Meet Coach Sara

What about your sports background made Podio Sports select you as their strength and conditioning coach?

I competed in college on the women’s basketball team at PLU. I was excited to continue my basketball career after high school and was blessed to play at both the community college and university levels. My time on the court helped solidify my career path of sharing the joy of movement with young kids. I earned my undergraduate degree in health and fitness with an emphasis in sports psychology and have taught physical education to 5th through 12th graders for the past 20 years. After 18 years of teaching, I decided to pursue higher education, and in 2020 I graduated with a master's degree in Exercise Science. I was excited about this degree because I wanted to serve my athletes in a more holistic way. I see the value of sport, but I have also come to realize that preparation for sport is just as important.

How would you define a successful program at Podio Sports for athletes philosophically?

At Podio Sports, I define a successful program not just by wins or trophies, but by the mindset and culture we help cultivate in our athletes. A truly successful program is one where athletes are deeply engaged in the process of learning and growing, where they are active participants in their development, not just passengers on a ride driven by their parents.

We want our athletes to be open-minded and adaptable, willing to embrace training methods or team philosophies that might look different from what they have experienced at other camps or clubs. Growth often comes when we step outside of what is familiar, and a successful athlete is one who leans into that discomfort with curiosity and courage.

It is also about more than performance. We aim to foster an environment where each athlete understands their value to the team, is encouraged to show up as the best version of themselves in that moment, and sees personal growth celebrated as much as game-day results.

And finally, there has to be that internal fire, that will to compete. A successful program fuels that desire in athletes and helps them channel it with focus, resilience, and heart. That drive, that “fire in the belly,” is what sets them apart from the crowd, not just in sport but in life.

You started training volleyball players last year. What are a couple of specific trainings you noticed that would have an instant benefit to Podio Sports athletes?

With most groups, we start with foundational training since many do not have much experience with consistent strength training. I would focus on three main areas.

First, strength through the shoulder. Most positions on the floor, especially hitters, need strength and stability to keep their shoulders healthy. To work on the shoulder specifically, we will spend time hanging and doing pull-ups, among other exercises.

Second, single-leg strength. This is essential for stability and reducing the likelihood of a knee injury. While we cannot prevent every injury, we can prepare the body to support all actions on the court.

Lastly, core strength. A stronger trunk helps stabilize the whole body, transfers energy from the lower to upper body, generates a faster arm swing, and protects athletes as they move into challenging positions to make plays. Once we have a solid foundation of strength and mobility, we can build from there.

Do you imagine having the following words incorporated somewhere in your program: recovery, mobility, injury prevention, body awareness, nutrition, and mental resilience?

I believe a successful program is built on key pillars, and at the core of ours is injury reduction through strength training. Within that focus, we intentionally integrate mobility, recovery, and body awareness—essential components for building strong, resilient athletes who can train and compete at a high level over time.

While nutrition and mental resilience may be considered secondary areas, they are anything but optional. Nutrition fuels performance and supports the recovery process we prioritize so heavily, while mental resilience helps athletes stay focused, adaptable, and confident in the face of setbacks or pressure. Together, these elements create a well-rounded foundation that not only supports athletic success but also helps athletes develop habits and mindsets that will benefit them far beyond the court or field.

What are three fun facts no one would guess about you?

1. My youngest sibling is Congolese.

2. I was inducted into the Centralia Hall of Fame for basketball.

3. I can juggle (yes, really).