Matt Russ

Matt has over seventeen years competitive experience in running, multi-sport, and adventure racing. He has competed in races from coast to coast winning overall placements as well as many age division finishes, and has been a member of Team USA.

Matt has trained, coached, and counseled hundreds of athletes over the last thirteen years from around the country and internationally. He has worked with pro level athletes and top age group competitors in Iron Man, 70.3, Cyclo Cross, ITU, Duathlon, Mountain Biking, Xterra, and Road Cycling. His athletes have won numerous races and podiums both regionally, nationally, and internationally. These include several National Championships, and a World Championship. Matt served as Assistant Coach to the US team at the 2008 ITU World Cup in New Plymouth, New Zealand. He has designed cardiovascular training plans for elite military, law enforcement, FBI agents, top ranked boxers, and the Land Rover Adventure team.

Matt earned his BS in Commercial Recreation from Georgia Southern University and has received an ACE certified level II personal training certification, an ACE certified weight management consultant certification, AAFP Post rehab specialist certification, and has specialty recognition from ACE in strength conditioning. He has over ten years experience working in a rehabilitation setting with Body Pros Physical Therapy. Matt is one of a handfull of coaches in the U.S. to earn an Elite level USA Cycling coaching license, and to become a licensed USAC Certified Power Based Training Coach. He is an expert level USA Triathlon coach, and is a USA Track & Field licensed coach. In 2001 Matt was one of the first outside coaches contracted by CTS ( Carmichael Training Systems) to coach their athletes. He worked with legendary coach Chris Carmichael ( coach of Lance Armstrong), and was trained in his coaching methodology and systems. Matt also underwent certification in Joe Friel's Ultrafit Association, and has completed the Serotta Cycling Institute advanced triathlon bike fitting course.

Matt is a freelance writer and his articles regularly appear in such magazines as Triathlete, Inside Triathlon, Running Times, Mens Health, Oxygen, Triathlon Life, and on the web at Active.com, Tri Newbies, Beginner Triathlete, Trifuel, and Triathlete Online.

Matt coaches athletes full time and is Head Coach and owner of The Sport Factory. His coaching philosophy is to consider each client's unique life style and integrate a balanced and consistent training plan.