Parisi Podcast 031- If I Had to Start Over in 2026: A No-Nonsense Blueprint for Performance Coaches

If you were starting your performance coaching career from scratch in 2026, where would you begin?

In this solo episode of the Parisi Podcast, host Coach Casey Lee answers a powerful question from a young coach entering the industry: “If you had to start over today, what would you do differently?” Drawing from years of experience hiring, mentoring, and developing coaches, Casey outlines a simple but highly actionable framework for building a sustainable career in sports performance.

You’ll hear Casey break down four foundational pillars for long-term success: working in environments that maximize exposure to your ideal athlete population, shadowing and networking with coaches within your region, competing in the sport or discipline you want to train, and educating yourself only to the point where experience must take over. This episode emphasizes why hands-on coaching, real conversations, and time spent in the trenches matter more than chasing endless certifications.

Whether you’re a graduating student, a young coach just entering the field, or someone looking to pivot into sports performance in 2026, this episode provides a clear, honest road map for getting started the right way—without over-complicating the process.