Justin’s journey in health and fitness began with an early exposure to the concept of exercise. Growing up, his father managed a gym and health center in South Bend, IN. Justin has early memories of following his father around the gym, meeting clients during their workouts, and playing in the swimming pool outside of open hours with his siblings. His mother was also a consistent exercis-er, whom he observed working out in their basement home gym every morning before school.

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Growing up, Justin played many different sports and spent as much time as he could outdoors. As he entered high school, he chose to pursue soccer as his primary sport, with the intention of playing in college and beyond. However, this dream would be course-corrected through injury.

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At 17, he injured his right foot in practice, which was later diagnosed as a metatarsal stress fracture. Although a simple injury, his recovery process lasted almost two years due to misleading (although well-intentioned) advice from different practitioners. This journey, while frustrating, was also a blessing, as it fueled his own self-education in rehabilitating himself.

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There was one transformational piece of advice from a sports medicine doctor that changed Justin’s trajectory. The suggestion of weight training gave Justin something productive to put his energy into during what before felt like a hopeless time. This was the beginning of his fitness journey outside of sports - building himself back up.

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During this time, Justin’s curiosity became gripped by all things health, fitness, and the mind. He dedicated himself to daily practice of physical training and all of the supportive aspects. He then decided to take this passion further by studying it in university.

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He began personal training and supplementing his studies with interests in functional/integrative medicine (due to his own health challenges), and earned an Integrative Health Practitioner certification through board-certified naturopathic doctor Stepen Cabral while still in school.

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After graduating with a degree in Fitness and Wellness from Indiana University, Justin began working with individual clients in a small-group personal training setting in Bloomington, Indiana. After a year of practice, he pursued further education through OPEX Fitness and graduated through their Coaching Certificate Program (CCP). After two years working with clients in Bloomington, Justin moved back to his home town in South Bend Indiana and continued his practice in personalized fitness coaching with clients at CrossFit South Bend for over two years under the mentorship of Brandon Wilton.

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Currently, Justin is enrolled in the CHEK (Corrective Holistic Exercise Kinesiology) Academy to further deepen his knowledge in corrective exercise and holistic health as a fitness professional. Justin continues to move, learn, and connect daily as a way to grow himself and walk the path he teaches.

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Justin’s purpose is in helping those who are ready to live more fruitful and fulfilling lives through fitness and holistic health. He is inspired and grateful to share his knowledge and experience here at Central Athlete, just as the mentors and practitioners have helped shape and inspire him to strive to be the best he can be.

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