Nick Biase, RDN, CSSD obtained his bachelor’s degree in Foods and Nutrition from San Diego State University then completed his dietetic internship with the VA of Greater Los Angeles and Naval Special Warfare Group One. Nick has operated a sports nutrition practice for over 10 years and during that time has worked with a full spectrum of tactical athletes. He also managed a wellness program for the City of San Diego’s First Responders. Having served in both the US Marine Corps and Army he not only understands the science behind sports nutrition but also its practical application by utilizing it to personally achieve a higher level of human performance. Nick is dedicated to helping tactical athletes achieve their goals by simplifying the science and guiding them towards developing a realistic lifelong plan. During his free time, Nick enjoys surfing at home in Southern California and cooking large Italian meals for friends. In addition to being an avid weightlifter he’s also completed several long distance runs to include San Antonio TX - San Diego CA and the Grand Canyon Rim-Rim-Rim.

Sarah is an O2X Nutrition Specialist and registered dietitian who believes that everyone has the potential to perform at a higher level and channel their inner athlete. With a background in clinical dietetics, WIC, and private practice, she is currently an adjunct professor in the Department of Health Studies at American University, focusing on advancing health promotion through knowledge of nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle habits. As a sought-after expert in nutrition communication, Sarah is a nutrition content editor at EatingWell and is a published author of two books. She has a strong foundation in performance nutrition and provides education for high school athletes and parents. Sarah has a PhD in Health and Human Performance from Concordia University—Chicago, where her research focused on the home food environment of competitive swimmers. As an Air Force veteran and military spouse, Sarah’s commitment to veterans’ health is evident in her volunteer work as a nutrition contributor to Team RWB. In her free time, she enjoys running, writing, cooking, and watching her three high-energy teenagers compete in sports.

Tracy Daly, MS, RD/N, is an O2X Nutrition Specialist, Registered & Sports Dietitian, and holds a master’s degree in nutrition education from The Chicago Medical School. Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Tracy completed her dietetics studies and dietetic internship there, setting her on a fulfilling career path that combines her passions for health and education.  Tracy has been a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist for 26 years, working in a variety of settings, including collegiate health, corporate and tactical wellness, research, and fitness facilities. She discovered her passion for working with college students and athletes and has worked with a variety of active individuals for over 20 yeas. She currently serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Kinesiology Department at CSU San Marcos, the Nutrition Department at San Diego Mesa College, and the Public Health Program at National University. Tracy also supports the CSUSM Cougars as their Sports Dietitian and has provided expert nutrition support to athletes at San Diego State University, The University of San Diego, and UC San Diego. Her expertise spans sports nutrition, recovery, behavior modification, disordered eating/eating disorders/body image concerns, and gastrointestinal health.  Tracy’s interest in nutrition sparked in college when she recognized how dietary changes could enhance health. Managing her own health challenges as an adult, she found balance through nutrition, Pilates, and mindfulness—a journey that deeply shapes her work today.   An active member of the Collegiate and Professional Sports Dietitian Association and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Sports and Human Performance group, Tracy also gives back to her community. Since 2007, she has volunteered with Rady Children’s Hospital’s canine therapy program and recently adopted Frank, her second therapy dog. Frank will also serve as a Facility Dog at CSU San Marcos, working with student Veterans, athletes, and participating in her Mindfulness classes and the Center for Contemplative Practices.

Amanda Sheaffer is a Nutrition Specialist at O2X Human Performance. Amanda is also an accomplished Dietitian who has worked in various roles across the nation. She first started on the nutrition team with EXOS during the 2017 Combine class for the NFL draft in California. She then shifted to the Wounded Warrior Project to work with veterans nationally for weight-loss and disordered eating management. She moved back to Chicago, her hometown, to serve as the Associate Director of Food and Nutrition for Cook County Health Hospital Systems and was a part of the first COVID-19 response teams for the city. In 2021, Amanda started her private practice, Chicago Nutrition Clinic and opened a second office in Miami. She now also teaches at Miami Regional University and is completing her Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition at University of North Florida. Her passion is identifying challenging populations and developing realistic and sustainable solutions for individuals and populations alike.

Casey Carlgren is an O2X On-Site Human Performance Specialist specializing in Nutrition. As a Registered Dietitian, he leverages his expertise to help tactical professionals optimize their health and performance through tailored nutrition strategies. Casey is passionate about empowering individuals to achieve their goals by integrating evidence-based nutritional guidance with a practical, sustainable approach.Before joining O2X, Casey built a diverse foundation of experience in both clinical and sports nutrition. He worked at EXOS in Frisco, TX, where he supported collegiate football athletes preparing for the NFL combine, as well as professional NFL players. Following this, Casey served as a consultant dietitian with Nutritious Lifestyles, providing clinical services and quality assurance audits for long-term care and skilled nursing facilities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. His journey in nutrition began after serving in the Marine Corps, where he provided security at Camp David and the U.S. embassy in Yemen.Casey holds a Bachelor’s degree in Dietetics from Iowa State University, a Master’s in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Kansas Medical Center, and advanced graduate training in sports nutrition from Florida State University, where he also completed his dietetic internship. A lifelong athlete with experience in track and field, wrestling, CrossFit, powerlifting, and ultra-endurance racing, Casey combines his personal passion for fitness with his professional expertise. In his free time, he enjoys gardening, blending his love for food, nutrition, and health into a fulfilling lifestyle.

Jaime Lee Tartar is an O2X Sleep & Fatigue Management Specialist. Dr. Tartar is a Professor of Neuroscience at Nova Southeastern University (NSU). She serves as the neuroscience program director and research director for the NSU College of Psychology. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from NSU and a Master of Arts degree in Psychology from Florida Atlantic University where she used EEG measure to detect subclinical neurological impairments.She earned her Ph.D. in the Behavioral Neuroscience program at the University of Florida where the focus of her research involved discovering long-term changes that occur in neurobiological pathways involved in stress responses and developing animal models of stress. During graduate school Dr. Tartar also served for 6 years in the U.S. Army Reserves. Dr. Tartar completed Postdoctoral Training at Harvard Medical School where she studied neurological consequences of sleep perturbations using in vitro electrophysiological recording techniques. She also received training in Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School.In her professional career Dr. Tartar was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from NSU based on her work and contributions to NSU and the scientific community. She was also the NSU Professor of the year at NSU in 2018 and received the NSU Excellence in Teaching Award in 2009. Dr. Tartar has received multiple funding grants through the Department of Education and has received research funding from the Department of Defense.She has published over 55 original research articles and has written several book chapters. Her publications include work with professional MMA fighters and NFL players. She has been an invited speaker for multiple organizations and universities. For example, she was a TEDx Presenter, the keynote speaker for the Miami Dade College Research Symposium, and gave the commencement speech at NSU in 2021.Based on her expertise, she consults for multiple prestigious organizations and served on the scientific advisory board for the National Academy of Sports Medicine and regularly serves as a peer review panelist for NASA. Dr. Tartar is also a scientific advisor for Enchanted Wave, LLC where she oversees their research in using single channel EEG. She is the co-founder and President of The Society for NeuroSports — an academic organization for the field of Sports Neuroscience. Dr. Tartar’s current research is focused on stress, sleep, and athletic performance in humans.

Dr. Meagan Rizzo is an O2X Sleep Specialist. She retired from the Army after 24 years of service in Army Medicine. She earned her medical degree from Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, MD in 2003. Dr. Rizzo is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Sleep Medicine. As an Army Colonel and mother of four, she is intimately familiar with sleep deprivation and its impact on human performance. Prior to retirement, Dr. Rizzo was the Chief of the Sleep Disorder Center at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where she served active duty, retirees and dependents of all ages. She had a special focus on the special operations community, shift workers and military senior leaders. Dr. Rizzo served in both the deployed environment and in CONUS locations. She deployed to Kirkuk, Iraq in 2011 with the 101st Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Infantry Division. She also served in the prestigious role as a Specialty Consultant to the White House Medical Unit while at WRNMMC, where she was the sole provider for senior government leaders. Dr. Rizzo is the daughter of a retired Army officer and wife of an active-duty Special Forces officer. Her practice is shaped by the holistic experience of not only being a service member, but also a spouse, and former “Army brat”. Dr. Rizzo has always been committed to fitness. She was a starter on her Division I soccer team in college, and the captain and leading scorer for her medical school Rugby team. In her free time, you can find her in the pool, on a bike, or on the run. She has completed two half-ironman races and countless other triathlons.

Dr. Tina M. Burke is an O2X Human Performance Sleep Specialist. She specializes in providing skills for sleeping better and techniques on how to increase your performance when working round the clock shifts or working with sleep loss.Dr. Burke earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Kent State University in Kent, OH. She then earned a Master’s of Science in Integrative Physiology from the University of Colorado – Boulder, followed by a dual Ph.D. in Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience from the University of Colorado – Boulder. Her research aims at developing our understanding of mechanisms by which photic (light) and non-photic stimuli (e.g., exogenous melatonin, caffeine) can be used as countermeasures to improve sleep, alertness, performance, and overall health.Currently, Dr. Burke is the Sleep Research Team Chief at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research and provides oversight for the Sleep Research Center and Operational Research Team. Dr. Burke is a professional member of the Sleep Research Society, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, Society for Biological Rhythms, and the Society for Neuroscience. Dr. Burke has had the pleasure of the support and companionship of her husband for the past 10 years. As a professional road cyclist, he was one of her first clients that she was able to instill the importance of sleep and circadian alignment on performance.

Dr. Kelly Bennion is an O2X Sleep Specialist. Dr. Bennion received her Ph.D. in Psychology with a concentration in Cognitive Neuroscience from Boston College, and is an Assistant Professor of Neuroscience and Biopsychology at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, CA. Her research uses a combination of behavioral, eye tracking, polysomnography (overnight sleep monitoring), and neuroimaging (e.g., fMRI) approaches to understand the effects of sleep and stress on memory for negative and traumatic experiences. She has published several peer-reviewed articles on sleep and emotional memory consolidation, including showing that those with higher stress levels at the time of a negative experience have better subsequent memory for that negative information, but only following a period of sleep. As Dr. Bennion’s research has important implications for understanding PTSD and other clinical and affective disorders, she has received grants supporting her research from sources including the US Department of Defense, National Science Foundation, American Psychological Association, and Psi Chi. She has also spent time at the Duke- National University of Singapore Medical School as a visiting scholar, researching the effects of sleep restriction on adolescent cognition. Dr. Bennion has been passionate about teaching and education for as long as she can remember, and has an Ed.M. in Mind, Brain, and Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Her commitment to teaching has been acknowledged by her receipt of the Professor of the Year Award (College of Liberal Arts, Cal Poly), the Teaching Excellence in Psychological Science Award (American Psychological Association), as well as the Donald J. White Teaching Excellence Award (Boston College). Dr. Bennion is also passionate about mentorship and outreach. She has founded three mentorship programs for psychology and neuroscience students at Boston College and Cal Poly, coordinated neuroscience outreach events throughout the greater Boston area for children, college students, and older adults, and has organized several events promoting Women in Science. Dr. Bennion feels strongly that one should value health, fitness, and work-life balance, and she has accomplished this largely through fostering her love for dancing. Dr. Bennion has been an avid dancer since age 7, and danced professionally in the Boston area from 2010 to 2016. She was a member of the Adagio Big Band Jazz Company, the Boston Cannons Dance Team, and was a New England Patriots Cheerleader – ending her tenure as an NFL cheerleader with the Patriots’ Super Bowl XLIX victory in her home state of AZ in 2015. Dr. Bennion’s scientific commitment to researching the importance of sleep on cognition and emotional well being, and her personal commitment to maintaining a healthy, physically active lifestyle makes working with O2X a perfect fit.

Dr. Allison Brager is an O2X Sleep Specialist and a Major in the U.S.Army. She is also an elite CrossFit athlete competing for the Army. Allison sits on fatigue management working groups for the federal government, Special Forces, and NATO. Previously, at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research; she and her teammates leveraged groundbreaking sleep discoveries to deliver knowledge products and material solutions to the Army. Her discoveries have most recently been delivered during Operation Spartan Shield and Operation Gotham. She has over 40 publications in flagship biomedical journals.Allison holds an Sc.B. from Brown University and a Ph.D. from Kent State University. Her popular science book, Meathead: Unraveling the Athletic Brain, debunks the myth of “the dumb jock” and chronicles her time as a two-time CrossFit Games team athlete and two-time Regionals athlete. She was also a four-year varsity Division I collegiate track & field athlete. Allison still competes as a Master’s athlete in world championships in track & field and CrossFit. She believes the key to success in life is planning your career around your lifestyle not your lifestyle around your career.

Ashlee McKeon is an O2X Sleep Specialist. Ashlee has over 14 years of experience assessing and probing sleep disruption in both military and veteran groups. She is an active duty U.S. Army officer who currently serves as the Chief of Research for the U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) at Ft. Bragg, NC. Her team’s mission is to support the development and validation of research/program evaluation initiatives across the Special Operations community. This includes the development and evaluation of Assessment & Selection programs for elite military units as well as Command- and Unit-level programs/initiatives aimed at enhancing force readiness through targeted assessment of knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to succeed in highly demanding and specialized military careers. Previously, Ashlee was assigned to the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) Center for Military Psychiatry and Neurosciences where she served as Chief of the Operational Research Team for 3 years. Her team developed, tested, and validated field-ready capabilities to determine the impact of disrupted sleep and circadian misalignment on the physical, cognitive, and emotional readiness of conventional and elite military units during training operations and in far-forward deployed environments. Much of her work was also dedicated to educating military units, small team leaders, and senior leaders on how to maximize shortened or shifted sleep opportunities in the operational environment to support mission success and reduce risk associated with sleep loss. Ashlee also has a special interest in examining the role of sleep and circadian rhythmicity as risk factors for posttraumatic stress and head injury in combat-exposed service members. Ashlee holds a Bachelor of Philosophy in Honors Psychology, with minors in both Applied Statistics and Sociology, from the University of Pittsburgh (2010). She also earned her Master of Science in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, with a certificate in Rehabilitative Assistive Technology, from the University of Pittsburgh in 2013, and then continued her training to earn her Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Science from the University of Pittsburgh in 2016. Ashlee then completed postdoctoral training in Translational Sleep Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine before transferring her research program to the military in 2017. Ashlee commissioned as an officer into the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps as a Research Psychologist, or 71F, in 2018. Personally, Ashlee is an avid Crossfitter and trainer/coach. She also enjoys hiking, kayaking, fishing, and being outdoors with her two corgis, Bolt and Bandit. She loves to travel and strives to experience several new locations, domestic and international, each year.

Ana Fins, PhD, ABPP is an O2X Sleep and Resilience Specialist and a Professor in the Department of Clinical and School Psychology at Nova Southeastern University (NSU). She completed her graduate training in Clinical Health Psychology at the University of Miami where her dissertation focused on examining the relationship between psychological coping and immune function in individuals with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Subsequently she completed post-doctoral training in behavioral sleep medicine at the Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Dr. Fins has been training students in health psychology and behavioral sleep medicine for over two decades. At NSU she teaches doctoral-level graduate students in the clinical psychology program. She also supervises doctoral students providing treatment to individuals with insomnia and to individuals coping with serious and life threatening medical conditions. She recently co-authored a book on insomnia treatment and has co-authored various articles and book chapters, many examining the relationship between sleep and health.

Zlatan Krizan, Ph.D. is a Sleep and Fatigue Management Specialist for O2X. He serves as Professor of Psychology at Iowa State University where he directs the Sleep, Self, and Personality Laboratory. He also leads IntelAwake, focusing on fatigue management within high-steaks interpersonal settings. Dr. Krizan’s scholarship examines the role of sleep in social behavior and performance. Having published over 50 peer-reviewed articles as well as contributed to a number of books, he is a recognized expert on sleep and interpersonal processes cited over 4,000 times. His research has been supported by the National Science Foundation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He is a Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science and currently serves as Editor for scientific journals SLEEP Advances and Journal of Research in Personality. His ongoing work examines the dynamic interplay between sleep, emotions, and motivation, especially as applied to investigative interviewing and high-steaks social interactions. He has collaborated with the Department of Defense, Department of Justice, and a number of local agencies, contributing a voice on the importance of sleep and fatigue in human performance.

CDR J. Kent Werner, Jr., MD PhD, is an O2X Sleep & Fatigue Management Specialist. Outside of O2X, CDR Werner is an active-duty Navy neurologist and neuroscientist who serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Neurology and in the Neuroscience Graduate Program in Bethesda, MD. In his clinics at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) and in the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE), he specializes in sleep disorders associated with high-performance warfighters and in traumatic brain injury (TBI). He also serves as the Director of Research of the WRNMMC Sleep Disorders Center. His research focuses on the impact of TBI on sleep physiology and cognitive performance. After graduating from the US Naval Academy, he deployed as a Surface Warfare Officer onboard the USS MAHAN (DDG-72), earning his Surface Warfare qualification. Upon entering the Medical Corps, he completed his MD, a PhD in cellular and molecular neuroscience, and a neurology residency at Johns Hopkins University, where he serves currently as Adjunct Faculty. He enjoys distance running, and has competed in over 30 marathons, including 9 Boston Marathons.

Dr. Becky Acabchuk is an O2X Sleep Specialist who works as a neuroscientist and wellbeing expert, researching the mental and physical benefits of mind-body practices to promote sleep, manage emotions, and improve overall wellbeing. She leads retreats and workshops for various audiences and has created programs for Division I football and hockey teams, firefighters, elite endurance athletes, and others. Becky was a Division I gymnast at Cornell University, where she received a BA in psychology. She earned her PhD in physiology and neurobiology from the University of Connecticut and has taught university courses in Health Psychology, Science of Mindfulness, Anatomy & Physiology, and more. She conducted a clinical trial using EEG neurofeedback and meditation to improve sleep and reduce stress and anxiety. She has published several notable meta-analyses on topics including yoga for hypertension and yoga and meditation for concussion recovery. She is a member of the NIH’s behavior change consortium, researching what helps people create healthy habits and stick to them. Becky has taught yoga, meditation, breathwork, and yoga nidra since 2003. She is certified in Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) and Sports Yoga by NESTA and has participated in ongoing yoga and meditation training with world-renowned teachers. Becky completed training on trauma-sensitive practices, iRest, and yoga nidra and was mentored by a leading researcher conducting studies on yoga nidra for PTSD in veteran populations.Becky has extensive knowledge of various mind-body protocols, which she uses to create unique and customized programs. Becky is passionate about wellbeing and loves inspiring others with the science behind the practices. She recently spent time teaching neuroscience to Tibetan monks in India, where she learned surprising insights from their methods of sharpening the mind. Becky has competed in marathons and triathlons and loves skiing, hiking, CrossFit, and doing anything outdoors. Becky was introduced to O2X by her partner, a firefighter who attended an O2X program.

Dr. Paul Sargent attended medical school at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, graduating in 2002. He served as a Naval Flight Surgeon for Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron-267. Dr. Sargent was the first naval officer to receive the Fleet Marine Force Qualification Pin within Marine Aircraft Group-39. He was also nominated for the III MAW Flight Surgeon of the year after publishing an article on back pain in rotary wing aviators.

Dr. Marissa Rescott PT, DPT, PhD is a sleep and pain educator as well as a human performance clinician who specializes in helping barbell athletes and runners perform at their best. Marissa competed in the 400m and 800m distances as a collegiate runner on the St. Lawrence University Track and Field team, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience. After falling in love with CrossFit in 2013, she blended her love for neuroscience with her love of fitness in a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the Ohio State University.  As a clinician, Dr. Marissa has helped many Olympic, military, and tactical athletes, as well as recreational weekend warriors overcome physical performance barriers through a focus on recovery and intelligent strength programming.  Marissa has also completed a PhD in cognitive (sleep) science and leads both sleep and musculoskeletal wellness trainings for small to medium sized organizations. She has aided the 62romeo nonprofit in developing their “Sleep 201” sleep optimization course for veterans and first responders, and believes that sleep is the most energy efficient tool we have to “work smarter, not harder.”  Marissa is currently living in Virginia Beach, VA with her significant other, who is part of the US Naval Special Warfare community. In her spare time, you can find her lifting weights, rock climbing, snowboarding, or trail running with her vizsla, Daks.

Dr. Krista Austin is a Human Performance Specialist with more than 25 years of experience advancing resilience, recovery, and readiness across elite sport, tactical, and high-performance environments. She combines scientific rigor with practical application to help individuals and organizations perform at their best under pressure. Krista earned her Ph.D. in Movement Science from Florida State University and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Her diverse career spans leadership and consulting roles with the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, English Institute of Sport, and multiple U.S. national governing bodies, where she served as High Performance Director. She has also consulted for professional sports organizations, helping teams integrate evidence-based performance, nutrition, and recovery strategies to optimize athlete health and success. In the tactical domain, Krista has supported military research organizations and elite military units, developing performance solutions to enhance readiness and resilience in high-stress environments. Her work bridges research and operational practice, focusing on the human factors that drive sustained performance and recovery. At O2X, Krista specializes in the science of winning with a focus on sleep to optimize resilience helping tactical professionals understand how sleep impacts physical readiness, decision-making, and long-term health. She provides education that empowers individuals to improve sleep quality, enhance resilience, and maintain mission effectiveness in demanding environments.

Neva Barno, CMPC (Certified Mental Performance Consultant), is an O2X Mental Performance Specialist whose expertise is in providing mental skills training for optimal performance in various environments and situations. She was a two-sport athlete who first pursued her education in injury rehabilitation after having her own sport injury. She received her B.S. in Exercise and Sport Science from Oregon State University. At the end of her program, she decided to take the jump from the physical side to the mental side after taking her first sport psychology class and realizing it was her own mindset that prevented her from fully recovering in her sport. As she pursued her M.S. in Sport and Performance Psychology at the University of Western States, she met her now husband who was active-duty military and training for a special operations pipeline. She was instantly inspired by the dedication, athleticism, and heroism that she saw within the community, and dedicated the rest of her studies to the military. She graduated with a second M.S. and a Doctoral degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, emphasizing Sport and Performance Psychology in 2021. Neva admits that her own personal experience with trauma has motivated her even more to help the military, first responders, and all individuals who might experience trauma. “I know these techniques work because I had to personally put them to the test. My education saved my well-being.”Neva’s professional experiences include working with collegiate sports, high school athletics, recreational sport, executives, military and first responders, and individuals in clinical settings. She hopes to provide her clients with tools to aid in self-regulation, goal attainment, overcoming setbacks, managing stressful events, and helping them reach a new level of performance. Neva’s motto is, “Performance in life is never finished. We should never give up on ourselves. We should never be done. Let us not be finished. Let us Be Unfinished.”

Ashely Ripke is an O2X Mental Performance Specialist. Ashley has a passion for helping others. She primarily applies her knowledge and expertise in Sport and Performance Psychology to the military. The past 7 years she has trained and supported thousands of soldiers (Big Army and Special Forces) on psychological skills that enhance resilience and performance in garrison and theatre. Her career began with the Ready and Resilient (R2) Program and is currently the Cognitive Performance Specialist with 3rd Special Forces Group. The role psychological and physiological factors play in high risk occupations, generates a need for quality Mental Performance Training. Recognized for her excellent service and support to various Army units, Ashley mentors others who will support in a similar capacity. After receiving a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Indiana Tech, Ashley pursued her Master’s in Sport and Performance Psychology from the University of Denver. Outside of working with the military, Ashley coaches young athletes in the Southern Pines area on mental skills and techniques to achieve higher levels of performance more consistently.

Stephanie Zavilla is an O2X Mental Performance Specialist. She has served as the Director of Sports Performance at the Winter Park Competition Center for 7 years, supervising Strength and Conditioning, Sport Psychology, Injury Management, Sports Nutrition, and Return-to-Sport Programming. After earning a double major in Psychology and History with a minor in Coaching from the University of South Dakota, while playing four years with the school’s NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Team, she went on to receive her Masters in Sport and Performance Psychology from the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Professional Psychology in 2013. Currently, she is an adjunct faculty at her alma mater.Stephanie has worked as a consultant for a myriad of sports and organizations on both a group and individual basis. She has experience in football, baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey, exercise endurance, lacrosse, figure skating, tennis, skiing, snowboarding, Paralympic skiing, and gymnastics, working with athletes ranging from those who are just beginning their recreational sport careers to those who are competing at the international, professional, or Olympic level. She has served as the sport psychology consultant for an NFL Combine Preparation Camp for several years. A certified consultant for the Association for Applied Sport Psychology, Stephanie has spoken at several regional and national conferences on her work in heart rate variability biofeedback, and has authored several peer reviewed articles, featuring her research in the parent-athlete relationship. Most recently she has co-authored a graduate-level textbook chapter on the psychophysiology of self-regulation.Stephanie’s philosophy revolves around the idea that simply by being aware, being present, and being in love with what you do, freedom will follow; freedom from judgmental thoughts, freedom from the constraints of internal and external pressures, resulting in freedom of movement, and the opportunity to step beyond perceived limits.Outside of working with parents, athletes, and coaches, Stephanie finds happiness in hiking, camping, white water kayaking, Paul Simon, and skiing as many months in a row as possible (80 and counting!).

Dr. Christine Sanchez is an O2X Mental Performance Specialist with expertise in mental and cognitive skills training for achieving optimal performance in high pressure scenarios. She has over 14 years of experience working with athletes and other elite performers who desire to unlock their true potential.Dr. Sanchez is best known for her work targeting mindfully performing under pressure, maintaining situation-awareness, and rebounding quickly from performance errors. She routinely integrates biofeedback technology for facilitating optimal psycho-physiological regulation of performance states. Mental skills training programs consist of group workshops and individual consultations focusing on rapid skill acquisition, performance enhancement, and performance recovery. Over the years she has had the opportunity to consult domestically and internationally with junior elite and collegiate athletes, first responders, and military personnel.Dr. Sanchez received her B.S. in Ocean Engineering from Virginia Tech, M.Ed. in Kinesiology (Exercise & Sport Psychology specialization) from Temple University, and Ph.D. in Educational Psychology (specialization in Sport & Performance Psychology) from Florida State University. She is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology. In addition, she is a member of the Association of Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback and is Board Certified in Biofeedback (BCB) through the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA). Dr. Sanchez completed her 200 hour Registered Yoga Instructor (RYT-200) training and routinely integrates yoga and mindfulness into her mental skills training plans for recovery.While swimming and rowing collegiately at Virginia Tech, Dr. Sanchez sought the expertise of a Sport Psychologist to help her through a performance slump. The positive impact this training had on her own athletic endeavors allowed her to realize her true passion – to assist others in achieving performance excellence while living a high quality, balanced life. In her free time Dr. Sanchez competes in Stand-up Paddle Board (SUP) races, and enjoys surfing, yoga, swimming, and biking. Her most recent watersport to pick up is the surfski.

Dr. Tracy Heller is an O2X Mental Performance Specialist whose expertise is in providing mental skills training for optimal performance in high-pressure scenarios.Her areas of specialization include goal-attainment, stress management, attention control, mindfulness, relaxation strategies, mistake management, mind-body recovery, biofeedback for self-regulation, and breathing training. Her professional experience includes working with individuals and teams within Division I collegiate sports, high school athletics, recreational sport, executives, corrections, and the military. She also provides educational workshops for professional development. Dr. Heller enjoys working in a multidisciplinary team atmosphere to meet the multifaceted needs of clients.She received her B.S. in Psychology from St. Lawrence University, M.A. in Sport Psychology from McGill University, and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology with a specialization in Sport Psychology from Florida State University. She is licensed to practice psychology in Virginia and California and is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology. She is a member of the Association of Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback and is Board Certified in Biofeedback (BCB) through the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance.Dr. Heller likes to spend her free time exploring restaurants, reading, practicing yoga, hiking, and picking things up then putting them down (she likes to start her week with squats). She was introduced to sport psychology as a junior athlete at the Olympic Training Centre, where she trained for luge. She learned how to systematically develop the cognitive side of her training to improve her performance. It made such a huge impact that she decided to pursue it as a career!

Pete Kadushin, Ph.D. is the Manager of Learning and Development for the Chicago Blackhawks, and before stepping into that role, spent three years as the mental performance coach for the Blackhawks. In over fifteen years in the field of performance psychology, he’s had the privilege to work in professional, college, and military high performance settings, with the goal of helping these groups develop the mindset and mental skills that will allow them to more consistently achieve their best performances. His core passion is to help people perform at their highest level so that they can live a more fulfilled, meaningful life.Pete’s work focuses on two key areas of growth: helping people dial in their ability to learn and refine lessons quickly, and increasing their capacity to apply those lessons under pressure. He believes that tools like self-reflection, breath work, and meditation are invaluable as people walk the path of mastery.In addition to mental performance coaching, Pete has held academic appointments at Boston University and Western Colorado University, where he taught performance psychology and motor learning at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Dr. Brian Hite is an O2X Mental Performance Specialist. He has spent over 40 years immersed in the world of performance, both as a participant and coach. On stage since childhood, Brian has toured with live shows, done standup comedy, performed and coordinated stunts for film/TV, and coached athletes ranging from youth to professional. His diverse background allows him to connect with performers of all types, from actors and musicians to executives and elite athletes. With a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology, Brian takes a holistic approach to maximizing human potential. He works with individuals and teams to develop the mental skills for sustained excellence – managing nerves, focusing amid chaos, retaining confidence after setbacks. Through over a decade of work with the U.S. Army, athletes from a variety of sports, performing artists of all stripes, and entrepreneurs from different industries, Brian has honed strategies to help leaders optimize team culture and performance.As a Senior Dissertation Chair for Grand Canyon University (GCU), Brian guides doctoral students through the research process, instilling the tenacity needed for rigorous scholarship while encouraging students to engage their curiosity and explore their areas of passion. His certifications as a Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC), Life Coach, Leadership Coach, and Executive Coach further enable him to empathize with clients and provide tailored guidance to meet their needs. Whether he is writing, attending shows and games, or rollerblading and biking with his daughter, Brian lives the ethos he teaches: hard work, perseverance, and passion. After 40 years of living and studying peak performance, he knows that joy and achievement go hand in hand. Brian brings this spirit of enthusiasm and mastery to every session, empowering others to excel.

Dr. Ira Martin is an O2X Mental Performance Specialist. Ira received his Doctoral and Master’s Degrees in Counseling and Human Development with a specialization in Sport Psychology from Boston University. He received his bachelor’s degree Summa Cum Laude from Suffolk University. He also completed a personal and executive coaching program with the Institute of Professional Empowerment Coaching–IPEC, and is a Certified Professional Coach.Ira became interested in performance psychology as a collegiate ice hockey player, and over the past several years has worked with numerous youth, high school, and college athletes, as well as coaches and referees. He is passionate about educating teams, executives, coaches, and parents, in group and individual settings. Most recently, Ira served as the Leader in Residence at the United States Coast Guard Academy Institute for Leadership, translating leadership research into practice, while actively engaged in the curriculum development, implementation, and assessment of an academy-wide leader development strategy. While at the Academy, Ira spent time in the classroom as an assistant professor of Organizational Behavior and Leadership. Ira has teaching experience at the undergraduate and graduate level at schools such as Boston University, Connecticut College, and Suffolk University.

Bobby Schlote is an O2X Mental Performance Specialist. Bobby is motivated to help others strive to be the best version of themselves on a consistent basis. He applies his knowledge and expertise in the field of Sport and Performance Psychology to help individuals and teams optimize their mental performance and unlock their inner potential.He began his career working with amateur and collegiate athletes before transitioning his passion to the military community. Over the years, Bobby has worked with over 40,000 Soldiers as a Performance Expert for the US Army’s Ready and Resilient (R2) program. During this time, he served as a Lead Performance Expert for various Basic Combat Training Battalions, and as the Lead Performance Expert for the United States Army Drill Sergeant Academy (USADSA) at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. While at the USADSA he worked with thousands of Drill Sergeant Leaders and Drill Sergeant Candidates on mastering psychological skills for personal and professional applications, as they are tasked with developing the next generation of the US Army. His passion for the Army expands beyond the classroom and in 2016 he joined the South Carolina Army National Guard. Upon receiving his commission in 2018 as a Signal Officer, he served as a Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, and Brigade Human Resource Officer in a traditional guard role (part-time). He is currently in a full-time role with the South Carolina Army National Guard as the Battalion Training Officer for a Cyber Protection Battalion. Bobby received his B.S. in Sport and Exercise Psychology from West Virginia University and his M.S. in Sport and Exercise Psychology from Georgia Southern University. When he is not wearing his uniform or working with those who do, he spends as much quality time as possible with his wife and their two daughters in their hometown of Columbia, South Carolina.

Brad Marshall is an O2X Mental Performance Specialist. Brad Marshall has been fascinated with human performance along with helping people live happier, healthier lives for as long as he can remember. Over the last decade, he has trained athletes, military personnel, corporate executives, law enforcement, first responders, and individuals who have big goals for how they want their lives to unfold. He loves helping and coaching others in the areas of movement, mindset, nutrition, and recovery.Brad has worked to educate himself and gain the necessary skills and experience to provide the best experience to his clients, earning certifications in the following areas: a Master’s degree in sport psychology, a CrossFit Level 2 trainer, a Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certification, a Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement Certification, a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Certification, and an O23 Level 2 Holistic Lifestyle Coaching Certification.You can catch Brad playing softball, working on his golf game, volunteering at local fitness events, or enjoying all things superheroes when he’s not working with others. Brad has relentlessly been figuring out how to elevate the quality of life of others through the practices of mindset, movement, nutrition, and recovery. He’s beyond excited to work with others who share his mission of living happier, healthier, and more fulfilled lives.

Heather LeGette is an O2X Mental Performance Specialist. Heather strives to attain high levels of personal and professional well being and is passionate about helping others do the same. She enjoys living a balanced life where nutrition, physical fitness, recovery, mental fortitude, and emotional health are at the forefront of daily operations. She spends her time outside of work at her local gym, hiking, camping, traveling, or spending quality time with loved ones. Heathers background is in Sport and Performance Psychology. She participated in competitive cheerleading for over 10 years, coached for 8, and currently trains in CrossFit and Olympic Weightlifting. After completing her Bachelor’s in Psychology and Minor in Exercise Biology from the University of California, Davis, she went on to complete her Master’s Degree in Sport Psychology from John F. Kennedy University. She has worked with the US Army for over 8 years providing mental skills training to optimize performance and enhance resilience of Soldiers, their family members, and DA civilians. Additionally, she has helped athletes from a variety of sports improve their performance. Her favorite part of the work is seeing the impact mental skills training can have on people’s quality of life.

Blair is an O2X Mental Performance Specialist. Blair is passionate about empowering people to take control over their own performances, development, and learning ways to thrive. She has worked for over a decade applying her knowledge and expertise in Sport and Performance Psychology in her work with athletes, adaptive athletes, medical professionals, first responders, law enforcement, the US State Department, and the US Army. Her career began with the Army Resilience Directorate’s Ready and Resilient (R2) Program, where she trained thousands of Soldiers in psychological skills that enhance resilience and performance. She is currently a Cognitive Performance Specialist with Special Operations. As part of a family with numerous Nurses, Firefighters, and Service Members, Blair has seen first-hand the effects of high risk occupations on individuals and their families, and loves being able to help those who serve live happier, healthier lives.  Blair grew up in Florida, and spent most of her life in the water. She was a competitive swimmer and US Swimming certified coach for over 20 years, a Beach Patrol lifeguard, and competed in the US Lifesaving Association Lifeguard National Championships and various open-water competitions. Her next goal is to complete the Change Your Latitude open-water swim, the northernmost ocean swim, in Sitka, Alaska. Blair earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and her Masters of Science in Educational Psychology (specialization in Sport and Performance Psychology) from Florida State University. Outside of work, Blair loves to travel to new places, explore her home city of Raleigh, NC, attend as many concerts as she can, and read.

Mike Hatfield currently serves as a Human Performance Specialist at O2X specializing in Mental Performance. He channels his passion for enhancing emotional regulation, attention, memory, sleep, and overall happiness and performance. Dedicated to combating the rising rates of anxiety and depression while promoting lethality and longevity, he is a fervent advocate for trail therapy and the transformative power of a campfire's vulnerability. With an ethos rooted in holistic wellness, Mike is committed to equipping individuals with the tools they need to thrive in both physical and mental realms.

Before joining O2X, Mike's professional journey unfolded across a diverse array of roles and industries. He served as a Cognitive Performance Specialist with MARSOC, coached soccer and football, and imparted psychological insights to athletes at Feather River College in California. His expertise extends to working with elite athletes across various sports leagues and collegiate levels, as well as collaborating with specialized military units to enhance cognitive performance. A former Marine Corps member, Mike's decorated service included accolades such as Marine of the Year and NCO of the Year, reflecting his dedication to excellence and leadership.

Mike's academic journey is as multifaceted as his professional endeavors. While he is ABD (All But Dissertation) in his pursuit of a PsyD in Sport & Performance Psychology, he holds a Master's degree in Sport Psychology and an MBA. His undergraduate studies at High Point University, where he excelled as a soccer captain and track athlete, equipped him with a foundation in business and human relations. Beyond formal education, Mike is continuously expanding his knowledge, holding certifications in Yoga Nidra (PMR) and serving as an XPT Breath Coach. Yet, amidst his diverse pursuits, Mike treasures his role as a father to three children and finds solace in exploring the vast landscapes of the United States, often accompanied by his faithful companion Sage, a Belgian Malinois.

Tanner is a Naval Special Warfare Cognitive Performance Specialist and Certified Mental Performance Consultant passionate about helping elite athletes and performers perform at their best. A native of Door County, Wisconsin, he received his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Athletic Coaching from Marian University in Wisconsin before obtaining his Master’s degree in Clinical Counseling, specializing in Sport and Health Psychology from Adler University, Chicago. Tanner is a former collegiate baseball player who earned all-conference honors during his days on the field. He has continued to focus on his love for baseball working with athletes of all ages in the field of sport psychology. His professional work includes serving as a Master Resilience Trainer at Fort Gregg-Adams, VA, in the Ready and Resilient (R2) Program, Cognitive Performance Specialist at Fort Huachuca, AZ, and currently at Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado, CA. As a Cognitive Performance Specialist, Tanner is responsible for teaching and training evidence-based mental performance skills to Special Operators with an emphasis on application to their personal and professional lives. He has provided customized mental performance workshops for numerous units at Fort Huachuca, including the 111th Military Intelligence Brigade and members of Special Boat Team 12 at NAB-Coronado, focusing on energy management, team cohesion, attentional control, confidence, self-talk, leadership, sleep, and work-life balance. Tanner has had the opportunity to travel to provide cognitive performance training to Soldiers and DA Civilians across numerous US Army installations, including Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, TX, Fort McCoy in Sparta, WI, and virtually with United States Military Academy at West Point. Tanner has also worked one one-on-one with a wide variety of Soldiers, athletes, and future mental performance consultants to help guide them toward achieving their professional and personal goals. He is responsible for working with senior leaders to recognize and address the factors of optimal performance through mental skills training designed to maximize leader attributes and accelerate unit excellence.

Steph is a mental health professional with 14 years of experience. She provides services and training to support high-performance enhancement, resilience, and wellness. Steph has provided both sports and clinical psychology to various organizations. She has conducted post-graduate research on Australian Olympic Track and Field athletes and worked with professional sporting organizations across Australia. Steph has spent the past eight years working for several military branches, including the US Army, US Marine Corps, US Navy, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Australian Air Force, and Australian Army. She serves as the Cognitive Performance Specialist (CPS) for Naval Special Warfare Group 1 (NSWG1). Steph's role involves training and educating Special Operations Forces (SOF) personnel in individual and group settings. She focuses on teaching specific skills and strategies related to cognitive, mental, behavioral, psychosocial, perceptual, learning, adaptive thinking, human engagement, and emotional control. Additionally, Steph has developed a curriculum for the US military to foster positive experiences surrounding counseling for US Army soldiers. Steph is conducting research on the correlation between mentorship, psychological safety, and female firefighters' turnover intentions as part of her pursuit of a Doctorate in Industrial and Organizational Psychology.

Dr. Katy Tran Turner is an O2X Mental Performance Specialist, specializing in developing mental skills that optimize performance in high-pressure, fast-paced, and dynamic environments. Her expertise focuses on enhancing decision-making, confidence, self-regulation, and present-moment focus during high-stress performance moments.

Dr. Turner has a rich history of working with high-performance teams in various settings. She served as the mental performance coach for the Buffalo Sabres for five seasons and spent two seasons with the Buffalo Bills, where she contributed to multidisciplinary teams providing holistic support. Before her time with professional athletes in Western New York, Katy worked with soldiers at Fort Bragg, NC, providing mental performance training for tactical athletes. Her experience also includes working in NCAA Division I athletics departments in student-athlete services and supporting a wide range of sports.

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Dr. Turner holds a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology with a specialization in Sport and Performance Psychology from Florida State University. She also earned a master’s degree in Exercise Physiology from Kent State University and undergraduate degrees in Biology and Exercise & Sport Science from UNC-Chapel Hill. While at UNC, Katy was the starting goaltender for the field hockey team, earning All-America honors. She is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology and a member of the American Psychological Association Division 47. In addition to her role at O2X, Dr. Turner serves as an adjunct professor. Her research has focused on team dynamics and coordination.

John Pine serves as a Cognitive Performance Specialist with the 435th Fighter Training Squadron at Randolph Air Force Base. John holds a Master’s degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in Sport Psychology and Motor Behavior from the University of Tennessee, along with a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Psychology from Illinois State University. He is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) with expertise in applied sport psychology, cognitive training, and leadership development.  

John’s career began using his job as an academic mentor to begin working with first year student-athletes at Tennessee. Before graduating with his master’s degree John also interned with the Chicago Fire Football Club youth academy. He later served as a Performance Expert with the U.S. Army at Fort Polk, where he facilitated resilience training to enhance unit effectiveness. John then advanced to Site Lead for CRAFT Pilot Training at Columbus AFB, leading a team of seven specialists and overseeing cognitive training programs for hundreds of Air Force pilots. With the 435th he is embedded directly with fighter pilots. In this role, he provides one-on-one consultations addressing perfectionism, stress, and performance recovery, develops training curricula for instructors, and leverages cutting-edge tools such as eye-tracking technology to improve pilot cross-check efficiency. Even taking opportunities to hop in the back seat for several rides to learn first hand what the performance environment looks like. His work directly supports both student development and instructor effectiveness, strengthening performance and mission readiness at one of the Air Force’s premier fighter training squadrons.

Zach Weatherford is an O2X Strength & Conditioning Specialist. Zach is currently a self-employed human performance consultant. He is contracted with the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee as well as the Naval Special Warfare Training Command offering support and development for their staff. Weatherford recently completed a 3-year term (2016-2019) as the Director of Human Performance with the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA after spending 6 years as a Civilian Human Performance Manager for the U.S. Naval Special Warfare Command.Before his Department of Defense experience, Weatherford held multiple roles with the U.S. Olympic Committee. From 2007-2009, Weatherford was a sports physiologist for the U.S. Olympic Committee, where he led a multidisciplinary team of science-based human performance professionals that implemented platforms across 17 U.S. Olympic Team programs.In addition, Weatherford served as the Strength and Conditioning & Video Specialist for the U.S. Ski and Snowboard team from 2004-2007 as well as as the Strength and Conditioning Coordinator for the U.S. Olympic Committee from 2000-2004. Throughout this time, Weatherford was on staff for three Olympic Games: 2004 in Athens, 2006 in Torino and 2008 in Beijing.

hris Ullom is an O2X Strength and Conditioning Specialist. He has worked in the fields of Health, Fitness and Human Performance since 1994 following the completion of his bachelor’s degree in Sports Medicine from Old Dominion University. He then completed his master’s degree in Physical Education from Radford University in 1997 while serving as a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer. For the next several years he would work as a Certified Athletic Trainer in both the high school and physical therapy settings. In 2000 Chris would earn the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist credential from the NSCA and form Atlantic Sports Performance, a company dedicated to improving the performance and injury resilience of youth athletes. In 2004, Chris would become the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for USA Field Hockey, helping the US Women qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games – the first time the US had qualified without being the host country in over twenty years. This coincided with his work at Wareing’s Gym in Virginia Beach, VA – the oldest gym in the country. Initially a personal trainer specializing in youth athletes, Chris would go on to become the Director of Training and eventually General Manager. During his tenure, Wareing’s Gym would become the premier training center in Virginia Beach, with the introduction of world-renowned programs such as the Parisi Speed School (the national leader in youth performance training), Alloy Personal Training Systems and Martin Rooney’s famed Training for Warriors program.In 2021 Chris became the Director of Human Performance for Naval Special Warfare Group 8 East, serving both the SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2 and Special Reconnaissance Team 2. After 3 ½ years with NSW, Chris went back to work in the fitness industry to become the Director of Strength and Conditioning for Onelife Fitness in Virginia Beach.In addition to being a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, he is also a Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach (NSCA), a USA Weightlifting Level 2 Coach and a Level 1 Titlelist Performance Institute Certified Fitness Professional.

Mike Sanders is an O2X Strength & Conditioning Specialist. He received his master’s degree in Exercise Science in 1999, from the University of Nebraska-Kearney and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist from the National Strength and Conditioning Association. As a strength and conditioning coach, he has been blessed to be part of many athletic team successes, including back-to-back national championships in D-I Collegiate Men’s Ice Hockey.In 2010, he moved from the sport athletics world to working with tactical athletes, physically training military and consulting with fire fighters. He has extensive experience and knowledge physically preparing Division-I athletes and tactical athletes for the rigors of competition, combat, and work.He is also the founder and president of Junto Tribe Ministries, a ministry committed to helping people achieve their highest potential in spirit, mind, and body. He is a speaker, author, and coach, and is currently working towards becoming a certified chaplain for first responders, police, and military.He enjoys spending time with his family and friends and loves to read, learn, write, think, and train. It could be argued that he has a slight addiction to coffee and believes outdoors is always better than indoors. To unwind, he enjoys going paddle boarding, sitting quietly in the great outdoors, and watching movies. Mike is married to his wonderful wife, Julie, and has two daughters and a fur ball for a dog.

Matt Cady is an O2X Strength & Conditioning Specialist with expertise in physical performance and strength and conditioning. He has been training traditional athletes, military, and first responders for 15 years. Matt has been certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, USA Weightlifting, Precision Nutrition, and Functional Movement Screen. He has authored articles, spoken at seminars, and been a guest on various podcasts. Matt was a 4-year college ice hockey athlete at Miami University where he received a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and a minor in Coaching. Upon graduating, he was a member of the University of Denver hockey coaching staff, where the team won the National Championship. Matt returned to Miami University to continue his strength and conditioning career and earn a Master of Science degree in Kinesiology. Matt was a collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coach for 8 years. His teams won world medals, national championships, and league championships. His individual athletes earned All American honors, became league MVPs, and received the Hobey Baker (the highest individual award for men’s collegiate ice hockey). Many of the athletes he has trained have also competed at the professional level. In 2016, Matt took his expertise and collegiate experience to the military where he was a Tactical Human Performance Specialist for 7th Special Forces Group. There, he was privileged to train and educate some of the military’s finest soldiers on smarter ways to train. He created specific programming to prepare them for deployments and specialized selection courses. Matt now works in the private sector for Impact Sports Performance. He trains, advises, and educates youth to professional athletes on performance measures such as strength, speed, and explosiveness, as well as, rest, recovery, nutrition, hydration, and mental toughness. When Matt is not at work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and dog. He enjoys reading articles to continue his learning and stay up to date with current events and training trends. Matt stays active by working out in his garage, mountain biking, and stand-up paddle boarding.

Ana Tocco is an O2X Strength & Conditioning Specialist. Ana is also the Associate Head Strength and Conditioning Coordinator at St. Johns Preparatory in Danvers, MA. In her role, she assists with development, implementation, and oversight of all strength and conditioning programs for students, faculty, and staff.Prior to SJP, she worked as the Head Strength Coach and Site Director at Innercity Weightlifting, a non-profit organization that works to reduce youth violence by connecting proven-risk young people with new networks and opportunities in and beyond personal and group training.After graduating from University of Massachusetts Amherst with a Kinesiology degree and as captain of the Women’s Rowing Team, she got her start at Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning (MBSC) in Woburn, MA. The growth-focused environment at MBSC motivated Ana in a way she had never experienced. After a few short years, she went on to earn her Master’s in Coaching Education at Boston University and worked as a Graduate Assistant in BU’s varsity weight room.Currently, in addition to her time at SJP, she works with O2X to help tactical athletes maximize human performance through a curriculum that provides concrete ways to make incremental changes that lead to sustainable improvements.Ana enjoys using strength and conditioning as her platform to work with others to develop life skills. She specializes in getting athletes to set goals that focus on the process of training rather than only on the outcome. She enjoys helping athletes increase and improve the likelihood that they will reach their true athletic potential. Ana continues to further her education by attending conferences and seminars each year.Her certifications include: SCCC (Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Certification) Functional Movement Screening (FMS) Functional Range Conditioning (FRC) Precision Nutrition- Level 1 USA-Weightlifting Coach Strong First Certified Kettlebell Instructor Level 1 Certified Wellness Coach through American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP) Postural Restorative Institute (PRI) Altis Speed and Sprinting Mechanics Mentorship Program.

Josh Lamont is an O2X Strength & Conditioning Specialist from Baltimore, Maryland. He is a Certified Athletic Trainer and Strength and Conditioning Coach who owns AthletEdge, a company that specializes in assessing, training, and educating athletes of all ages in order to improve their performance and increase their resiliency.Josh attended Towson University in Baltimore where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training. From there, he went onto University of Delaware for his Master of Science degree in Exercise Physiology and worked with the Strength and Conditioning staff, training the school’s athletic teams. Following graduate school, Josh had the opportunity to live out a childhood dream as he spent many years in professional baseball. Although his dream was to be a player at that level, he spent his time training and rehabilitating the ballplayers in order to improve their performance and help them decrease their chance of injury. Working in baseball offered Josh the opportunity to travel the country, which is how he met his amazing wife in Chicagoland, and began working with Tactical Athletes in Arizona. Since moving back to Baltimore so his children could grow up near family, Josh has been able to return to playing ‘old-man’ baseball. His desire to be competitive and avoid injury has driven Josh to train consistently for performance and to keep up with his children while, at the same time, be a role model to the athletes he works with.

Jill Zeller is an O2X Strength & Conditioning Specialist. Zeller currently is the Sr. Associate Director of Athletic Performance at the University of Georgia, working specifically with women’s soccer and women’s golf. Before her time with the Bulldogs, she was the Sports Performance Coach for San Diego Wave FC of the National Women’s Soccer League. She helped the team win the regular season in 2023. Prior to the Wave, Zeller was at the University of Southern California, working with women’s soccer, lacrosse, and beach volleyball (5-time national champions). Before she got to USC, she worked with a variety of sports and athletes at places like EXOS and Mike Boyle’s Strength and Conditioning. Zeller spent one year as the Director of Sports Performance for the Wake Forest women’s basketball team. She served as a strength and conditioning coach for Boston University and USA Hockey, while also interning with Northeastern University and Athletes’ Performance. She went to 5 World Championships with USA Hockey’s U18-22 teams. A native of Newton, Massachusetts, Zeller graduated from James Madison University in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and from Boston University in 2014 with a master’s degree in Coaching Education.She is passionate about supporting those who want to use strength training to help make their daily needs better.

Molly Poalino is an O2X Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Strength and conditioning has never been a job for Poalino, it has always been her passion. Her career began in the realm of athletic performance while working to get her Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She gained diverse experiences with her multiple internships throughout the state of MA during her college career.Coach Molly’s next stop was University of West Florida to obtain her Masters of Health Science, specializing in Physical Education/Teacher Education. As a graduate assistant, she gained experience working in the collegiate setting. This experience would springboard her to a position at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. At UNC Molly worked with 5 varsity teams ranging from Cross Country to Gymnastics. While working at UNC, Molly met her now husband, Eric Poalino, an Army officer. This would shift her career path in the direction of tactical strength and conditioning.After 4 years at UNC, Coach Poalino would make the jump to the tactical setting, working with the US Army 27th Engineers as a contractor. She spent 2 years building the Health and Holistic Fitness (H2F) program from the ground up. Molly created programs to help soldiers prepare for the new Army Combat Fitness Test, Ranger School, Sapper School, and Special Operations selection. She also helped bridge soldiers back to their companies after injuries. The knowledge and experience she gained with the H2F program empowered her to secure a contractor position as the Strength and Conditioning Coach at Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC).Whether it is maintaining a healthy lifestyle, or training for a specific school or selection, Molly is there to educate all branches of the military to achieve success. Molly is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach (CSCS) through the NSCA and Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified (SCCC) through the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association. In her spare time, she is cheering for all things New England, playing rugby or exploring the outdoors with Eric, daughter Parker and two dogs Brady & Billie.

Ryan Kirby is an O2X Strength & Conditioning Specialist. Ryan was born and raised in Dallas, Georgia where he grew up with his two brothers and two sisters. He comes from an athletic family that has always been involved in sports. Ryan and his brothers were top athletes at the state and national level growing up. This is what led him into his career in the Marine Corps. It was that sense of purpose and unity that made the Marine Corps, especially the infantry, the only place that he wanted to go after high school. After multiple tours in Afghanistan, Okinawa, South Korea, and Thailand, Ryan decided that he would pursue other endeavors that he never thought possible before the military.After getting out of the Marine Corps, Ryan started school at Kennesaw State University, where he has received both a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Exercise Science and Exercise Physiology. During his time in school, Ryan had the opportunity to work with multiple sports teams on campus. His passion in life is working with and educating athletes. Ryan also plays and writes music, loves the outdoors, and loves Georgia Football.

Michael Pimentel is an O2X Strength & Conditioning Specialist. Michael is also a varsity collegiate strength and conditioning coach at Brown University. Michael received both his Bachelors in Exercise Science and his Masters in Strength and Conditioning from Bridgewater State University. He helps oversee 38 varsity sports, and specializes in 10: Men’s Lacrosse, Men’s & Women’s Hockey, Men’s & Women’s Crew, Men’s & Women’s Water Polo, Women’s Soccer, and Men’s & Women’s Swim & Dive. Michael works with each and every one of his athletes on injury prevention, maximizing athletic potential, educating on healthy lifestyle, and giving them tools for life, ensuring that they have a positive student/athlete experience. Michael has helped prepare his athletes for several Final Fours, NCAA Tournaments, and Ivy League Championships. Along his journey he has helped produce All Americans, National Champions and professional athletes. Michael is passionate about continuing education, learning new concepts, and bettering himself and those around him. He has a strong connection with his team, and maekes sure he stays current in his field in order to help his athletes thrive, recover faster, and stay ahead of their competition. Michael is certified through the SCCC, one of the highest ranking certifications in the field for collegiate strength and conditioning coaches. He is also a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with the National Strength & Conditioning Association and a certified Sports Performance coach through the United States Weightlifting Association (USAW). Michael strives for excellence with his athletes in recovery, which is why he holds a certification through Reflexive Performance Reset. During his Master’s program, Michael conducted a research study on concussion prevention in sports, as well as co-publishing an article on grip strength. Throughout the course of his educational career, Michael completed several internships at top strength & conditioning programs, such as University of Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Brown University.Michael has a strong sense of empathy with his athletes and holds himself as a leader, not a boss. His own experience in collegiate sports allows him to connect on a deeper level with his athletes and assist them beyond what the textbooks teach. His emphasis on mental health and living a fulfilling, balanced lifestyle, makes him not only a well-rounded coach, but a mentor to many. Michael continues to compete in powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting, prone paddling, and open water swimming, as well as participates in recreational surfing. Michael holds a healthy sense of competition, which allows him to grow as a professional and as an individual. On a daily basis, Michael is striving for excellence with the hope he can help the world become 1% better.

D.J. is an O2X Instructor and Strength and Conditioning Specialist, who previously served in the United States Marine Corps as an infantry squad leader with 1st Battalion 9th Marines. His final duty station was Marine Corps Base Quantico where he served as a Warfighting Instructor at The Basic School. Following his time in service, D.J. obtained his B.S. in Kinesiology from James Madison University. D.J.’s passion for health and fitness, especially within the tactical community, paired with his enthusiasm for helping others while optimizing their athletic abilities are factors that have led him to coaching tactical athletes. His first-hand knowledge of tactical tasks and environments combined with his unique programming and sheer enthusiasm for working with the tactical demographics allows him to optimize performance for each individual athlete.

Tyler is an O2X Strength & Conditioning Specialist. As a prior US Olympian, he competed in snowboarding in the Torino and Vancouver Winter Games. He is a mental performance coach with over 10 years of experience, including from the Naval Tactical Athlete Program. Tyler was a varsity lacrosse player at Boston College.

Adam DeMarais is an O2X Strength & Conditioning Specialist. Adam has been a strength and conditioning coach since 2008 and has had the pleasure of working with tactical populations, athletes, and the general population. He received his Bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University, where he majored in Biology and minored in Sports Medicine. This combination of fields provided Adam with a unique perspective on the intersection between science and human performance. He also received his Master’s degree from Concordia University Chicago where he studied Exercise Science with a concentration on human movement.

Dr. Matthew Zanis, PT, DPT, FAAOMPT, OCS, ATC, CSCS, is an O2X Strength & Conditioning Specialist and owner of Rooted in MVMNT, a human movement and vitality company. Dr. Zanis obtained his bachelor’s in athletic training from the University of Pittsburgh and Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Duke University. He is a strength and conditioning coach, orthopedic specialist, and fellowship trained in manual therapy. Dr. Zanis works with a broad demographic from Olympians, including the athletes of USA Shooting, to Naval Special Warfare and everyone in between. His vision is to create an awareness of new ways of working with the human body in rehabilitation, performance, and coaching circles, and bring that alive for strength and conditioning and rehabilitation professionals alike through a philosophy that is rooted in movement.

John Sim is an O2X Strength & Conditioning Specialist. He is also currently a Physical Skills Instructor for the U.S. Secret Service and previously served as the Program Manager for Physical Performance at the Office of the Surgeon General (OTSG). Prior to working at OTSG, John served as the Human Performance Advisor for a US Army Special Operations unit based in the National Capital Region. Throughout his career John has worked with a diverse array of clientele that includes tactical, collegiate, and professional populations. John’s strength & conditioning coaching experience includes stops at Georgetown University, Fordham University, Binghamton University, EXOS Headquarters, and Grand Canyon University – where he was hired as the school’s first Graduate Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach. Upon completing his commitment at GCU, John was hired by the Army to help develop the first Strength & Conditioning program at US Army Garrison – Yongsan in Seoul, Korea. For the next several years, John continued to make a positive impact in the peninsula by leading various health and fitness programs for both the Army and the Air Force. He was eventually hired to stand up the first Army Wellness Center (AWC) in the country and finished his overseas tenure by serving as the inaugural AWC Director at Camp Humphreys. John is certified through the NSCA as a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), Tactical Strength & Conditioning Facilitator (TSAC-F), and Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT). He is an ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-EP), and is also certified through NASM as a Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES) and Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES). John’s education includes a BA in Psychology, an MBA, and MS in Health & Human Performance. During his spare time, John enjoys training in Brazilian Jiujitsu along with his wife and two children.