The Uncomfortable Truth: Why Questioning Everything Fuels Your Coaching Growth
In January 2025, I drove four hours from Iowa to Minnesota with my assistant coach to spend the day with one of the most innovative minds in strength and conditioning—Coach Cal Dietz. I had reached out to him to discuss his latest book, Triphasic Training II, and to dive into his evolving training methods. We didn’t just leave with a list of new drills—we walked away with something far more impactful: a new lens through which to view coaching itself.
We’ve been implementing many of Coach Dietz’s recent innovations into our own program—methods like Performance Pattern Cycling, Dynamic Power Potentiation Cycling, Functional Transfer Complexes, Reflexive Performance Reset (RPR), and the GOAT Drill. And while these tools are effective, the biggest takeaway from our visit wasn’t any single technique. It was gaining a deeper understanding of how Coach Dietz thinks—and more importantly, how he constantly questions everything.
That mindset is what stuck with me. Questioning assumptions. Challenging norms. Looking past the obvious. It’s not just a skill—it’s the foundation for coaching growth.
The Illusion of Expertise: Navigating the Dunning-Kruger Effect
As strength coaches, we take pride in our knowledge, certifications, and systems. We pour countless hours into learning, refining, and applying what we’ve been taught. But what if the very foundation of what we "know" is quietly holding us—and our athletes—back?
Have you ever felt totally confident in a method, only to later discover it was flawed or incomplete? That’s the Dunning-Kruger effect at work—a cognitive bias where people with limited knowledge tend to overestimate their competence. It’s not arrogance—it’s unawareness. When we know just enough to feel confident, we often don’t yet realize the full scope of what we don’t know.
On the flip side, true experts often underestimate themselves. What feels intuitive to them seems obvious, so they assume it must be common knowledge. In coaching, this humility signals real depth of understanding.
Recognizing this bias is essential. It reminds us that overconfidence is often just a phase—and that true mastery begins with curiosity, reflection, and the courage to be wrong.
Free Thinking: Escaping the “Boxes” of Conformity
In The Principle of Free-Thinking Mind and Spirit, Coach Dietz writes that true free thought means "questioning self-constructed belief systems." As coaches, we’re shaped by mentors, research, social media, and personal experiences. Over time, these influences can create mental boxes—rigid frameworks that limit how we think and how we coach.
To break free from those boxes:
Challenge your mentors (with respect): Ask why they coach the way they do. Could there be a better approach?
Explore opposing ideas: Don’t dismiss what contradicts your beliefs—investigate it. Understand the reasoning behind it.
Experiment: The weight room is your lab. Test new methods, track outcomes, and learn from what works—and what doesn’t.
Reflect regularly: Ask yourself, "Is this really the best way? What assumptions am I making?"
This is how your philosophy evolves from something borrowed into something earned.
From Knowing to Growing: Becoming the Coach Who Evolves
Growth isn’t always comfortable. But discomfort is often the clearest sign that you’re heading in the right direction.
Adaptability: Our field is constantly evolving. New research surfaces. Athletes change. Coaches who cling to outdated models risk falling behind.
Innovation: The best breakthroughs come from challenging the norm. When everyone zigs, sometimes the answer is to zag.
Deeper Understanding: Questioning leads to nuance. You don’t just use a method—you understand when it works, when it doesn’t, and why.
Authenticity: A philosophy forged through experience and inquiry is more powerful than one copied from someone else. Athletes sense that. It builds trust.
Real-World Proof: Businesses That Thrived by Questioning the Status Quo
This mindset isn’t limited to coaching—it’s the driver behind some of the most successful companies in the world:
Dunkin’ (formerly Dunkin’ Donuts): Pivoted from donuts to coffee, counter service to mobile apps. Constant reinvention drove relevance.
Netflix: From DVD rentals to streaming to content creation. Founders questioned the media distribution model and adapted before they had to.
Apple: Steve Jobs questioned everything—from how we interact with computers to how we carry music. The result? Game-changing products that redefined industries.
Amazon: Jeff Bezos built a company on one question: "How can this be better for the customer?" Every innovation—from Prime to AWS—came from that mindset.
Patagonia: Instead of chasing trends, Patagonia questioned the fast-fashion industry entirely. Their message? Buy less, buy better. Their authenticity inspired fierce loyalty.
Final Thought: Growth Lives in the Unfamiliar
Real growth happens in unfamiliar territory. Don’t be afraid to be the coach who challenges long-held beliefs. The one who experiments, reflects, and admits they don’t have all the answers.
Coach Dietz didn’t just share new systems—he shared a mindset. One rooted in curiosity, experimentation, and a refusal to settle. That’s what fuels lasting coaching growth.
Because ultimately, mastery isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about asking better questions.
About The Author
Brian Lutter is a Physical Education, Kinesiology and Health Teacher and Director of Strength and Conditioning at Johnson High School in Iowa. In addition to teaching exercise science courses, he designs the lifting & speed/agility programs for all strength training classes as well as work the school's varsity sports and athletes. He is also an assistant varsity football coach, coaching the defensive line and has also coached varsity wrestling and varsity women's track.
