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On this episode of Plates and Pancakes, we sit down with Jim Kramer, former Director of Athletic Performance at North Dakota State University, to break down a career built on consistency, culture, and championship-level development.

Over 22 years at NDSU, Kramer helped power 13 conference titles, 10 FCS National Championships, and the development of 16 NFL Draft picks. But his impact goes far beyond the numbers. He dives into how great programs are sustained—through hiring from within, building real relationships, and creating a player-led culture rooted in accountability and pride.

Kramer shares his approach to Olympic lifting, emphasizing the importance of mastering the pull and developing explosive hip and leg power before worrying about the catch. He explains why coaching on the floor—not just writing programs—is the true separator, and how passion and energy from a coach directly influence athlete performance.

The conversation also covers in-season weight management, nutrition strategies, and how NDSU built a system that develops not just better athletes, but better people. From his roots growing up on a dairy farm to leading one of the most dominant programs in college football, Kramer’s perspective is grounded in work ethic, simplicity, and doing the little things right.

Now in retirement, he reflects on evolving training methods, visiting other programs, and continuing to learn the craft.

This is a deep dive into what it really takes to build and sustain excellence in strength and conditioning.

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In this episode, Steven Thompson sits down with Jason Mangin, strength coach at Kimberly High School in Wisconsin, for a deep dive into building one of the most consistent and successful high school performance programs in the country.

Mangin shares how his upbringing on a dairy farm shaped his work ethic and coaching philosophy, and how those values translate into developing tough, accountable, and resilient athletes. The conversation explores the evolution of Kimberly’s strength program, including the strategic decision to remove hang cleans in favor of jumps, sprints, and scalable movements that better serve large groups of athletes.

Steven and Mangin break down what true leadership looks like in a high school setting—beyond talent—focusing on accountability, character, and daily habits. They also discuss practical strategies for developing freshmen, empowering upperclassmen, and creating a culture where athletes are pushed outside their comfort zones to reach their full potential.

The episode highlights the importance of collaboration between coaches, the balance between public and private training environments, and how strong relationships drive long-term success. Mangin also shares insights from his Wisconsin NHSSCA clinic presentation, along with his vision for the future, including integrating technology and improving athlete tracking.

This is a must-listen for strength coaches, sport coaches, and anyone invested in building high-performing teams and cultures at the high school level.

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In this episode of Plates and Pancakes, Steven Thompson sits down with Bryce Biel, Director of Performance at Legacy Carbon, to break down what it really takes to develop youth and high school athletes in today’s evolving sports landscape.

Bryce dives into his training philosophy, explaining how he balances max effort and dynamic effort work while using velocity-based training to drive measurable progress. He shares how he tailors programming for athletes at different stages, keeping it simple for beginners while introducing more advanced metrics like peak velocity and power for experienced lifters.

The conversation goes beyond sets and reps. Bryce and Steven explore the realities of coaching in the private sector, building trust with coaches and parents, and creating an environment that challenges athletes while building confidence and resilience. Bryce explains why adaptability—being a “chameleon” within different programs—is critical for long-term success.

They also tackle bigger-picture issues in football, including recruiting trends, the impact of NIL, and concerns about the future of the sport. Bryce offers a candid perspective on work ethic, athlete development, and the responsibility coaches have in shaping not just better players—but better people.

If you’re a coach, athlete, or parent looking to understand how to maximize development both on and off the field, this episode delivers practical insight backed by real-world experience.

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