Becoming Uncommon with Coach Rich
Becoming Uncommon
Exploring the uncommon journey to greatness.
Becoming Uncommon dives into the habits, mindsets, and experiences that set extraordinary people apart. Host Christopher Richardson sits down with industry leaders, coaches, and innovators who are charting new paths in leadership, performance, and personal growth. Each episode uncovers unique practices for inspiring others, building resilience, and leading with purpose—along with educational insights that challenge you to think, act, and live uncommon.
Becoming Uncommon with Coach Rich
This Is What Elite Development Actually Looks Like: Becoming Uncommon Featuring Travis Geopfert
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Becoming Uncommon Podcast – Travis Geopfert Episode Description
What does it actually take to build a program that produces Olympians, Bowerman winners, and NCAA champions—year after year?
In this episode of Becoming Uncommon, I sit down with Travis Geopfert, the new Director of Track & Field / Cross Country at Kansas State Wildcats and one of the most respected jumps and multi-events coaches in the world.
With 22 years of coaching stops at University of Arkansas, University of Tennessee, University of Northern Iowa, and University of Central Missouri, Geopfert has coached:
- 20 NCAA National Champions
- 106 First Team All-Americans
- 15 Olympians and 1 Paralympian
- Multiple Bowerman finalists and winners
- Olympic medalists including Tara Davis-Woodhall and Wayne Pinnock at the 2024 Summer Olympics
But this conversation isn’t about medals.
It’s about how.
We talk about:
- Building a family culture that produces elite performance
- What separates a good coach from an elite coach
- How he develops high-performance jumpers and multi-event athletes
- Lessons from coaching world champions and Olympic medalists
- Recruiting wisdom for athletes trying to find the right college fit
- Following a legend and leading a storied program into a new era
- Why community, humility, and relationships are the real foundation of success
Geopfert shares stories from coaching Tara Davis-Woodhall, managing expectations at the highest level, and the mindset required to consistently produce greatness without losing the human side of coaching.
If you’re a coach, athlete, or parent trying to understand what elite development really looks like behind the scenes—this episode is a masterclass.
This is a conversation about legacy, leadership, and the uncommon habits that build champions on and off the runway.