AJ Middleton is the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach at Seattle Prep High School, but to me, he’s much more than just a title. I first met AJ during our time at the University of Washington, where he was not only a coach but also the driving force behind the internship program. It was in that setting that I had the privilege to learn directly under his guidance.
AJ shaped a huge part of my coaching foundation. His mentorship went beyond just sets and reps—he taught me how to think critically, communicate effectively, and lead with intent. A lot of how I approach coaching today—my systems, standards, and even the way I handle athlete development—can be traced back to what I learned from AJ in those early days.
Having him on the podcast was not only a full-circle moment, but a reminder of how impactful great mentorship can be. If you’re a young coach looking to learn from someone who genuinely invests in people, AJ’s someone you want in your corner.
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Coach AJ:
Instagram - @coach_aj_middleton
Manny Silveira:
Instagram - @_coachmanny_
Enquiries:
mannysilveira@primitiveathletix.com
Website: