Lindsey Kirschman | Strength Coach, Teacher, Team Player

NSCA’s Coaching Podcast

Lindsey Kirschman sees her non-traditional educational background as her greatest asset, not a detriment. She still considers herself a teacher — just differently — as the Director of Sports Performance for University of Utah women’s basketball. Coming from a family of educators, Kirschman initially studied forestry and range science before pursuing strength and conditioning. Kirschman explains how her teaching experience provided a firm foundation for optimizing learning and creating a positive environment. Her approach promotes skill transfer from the weight room to sport and beyond, using exercises like sled pushes as analogies for life lessons about resilience. A former track athlete, Kirschman underscores that while the finish line is the same, every athlete’s starting point is unique. Kirschman also discusses culture building through her “GOAT Award” and the challenges of transitioning from a generalist to a specialist. She encourages aspiring professionals to reframe their mindset and fully engage with their working environment.

Connect with Lindsey by email: [e-mail] and Instagram: @authentically_strong | Find Eric on Instagram: @ericmcmahoncscs and LinkedIn: @ericmcmahoncscs

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Show Notes

“My expectation, the finish line is the same for all of them. But they're not starting at the same spot […] That idea stems from the fact that equity is not the same thing as equality. And in education, that's something that we talk about all the time, is that you have a classroom full of students. They're all going to take the same test, or all have to show the same proficiency, but they all come in with different reading levels. They all come in with different backgrounds, and you have to figure out how to get them all there anyway.” 11:20

“What can a powerful athlete do? They can push against a resistance quickly and overcome it. They can move a heavy object quickly, whether it's your body or another thing. They can overcome that friction at the beginning and they can push through at the end. And that's what a powerful human being can do too, in the world.” 16:00

"What do I celebrate? What do I tolerate? That's going to lead to what I proliferate. And, that's going to be the culture. That's going to be the learning environment." 18:05

“It comes down to, as always, really good communication. And when you think you're communicating, communicate more, or communicate more effectively. Being really willing to listen and learn from everyone all the time. And ask the question, don't just assume. So those are the things I've intentionally done over the last couple of years to really enhance those working relationships, and be the best team of sports performance professionals for each individual athlete.” 24:55