The Enlightened
Athlete

I worked with James at Heavy Athletics for about three months leading up to the NHL Officiating Combine and the AODP full-time camp, and I genuinely can’t recommend him enough.

From the beginning, what stood out to me was how knowledgeable James is and how much he actually cares about his athletes. He goes far beyond simply giving you a workout and expecting you to show up. He took the time to understand what I needed to improve, constantly gave me honest feedback, and was never afraid to change or adjust the program based on how I was progressing and what I was telling him.

That became especially important because during those three months, I spent 18 days traveling on the West Coast across multiple cities. James kept track of what gyms I was going to and what equipment I had access to in each city, then rewrote custom workouts around what was available so I could continue training at a high level. When I was back home, our in-person sessions tied everything together and allowed us to really fine-tune the areas I needed to work on.

The results were significant. At the NHL Officiating Combine, my off-ice testing improved considerably compared to my previous records. I was able to max out the endurance beep test, putting me at the top of the endurance table, and I also performed very well across the other combine measurables, including the Pro Agility, vertical jump, bike/VO2 max test, and the other speed, power, and conditioning tests. Those improvements also carried over to the AODP full-time camp. The testing there was similar in a lot of ways, and I was able to perform well in the endurance and speed testing there too. To me, that showed that I wasn’t just training to memorize or get better at a specific test. James had actually helped me become a better athlete.

The improvements translated to the ice as well. I became a stronger skater, improved my balance, and felt more athletic and capable during skating and officiating. The training wasn’t just about getting better numbers on a sheet — it made me better physically in ways that actually showed up in my performance.

James is extremely knowledgeable, but I think what separates him is how much he is willing to go above and beyond for his athletes. Whether it was completely reworking a workout because I was traveling, giving me honest feedback, pushing me when I needed it, or changing the program when something wasn’t working, he was always invested in getting the most out of me.

He was an awesome person to work with throughout the entire process, and I’m extremely grateful for the work we put in together. If you have the opportunity to train with James at Heavy Athletics, I highly recommend taking it. You’ll get much more than someone who simply writes workouts for you — you’ll get a coach who genuinely knows what he’s doing and is willing to put in the work to make you a better athlete.

I've been training with James for about three years. I first reached out to him on social media during my first year at college because of how impressed I was with his commitment to training and coaching. I wasn't even necessarily in the market for a coach, but the level of respect that I had gained from watching him consistently create a positive atmosphere for his athletes and communicate thoughtful, knowledgable instructions made it clear that it would be worth joining his gym. After a full day of training clients, James is the type of coach that will go home and read published research in his field because it gives him the chance to improve his performance as a coach. I truly do not believe there is a single athletic trainer that comes anywhere close to having the dedication and thoughtful expertise of James.

I am currently training with James online, and I come back to his gym in Pittsburgh whenever I am home on break from college. His programs are meticulously written, combining proven fundamentals with individualized modifications that make every workout enjoyable. James' ability to communicate ideas, listen to feedback, and encourage his athletes is elite.

What started as athletic training has become one of the most rewarding relationships in my life. In addition to helping me consistently achieve my goals in the gym, James has been there to support me in everything I do, whether it be my career, my education, navigating an injury, or dealing with obstacles that have come my way. James is a mentor and a friend, and I'm incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from him for so long.

I sincerely hope that anyone looking to work with a sports performance professional reaches out to James. I guarantee it will be one of the most rewarding decisions you will ever make. I know it has been for me.

I first started going to James for recovery for my ACL tear. James assessed my weaknesses and devised a personalized rehabilitation plan for my knee while also working in conjunction with my physical therapist. I worked with James for 7 months before returning to play soccer and saw significant results. A year and a half later, I am still going to James for training outside of recovery. James is nothing short of the best. He is very knowledgeable and does a great job customizing workouts for individual success in a great environment.

I can’t say enough great things about James at Heavy Athletics. He is an excellent trainer—personable, knowledgeable, and truly a master of his craft. He takes the time to create workouts that are tailored to my specific needs, and he’s always attentive to where I’m struggling while still pushing me to do my absolute best.

Every session leaves me feeling stronger and more confident. It’s clear that his dedication, combined with his ability to motivate, is making a real difference. I can genuinely see and feel the progress, and I know that both my hard work and James’s persistence are paying off.

I truly love working with James and would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a trainer who is both supportive and results-driven.