Roderick Powell became a Certified MMA Conditioning Coach in 2017. He works with and trains boxers, kickboxers, and mixed martial artists. He chose the MMA Conditioning coach course because he wanted to learn more about strength and conditioning to help his clients become well-conditioned for their matches. He also recognized the importance of the mental aspect of combat sports and enrolled in and completed the Sports Psychology Coach certification in 2019.
Why did you decide to become a fitness professional?
I was a skinny, weak kid growing up. I was able to transform my body from literally a 99-pound weakling into a 165-pound well-conditioned athlete. I became a fitness professional so I could help other people transform their bodies and improve their health.
What is the biggest challenge for you as a trainer/coach?
My biggest challenge is to get clients to stay consistent with their training. I call this the “New Year’s Resolution Syndrome.” Some people sign up for training and sometimes stop after a month or two. I try to impress upon my clients that they need to be consistent in order to see good results. I would rather see my clients train once or twice a week consistently for six months than train every day for two weeks and then stop training.
What makes you stand out from other trainers or coaches?
I am a very interactive coach. I sometimes exercise alongside my clients. I also spar in the ring with my competitive fighters to get a close-up view of their development. I always tell my clients that I will not ask them to do something that I would not do myself. My clients love my interactive approach to training compared to the typical approach used by trainers of standing on the sidelines and rooting their clients on.
What is your biggest accomplishment in the industry? How did your certifications help reach this goal?
I am a well-respected coach in the combat sports industry. The training firm CoachUp has me ranked as the top Private Boxing and Martial Arts Coach in the state of Georgia. I have several clients who I took from beginners to now competing in boxing tournaments. My certifications armed me with the knowledge and skillset needed to help my clients do their best on both a physical and mental level.
What has been your most rewarding experience as a trainer or coach?
It takes a lot of courage to put on a pair of boxing gloves and get in the ring and spar for the first time. I have seen people come to the gym as meek as toy poodles and then through training emerge as fearless lions. It is rewarding to see an increase in my clients’ confidence after they get in shape.
How has social media played a role in your business?
I have used social media to promote my business and get new clients. My social media outlet of choice is Instagram. It allows me to post videos and images of my clients and me in action.
Any advice for people thinking about a coaching/training career?
My advice is to learn your craft thoroughly by taking certification courses and learning under more experienced trainers. Your clients look at you as a role model. So be a good one!
What does the future hold for you?
I mostly train amateur fighters for competition. My goal is to help my amateur fighters transition to the professional ranks and win championships.
Is there anything else about your coaching career that you’d like to share?
If you love what you’re doing it will show. I absolutely love coaching and my clients feed off of my enthusiasm. It makes hard workouts fun.
Want to connect with Roderick? Check out www.PowellCombatArts.com. You can also reach him via Instagram, @PowellCombatArts. You can also purchase his book Winning in Combat Sports: Strategies & Tactics.
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