Head Of Player Development:
Coach Derek Black
Coach Derek Black is a multifaceted professional with an impressive background spanning competitive sports, law enforcement, and elite fitness training. His diverse experiences have cultivated a unique ability to motivate, coach, and inspire individuals to reach their highest potential.
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A Distinguished Playing and Coaching Career
From humble beginnings, Coach Derek Black's football journey began at a young age, propelling him through highly competitive levels in high school, college, and even professionally. The gridiron became more than just a field; it was a powerful platform for personal upliftment, offering him unique opportunities through education and sports. Along the way, he had the privilege of learning from now-iconic personalities, shaping not only his athletic prowess but also his character. This extensive athletic involvement forged in him a competitive spirit and a winning attitude, cultivating his innate ability to motivate, train, and coach others. In the late 90s, Coach Black transitioned his passion from playing to coaching and player development, where he has since made a profound impact. His coaching career spans from youth football all the way to the collegiate level, notably mentoring and helping to develop elite players who ultimately made it to the professional ranks.
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Expertise in Health and Wellness
Coach Black's core focus is to educate and enable people to achieve their highest level of overall health and wellness. He advocates for a one-on-one personal approach, believing it to be the most effective method for meeting individual goals and physical responses8. This philosophy is deeply rooted in his personal and professional experiences9.
His academic background complements his practical expertise, as he holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice with a Minor in Stress Management, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Psychology.
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Impacting and Inspiring Youth
Prior to his successful career in fitness, Coach Black dedicated almost a decade to working as a Probation Officer for high-risk teenagers. In this vital role, he applied principles of personal motivation and strong work ethics, encouraging commitment to task completion and instilling the drive to "be the best that you can be" with a significant dose of pride and enthusiasm. Crucially, he integrated exercise and nutrition as part of the rehabilitation process for these young individuals. This experience showcases his ability to inspire and guide youth towards positive development.
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Elite Personal Fitness Trainer
Driven by his passion for fitness, Coach Black transitioned to a full-time career as a Personal Fitness Trainer. In this role, he has been instrumental in motivating and coaching individuals from diverse backgrounds to achieve and surpass their nutritional and fitness goals. His expertise has garnered international recognition, notably for training several bodybuilding champions, including a male and female heavyweight champion and a female overall fitness champion. These successes demonstrate his ability to guide everyday individuals to surpass their own expectations and elevate their personal fitness to extraordinary levels.
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Coach Black's guiding philosophy, "Your success is only limited by your desire!" resonates deeply with Arnold Schwarzenegger's powerful quote: "Strength does not come from winning, your struggles develop your strength. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength"
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