NSCA’s Coaching Podcast, Episode 31: Liane Blyn

Liane Blyn, Director of Olympic Sports at Appalachian State University and world record holding powerlifter, talks to the NSCA Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, Scott Caulfield, about what she tries to impart to interns to prepare them for the field, how being a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) has benefitted her as a strength coach, and advice for up-and-coming strength and conditioning coaches.

Liane Blyn is a highly sought-after strength and conditioning coach with over 20 years of experience as a strength coach, athletic trainer, business owner, and competitor. She is currently the Director of Athletic Performance-Olympic Sports at Appalachian State University. Previously, she coached at Franklin High School, Arizona State University, Boston College, University of Nevada-Reno, Parisi Speed School, and her own business, Athletic Based Training. She is a 14-time United States of America Powerlifting National Champion and team member, current International Powerlifting Federation (IBF) World Champion, and world record holder in the bench, deadlift, and total. 

Find Liane on Twitter: @lianeblyn | Find Scott on Twitter: @scottcaulfield

“We’re trying to figure out how to take the… classroom application and bring it into… practice within the weight room.” 1:18

“We want to try to put out the best interns possible.” 1:33

“I don’t want to run an internship where… they get no actual practical experience out of it.” 2:17

“We’re trying to set up an actual curriculum to where every single week, our student interns are learning something.” 2:27

“My husband said enough is enough—he’s like ‘what do you want to do?’” 7:42

“Meg Stone was my idol.” 8:32

“I’m a coach—the hardest part about owning a business is all the business side of it.” 10:00

On making the transition from private sector to high school: “I’m… someone who wants to be on the floor, who wants to have an impact on student-athletes.” 10:12

“[I] had about 70 kids, and five years later… I had 613 kids in my [high school] summer program.” 11:09

“Most head coaches don’t make great business owners.” 13:42

“One of the best hires you can make as an athletic director is a strength and conditioning coach in your high school.” 14:55

“[Being an ATC] has helped me say, ‘This is how we incorporate the reconditioning phase back into the weight room.’” 17:45

“I think it’s an important piece of it for me, to be actually an athletic trainer, especially if you’re at a smaller school.” 18:06

“On the flipside though, there’s… athletic trainers out there that take the [Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist®] CSCS® just to have the credential behind their name but they have no idea what happens in a weight room.” 18:42

“They can take the test and pass the test, but can they actually coach?” 19:01

“Anyone can read a book, but can you apply it?” 19:35

“It’s more than just about lifting weights… it’s can they move, can they run… are they able to stop, start, change direction?” 20:55

“Some of your worst kids in the weight room are your best athletes on the field.” 22:08

“I think you have to practice what you preach.” 26:50

“You have to be an example to your student-athletes.” 27:00

“If you… haven’t touched a weight in your life, your kids are not going to respect you.” 28:10

“Go out and meet as many people as you possibly can.” 32:01

“Get involved, and coach, and be around as many sports as you possibly can.” 32:28

“Male or female, you’re doing yourself a disservice if you focus on one sport.” 32:33

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