**๐๏ธ "Purpose Over Podiums: Coaching at West Point with Brian Woodbury๐ฆพ"**
In this powerful and purpose-driven episode, we sit down with Brian Woodbury, the throws coach at Army West Point, to explore what it *really* means to coach at a service academy โ and why itโs unlike anything else in collegiate athletics. ๐ฅ๐ฏ
From his roots as a football-first athlete in Maine to building a nationally dominant private throws club, and now mentoring some of the most disciplined and driven cadet-athletes in the country, Brianโs journey is packed with hard-earned wisdom. ๐ช๐ฝ๐ฅ
We dive deep into:
- The intense expectations of coaching at a military academy
- How he balances passion and purpose with personal boundaries ๐งโโ๏ธ๐๏ธ
- The culture-shaping power of track & field at West Point
- Recruiting athletes who are willing to serve something greater than themselves โ
- The difference between training an athleteโฆ and building a human ๐ฏ
And perhaps most importantly, Brian shares the core belief that guides him every single day:
> โIf I feel like I'm helping people, I feel like I'm fulfilling my purpose.โ ๐
Whether you're a coach, athlete, or just someone who believes in leadership through service, this conversation is a must-listen. Buckle up โ you're about to hear what coaching is all about at the highest level of heart and discipline. ๐
๐ Explore Our Library: Dive into 300+ episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such as Boo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, Diljeet Taylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois), Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more for your listening pleasure.
๐ฒ Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow on Twitter (@MikeCunningham), email at mcunningham@gillathletics.com, or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! ๐ง๐