Join David Stark & Mike Pickles as we share how smart, simple training builds confidence and keeps athletes healthy while cutting through the noise of gimmicks and hype. Mike reflects on lessons from coaching hundreds of kids and why life skills matter more than making the pros.

• origins in strength and conditioning and early mentors
• confidence as the biggest gain from youth training
• injury prevention as the first priority
• translating gym work to on-ice performance
• in-season maintenance versus off-season progress
• mindset, recovery, and screen discipline
• rejecting gimmicks and “sport-specific” myths
• the power of basics: squat, hinge, push, pull, carry