*CSCS, NSCA-CPT Certified
*B.S. Virginia Tech in Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise
*Assistant Strength coach to various nationally ranked Division 1 Virginia Tech teams
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If you're looking for a competitive edge in your sport, increased POWER, agility, and speed, then OA Athletics is for you. Whether you participate in football, wrestling, MMA, basketball, soccer, hockey, or any other sport, OA Athletics will help you step your game up. From the professional ranks to middle school and everything in between, you won't find more qualified or experienced Strength & Conditioning Coaches in the Addison, Lombard or surrounding Chicagoland areas.
April 4th, 2011
“What we’re about is producing the best athletes in the world, not working with the most, and not getting to a point where we are producing athletes that we are not proud of. Striving for excellence in the gym and on the playing field is our primary objective and always will be.”
Every athlete/client in our gym has a competitive advantage. From the science we study, the equipment we have, and the atmosphere we create I believe we are the best Strength and Conditioning facility in the Midwest area. Hard work will always pay off and we have seen that happen in our athletes and look forward to it happening much more.
March 19th, 2011
What separates the good from the great? Why is it that some athletes who perform well in the practice room/field choke when it comes time to compete?
As a professional athlete myself, and one who has coached elite athletes from junior high all the way to the professional ranks I have seen certain things that separate the good from the great. Read on as I explain…
Winner Habits
1. Confidence in Adversity
Every athlete has faced adversity. Whether it’s being down a few points with 1 minute left, being tired, or something else, your confidence will always be tested. The best athletes EXPECT to win-no matter what.
No matter how many chips are stacked against them, they are confident in their ability to get the win. As Henry Ford said “Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right”.
2. Never quitting-EVER
This goes hand in hand with #1. Every athlete has a point they can decide to pack it in, or go harder. Champions will ALWAYS go harder.
When adversity mounts, most people break. The best athletes rise above it and invoke greatness.
3. Going that “extra mile”
Vince Lombardi said, “All right Mister, let me tell you what winning means… you’re willing to go longer, work harder, and give more than anyone else.” Nothing could be truer.
Too often I see athletes who do “just enough” in their workouts. From drills, to sprints, to lifting they do just the required amount. A great athlete drills at 100%, sprints all the way through the line, and squats below parallel. In my gym, ‘good enough’ or ‘just finishing’ isn’t acceptable.
When you dig down deep to go a little extra, or do just a little more it breeds a winning attitude that comes into play when you compete.
4. Improving from failure/losing
Great athletes recognize where they went wrong AND do what they need to improve their weaknesses. They never become complacent with their skill-set, strength, or conditioning.
The ability to consistently improve and evolve is what makes an athlete great. While defeat is never a welcome result, when it does come it is very important to learn from.
5. Consistent Preparation
It’s been said that Kobe Bryant takes 1,000 shots everyday. That’s 1,000 practice shots by the best player in the game. A consistent and strong work ethic separate the good from the GREAT. Talent and athletic ability will only get you so far…hard work and consistent preparation will keep you there and make you a champion.
