Background & Experiences
I am an Exercise Physiology & Strength and Conditioning Professor, Sports Performance Coach, Clinical Diabetes Specialist & Diabetes Sports Coach
LIFE AS AN ATHLETE:
School Sports: Soccer, Baseball, Track, Cross Country, Basketball and Tennis
Collegiate Sports: Rugby and Club Soccer
Post College Competitive/ Recreation Sports: Mountain Biking (Cat 2/ Sport). Road Cycling (Cat 4-5), Duathlon
Current Recreational Sports: Club Soccer, Cycling (MTB & Road), Running (Trail & Road), Weight training for fitness and sport
LIFE AS A PROFESSIONAL:
20+ years of experience counseling and coaching health, exercise and sport
- Over 15 years working in the clinical exercise setting with a primary focus on diabetes (type 1 and type 2) in both health and sport
- Over 20 years of primary and adjunct experience with conditioning athletes from ages 7-70 years old. The majority of my athletes have involved: cycling, baseball, soccer, track and field, running, rugby, and basketball.
Education
PHD. Exercise Physiology
University of Pittsburgh
M.S. Clinical Exercise Physiology
University of Pittsburgh
B.S. Health Sciences
Slippery Rock University
Certifications
& Licenses
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) 2005 - current
National Strength and Conditioning Association
Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, (CDCES) 2012 - current
Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education
Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-CEP) 2008 - current
American College of Sports Medicine
USA Cycling Coaching License, Level 3 2006 - current
USA Cycling
NICA Coaching License, Level 2 2024 - current
National Interscholastic Cycling Association
US Soccer Coaching License (11v11; 9v9) 2024- current
US Soccer
Safe Sport Certified 2006-current
US Center for Safe Sport
My Top 5 Pet Peeves of Conditioning/ Coaching
Beware these coaching characteristics
- The “Cookie Cutter Approach”- (no single plan is best for everyone so avoid coaches who give everyone the same program)
- The “I’m The Coach, I Know Best” approach- (coaches who don't listen to their client’s needs, concerns, goals, barriers, etc. will never provide sound strategies)
- The “Stick Strictly To The Plan” approach- (coaches not willing to understand the potential need to modify goals and programs along the way provide disservices to their clients)
- The “Idealist” approach- (not realizing science and practical application is fluid and “ideal” isn’t always the best approach for adoption, adherence and success for their clients)
- The "Push Beyond Your Limits" approach- (Challenge client’s? YES! But the impression that clients need to push to extreme limits too frequently is a recipe for overtraining syndrome, injury or emotional and physical burnout). Recognize one's limits, Push to one's limits, not beyond!
