Meet The Team
Derek
Founder and Mindset Specialist
When I was 12 years old I had huge dreams of playing in the NFL. I wasn't the average kid who would say that, I was the 12 year old on youtube searching speed drills for football. I was the kid outside during summer break running hill sprints. I was the middle schooler who would only talk about sports, wear football jerseys, and how I needed to "workout" when I got home haha.
My older brother is a former 2x All American and Duke full scholarship athlete. My younger brother is one of the top ranked high school wide receivers in the country. We are athletes by blood.
But when it comes to life and mindset, that is where I excelled. I played college football at Amherst College as a defensive back, where I received my degree in psychology, and I LOVED the game of football, but I LOOOVED even more the training and mental aspect of performance.
My role on my team was to uplift, motivate, challenge, and push my teammates during training and practice, so we would win games, and we won alot, went on a 19 game win streak, broke a record, and had one of the top ranked defenses in the country out of any division.
Why am I a "mindset expert?" Not because I've read a lot of books, nor because have a psychology degree from the top liberal arts school in the world, not even because I have coached hundreds on hundreds of people on physical, mental, emotional, decision making, fear, doubt, etc. None of that.
I am a mindset expert because I have LIVED through trauma, depression, anxiety, doubt, fear, mistakes, success, high performance, happiness, dreams.
I founded my gym, Upward Human Performance, became a self made entreprenuer, coached 500+ people, helped kids from all levels receive scholarship, grant, or just get into great schools they will love. I have helped parents through communicating with their kids, discipline, structure, and success. I coach in some way shape or form, every day. I live this. I love this. I breathe this.
If you truly truly truly want to become the best person, student, athlete you can be, I will do everything in my power to help see you succeed.
Derek
Founder and Mindset Specialist
When I was 12 years old I had huge dreams of playing in the NFL. I wasn't the average kid who would say that, I was the 12 year old on youtube searching speed drills for football. I was the kid outside during summer break running hill sprints. I was the middle schooler who would only talk about sports, wear football jerseys, and how I needed to "workout" when I got home haha.
My older brother is a former 2x All American and Duke full scholarship athlete. My younger brother is one of the top ranked high school wide receivers in the country. We are athletes by blood.
But when it comes to life and mindset, that is where I excelled. I played college football at Amherst College as a defensive back, where I received my degree in psychology, and I LOVED the game of football, but I LOOOVED even more the training and mental aspect of performance.
My role on my team was to uplift, motivate, challenge, and push my teammates during training and practice, so we would win games, and we won alot, went on a 19 game win streak, broke a record, and had one of the top ranked defenses in the country out of any division.
Why am I a "mindset expert?" Not because I've read a lot of books, nor because have a psychology degree from the top liberal arts school in the world, not even because I have coached hundreds on hundreds of people on physical, mental, emotional, decision making, fear, doubt, etc. None of that.
I am a mindset expert because I have LIVED through trauma, depression, anxiety, doubt, fear, mistakes, success, high performance, happiness, dreams.
I founded my gym, Upward Human Performance, became a self made entreprenuer, coached 500+ people, helped kids from all levels receive scholarship, grant, or just get into great schools they will love. I have helped parents through communicating with their kids, discipline, structure, and success. I coach in some way shape or form, every day. I live this. I love this. I breathe this.
If you truly truly truly want to become the best person, student, athlete you can be, I will do everything in my power to help see you succeed.
Brett
Sports Performance Specialist
Ever since I was about 10 years old I knew fitness would be a major role in my life. This was right after I binge watched all of the Rocky movies and started my daily pushup routine every morning and night. My father pushed me to be the best version of myself whether that be in baseball, basketball, the weight room, or in the class room. He settled for nothing less than my best and I carry that mentality still to this day.
Through this hard work and daily discipline I realized how much training could impact a person's life and it drew me to coaching. I started coaching when I was around 16 years old where I either helped baseball clinics, speed and agility courses, or having batting practice with my friends. I always wanted to help people become the best version of themselves and have them reach the goals they had set for themselves.
When people ask why do I coach I really don't have a perfect answer, it's just something I know I need to do. The same feeling as knowing you have to breathe, that's how I feel about coaching. It's something deep inside me that I haven't found the words to explain just yet, but when I do I bet it'll be a fire book. This process of trying to find the right words have brought me down various rabbit holes in Buddhist teaching, stoicism, and other philosophies in how to think.
My favorite way of thinking would have to be a Marcus Aurelius quote which is "If something is humanly possible, it's attainable by you too."
My mission is to help others realize this and help them achieve what they think is impossible. Whether it be an athlete getting into a D1 school or helping a mom become a better version of herself for her kids, I accept all challenges and put my all into each and every one of my clients. That is what you can expect of me every day and know I will be working just as hard as you in your journey to become the best.
With this being said it all ties into some of my biggest/craziest dreams. One of which is going on a global trip to various gyms and learning from coaches all around the world. Think of it as a strength coach's Odyssey, and would love to embark on it in the future. Now on a lighter note, if you haven't been able to tell I'm kind've a nerd. I love playing video games, watching anime, and trying out different strength programs from other coaches in the field.
Brett
Sports Performance Specialist
Ever since I was about 10 years old I knew fitness would be a major role in my life. This was right after I binge watched all of the Rocky movies and started my daily pushup routine every morning and night. My father pushed me to be the best version of myself whether that be in baseball, basketball, the weight room, or in the class room. He settled for nothing less than my best and I carry that mentality still to this day.
Through this hard work and daily discipline I realized how much training could impact a person's life and it drew me to coaching. I started coaching when I was around 16 years old where I either helped baseball clinics, speed and agility courses, or having batting practice with my friends. I always wanted to help people become the best version of themselves and have them reach the goals they had set for themselves.
When people ask why do I coach I really don't have a perfect answer, it's just something I know I need to do. The same feeling as knowing you have to breathe, that's how I feel about coaching. It's something deep inside me that I haven't found the words to explain just yet, but when I do I bet it'll be a fire book. This process of trying to find the right words have brought me down various rabbit holes in Buddhist teaching, stoicism, and other philosophies in how to think.
My favorite way of thinking would have to be a Marcus Aurelius quote which is "If something is humanly possible, it's attainable by you too."
My mission is to help others realize this and help them achieve what they think is impossible. Whether it be an athlete getting into a D1 school or helping a mom become a better version of herself for her kids, I accept all challenges and put my all into each and every one of my clients. That is what you can expect of me every day and know I will be working just as hard as you in your journey to become the best.
With this being said it all ties into some of my biggest/craziest dreams. One of which is going on a global trip to various gyms and learning from coaches all around the world. Think of it as a strength coach's Odyssey, and would love to embark on it in the future. Now on a lighter note, if you haven't been able to tell I'm kind've a nerd. I love playing video games, watching anime, and trying out different strength programs from other coaches in the field.
Dan
Performance Nutrition Specialist
I was always a good athlete and wanted to put in the work to separate myself from the rest by becoming the best athlete possible. When I tore my UCL and had some time to reflect after missing 2 seasons, I began to research diet and exercise to the next level, I hired a mentor in the field, and experimented with myself. Now being the head nutrition coach at Upward Human Performance and Javelin Coach at SCSU I am living my dream. Helping others achieve their goals through the mistakes I made and seeing them achieve great accomplishments helps me live vicariously through them. I love watching my clients and athletes improve and surpass what they thought was capable for themselves. You can expect me to educate you through what I know and have learned, to laugh a lot, and to take a holistic approach to fitness and find your deeper meaning behind why your fitness journey is important for self development. My biggest dream is to run a nationwide nutrition program that helps over 500 people find the best version of themselves, and coach javelin at the olympics.
Dan
Performance Nutrition Specialist
I was always a good athlete and wanted to put in the work to separate myself from the rest by becoming the best athlete possible. When I tore my UCL and had some time to reflect after missing 2 seasons, I began to research diet and exercise to the next level, I hired a mentor in the field, and experimented with myself. Now being the head nutrition coach at Upward Human Performance and Javelin Coach at SCSU I am living my dream. Helping others achieve their goals through the mistakes I made and seeing them achieve great accomplishments helps me live vicariously through them. I love watching my clients and athletes improve and surpass what they thought was capable for themselves. You can expect me to educate you through what I know and have learned, to laugh a lot, and to take a holistic approach to fitness and find your deeper meaning behind why your fitness journey is important for self development. My biggest dream is to run a nationwide nutrition program that helps over 500 people find the best version of themselves, and coach javelin at the olympics.