When podcasting and boxing becomes therapy

The top boxing podcast in the U.S. isn’t your typical download – it’s a semi-weekly conference call among boxing coaches led by Troy Nash Sr. This informal gathering offers feedback, camaraderie, and sometimes heated debates in a private setting, providing honest critiques that resonate across boxing gyms nationwide, inspired by USA Boxing national tournaments.

Nash, who coaches his featherweight son Troy Nash Jr., is gearing up for his son’s upcoming bout on September 6 against debut fighter Jarod Grant at the Red Owl Boxing Arena in Houston.

“After the fights, families stick around, and that’s when opinions really fly,” Nash said. “I coached my son even from behind bars, strategizing with him ahead of his victory at the 2017 USA Western Regional Prep Open Final in Albuquerque, N.M.”

While incarcerated, Nash guided his son remotely, with others stepping in on fight nights, leading to post-victory discussions involving a network of respected coaches. This eventually evolved into regular group calls starting in 2018, focusing on elite amateur boxing. Discussions ranged from whether young fighters should stay amateur or turn pro, to the best approach for transitioning into professional boxing.

“It’s been a rollercoaster, especially with COVID hitting,” Nash said. “When everything shut down, boxing kept us going. Training my son is a family effort, and those boxing talks became essential.”

Dubbed a podcast in spirit, these sessions resemble professional development for coaches – a blend of education and therapy. Nash Jr. (2-0), training in Colorado Springs, Colorado, made crucial early career decisions with input from these calls, opting for valuable amateur experience before considering a pro career later on.

In essence, Nash’s calls aren’t just about boxing – they’re a lifeline for coaches navigating the highs and lows of the sport, kept private among a close-knit community.

“These conversations are like our training sessions,” Nash said. “They’re integral to our journey, shaping how we approach each fight.”

Lucas Ketelle is a proud member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and author of “Inside The Ropes of Boxing” (available on Amazon). Contact him on X @LukieBoxing.