MEET LUKE MARTIN, ATH-KATY SENIOR PERFORMANCE COACH: STUDENT ATHLETE

“There is no shortcut to success”

Luke, when was a time you felt you made an impact on an athlete? How did it make you feel?

When an athlete comes to me and they are excited about seeing results in their sports performance as a result of their training, that shows me that I am truly impacting their confidence. Once they see that training with us really transfers to improve their sports performance, their buy-in goes through the roof and we can really start to make a significant impact. To see the lightbulb go off and for them to understand that their hard work in training pays off in their performance really makes me feel like I’m having a positive impact on them that will last throughout their lives.

What motivated you to become an ATH coach? 

After interning with ATH in the summer of 2017. I was eager to become a coach with the company as soon as possible. Their commitment to the professional advancement and continuing education of their coaches is unmatched by anything I have seen in the industry. It’s an honor to be part of such a motivated and passionate staff.

What is one piece of advice you would give athletes trying to excel to the next level? 

There is no shortcut to success. No performance coach has a secret formula or magic exercise that will take you to the next level. It takes relentless effort and commitment to your craft. Our job as coaches is to give you the best possible road map to maximize your potential but it is up to you to put in the necessary work. If your goal is to get to the next level you will need next level commitment to the process of improvement.

What university did you attend? 

I attended The Ohio State University and began my Strength and Conditioning career in their Olympic Sports department. I then went on to become a Graduate Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Frostburg State University. Once I obtained my Master’s degree, I was fortunate enough to become the Director of Sports Performance at Fast Twitch Sports Performance in Dayton, Ohio. After a year of working there, I moved down to Houston to assume my role as Senior Performance Coach here at ATH.

What is a quote or phrase you live by? 

Don’t talk about it, be about it.

How do you spend your time outside of ATH? 

Outside of ATH I really enjoy working to improve my golf game. I love to try new food throughout Houston as well and am always on the search for the best barbecue in town. 

Who has impacted your coaching career? 

My coaching career was impacted early on by my coaches throughout my youth sports career. I had great respect for my football coaches growing up and was naturally drawn to the career of coaching. The first strength and conditioning coach I ever met was Mike Bewley during his time as a coach at the University of Dayton. Once I understood the role of a strength and conditioning coach, I knew I had found my passion. The coach that has had the biggest impact on my career though is Chris Slocum, ATH’s Regional Athletic Performance Director. Chris and I worked together at Ohio State. He took me under his wings and showed me the ropes during our time together there. He has been as passionate and loyal as anyone that I have ever met and without him, I would not be where I am today.

What was the biggest game-changer in your career? 

The biggest game-changer in my career was once I realized that the key to being a great coach is authenticity. You do not have to coach like someone else, even if they are a great coach, but you instead have to coach as the best version of yourself. Once you are able to build authentic relationships with the athletes, the rest takes care of itself.