46. Joe Kenn - NFL Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Year, Founder Big House Power

The Professional Athlete Podcast with Ken Gunter

Innovate and keep an open mind. Coach Joe Kenn is one of the preeminent strength and conditioning coaches in all of sport and is widely known for being the creator of The Tier System. The founder of Big House Power, Joe has been the recipient of the NFL Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year, NSCA Collegiate Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Year and numerous other awards and titles earned along the way that would take up the entire show notes if I let them. Coach Kenn was most recently the strength and conditioning coach for the Carolina Panthers and today is VP of Performance Education at Dynamic Fitness Strength.

In today’s show Coach Kenn sits down for a fun wide ranging conversation. He shares the untold story about the writing of his first book and why the initial pushback on his innovative approach to sport specific training almost stopped “The Coach’s Strength Training Playbook” from happening. Recounts how growing up in a diverse part of Long Island may have contributed to one of his greatest gifts as a coach. Reflects on the important relationships and coaching experiences that shaped his approach to coaching.

In the latter half of the episode Coach Kenn provides an explanation of The Tier System and why he believes 30 years later it has stood the test of time. We talk through how other possible programs and methodologies can be applied within the Tier System. His philosophy on Split vs. Total Body Training for sport. Coach Kenn discusses the criteria he uses when discerning the best exercises for individual athletes. He offers his perspective on the power of a mantra and while above all else it’s important to focus on being effective and efficient.

Mentioned In the Show:

Books:

Patrick Lencioni: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable, The Motive, The Three Signs of a Miserable Job, Death by Meeting

John C. Maxwell: Leadership Books

Jack Zufelt: The DNA of Success

George Mumford: The Mindful Athlete: Secrets to pure performance

National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA): https://www.nsca.com/?gclid=CjwKCAiAi_D_BRApEiwASslbJ2YhYDlbfMOVacvUiwGGVfAnW5IB-W2K9JUN3M25rKuHiU1991eBohoCBgkQAvD_BwE

Follow Joe:

Instagram: @bighousepower

Big House Power website: https://bighousepower.com/

Inside The House with Joe “Big House” Kenn (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkApi3C_aMELrcud5KlNRfw/featured

Follow The Professional Athlete Podcast with Ken Gunter:

Instagram: @the_professionalathlete

Website: https://www.kengunter.com/

YouTube: Ken Gunter https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRhgjkoSiJXAbS_MIasvvzQ/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kengunterpodcast

Produced By: Justin Gunter, Ken Gunter

Music By: Justin Gunter, Ken Gunter