By Noah Spielman

There’s something about music that flips a switch in people. It wakes us up, dials us in, and gets us ready to move. Whether I’m leading a 6 a.m. lift with a group of tired college football players or out in the woods with my guitar unwinding after a long day, music plays a big role in my life—not just as a coach, but as a man of faith, a husband, and a student of performance.

In the gym, music isn’t just background noise. It’s part of the environment. The right song at the right time can elevate the energy in the room, help an athlete hit a new PR, or even turn a tough day into a great session. I’ve learned that curating the “coach’s playlist” is about more than taste, it’s about purpose.

The Power of a Good Beat

Let’s start with the obvious: music moves people. It physically affects the body. Science tells us that tempo and rhythm can regulate breathing, boost adrenaline, and even reduce pain. But beyond the science, there’s the feeling of music—how a bass drop before a heavy squat can make you believe you’re unstoppable.

In the weight room, I use music to match the moment. Early in the session, I’ll play something upbeat but steady to help guys wake up and get loose. As we move into the main lifts, the energy ramps up with hard-hitting tracks—hip-hop, rock, or even a little heavy metal depending on the crew. The goal is to help athletes find their zone.

But I also use music to calm things down. During mobility work or recovery days, we might play instrumental or acoustic songs to create a different vibe. Music isn’t just for hype, it’s also a tool for focus and recovery.

Every Team Has a Soundtrack

One of the coolest things about working with different teams over the years is seeing how each group has its own musical identity. At Ohio University, the football team has certain songs that instantly fire them up. If I put on “Dreams and Nightmares” by Meek Mill during a team lift, you better believe the whole room’s getting loud. It’s like flipping a switch.

But those songs aren’t just noise, they’re shared memories. They’re connected to big wins, offseason grind sessions, and inside jokes. They build unity. The playlist becomes a soundtrack for the season.

As a coach, I pay attention to what gets guys going. I’ll take requests, switch things up, and even have some fun with unexpected throwbacks. At the end of the day, I want the music to reflect who they are and remind them what they’re working for.

More Than Just Motivation

For me personally, music has always been more than just a pump-up tool. I grew up singing and playing guitar. Music was something I turned to when I needed peace, perspective, or just time to process. That hasn’t changed.

There are days when coaching gets heavy—when athletes are struggling with things off the field, or when the pressure feels overwhelming. Those are the days I’ll go home, grab my guitar, and play. It centers me. It reminds me that life is bigger than wins and losses. It reminds me of God’s presence in every season—loud or quiet.

And sometimes, I share that with the guys. I’ve had moments where I brought out the guitar in a team setting or played something in the background during a leadership talk. Music has a way of reaching people when words fall short.

Faith, Focus, and Flow

In a world that moves fast and demands more and more from athletes, music creates space. It helps block out distractions and get centered. For some of our guys, that means putting in headphones before a game and listening to gospel or worship music to ground themselves. For others, it’s blasting high-energy tracks to tap into their competitive edge.

What I love is that there’s no one “right” kind of music. It’s personal. And that’s the point—music gives us all a way to connect with ourselves, with our team, and even with God. Whether you’re lifting, running, praying, or just walking through a hard day, music can meet you where you are.

The Coach’s Playlist: A Tool for Connection

One of my favorite parts of building a playlist is how it opens up connection. You learn a lot about someone by the music they love. It starts conversations. It creates shared moments. It builds culture.

Sometimes I’ll walk into the weight room early and hear one of our players messing around on the speaker. We might go back and forth throwing on songs, joking around, and figuring out what vibe we want for that day. That interaction may seem small, but it builds trust. It builds relationship. And those relationships are the foundation of any great team.

Final Thoughts

Music may not be written into the training plan, but it’s just as important as any piece of equipment we use. It fuels effort, shapes culture, and reminds us that there’s joy in the journey even when the work is hard.

So whether I’m pressing play in the gym, strumming a guitar at home, or reflecting on the season we’ve just had, I’m grateful for the role music plays. It’s more than sound—it’s a source of strength, connection, and faith.

And if you ever walk into one of our lifts and hear something that makes you nod your head or push a little harder. That’s the coach’s playlist doing what it’s meant to do.