Coach Bobby Smith [@coachbobbysmith] battled injury and what he considered less than optimal training as a collegiate javelin thrower and football player. After rehabbing and making his way to California to train with one of the best javelin coaches in the world, Smith threw at the Olympic trials. The training he received opened his eyes to true performance based training and inspired him to pass on the knowledge in his home state of New Jersey. Now he proudly runs RYPT [@igorypt] where he works predominantly with youth athletes and specializes in post injury transitional training. Hear about his experience working with 8 year olds through college age go-hards.

Coach Bobby Smith knows that it takes more than long hours in the gym and countless practices on the field to develop youth athletes. If you want their passion for sport to shine, you’ve got to get to the “why”. It’s not enough to learn that they train for the win. Everyone enjoys the trophy and pedestal moments. But the real question is what personal affirmations drive them to desire those moments of success. Smith says that once you’ve figured that out, you are far more likely to get them through the inevitable strain of failure. Creating resiliency through those setbacks is the most integral aspect to athlete development. And Smith would argue, to human development in general. As he says, he’s doing just that everyday by living out his dream coaching kids.

Get in touch with Bobby Smith from RYPT by emailing him at bobby@igotrypt.com or hit him up on instagram @igotrypt.For anyone who is headed to Sorinex Summer Strong next weekend, we will see you there!