbase and the positive training culture he's experiencing there. They announce an exciting partnership with XPE for combine training and the upcoming Apex Athlete event. The episode features an extensive Q&A section tackling topics from rep schemes to coaching mistakes, sprint progression tracking, and basketball in-season training, emphasizing the importance of effort, testing in training, and maintaining high standards.Subscribe if you want to see more of Zack! If the channel gets to 10k subscribers by the end of the month, we'll force Zack to retire from coaching to become the fulltime co-host he was born to be! Who doesn't want that?


