Athletic Lab's Coaching Staff represent leaders in the field

Mike Young, PhDDirector of Performance & Sport Science

Mike is the founder & owner of Athletic Lab. Mike is the guiding force behind Athletic Lab’s training philosophy & methodology. He oversees all training, instructor quality & staff education. Full bio

About Mike

Education & Credentials

Mike has a BS in Exercise Physiology from Ohio University, an MSS in Coaching Science from Ohio University & a PhD in Biomechanics from LSU. Additionally, he is recognized as a Registered Strength & Conditioning Coach with Distinction (RSCC*D) and a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist with Distinction (CSCS*D) from the National Strength & Conditioning Association, a Level 3 coach by USA Track & Field, a Level 2 coach by USA Weightlifting, a Precision Nutrition Level 1 coach, a Precision Nutrition Sleep, Stress and Recovery coach & a CrossFit Level 2 coach. He is on the advisory board for the Korean Weightlifting Federation and has been featured in publications ranging from the New York Times to ESPN Insider.

Coaching Experience

Mike has coached athletes to National and / or World Championship appearances in 5 sports (bobsled, skeleton, track & field, triathlon, weightlifting) as well as directing the training plans for professional athletes in the MLS, MLB, NFL, NWSL, NHL and PGA and has coached at 4 Division 1 NCAA programs.

6 NCAA National Championship Track & Field teams at LSU
Coach of 7 USATF National Champions
Fitness coach for North Carolina Football Club of the NASL / USL
Performance Director for 2x NWSL / ICC Champion North Carolina Courage
Fitness coach to 2x NASL Champion Carolina Railhawks
Fitness coach to the Vancouver Whitecaps of the MLS
Strength & Speed coach to dozens of NBA, NFL and MLB players

Sport Scientist

Mike has authored or co-authored research on sprinting, balance, motor learning, stretching & biomechanics of throwing that has been published in peer-reviewed international research journals. Additionally, he has presented his research at national and international conferences. He serves as an invited editor for Journal of Sports Sciences, Sports Biomechanics, International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching and was a biomechanist for USA Track & Field for 16 years. Currently, Mike serves on board of the Committee on Research (COR) for the NWSL.

Educator

Mike has served as an instructor or professor at LSU, UNC, Ohio University & Lenoir-Rhyne University. Additionally, he is a lead instructor for coaching education programs from USATF, USTFCCCA & USA Weightlifting. He has lectured extensively across the US as well as in Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, England, Germany, Ireland, Jamaica, Japan, Jersey, Mexico, Montenegro, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, and Turkey. He has taught coaches for organizations ranging from USA Speed Skating, the Chinese Olympic Committee, the Korean Strength & Conditioning Association & the North Carolina Justice Academy.

Author

In addition to his research publications, Mike has written 2 books, 2 book chapters, contributed to the curriculums of the coaching education programs for USATF & USTFCCCA, has over 20 articles published in nationally distributed publications ranging from Maxim to Runner’s World, & has written hundreds of blog posts on several of the largest sport conditioning sites on the web.