The Hard Way — Because That’s the Only Way That Works
So, you want to intern at Iron Performance Center? Good. That already puts you ahead of most.
But let’s be clear — we don’t hand out internships. Our program is tough, competitive, and built to forge the next generation of strength coaches. If you’re serious about this profession, this is where you’ll find out what you’re actually made of.
As Coach Myles said on the Performance Matters Podcast,
“It’s not a class project. It’s the real world. When an athlete’s in front of you, theory time is over.”
If that fires you up — keep reading. If it doesn’t, you just saved us both some time.
1. Know What You’re Walking Into
An IPC internship isn’t about watching from the corner or fetching coffee. It’s about stepping into the chaos and learning how to lead.
At IPC, you’ll:
- Coach real athletes — from high-school rookies to pros chasing championships.
- Use real tools — force plates, timing gates, testing systems, and data dashboards.
- Get real mentorship — not a pat on the back, but honest feedback from coaches who’ve been in the trenches.
- Earn real trust — by showing up, owning your role, and adding value daily.
As mentioned on the episode:
“We’re not looking for seat-fillers. We’re looking for people who’ll move the room.”
If that sounds uncomfortable, that’s because growth usually is.
2. Do Your Homework Before You Show Up
Before you ever send in your application, you should already know who we are and what we stand for.
“Move the Dirt” isn’t a cute slogan — it’s a mindset.
That means:
- You understand what we do and why we do it.
- You can connect S&C principles to real-world coaching decisions.
- You can answer “Why IPC?” with conviction, not convenience.
On the podcast, Coach Myles dropped this truth bomb:
“If your answer to ‘Why IPC?’ starts with ‘I need my hours,’ we’re already done.”
Follow our socials. Watch how our coaches move on the floor. Listen to the Performance Matters Podcast and understand the tone, the pace, the language. When you walk through our doors, we should already feel familiar — not foreign.
3. Nail the Application — Clarity Beats Flash
We don’t want a ten-page résumé with glitter fonts. We want clarity.
Show us:
- Who you are. Be honest about what you bring and what you need to work on.
- What you’ve done. Coaching, playing, leading, learning — anything that shows initiative.
- Why you fit. Can you handle the grind and still bring energy when you’re tired?
Keep it tight. Keep it clean. A one-page résumé and a strong, authentic cover letter beats a design masterpiece that says nothing.
We summed it up transparently when we said:
“If you can’t communicate clearly on paper, how are you going to communicate on the floor?”
4. Dominate the Interview — Energy Over Ego
When we sit across from you, we’re not checking your GPA — we’re looking for your grit.
We’re asking:
- Can you take feedback without folding?
- Can you connect with people fast?
- Can you stay calm when things go sideways?
The weight room gets loud. Sessions get messy. Great interns stay composed and find ways to lead.
As Coach Myles said,
“You can memorize all the physiology you want, but if you can’t connect with a 16-year-old who just missed a rep, none of it matters.”
We’re less interested in what you know and more in how fast you can learn, adapt, and lead.
5. Once You’re In, Prove It Every Day
Getting accepted is the easy part — proving you belong is the work.
At IPC, the best interns earn their keep daily by:
- Showing up with purpose and intent.
- Asking sharp questions that move conversation forward.
- Taking initiative when no one’s watching.
- Owning mistakes, learning fast, and bouncing back harder.
“The best interns don’t need to be told twice, they see what’s missing and fill the gap.”
You’ll start shadowing. Then you’ll start coaching. Eventually, you’ll lead. By the end, you won’t just look like a coach — you’ll become one.
6. Why We Make It Demanding
We could make our internship easy — give you a clipboard, let you observe, collect your hours.
But that doesn’t build coaches. That builds passengers.
This program is built to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real coaching.
Because no textbook teaches you how to lead a room of athletes running on caffeine and adrenaline.
Coach Myles nailed it in the episode:
“The classroom teaches you the science. The gym teaches you the application.”
That’s the point. We want people who are ready to dive into this career — to grind, to learn, to take hits and keep improving.
Final Word
Landing an internship at Iron Performance Center isn’t easy — and that’s intentional. We want people who are hungry, humble, and relentless.
If that’s you, you’ll get world-class mentorship, hands-on experience, and a culture that will change how you see coaching forever.
But you’ve got to bring it first. Every rep, every session, every day.
Because around here — Performance Matters.