VertiMax Vive

Micah Kurtz is the Director of Sports Performance and Assistant Athletic Director at Windermere Prep School in Orlando, Florida. He was named NSCA National Strength Coach of the Year in 2016 and one of the Top 40 under 40 Sports Professionals in the National High School Athletic Coaches Association. He started the Strength and Conditioning Program at AC Flora High School in Columbia, South Carolina, and in just the last 5 years, AC Flora has won 12 state championships. It was also named the #1 athletic program in both 2014 and 2015.

On this episode hosted by Ned Arick, Micah sheds light on strength and conditioning and its benefits, how he got into the industry and why he enjoys working in the high school environment. He also shares more about how he cultivates a positive atmosphere in his weight room, and why athletes, parents, school administrators and the larger community are all so enthusiastic about his strength conditioning program. Micah has some great insights for coaches on how to get started on this path, and some practical tips on what it takes to be successful in the industry, so be sure to tune in.

Key Takeaways:

[:37] Ned introduces his guest for this episode - Micah Kurtz.

[3:48] Micah gave a talk at the VertiMax Summit that made a serious impact, and changed some people's mindsets.

[6:39] What is the three-fold impact that Micah has on athletes in the high school setting?

[13:51] Micah and Ned discuss the benefits of strength training that extend outside the weight room.

[16:02] What is the secret to Micah getting a great atmosphere going with the kids he trains?

[20:05] How is Micah getting the buy-in from sport coaches who don't usually put much stock in strength and conditioning coaches?

[24:12] What is "Lift Like a Laker" and how is Micah using that to get buy-ins from the community as well?

[28:52] This podcast is being sponsored by VertiMax.

[29:43] Micah shares more about his experiences at AC Flora and how he cultivated positive relationships with the parents of the athletes he was training.

[32:23] What is Micah's response to coaches who think that they can't implement what Micah is doing?

[36:27] Ned and Micah discuss the benefits of these types of programs, not just for the coaches themselves but for the schools and the communities as a whole as well.

[37:56] What is Step 1 for a coach to get started with a program like this?

[39:47] What are some issues that Micah has run into in starting this program?

[42:47] What are the first steps when a coach is starting a strength conditioning program?

[46:53] A good program really comes down to atmosphere. There needs to be a great, differentiated training program, but also a human touch.

[50:52] Ned and Micah discuss the importance of graduates from exercise science majors having that coaching experience.

[52:37] What is Micah not good at?

[57:48] What is one thing that Micah is most excited about in the next six months?

[59:20] Find out more about Micah and get in touch with him on Instagram, Twitter, via email or through his website.

VertiMax

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Micah Kurtz

Micah Kurtz on Instagram

Micah Kurtz on Twitter

Micah Kurtz on LinkedIn

Email Micah Kurtz

VertiMax Summit

Train with the Best Podcast Episode 73 - Micah Kurtz

John Garrish

Vinny Scollo is the Gold's Gym Sports Performance Director and Regional Fitness Manager in Middletown NY. Vinny’s likeable personality and special ability to share his passion for fitness with others makes him an amazing trainer who is highly sought after by everyone from parents of youth athletes to professional athletes to people looking to improve their performance. Recently, he teamed up with Don Murphy and his family to build a sports performance facility inside the already successful Gold's Gym franchise.

On this episode hosted by Ned Arick, Vinny shares more about his experiences in transitioning from running highly successful sports performance facilities to building one from scratch in the commercial fitness space. He dives into the similarities and differences he has seen, how trainer education varies, the impact of social media on influencing coaches and trainers, and the role his mentors played in shaping his career. Tune in to find out more.

Key Takeaways:

[:29] Ned Arick introduces his guest for this episode - Vinny Scollo.

[3:14] What does Vinny do in his role as Gold's Gym Sports Performance Director and Regional Fitness Manager?

[4:27] Is this Vinny's first time in a commercial space?

[5:58] How has Vinny's experience been so far building up the Middletown location?

[8:10] What exactly are Vinny and Don Murphy trying to do by building the sports performance inside of Gold's Gym?

[11:33] What is the biggest difference that Vinny has seen between the sports performance realm and the commercial space?

[14:47] When it comes to education, what are the differences Vinny has observed among trainers in the commercial space vs sports performance?

[18:38] Ned and Vinny dive into the importance of intent and purpose in driving what you do.

[23:24] This podcast is being sponsored by VertiMax.

[24:13] How did Vinny find his clarity, his purpose, his why?

[27:51] How did Vinny find his mentors and start that relationship with them?

[31:25] Most of what trainers and coaches post on social media isn't what the reality is like. Ned and Vinny discuss the impact this has on young coaches who are looking to find mentors but aren't sure who to reach out to.

[36:08] What is Vinny's thought process around not being "married to a movement" specifically with his athletes?

[40:57] What are Vinny's thoughts on taking athlete preference into account in training them safely and efficiently?

[45:27] What were some unexpected challenges Vinny has faced in his career from the time he was a young coach?

[51:59] What is Vinny most excited about in the next six months of his life?

[54:36] Get in touch with Vinny via social media, email, or the Gold's Gym website.

Mentioned in This Episode:

VertiMax

VertiMax on Facebook

VertiMax on Instagram

Vinny Scollo on Instagram 

Vinny Scollo on Facebook

Email Vinny Scollo

Gold's Gym Middletown

Gold's Gym Newburgh

Don Murphy on LinkedIn

Joe DeFranco

Jim Smith