12 years coaching.
One simple philosophy.
I build athletes who train forever. Not for a six-week transformation, not for a wedding deadline — for life. The body you want is on the other side of consistent, intelligent, hard work, and that’s exactly what I’m here to give you.
I started coaching at 21, after blowing my knee out playing semi-pro football. Rehab taught me that the right program isn’t the hardest one — it’s the one you can repeat for a decade.
Strength is the foundation. Discipline is the architecture. Showing up is the whole damn building.
— Marcus Reed, Head CoachFour non-negotiables.
These four values shape every program I write, every check-in I send, and every athlete I take on.
Evidence over hype
Every program is built from peer-reviewed research and 12 years of in-the-trenches coaching. No biohacks. No bro-science. Just what works.
Honesty above all
I will tell you when your form is off, when your nutrition is sabotaging you, and when you need to take a deload. Comfort doesn’t build athletes.
Progress is sacred
Every session is a vote for who you’re becoming. We measure, we track, we adjust — small wins compound into transformations.
Built for the long run
I don’t want to be your coach for 8 weeks. I want to teach you to train with intelligence so you can do this forever, on your own.
From injured rookie to head coach.
Knee injury, semi-pro out
Tore ACL playing football. Six months in rehab gave me an obsession with biomechanics and rebuilding the body intelligently.
NSCA-CSCS certified
Earned my Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist credential — the gold standard in performance coaching.
First gym opens
Opened a 1,200 sq ft strength studio in Austin. Quickly grew to 80 active clients via word-of-mouth alone.
Online programs launch
Translated my in-person playbook into 6 self-paced online courses to reach lifters worldwide.
Working with pro athletes
Started programming for 7 professional athletes across the NFL, MLB, and combat sports.
Iron & Ember today
2,400+ athletes coached. 4.9/5 rating. A team of three coaches and a method that just keeps working.
The paperwork to back it up.
NSCA-CSCS
Strength & ConditioningNASM-CPT
Personal TrainerPrecision Nutrition L1
Habits-based coachingCPR & AED
American Red CrossFRC Mobility
Functional Range ConditioningUSAW L1
Olympic WeightliftingYoga Tune Up
Mobility specialistB.S. Kinesiology
University of TexasA glimpse at the work.
Ready to do the work?
Coaching slots are limited to 12 athletes per cohort. If we’re a fit, you’ll know within 30 minutes on the strategy call.