Mark Watts is a fifth grade school teacher and U8 Girls Soccer Coach in Columbus, Ohio. Formerly, Watts was the Director of Education at elitefts.com and the host of the Elitefts Sports Performance Podcast. He has a Masters Degree in Exercise Science & Health Promotion from California University of PA and a Masters Degree in Elementary Education from Clarion University of PA. He has held professional certifications through the NSCA, CSCCa, NASM, and USAW. Watts has worked with college athletes in over 20 different sports at the Division I, II & III levels for over 15 years as a strength & conditioning and/or football coach at institutions such as Denison University, The United States Military Academy at West Point, Allegheny College and Clarion University. He has also completed internships at The Ohio State University and the University of Tulsa. Watts played college football at Clarion University and has competed in powerlifting, strongman, and Olympic Weightlifting. He is originally from Pittsburgh, PA and is a USMC veteran.
Most athletes will forget the win-loss records of their teams, but they won’t forget the way the coach treated them. This podcast episode focuses on the impact coaches can have on young athletes outside of sets and reps.
I recently started going through some old boxes and found an article I printed and saved when I coached at Denison. The information was pertinent for coaches then and it still is now.
Stepping outside ‘the grind’ of coaching has given Mark a different perspective on his career in strength and conditioning and the challenges that young coaches face. He shares his thoughts on this topic and more in Episode 77.
With an abundance of experience in strength and conditioning, Watts and Oakley share an in-depth evaluation of the opportunities for growth in the industry.
With no objective methods to evaluate strength & conditioning coaches and not many administrators qualified to do so; the profession is devalued from saturation and immeasurement
You've followed every coach on social media, listened to every podcast, and gave out your business card to everyone you've met at every conference you attended. So why are you on your third consecutive unpaid internship?
Nine interviews from some of the most respected strength & conditioning coaches in our field representing BYU, Delaware, East Carolina, Eastern Michigan, Iowa, Iowa State, Kent State, Morehead State, and Oregon State,
Here is an opportunity to access discount codes to see Vern Gambetta, Jim Radcliffe, and (f you're really bored) myself in Saint Louis on June 5th through the 7th
Small College and University Strength and Conditioning Coaches have challenges that High School and Division 1 schools simply don't have. From scheduling to staffing, small school sports performance needs to be concise and creative.
Speed Training can be a challenge to implement for coaches working with large groups with limited time. Check out these linear and lateral speed and agility drills to improve technique, acceleration, and the ability to change direction.
In today's climate of strength & conditioning, coaches are not taking chances on hiring an assistant or GA without seeing them coach firsthand. The only logistical way of achieving this is by using video. That clip may be your one and only chance of getting into the profession.
Five podcasts, a video interview, and a written Q&A from some of the top College and NBA strength coaches in the field including Shawn Windle, Megan Young, Ryan Horn, Jay DeMayo, Cory Schlesinger, Derek Millender, and Dennis Cuturic.
Simon Sinek, Brian Cain, and James Clear all share their vision on motivation, leadership, and gaining an edge on your opponent... even if that opponent is the person you see in the mirror.
When I was the defensive coordinator, head strength & conditioning coach, and physical education instructor at Denison University; I completed a summer strength & conditioning internship at the University of Tulsa. Here's Why.
Interviews with four of the top high school strength and conditioning coaches in the country featuring Fred Eaves, Gary Schofield, Tobias Jacobi, and Dan Stevens
I am living out of a car and sleeping on a couch while coaching at the most historically significant institution of higher learning in the country. This is how I stole from Dave Tate, Louie Simmons, Joe Kenn, and Kevin Yoxall and brought the "goods" to the Hudson.
Coaching is a selfless profession which requires more sacrifice and less ego than any other. These four stages illustrate how and why coaches can sometimes fail to truly impact the athletes they work with.
Anytime you are interviewed, it is an absolute honor. More than that, it is a great opportunity to reflect on what you really believe when you must articulate those thoughts by answering meaningful questions.
A comprehensive look at Coaching, Cueing, Context, and Carryover with the Olympic lifts along with Positions, Progressions, and Programming for Sports Performance
Back in 2013, I hit the highest pinnacle of athletic performance in any sport. Here is how I became one of the most dominant athletes in one of of the most competitive sports in the world. #gainz #beastmode #goat #jdwii