My name is Johann Smith and I played professional soccer for 13 years. Throughout my time of playing I both studied the body and pushed my body to the limits at the highest level of sport. This inevitably transferred over into me becoming a personal trainer. I am a firm believer in progression and mastering the body first.  Mobility and injury mitigation are the first two components. I want you to be able to move in all types of ways while mitigating your chances of injury. I want you to be to strong and the most efficient human you can be. I love to help others achieve their goals and I work hard to get them there.

My favorite client story

A young soccer player came to me with a big engine and a bigger heart, but his gait and running mechanics were inefficient and his soccer technique lacked the necessary tools. We started at the base, joint control and body awareness, then we layered simple ball work, speed, change of direction, and strength. He went from a B-team player at average soccer club to making one of the top academy teams in New York State. He then went on to play Division I soccer at a good college. It was a one of the best experiences in my life.

My favorite exercise

Variations of Controlled Articular Rotations (CARs). It is a brain-first drill that sharpens joint mapping, builds end range joint control, and balances muscle and connective tissue. It results in better signals to the nervous system, safer movement, and stronger positions. This means that every lift, sprint, and cut gets cleaner and cleaner.

My favorite quote

“I want to live for immortality, and I will accept no compromise.” — Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov

My training philosophy

Train from the ground up, the inside out. That means nervous system and joints first, strength and conditioning and strength second. We build up and carve out usable ranges of the joints, learn to control it, then we add load and speed. That lowers injury risk, improves efficiency, and makes strength gains stick, whether you’re an athlete or a general client.

My training experience

13 years of professional soccer (EPL, MLS, Sweden, Croatia). Coach of U9, U14, and U15 boys at Manhattan Soccer Club. Personal training in boutique gyms and privately. Certified in FRS (FRC/FRA), NASM, Kettlebell, and TRX. MA in Philosophy from Stanford informs a clear, logical approach to coaching.