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 1          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
  1. The “Cookie Cutter Approach”- (no single plan is best for everyone so avoid coaches who give everyone the same program)
  2. 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)
  3. 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)
  4. 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)
  5. 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!

We need your consent to load the translations

We use a third-party service to translate the website content that may collect data about your activity. Please review the details in the privacy policy and accept the service to view the translations.