After receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science from Michigan State University, Jim headed to Ann Arbor to get his Master’s Degree in Kinesiology from the University of Michigan. While in school, Jim worked as an intern in the Strength and Conditioning Program in U-M’s Athletic Department. During that time, he also served as the Strength & Conditioning Coach at Holt High School and worked as a personal trainer at the Michigan Athletic Club in East Lansing. After graduate school, Jim ran an Athletic Republic training center for a year before he was hired as the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach at the University of Detroit Mercy. While at UDM, Jim was a part of numerous league championships and NCAA Tournament appearances in a variety of sports. In addition to coaching responsibilities at the university, he also served as an adjunct faculty member teaching courses in Sports Medicine. After seven years at the university, Jim joined forces with Total Sports Complex to open the Total Performance Training Center in August of 2002.
Jim is also the President of the International Youth Conditioning Association (IYCA.org) where he helps to educate trainers around the world on how to properly develop young athletes. Jim was the regional Coordinator for the National Strength & Conditioning Association where he organized events and provided support for members of the organization. He has been a featured speaker at clinics and conferences all over the country and has authored articles in numerous publications. Jim is the author of Speed & Agility Revolution, Ultimate Speed & Agility, several online training programs & certifications, and was contracted by the Michigan High School Athletic Association to develop a strength & conditioning curriculum for their Coaches Advancement Program. During his career, Jim has trained thousands of athletes including professional football, basketball, and hockey players, Olympic competitors, hundreds of college athletes and too many youth athletes to count. He runs the most successful NFL Combine Training Program in Michigan and was hired by the University of Michigan Football Program for several years to prepare their graduating seniors for the NFL.
Matt Cady is the Head Strength Coach at Novi High School for Impact Sports Performance. Matt is 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 BS 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 MS degree in Kinesiology.
Matt was a collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coach at Miami-OH for 8 years where 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).
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.
When Matt is not at work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons and dog. Matt stays active by working out in his garage, mountain biking, and stand-up paddle boarding.
Jake graduated from Central Michigan University, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Science. Jake interned at Total Performance and was so great with athletes that he was hired immediately after graduation. He has experience working with youth, middle school, high school, and college athletes in speed and agility training, as well as strength and conditioning. Jake has gone through the IYCA Certified Athletic Development Specialist certification and leads our Youth Performance Program.
Jake is an original member of the Impact Sports Performance team and is an important part of the day-to-day operations at Impact. In addition to coaching many of our individualized performance sessions, he also trains teams and assists with our NFL Combine Training program.
John Dalson BS, CSAS, HSSCS
Director of Adult Performance & Personal Training Program
John studied at Central Michigan University and graduated with a degree in Exercise Science- Health Fitness. During his final semester as a student at CMU, John interned at the Total Performance Training Center. Upon graduation, John began working as a coach in our speed and agility program as well as a personal trainer with Fitness Revolution. John has worked with athletes at the youth, middle school, high school, and college levels and has experience in training adults in personal training and group fitness settings.
In addition to working with many of our training groups at Impact, John is also a large part of our high school training programs where he works with teams at several schools. He also does personal training for many highly successful people in the area as well as assisting with our NFL Combine Training program.
Cole Walderzak BS, HSSCS, CSAS, CSCS
Director of Training – Brighton
Director of Online Training
Cole got his BS in Exercise Science and a minor in Nutrition from Central Michigan University where he was also a 5-year member of the CMU Track & Field Team as a thrower. During his 4 competitive years, Cole won 3 Mid-American Conference Championship titles, broke the CMU hammer record, and qualified for the NCAA Championship meets in 3 of his events. He continues his track and field career currently in the discus and hammer.
At CMU, Cole interned with Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, Jason Novak (who is now the Head Football Strength and Conditioning Coach at MSU) before interning at Total Performance Training Center in Wixom, MI with Jim Kielbaso. Throughout the past six years in the metro Detroit area, Cole has trained hundreds of athletes ranging in age from youth to professional. Although his personal athletic background is primarily track and other power sports, he enjoys working with all athletes to help them achieve their goals. Cole continues his education through various certification courses and reading the most up-to-date research.
When Cole is not working he enjoys spending time with his family, training, cooking, and spending as much time outdoors as possible.
Lucas Mayo MS, CSCS
Head Strength & Conditioning Coach – Brighton High School
Lucas Mayo is the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Brighton High School for Impact. He has a wide range of experience from working with youth and collegiate athletes to personal training and group fitness. Lucas is certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. During his undergraduate studies at Michigan State, he became a Certified Personal Trainer (2015), served as Michigan State Club Football’s Strength Coach (2016-2018), and was a Strength and Conditioning Coach at Go M.A.D. Fitness-Canton (2016-2017).
After receiving his bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with minors in Coaching and Health Promotion (2018), he began graduate school at Michigan State. Serving as a Graduate Intern, Lucas worked with the Strength and Conditioning Staff to train Men’s Ice Hockey and Football (2019-2020). Working under four master strength coaches for a year and a half, he was able to gain valuable experience training Division 1 athletes. In August of 2020, Lucas earned his Master’s degree in Sport Coaching and Leadership with a concentration in Strength and Conditioning. Using methods based on research and experience, his mission is to aid in the positive mental and physical development of the athlete or individual over the course of their lifespan.
Jon Braun BS, CSAS, CADS
Jon studied at Central Michigan University and graduated with a degree in Exercise Science- Health Fitness. In his last semester as a student at CMU, Jon interned at Impact Sports Performance. After earning his diploma, Jon began working as a coach in our speed and agility program as well as continuing to do personal training. Jon has worked with athletes at all levels and has personal training and group fitness experience.
Many of our athletes refer to Jon as JB, and he works closely with many of the highest-level soccer teams and players in the area. JB also assists with our NFL Combine Training program and is an important part of the day-to-day operations in Novi.
Jon grew up playing a wide variety of sports with his main sport being soccer. He enjoys helping athletes accomplish their goals and pushing them to be the best they can be. When he’s not training, Jon enjoys reading, fishing, woodworking, cooking, and spending time with his fiance, Lauren, and their dog, Ollie.
Brian Tass MS, NASM, CSAS
Head S & Coach – Novi High School
Brian’s journey as a fitness professional began at Michigan State University with a degree in Kinesiology/Physical Education. He taught PE at the high school and elementary levels and also earned a Masters degree in Physical Education from West Virginia University. Brian coached high school football and boys basketball for 15 years, which allowed him the opportunity to use his knowledge and skills to train hundreds of athletes. Much of his passion for teaching fitness and yoga has come from his own results with training. It inspired Brian to become certified to teach fitness, yoga and become a personal trainer. He has been able to help people of all ages achieve their performance goals, including nutrition coaching. Brian has been training since 2014, and he lives in Novi with his wife and two daughters.
Alex Morse MS, CSCS, CSAS
Director of Training – East Lansing
Alex received his Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science from Northern Michigan University in 2020. While at NMU, he interned with the Sports Performance Unit under Jenna Bruttomesso with all varsity sports. During the summer, Alex spent time at IMPACT basketball academy in Las Vegas, NV preparing athletes for the NBA draft while also working with NBA veterans to prepare them for the demands of the NBA season. In 2020, Alex was hired by NMU as an Assistant Strength and Conditioning coach leading Men’s Basketball, Women’s Basketball and Men’s soccer.
In 2021, Alex and his family moved to the East Lansing area to continue his education by earning his Master’s Degree in Kinesiology from Michigan State University. Alex spent the 2021 season interning with Michigan State’s men’s basketball team. Alex is certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).
Alex loves helping athletes achieve their ultimate dreams, and as a coach he strives to build a cohesive culture that pushes athletes to be the best they can be by demanding and not demeaning them. When not coaching, Alex enjoys spending time kayaking, swimming, and enjoying life with his daughter Payton and his wife Sierra.