
Coach Em Up Podcast
Coach Em Up Podcast is here. Hosted by renown 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.
Latest episodes

5 snips
Jun 10, 2025 • 1h 20min
BLAINE MCCONNELL Q&A on Sprinting, Programming, Athleticism, and more! | Ep. 67
Blaine McConnell, a performance coach renowned for speed development and his Unit Combine program, shares insights into athletic training. He discusses his revolutionary training methods that led him to a jaw-dropping 4.2 40-yard dash. The conversation includes fun ideas for a Gymtathlon competition and myths about sprint times. Blaine humorously recounts impressive feats like dunking a medicine ball while tackling various training topics, from Olympic lifts to adapting workouts in hot conditions. Expect plenty of laughs and real-world advice for athletes!

Jun 3, 2025 • 1h 4min
CRU MAHONEY talks Taking Control of Your Life + REAL Hybrid Athletes | Ep. 66
Check out Cru! @crumahoney Code "coachemup10" for 10% off EVERYTHING at Eleiko.com/coachemupGet a free trial with TrainHeroic ➡️ https://bit.ly/coachemuppodcastCode “coachemup15” for 15% at Squatwedgiez.comIn this episode of Coach 'Em Up, Tim Riley sits down with life coach Cru Mahoney to discuss consistency, mental fortitude, and showing up as the person you want to be. Cru shares his 2,500+ day running streak and unconventional approach to dealing with physical pain - simply caring less about it. They explore the transformative power of showing up daily regardless of how you feel, building genuine communities, and developing emotional endurance.Cru provides insights on the true meaning of being a hybrid athlete, criticizing how some fitness trends prioritize work capacity over skill development. The conversation also tackles the challenges of having an online platform, the importance of human connection in an increasingly digital world, and practical advice for building confidence through consistent action and effective communication.Did you enjoy this episode? Leave and like and subscribe so you won't miss part 2 with Cru!

May 27, 2025 • 1h 16min
KELLY MATTHEWS Q&A on Content Creation, Athleticism, AND Aesthetics | Ep. 65
Connect with Kelly on Youtube and Instagram! @kellylmatthews Code "coachemup10" for 10% off EVERYTHING at Eleiko.com/coachemupGet a free trial with TrainHeroic ➡️ https://bit.ly/coachemuppodcastCode “coachemup15” for 15% at Squatwedgiez.comKelly Matthews returns to the Coach 'Em Up Podcast for a deep dive into her fitness journey, content creation strategies, and industry insights with hosts Tim Riley and Zack Zillner. Kelly shares her transition from in-person training to full-time content creation, including her exciting capsule collection with Honoractive. The conversation explores the balance between athletic and aesthetic training approaches, building authentic connections with audiences, and navigating the pressures of the fitness content industry. Highlights include discussions on programming philosophy, the "Pilates Princess" trend, cycle syncing misconceptions, and practical advice for growing a coaching brand. Kelly also shares her unique perspective on nutrition habits and the importance of building a community rather than just a following.Don't forget to like and subscribe! Kelly said if this video gets 500 likes she'll give Tim an extra compliment this month, so please consider! It takes no time at all and it's free!

May 20, 2025 • 1h 27min
Strength Coach Q&A | Growing Clientele, In-season Programming, and more | Ep. 64
Check us out on instagram! @timrileytraining @zack_zillner The Coach Em Up Conference is sold out! Thank you to everyone who purchased a ticket, and for those who missed out on a spot, we'll have more stuff in the near future! Stay tuned...Code "coachemup10" for 10% off EVERYTHING at Eleiko.com/coachemupGet a free trial with TrainHeroic ➡️ https://bit.ly/coachemuppodcastCode “coachemup15” for 15% at Squatwedgiez.comDon't worry everyone, Zack's stickin around!Tim Riley and Zack Zillner are back with a loaded Q&A episode of the Coach 'Em Up Podcast! Get the scoop on Zack's exciting move to the University of Miami as Director of Sports Performance for men's basketball, plus updates on the sold-out Coaching Up Conference 2025.They dive deep into training methodology, answering your questions about plyometric volume, adjusting training for starters vs bench players, and whether Olympic lifts are essential for athletes. They also share candid thoughts on movement systems like GOATA, key qualities that make great strength coaches, how to create genuine athlete buy-in versus compliance, and what a "Steroid Olympics" might look like.Remember to like and subscribe! We caught Zack crying in his car after the episode, and when we asked, he said the only thing that would make him feel better was if they channel had more subscribers, so please do us a favor. He's a very loud crier, and we'd prefer if he stopped.

May 13, 2025 • 1h 31min
REBECCA ROUSE on Sleep Optimization, Tactical Training, & Weightlifting | Ep. 63
Check out Rebecca on socials! @rebecca.rouse @mchnstrengthGet a free trial with TrainHeroic ➡️ https://bit.ly/coachemuppodcastCode "coachemup10" for 10% off EVERYTHING at Eleiko.com/coachemupCode “coachemup15” for 15% at Squatwedgiez.comThe Coach Em Up Conference is sold out! Thank you to everyone who purchased a ticket, and for those who missed out on a spot, we'll have more stuff in the near future! Stay tuned... In this episode of the Coach 'Em Up Podcast, host Tim Riley sits down with fitness expert Rebecca Rouse. They dive into Rebecca's journey from gymnastics to weightlifting, her coaching philosophy, and the founding of MCHN Strength. Rebecca shares valuable insights on recovery, sleep optimization, and building a successful fitness business aligned with personal values.Rebecca discusses her unique approach to training tactical populations, her participation in the United Grid League, and how she overcame chronic health challenges. She offers practical advice for aspiring coaches and entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of identifying your clients and taking action.Don't forget to like and subscribe! It helps us out a ton, and it's totally free! Plus, Tim said he would send his bathwater to one lucky subscriber, so don't miss out!

May 6, 2025 • 1h 30min
BEN SIMONS talks Max Velocity Mechanics, Training Elasticity, Bobsled, and More! | Ep. 62
Connect with Ben! @benthebounceThe Coach Em Up Conference is sold out! Thank you to everyone who purchased a ticket, and for those who missed out on a spot, we'll have more stuff in the near future! Stay tuned...Get a free trial with TrainHeroic ➡️ https://bit.ly/coachemuppodcastCode "coachemup10" for 10% off EVERYTHING at Eleiko.com/coachemupCode “coachemup15” for 15% at Squatwedgiez.com In this episode of Coach 'Em Up, Tim Riley interviews Ben "The Bounce" Simons, former Olympic bobsledder and elite performance coach. Ben shares his journey from track athlete to achieving 97mph in a bobsled, the intense Olympic training, and his coaching philosophy.Ben discusses athletic development, balancing evidence-based practices with experience, and individualized training. The conversation covers sprinting mechanics, stiffness vs. elasticity in athletes, and programming for both elite athletes and weekend warriors.Don't forget to like and subscribe! It helps us out a ton, and it's completely free!

Apr 29, 2025 • 1h 30min
Why Traditional Physical Therapy Fails Athletes ft. QUENTIN WILLEY | Ep. 61
Look for Quentin on socials! @coach_q_physioGET YOUR TICKET TO THE COACH EM UP CONFERENCEhttps://coachemuppod.com/conference2025Get a free trial with TrainHeroic ➡️ https://bit.ly/coachemuppodcastCode "coachemup10" for 10% off EVERYTHING at Eleiko.com/coachemupCode “coachemup15” for 15% at Squatwedgiez.comIn this episode of Coach Em Up, Tim Riley sits down with Quentin "Q" Willey – physical therapist, strength coach, and former USA bobsledder – to talk all things performance, physical culture, and challenging outdated thinking in sports medicine. From childhood obsessions with movement to treating elite athletes, Q unpacks his journey and the mindset shifts that helped him thrive in athletics and coaching.They go deep on the failures of traditional PT, the myths that still plague the performance world, and how real change comes from putting power back in the athlete’s hands. If you're driven, health-conscious, and seeking truth in training, this conversation is a must.Consider subscribing to the channel! It help us bring on more awesome guests like Quentin in the future! And while you're at it, leave a like! I'm begging you! Please...

Apr 22, 2025 • 1h 19min
DAVID GREY talks Simplifying Rehab, Movement, and Biomechanics | Ep. 60
David Grey, a sports rehab specialist from Ireland, shares his expertise in biomechanics and rehabilitation. The discussion addresses innovative strategies for treating patellar tendonitis in athletes, emphasizing personalized rehab plans. Grey dives into the significance of muscle co-contraction for stabilization and injury prevention, alongside insights on sprint mechanics and calf training. The conversation also touches on the evolution of fitness training, mentorship's impact, and the power of adaptive approaches within the athletic community.

Apr 15, 2025 • 1h 27min
Bodybuilding vs. Performance & Training Chris Bumstead with JUSTIN KING | Ep. 59
Look for Justin on socials! @justinkingpro @builtbetter_az GET YOUR TICKET TO THE COACH EM UP CONFERENCEhttps://coachemuppod.com/conference2025Get a free trial with TrainHeroic ➡️ https://bit.ly/coachemuppodcastCode "coachemup10" for 10% off EVERYTHING at Eleiko.com/coachemupCode “coachemup15” for 15% at Squatwedgiez.comIn this episode of Coach Em Up, Tim Riley chops it up with performance coach Justin King — a guy who went from dreaming about abs to coaching Olympic gold medalists, NFL athletes, professional bodybuilders, and building his own brand, Built Better.Justin opens up about the early days: obsessively attending Charles Poliquin seminars at 17, scraping together money from his grandma to invest in world-class mentorship, and his route to success without ever getting a CSCS.They get into what really matters in the strength and conditioning world — results, obsession, and putting athletes first. Justin also shares game-changing insights on structural balance, hypertrophy myths, and his secret to counter chronic turf toe. If you’re a coach, athlete, or just someone hungry to learn and level up, this episode is loaded with perspective, laughs, and practical takeaways.You want to know something that's quick, easy, and free? Subscribing to the coach em up channel! It helps us out a ton, and you'll never miss an episode again. Leave a like while you're at it, and comment to let us know who we should have on next!

Apr 8, 2025 • 1h 54min
Women Taking Up Space in Collegiate and Private S&C with JESSICA BURKE | Ep 58
Look for Jessica on socials! @coachjburke GET YOUR TICKET TO THE COACH EM UP CONFERENCEhttps://coachemuppod.com/conference2025Get a free trial with TrainHeroic ➡️ https://bit.ly/coachemuppodcastEleiko.com/coachemup for 10% off!Code “coachemup” for 20% at Legends.comCode “coachemup15” for 15% at Squatwedgiez.comJoin host Tim Riley for his chat with Jessica Burke, a strength and conditioning coach who has successfully navigated the collegiate and private sectors. In this episode, Jessica shares her journey, insights into the fitness industry, and valuable advice for aspiring coaches. Jessica discusses the pros and cons of collegiate and private sector coaching, emphasizing the importance of autonomy, intellectual honesty, and taking up space as a woman in a male-dominated field. She shares personal experiences with social media's challenges, managing body image, and revising approaches to food. Embrace her advice for transitioning coaches and discover the similarities and differences among athletes in different sectors. Don't miss the engaging anecdotes and sponsor highlights featured in this episode. Engage with the content by liking, commenting, and subscribing for more episodes with awesome guests!