About Coach Jordan Yaklin
My love for health and fitness started in 7th grade when I entered the weight room for the first time. I loved how I could see my body transform from the workouts. I was always a chubby kid and never really lost my baby weight until high school. I played sports in high school and this helped me stay in decent shape. I soon realized I liked my time in the weight room more than I did playing sports. When I was under the bar, I was the only one who determined what would happen, not my coach, not my teammates, just me.
During this time, I noticed that the coaches were not properly suited to coach athletes in the weight room and this led to multiple injuries that could have easily been prevented. I saw this and made it my mission to learn the basics to be able to teach the fundamentals in a safe and effective way to help the athlete (or client) build a perfect foundation in order to get them to transform into the best version they can possibly be.
I took this drive and pursued a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science specializing in Health Fitness and minoring in American Sign Language (because, why not?). During my time in Undergrad, I was lucky enough to coach under a well-respected strength and conditioning coach and helped train over 30 professional and Olympic level athletes. I was also able to help coach at 4 different high schools and that is where I truly excelled. I enjoyed the athlete who has never stepped foot into a gym, those who needed direction. After my Undergrad, I was offered a Graduate Assistantship for the Master of Science program in Exercise Physiology. I jumped on this and taught the basic fundamentals of movement to Undergrad students while I worked toward my Master’s degree.
I'm not going to lie, the Master’s program hit me a little hard. I ended up gaining 45 pounds throughout the 2-year program. This was from a combination of stress, burnout, and a dirty bulk gone wrong. Like the old saying goes, "you can't out train a bad diet." Believe me, I tried. Since then I have lost the 45 pounds gained from my Master’s program and am always trying to make progress.
I am also a true nerd at heart. Throughout my career I have seen this ever-growing gap between the tabletop gaming community and the health and fitness community. I then made it my passion in life to bridge that gap. I took my love fundamental development and all things nerdy and combined them by becoming an online coach for those who feel they have had been neglected and forgotten by the fitness industry.
Education
2019
Master of Science - Exercise Science
Central Michigan University
2017
Bachelor of Science: Exercise Science - Health Fitness Option
Central Michigan University
Certifications
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
National Strength and Conditioning Association
Certified Online Trainer
Online Trainer Academy
Certified personal trainer
American College of Sports Medicine
Level One Certification
Precision Nutrition
The good Stuff
Star Wars or Lord of the Rings?
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LOTR 100%! LOTR was my first introduction to the fantasy genre. I remember the first time I watched Fellowship of the Ring and how it totally changed my life. Since then I have dove deep into D&D and Norse Myth and I love learning about how everything comes from the Vikings. (Side note: I am listening to Howard Shore while I write this!)
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But, we all know Dune is better than them both.
Favorite video game of all time
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This is an extremely difficult decision. I would say I am most emotionally invested with the Pokémon franchise. I have been a dedicated fan since I first played Pokémon Yellow on the old FatBoy when I was 4 years old.
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As far as standalone game, I would have to say that no game has immersed me as much as The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt!
What are you passionately nerdy about?
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I am passionately nerdy about helping others succeed. I do this as a coach and a Dungeon Master I absolutely love getting people to places they never thought possible.
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That, and Dungeons and Dragons lol.