By Noah Spielman
One of the most valuable experiences of my career came during my time with the Minnesota Vikings. As a scouting intern, I got a front-row seat to what it takes to succeed at the highest level of football. It wasn’t just about big contracts or elite athleticism. What stood out the most were the habits, the attention to detail, and the professionalism that permeated every aspect of the organization.
Now, as Associate Director of Football Sports Performance at Ohio University, I draw from those lessons every day. While our athletes might not be in the NFL—yet—many of the same principles apply. In fact, I’d argue that the earlier you learn to train like a pro, the more likely you are to become one. And even if you don’t end up in the league, those lessons will still serve you well in life.
Consistency Over Hype
One of the biggest myths in sports is that pros are successful because they’re constantly doing something “next-level” in the gym. The truth? Most of the guys who make it and stick around in the NFL are masters of the basics. They don’t skip the fundamentals. They don’t chase flashy. They show up, do the work, and do it right—every single day.
That consistency is what separates good from great. It’s what I preach to our players here at Ohio. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel, you need to own the details. Train with purpose. Warm up the right way. Nail your technique. Get your sleep. Fuel your body. Do it again tomorrow.
Recovery Is Part of the Work
At the pro level, recovery isn’t an afterthought—it’s part of the training plan. Cold tubs, stretching, sleep tracking, massage therapy, nutrition—it’s all taken seriously. Why? Because the margin for error is razor thin. If your body isn’t ready to go, someone else will take your spot.
That mindset is one I work hard to instill in college athletes. It’s easy to think that training harder is always better. But smart athletes know that training smarter leads to longevity. You can’t make gains if you’re sidelined. I want our players to push themselves, but I also want them to prioritize rest, listen to their bodies, and treat recovery like it’s their job. Because in the NFL, it is.
Professionalism Is a Choice
You don’t have to be getting paid to carry yourself like a professional. In fact, professionalism is more about how you work than where you work. In the NFL, everything is intentional. Meetings start on time. Athletes bring notebooks. Coaches expect questions. There’s a standard, and it’s enforced.
In college, that level of ownership can be rare, especially early on. But I’ve seen it click for athletes who choose to embrace it. They stop waiting for someone to tell them what to do. They start preparing ahead of time. They take responsibility for their process. And those athletes, whether they make it to the league or not, walk away with tools that last a lifetime.
Culture Drives Everything
What I saw with the Vikings, and what I’ve tried to build in every locker room I’ve been part of, is a culture where excellence is the expectation, not the exception. In that kind of environment, you don’t have to be pushed all the time. The standard pushes you. Your teammates push you. And when the culture is strong, everyone gets better.
That’s why we focus so much on communication, leadership, and character here at Ohio. Strength training is more than just moving weight. It’s about building discipline. Building accountability. Building trust. Because if you can do that in the weight room, you’ll bring it to the field—and to life beyond football.
The Weight Room Is a Mirror
One of the reasons I love what I do is because the weight room doesn’t lie. It reflects who you are. Are you showing up? Are you giving full effort? Are you coachable? Are you consistent?
Those are the same questions pro teams are asking when they evaluate a draft prospect. Talent matters, yes. But so does work ethic. So does body language. So does the ability to stay healthy and available.
That’s why I push our guys to treat every training session like a proving ground. Not because someone is always watching, but because you are always developing. How you train matters. It’s either building good habits or bad ones. There’s no in-between.
Pro Lessons, College Stage
Bringing lessons from the NFL into the college environment isn’t about pressure, it’s about preparation. My goal isn’t to stress guys out with pro-level demands. My goal is to help them realize that the habits they’re forming now will shape everything that comes next.
Whether they go on to play in the league, coach, or pursue a completely different path, they’ll carry those lessons with them: discipline, humility, consistency, and the ability to perform under pressure. That’s what it means to train like a pro.
Final Thoughts
I’m grateful for my time in the NFL, not because it gave me a cool title or insider access, but because it helped me understand what real excellence looks like up close. It’s not glamorous. It’s not easy. But it’s clear, and it’s worth chasing.
At Ohio University, we may not have million-dollar facilities or media buzz around every practice. But we have young men who are hungry to grow, coaches who care, and a culture that values the right things. That’s the foundation of any great program—college or pro.
So whether you’re a walk-on freshman or a fifth-year senior eyeing the next level, my message is the same: Train with purpose. Take care of your body. Show up like a pro, even if no one’s watching. Because when you do, you’re not just preparing for the next game. You’re preparing for the rest of your life.