Tim Skwiat

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Home town:

Michigan City

Education:

Tim earned his Bachelor’s degree in Movement and Sports Science from Purdue University in 2002 and his Master’s degree in Sports Science and Nutrition from The University of Texas at Austin in 2004. Tim began his performance coaching career while at Purdue under the guidance of basketball Strength and Conditioning Coach Greg Lehman. While studying at UT, Tim had the opportunity to accelerate his learning under the tutelage of world-renowned basketball strength and conditioning coach Todd Wright. During this time, Texas Men’s Basketball program reached the Final Four and, one year later, the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament. After completing an internship at world-acclaimed Athletes’ Performance Institute in August 2004, Tim joined the fledgling Train 4 The Game team and continued under the mentorship and guidance of Todd Wright and the Vertical Core Training System. Since then, Train 4 The Game has blossomed into a nationally recognized performance training center that caters to the needs and goals of all athletes in the game of life—whether they compete on the field or off.

Training:

Tim has been a National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), the gold-standard certification in the field, since 2002. As well as his past and present vast learning experiences under the guidance of Todd Wright, Tim has also studied and practiced the training and conditioning principles advocated by Gary Gray, known as the “Father of Function” in the field. Moreover, Tim has been guided since 2000 in the field of performance nutrition by arguably the best and mostly widely recognized sports nutritionist in the world, Dr. John Berardi, and his Precision Nutrition system. Additionally, during his studies at the University of Texas, Tim had the opportunity to learn under the likes of leading researchers in the field, Dr. Ed Coyle, creator of the Power Bike, and Dr. John Ivy, creator of PureSport Performance Sports Drinks. Due to his extensive educational and practical experiences, Tim understands the art of coaching. As such, he understands that the blend of the knowledge of the demands on the athlete and an understanding of the athlete him/herself is necessary to fully access and optimize potential. From competitive athletes to executive athletes, we are all athletes in the game of life and we are all at different places in our journey. It is the responsibility of the coach to understand where the client is, where they want to be, and, most importantly, have the tools necessary to take them there. Tim is dedicated first and foremost to his T4TG family -- the athletes he trains and his teammates he loves at T4TG. In addition to his training and consulting responsibilities since joining the T4TG team in 2004, Tim has had opportunities to teach college-level courses, conduct nutritional workshops, present on sport-specific strength and conditioning panels, participate in career counseling seminars, and will be a presenter and panel contributor in 2010 at the ACSM Health & Fitness Summit Exposition.

Favorite Quote:

Work like you don't need money, love like you've never been hurt, and dance like no one's watching.

Favorite Food:

I think the people I know best would really be surprised if I didn't say peanut butter. This is one instance when I won't disagree with the status quo. Now, if you put chocolate with that peanut butter, I'm pretty sure that I couldn't work out enough to keep me from being a FB.

Favorite Piece of Workout Equipment:

If it's not shoes -- and all of us at T4 are both self-proclaimed shoe connoisseurs and snobs -- then maybe it's the True Stretch Cages, but I wouldn't want to steal Joshy's answer. The VersaClimber is both humbling and an outstanding developer of the energy systems...I guess I'm going to have to go with your own stinking BODY! Now, move it!

Embarrassing Moment:

I don't have any, but I have a ton for Max. Actually the first thing that comes to mind is when I was an intern in 2004. I was so excited to help and be a part of the team early on. I had the chance to shadow one of the most highly-respected coaches while he worked with an NFL pro. They had just finished a set of squats, and I asked if I could unload the bar -- with four big weight plates on each side. Proud as a peacock, I started ripping off the plates from one side. If you can't visualize the situation, that weight bar is like a teeter totter once you start pulling off weight. Without thinking, I made the biggest rookie mistake: I had taken too much weight off one side of the bar. Just as one of my intern teammates walked over to help, the weights on the other side of the bar came crashing down right in front of her! It was heinous. Everyone in the facility -- all the coaches I so respected and all the professional athletes -- just stood there staring and shaking their collective heads. Sweet.

Training Style (In Three Words):

Ha! Everyone in their right mind knows I couldn't paraphrase anything in three words. Does "Train 4 The Game" work? I mean, it's three words and a number. That's it: "Train 4 The Game" is my style. Now, if you'd like me to describe Train 4 The Game, I'm going to need some time and more words.

What Actor/Actress do you believe should portray you in a movie?

Can't I just play myself? I like Ryan Reynolds. He's a really talented dude, and he was in one of the last movies that I saw (which I don't need to mention).

If you could go to dinner with any four people in the world, who would they be?

I actually had to answer this question back in 2004, and I remember three of the four people I would invite then and they will remain seated at the table. The first is my father, Paul, who's been an unbelievable dad, role model, mentor and friend. Another from that conversation and, without a doubt, has a reservation at my table is Todd Wright. I can say unequivocally that Todd has had the most profound impact on my life, and I look up to him as much as anyone. He's an unbelievable person, friend, teacher and leader. The third seat at the table goes to my younger brother Eric. He may be the most loyal person I've ever met, the best friend I've ever had and the most genuine. He's blessed with a mature sense of what is right by others, and I don't know if I'm more proud of anyone. While I have a hard time not offering that last seat to my incredible friend Jeff Swett, he'd insist that I pass it on to someone else. That's just the way he is. That said, the final seat goes to the future Mrs. Skwiat. While she is TBD, I know that she'll be what I am to her: the best friend I've ever had, providing the most unconditional love and support. I mean, what else could one ask for? This sounds like a holiday dinner, doesn't it? Welcome to what's important.