Ryan Golec

I met Ryan Golec at the BellFest event in Nashville, Nov 2025. We hit it off and I thought he’d be a great guest on the new podcast. Ryan has been a personal trainer, strength and conditioning coach, and bodyworker in the Reno, Nevada area for over 25 years. His fitness journey began in high school as an undersized teenager who turned to strength training to build size and confidence. Early on, Ryan developed a deep interest in rehabilitation, pain management, and understanding how the human body moves. After working in a physical therapy clinic with plans to pursue physical therapy school, Ryan chose a different path—one focused on injury prevention, movement quality, and long-term physical health. This decision shaped a career dedicated to helping people move better across their entire lifespan. Throughout his career, Ryan has worked with hundreds of clients of all ages, abilities, and athletic backgrounds. While his experience spans youth athletes to professionals, the majority of his clientele comes from an aging population, where movement efficiency, joint health, and longevity matter most. Ryan is deeply passionate about education—both as a student and a teacher. He began his professional training with certification through the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA), followed by earning his Exercise Physiologist certification through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Seeking a deeper understanding of movement mechanics and assessment, Ryan pursued advanced education through the Chek Institute, earning his IMS-3 certification. Along the way, Ryan completed numerous continuing education courses, including:- Animal Flow- Pain-Free Performance- Functional Kettlebell Training * The Weck Method * Body Tempering He later earned the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) credential, widely recognized as one of the most respected certifications in the field. While pursuing his CSCS, Ryan also completed his Master’s degree in Exercise Science, with an emphasis in Strength and Conditioning. Today, Ryan’s mission is threefold:• Educating clients on how to move better and live pain-free• Mentoring young trainers on how to work effectively with diverse populations• Working with a select group of professional athletes to optimize movement mechanics and performance efficiency Outside of fitness, Ryan is a dedicated animal rescue advocate. At one point, he shared his life with ten rescue dogs and now happily lives with three. Get full access to Dave’s Substack at davewhitley.substack.com/subscribe