Performance Talk

Dr. David LaPlaca has over eight years of experience as a strength and conditioning coach. He is currently the head strength coach at Evolve Fitness Strength and Conditioning and has worked on the NCAA Division I FBS, Division I FCS, and the Division III levels where he has worked with professional athletes and over 20 different team sports.

David earned his PhD in Kinesiology with a cognate in Nutrition from the University of Georgia, where his dissertation is titled, “The Characteristics that Differentiate Expert, Competent, and Beginner Strength and Conditioning Coaches.” In addition, he has earned close to a dozen strength and conditioning related certifications and distinctions, written multiple publications, and is currently taking courses in order to become a Registered Dietitian so he can provide specific nutrition guidelines to the athletes and clients that he coaches.

During his collegiate career at Guilford College he was the sole team captain of the football team where he played linebacker, and was a member of the track and field team.

Micah Kurtz, MS, CSCS, RSCC, USAW, FMS, NASE

Assistant Athletics Director & Director of Sports Performance at Windermere Preparatory School

Coach Kurtz has consulted with the NFL, USA Basketball, USA Football and Nike Football on youth athletic development education. He is an active speaker at strength and fitness conferences across the U.S. and has delivered presentations in Mexico, China and Hong Kong.

Micah has served as the South Carolina State Director for both the National High School Strength Coaches Association (NHSSCA) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).

Clinical Performance Psychologist & Coach Consultant at StatuMentis

Anne’s work includes the guidance of elite athletes, elite teams, elite coaches, military personnel All who are interested in optimizing performance.

She specializes in training programs that include:

* Mental Toughness
* Peak Performance
* Team Optimization & Team Dynamics
* Rebounding from Injury & Injury Prevention
* Coaching the Coach:
* Stress Management

Her focus is to help her clients remove mental and emotional blocks that inhibit (peak) performance.

Michael Prewitt, Healthcare Liaison

Michael has worked as the Clinical Liaison for Dari Motion the last three years. Dari Motion is a brand of Scientific Analytics, Inc is a biotechnology company Overland Park, KS and a leader in human motion assessment. Michael’s experiences includes but is not limited to be a primary contributor in research on human movement and skeletal muscle health and metabolism.

Dr. Adam Wright is a peak performance coach and consultant who specializes in the mental and physical conditioning of elite executives, athletes and performers. He is a peer reviewed author, university lecturer in sport and exercise psychology, and speaker on optimal human performance. His clients include Fortune 400 CEOs, hedge fund executives, professional/amateur athletes, Hollywood celebrities, and internationally acclaimed artists and musicians.

Dr. Wright received his Bachelor’s degree from LaSalle University in Philosophy (Maxima Cum Laude) and his Master’s and Doctoral degrees from Temple University in Kinesiology with a specialization in Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology. He is also an ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist and a NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach.

Keith Burns, MS, NSCA-CSCS, NASM-CES & PES, TPI-Level 1
Keith is currently a full-time faculty member at Raritan Valley Community College where he teaches in Exercise Science Program. He area of expertise includes courses in Performance Enhancement, Exercise Physiology, Exercise Testing and Prescription, Concepts of Cardiovascular Conditioning, and Intro to Weight Training. His previous experience includes positions as both a collegiate and professional strength and conditioning coach, as well as time spent clinically as an Exercise Physiologist and Biomechanist. He is currently working with Puerto Rico Lacrosse Women’s Senior National Team as a Strength & Conditioning Coach.

He has co-authored and published two books with Hatherleigh Publishing; Exercises for Perfect Posture, and Exercises for Cardiac Recovery. Additionally, he serves on the NSCA State Advisory Board for New Jersey.

Keith completed his B.S. in physical education at the University of Delaware and his M.S. in Human Movement at Arizona School of Health Sciences in Mesa, AZ. He had taken doctoral level classes (PhD) at Seton Hall University in the Movement Science Specialization track within the School of Health and Medical Sciences.

Dr. Fergus Connolly is one of the world’s leading experts in performance.
Fergus has worked with leading CEO’s, professional sports teams, elite special forces units and athletes around the world.
He is the author of “59 Lessons – Working with the Worlds Elite Coaches, Athletes & Special Forces” and “Game Changer – The Art of Sports Science”, the first book to present a holistic philosophy for all team sports.
Fergus Connolly has been Director of Elite Performance for the San Francisco 49ers, Sports Science Director with the Welsh Rugby Union, Performance & Operations Director for University of Michigan Football.

Learn more at fergusconnolly.com

Maxwell Maltz “Psycho-Cybernetics” discussed within this podcast. https://www.psycho-cybernetics.com

Kyle is currently a Performance Coach at Future in San Francisco, CA. Previously worked as the Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coordinator at Seton Hall University, Strength and Conditioning Coordinator at Kutztown University, Men’s Basketball Strength Coach at University of Tampa, owner and operator of a strength and conditioning/personal training business in Tampa, FL and also has some experience in sport science research and physical therapy. He has a bachelor of science in exercise science from Sacred Heart University and a master of science in exercise and nutrition science from the University of Tampa.

Mike McGurn, International Strength and Conditioning Coach, has the prestigious honour of training three National Senior Irish Teams in different codes and winning two World Titles in two different sports.
McGurn competed for Ulster and Ireland in cross country and athletics events. For his efforts was awarded a scholarship to study Sports Science in the USA for four years.
McGurn has been a professional strength and conditioning coach for over 20 years, having presided over the physical preparation of teams and athletes at 3 World Cups, Olympics, Commonwealth Games, World Boxing Champions and European Championships.

Michael is a clinically-based athletic trainer with over 25 years of experience in rehabilitation and performance training. He is the owner of “Integrative Rehab Training LLC” which provides fitness rehab services, consulting and educational programming. He is Clinical Adjunct Faculty at the University of New England and is a Certified Clinician through the Postural Restoration Institute®. He has provided consultation, treatment and/or presentations to NFL teams, the US Ski Team, Perform Better seminars, Stars On Ice tour, numerous universities, dance companies, and many other organizations, schools and clubs. He is an internationally recognized lecturer and has presented extensively at conferences and seminars on topics related to sports medicine, rehabilitation, training and conditioning, and respiratory influences on function and performance. Michael has co-authored a book titled Comprehensive Sports injury Management, co-authored a chapter in Knee Ligament Rehabilitation called “New Techniques in Cartilage Repair and replacement”, and published articles in multiple professional journals, mainstream publications and websites.