Athletic Lab Coaching Academy recently provided a Certified High Performance Coach (CHPC) combined Level 1 and Level 2 course in Istanbul, Turkey. The course was attended by 45 top level coaches from across the region. Coaches had the opportunity to deepen their understanding of high performance sport science and applied coaching over an intensive four-day experience from April 30-May 3.​

Event overview

Athletic Lab delivered the CHPC Level 1 and 2 course in partnership with Quadroathletics. The course took place in Istanbul, the largest city in Europe and a growing hub for high performance sport and coaching education.​The four day event was hosted by Deuce Performance Lab.

Over four days, coaches progressed through both the CHPC Level 1 and 2 curriculum to explore advanced topics in biomechanics, strength and power development, conditioning, and planning for high performance environments.

Inside the CHPC Level 1

Across the first two days, attendees took part in lectures and hands-on practical sessions on the field and in the weight room. The in-person delivery mirrored the online CHPC Level 1 curriculum while adding live coaching labs and direct feedback from Dr. Young to deepen real-world application.

CHPC Level 2 focus

The CHPC Level 2 course took place over the final 2 days. The course is an in-person experience designed specifically for coaches operating in high performance sports settings. Content emphasizes deeper coverage of sports sciences while introducing advanced training concepts appropriate for higher level athletes. Coaches also participated in extensive learn-by-doing workshops, where they practiced coaching key movements and drills to connect classroom concepts with on-field execution.​ The curriculum models Athletic Lab’s on-site coaching mentorship, giving attendees a framework that can be immediately integrated into their own programs and organizations.​

About the instructor

Dr. Mike Young, founder of Athletic Lab and architect of the CHPC curriculum, led the Istanbul course and brought more than two decades of experience in elite sport, applied sport science, and coach development to the participants. Coaches benefited from his extensive work with professional clubs and high-performance organizations worldwide, gaining insight into how to better integrate sport science into daily coaching practice.

Global coaching education impact

The Istanbul CHPC Level 1 and 2 was part of Athletic Lab’s expanding international Coaching Academy calendar, which has included recent in-person courses in Brazil, Chile, Portugal, Mexico, Montenegro, Taiwan, and the United States. Many of the top soccer clubs in the world have sent their physical preparation staffs through the CHPC pathway, including São Paulo FC, Palmeiras, Club América, Coritiba, and Vitória de Guimarães.​

Pathway to CHPC Level 3

The Certified High Performance Coach course is a three-tier certification pathway that progresses from foundational principles to elite-level application. Coaches who complete Level 2 are now eligible to advance to CHPC Level 3, an immersive week long experience.​

Level 1 is available both online and in-person. Level 2 is offered as a series of intensive off-site weekends like the recent courses in São Paulo and Istanbul. The Level 3 course represents the pinnacle of the pathway for coaches working or aspiring to work in professional and high performance environments. Coaches interested in future CHPC courses can learn more about upcoming dates and formats through the Athletic Lab Coaching Academy.