Biography of Jason Therrien, Personal Trainer:

I have been a personal trainer for 12 years, and have been on the path of strength, conditioning and health for 20 years. I currently have a Bachelor's degree in Health Science: Sports Health and Wellness from the University of Colorado. I am also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) as well as a certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT) with the NSCA. I am most proud of being Russian Kettlebell Challenge certified (RKC), which was truly a task to earn. Since becoming a trainer, I have worked with all walks of life. Working In facilities like the YMCA allowed me to work side by side with Physical and Occupational therapists as well as a very diverse client base with different goals and abilities.

Growing up in Connecticut I was exposed to a wide array of recreational and outdoor sports. As a kid, my first sports were baseball and skateboarding as well as exploring the woods. This eventually evolved into playing physical sports like football and lacrosse. Dedication to living a healthy lifestyle and strength training enabled me to extend my sports career past high school to successfully play competitive division III lacrosse in College. Training along healthy lifestyle practices has been the cornerstone that allows me to continue my success in endurance sports in which I currently compete.

During my training for sports, I developed an interest on increasing performance, preventing injuries and how to be healthier. This led me to pursue the fields of exercise and health science for my education. At the University of Colorado I had the pleasure of studying under the late Dr. Edmund Burke. Doctor Burke was a leading authority on endurance training and recovery nutrition. From that experience I learned about a side of athletics that is shrouded in mystery for most people in the field.

Along with education and experience, I have also been trained by highly knowledgeable coaches. Through playing sports I was instilled a framework to set a high standard for myself and those around me. It is that framework that influenced me to choose personal training as a career path. I have seen and personally experienced the rewards of which hard work and dedication can bring. It means a great deal to be able to give that back.

My love for the outdoors and sports is what brought me to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where I avidly mountain bike, trail run, backpack and continue the quest for health and wellness. I own a private, home-based personal training studio called IRON LION-RUSSIAN KETTLEBELL STUDIO. Here I continue to work with a diverse client base with my main focus being general fitness, post-rehab, and sports conditioning. The past two years, I have begun to coach high school lacrosse which has given me new perspectives in training application and planning. Now my latest endeavor is becoming a published author. I feel writing is a powerful tool to share knowledge as well as reach people far and wide. I am currently working on my first book, The Iron Warrior- Kettlebell Training for the Sport of Lacrosse, which should be published in the spring of 2009. I hope to write many more.

- Jason Therrien, Personal Trainer