Samuel K.

I'm a 6'8" former college athlete with a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology, specializing in Exercise Science. I've coached youth basketball with a focus on making athletes more explosive, powerful, and confident on the court.
I work with athletes ages 14 and up — from high schoolers looking to make varsity to college athletes pushing for the next level. My approach combines heavy load strength training with sport-specific movement to translate directly onto the court or field.
What drives me is watching athletes gain more than just physical strength. I've seen firsthand how building strength in the weight room builds confidence in competition — and in life. My goal is to help every athlete I work with become the best version of themselves, someone they can be proud of.

I played Division II basketball at San Francisco State University from 2019-2022, competing as a Forward/Center for three seasons. I served as team captain during my senior year (2021-22) and participated in numerous collegiate camps in leadership roles. In high school, I was captain of my varsity basketball team.
My career was cut short due to injuries — but that setback became my turning point. Rehabbing my ankles and rebuilding my body sparked a deep passion for rehabilitative strengthening, mobility work, and understanding how the body moves. I learned firsthand that longevity in sports isn't just about being strong — it's about being mobile, balanced, and injury-resistant.
The COVID Transformation
When the 2020 lockdown hit and gyms shut down, most athletes lost a year. I used it. I hired an ex-MLB player as my strength coach, dialed in my nutrition, and became obsessed with building functional muscle through heavy load training. I started that year at 215 lbs and came back for the 2021-22 season at 245 lbs — a 30-pound transformation that changed everything.
I wasn't the skinny 6'8" kid who got pushed around anymore. I was stronger, faster, and more explosive. On track days during college conditioning, I was beating guards off the line — at 245 lbs. That transformation was my "aha" moment. I saw firsthand how serious strength training translates directly to athletic performance.
That experience ignited my passion for mind and body fitness. I became obsessed with understanding the science behind the results. I self-taught everything I could, then refined my knowledge by earning my degree in Exercise Science. What started as a personal transformation became my calling.
Beyond the physical, I've studied sports psychology and understand that the mental game is just as important as the physical. Competing at the college level taught me what it takes to perform under pressure, lead teammates through adversity, and develop the competitor's mindset that separates good athletes from great ones. I bring that mental edge to my coaching — helping athletes build confidence, focus, and the resilience to push through barriers.
Today I still train the way I coach. At 6'8" and 255 lbs lean, I maintain a 425 lb squat, 335 lb bench, and 515 lb deadlift. I don't just teach strength — I live it. My methods work because I'm the proof.
The lessons I learned through my athletic journey — often the hard way — are exactly what I want to pass on to young athletes and their parents. My goal is to help kids build long, successful athletic careers by giving them the knowledge I wish I had sooner.

Every session starts with a purpose. Before we train, I assess the athlete's goals, movement quality, and areas that need work. From there, I build a personalized program designed to make them faster, stronger, and more resilient.
Sessions run 60-90 minutes and follow this structure:
Warm-Up & Mobility (10-15 min)
We begin with dynamic stretching and mobility work targeting the ankles, hips, and thoracic spine — the areas most critical for athletic movement and injury prevention. This isn't optional; it's foundational. As someone who lost playing time to preventable injuries, I make sure every athlete I train builds the mobility habits I wish I had developed earlier.
Strength Training (35-50 min)
I use a science-based approach rooted in progressive overload and compound movements — squats, deadlifts, presses, rows, and pulls. These exercises build functional, total-body strength that translates directly to the court or field. Once an athlete demonstrates proper form, we increase load and intensity to push their limits safely.
For explosive power, I incorporate plyometrics and sport-specific movements — box jumps, med ball throws, and lateral agility drills — training the fast-twitch muscle fibers that separate good athletes from great ones.
Equipment includes barbells, dumbbells, resistance bands, and bodyweight movements — adaptable to any training environment.
Cool-Down & Recovery (5-10 min)
Sessions end with targeted stretching and recovery work. I teach athletes that what you do after the workout matters just as much as the workout itself.
Between Sessions: Nutrition & Homework
Training is only part of the equation. I provide nutritional guidelines tailored to each athlete's goals — fueling hard workouts and optimizing recovery. Athletes also receive homework: mobility drills, stretches, and recovery protocols to reinforce what we build in sessions. You don't grow in the gym; you grow when you recover.
Progress Tracking
Every athlete's progress is tracked and measurable. I record maxes, test benchmarks, and monitor improvements over time so athletes can see their growth statistically — not just feel it. Data-driven training keeps athletes motivated and accountable.
My Philosophy
I don't believe in cookie-cutter programs. Every athlete has different goals, weaknesses, and potential. My job is to identify the gaps, build a plan that challenges them, and adjust as they grow. Form is prioritized. Intensity is earned. Progress is measured.
Whether you're a 14-year-old trying to make the team or a college athlete chasing the next level, my goal is the same: help you become the strongest, most athletic version of yourself.