PROFESSIOANAL BACKGROUND

NICK KNOWLES

PERSONAL TRAINER / STRENGTH COACH

With over fourteen years of experience, I have coached hundreds of individuals and a handful of teams both in person and online. Throughout the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a wide range in demographics.

Here are some of the athlete and client backgrounds I have experience working with:

  • Collegiate, high school, & youth sports teams
  • Professional fighters, grapplers, wrestlers, & judokas
  • Navy seals & various special operators
  • Ultra runners, triathletes, cyclists
  • Competitive powerlifters & strength athletes
  • First responders & law enforcement
  • CEOs, doctors, & executive level clientele
  • Professional surfer
  • Pre & post natal clientele
  • Cancer/remission patients
  • Special needs youth
  • Paraplegic
  • Other special populations

I have also programmed for and led successful group classes for various gyms, mentored interns who still work in fitness industry today, had a handful of my blogs featured on training sites, been featured as a guest on podcasts, and been a guest speaker for wellness programs and college campuses.

Educational background: Studied undergrad in Kinesiology-Exercise at Liberty University, Certified Personal Trainer through the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA-CPT), Athletic Performance Internship with a NCAA D1 football program, mentored by former NFL strength coach and powerlifting world record holder (Bill Gillespie)

PERSONAL BACKGROUND

I have been competing in athletics and martial arts since the age of 5 and strength training since the age of 12.

Athletics have played a large role in my life in providing me countless opportunities. But I didn’t really grasp the importance of a performance based approach until I was far past my competitive years and exploring new athletic hobbies in my 30’s.

Over the years, I have trained in wrestling, jiu jitsu, muay thai, and powerlifting. More recently I have centered my focus around improving performance and resilience in surfing and skateboarding (lot’s of mobility, alternative strength training methods, and aerobic development).

Here’s some of my more notable achievements as an athlete:

  • Wrestling: NCAA D1 National Championship qualifier, NCWA All-American, East Regional Conference Champion, team captain, high school All-American & National Team member, CA Greco Roman State Champion
  • Jiu jitsu: brown belt under Gustavo Machado, won tournaments in both gi and no gi, participated in a training camp in Brazil
  • Powerlifting: 1,510 total (520 squat, 380 bench, 620 deadlift)

I live in Virginia Beach, Virginia with my wife, two sons, and bulldog. We love venturing outdoors and exploring the trails and beaches across the southern east coast.