Episode 041 - Blair Lloyd On Injury, Identity, and Leading with Purpose in S&C

In this episode of The Athletic Performance Podcast, I sit down with Blair Lloyd — a dynamic strength and conditioning coach, educator, and mentor currently serving as Director of Training at Pure Performance in Boston.

Blair shares her journey from collegiate basketball player to private sector performance coach, opening up about how a recent ACL injury has reshaped her perspective — not just as an athlete, but as a leader and mentor. What started as a devastating moment turned into a springboard for deeper empathy, smarter coaching, and powerful new opportunities.

They dive into:

• The emotional and professional fallout of a season-ending injury (and how she reframed it)
• Supporting injured athletes beyond the weight room
• Using NIRS and CPSS prep to enhance recovery and performance
• The role of lived experience in becoming a more impactful coach
• How to build authentic mentorships in a field full of noise
• Why it’s better to master the basics than chase new variations
• The power of “creating opportunity” even when it feels like chaos

Whether you're a coach, athlete, or someone in the trenches trying to make a difference, this episode is a masterclass in growth through adversity.

🔗 Relevant Links & Resources

• Blair Lloyd on Instagram: @coachblairlloyd
• Soccer Unity Project: soccerunityproject.org

📲 Connect with Coach Ryan Patrick

• Instagram: @coachryanpatrick

Click Here for the Total Coach OS Mentorship

Chapters

• 2:17 Meet Blair Lloyd: athlete, coach, educator
• 5:25 Building credibility as a young S&C coach
• 9:15 Mentorship, burnout, and managing early career pressure
• 13:00 Tearing her ACL: the injury that changed everything
• 19:06 Identity, rehab, and navigating the emotional crash
• 22:46 Supporting athletes through long-term injuries
• 27:26 What she’s doing differently now as a coach
• 31:56 Staying visible and valuable while sidelined
• 36:31 Tech, tools & how CPSS shaped her rehab lens
• 41:16 TeamBuildr, mentorship, and expanding her impact
• 47:16 Why less variety = more coaching value
• 50:01 From people-pleaser to confident communicator
• 52:46 The balance of emotional support & performance standards
• 59:31 Final thoughts & where to connect