After spending the majority of my career working with athletes as a strength and conditioning coach, I transitioned into a clinical setting at IRONMAN Sports Medicine Institute in Houston Texas. I was given the opportunity to not only work with individuals of all levels returning to sports and daily life but broadening my work to those returning from non-surgical and surgical injuries. During my time at IRONMAN Sports Medicine Institute in Texas, I assisted in developing the return to play protocol that IRONMAN still uses today. 

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Since my time at IRONMAN, I have created Optimize Performance to help athletes and all individuals reach beyond their potential and personal expectations in injury prevention, returning from injury, and adjusting their metabolic and physiological training levels in high endurance training activities and events through my proven 5 step method.

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With a decade of experience and knowledge working in the Sports Science industry, I will provide you with a proven performance plan that I promise will get you...

 

• ANALYSIS BASED ON SCIENTIFIC DATA RESULTS

• PROVEN TRAINING PROGRAMS 

• OPTIMIZED PERFORMANCE

• HEALTHIER & FIT BODY

 

When you choose me as your coach / testing resource you will reach beyond your personal expectations so that you can be the best version of yourself athletically. 

 

I offer several programs which can be tailored to coach/client-specific needs.

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• METABOLIC TESTING FOR ENDURANCE ATHLETES

• SPORTS SPECIFIC STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING

• ENDURANCE ATHLETE STRENGTH TRAINING 

• WEIGHT MANAGEMENT TRAINING

• TECHNIQUE TRAINING 

 

Why choose me, Alyson Sheppard, as your guide to optimize your health, training and racing?

 

1. I will get you the results that you want - I am an expert in exercise science which is a scientifically research-led discipline that aims to understand and promote individual well-being by applying solutions to health problems related to physical inactivity.

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2. I am passionate about what I do - It is my purpose to help people and have always been passionate about health,  fitness, and the study of the body's capabilities which led me to learn everything that I know now. I help others understand their problem areas, find beneficial solutions, and provide resources and tools to keep them on their overall fitness success track. 

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3. I have a great track record in the fitness space - I followed my passion and studied Health Promotion and Fitness at Otterbein University in Ohio where I also played basketball.  After finishing her Bachelor’s Degree in 2011, I went on to become a Graduate Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Kent State University while also completing research in the Exercise Physiology lab with a main focus on Parkinson’s disease. I graduated with a Master’s Degree in Exercise Science from Kent State University in 2013 and have been actively taking on new clients and changing people's lives while helping them excel at their training, racing and overall wellness goals.

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Some Accomplishments:

• Master Degree in Exercise Physiology

• Collegiate Athlete

• IRONMAN Finisher

• Contributor to IRONMAN U 

• Contributor to ISMI Return to Play Protocol

• Founder Optimize Performance

• Work with Teams, Athletes & Coaches world-wide through injury prevention, return to sport and metabolic testing