Kadin Hameed
Meridian High School Basketball
“From the moment you’re around Derek, his energy, motivation, and passion for helping athletes improve stand out immediately. He’s one of the most committed coaches I’ve ever been around. During my knee injury, he adjusted my training so I could continue progressing in other areas while gradually rebuilding my knee and getting it back to full strength.
He’s pushed me to become a better athlete while helping me work toward my personal goals of improving my physique. He’s taught me things I never would have learned on my own and made the entire process both productive and sustainable. If you want a coach who will genuinely invest in your growth, Derek is exactly who you want in your corner.”
Gaby Wright
UVA Club Soccer
“Working with Derek after tearing my ACL in 8th grade completely changed the way I approached training and ultimately changed me as a person. What I expected to be a short period of rehab and training became an experience that challenged me both mentally and physically in ways I never expected. Derek pushed me to work harder, stay disciplined, and believe in my own capabilities.”
“Through his coaching, I not only became stronger physically, but also developed confidence, resilience, and a stronger mindset that I still carry with me every day. Looking back, working with Derek was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had and played a huge role in shaping the person I am today.”
Emily McBride
Connecticut College Soccer
“Training with Coach Derek completely changed me as an athlete. Before working with him, I lacked confidence and experience in the weight room. Through his training, I quickly began noticing improvements in both my athletic performance and everyday life.
“Derek consistently adjusted my training to help with workload, recovery, and long-term progress. After four years of training with him, I became a collegiate athlete who felt fully prepared for the demands of college athletics and the weight room. I can’t thank him enough for the time and energy he invested in helping me become a better version of myself.”
Katherine Schmitt
Fairfield University Club Swim
“I trained with Derek for nearly four years while competing in swimming. Through strength training with him, I was able to build muscle, improve explosiveness, drop time in my events, and stay injury free. His training helped me continue progressing in my sport while avoiding plateauing over time.”
“What I valued most about working with Derek was his patience and attentiveness. He emphasized proper lifting technique while creating an environment where everyone felt welcomed and supported. Derek genuinely cares about the athletes he works with, and I would highly recommend him to any athlete or parent looking for a coach who truly invests in their development.”
Thomas Gabay
Arlington Soccer Club
“Training with Derek completely changed the way I performed on the soccer field. From day one, his energy, positivity, and encouragement made every session something I looked forward to.
During the season, he helped build my confidence and taught me how to properly train and take care of my body. I’m grateful for the progress I made, but even more for the mentorship and relationship that came from it.”
Hope Ku-Dipietro
Radford University Soccer
“When I started working with Derek, I was recovering from a broken foot and struggling mentally after my first major injury. He helped me become faster, stronger, and more explosive while also growing my confidence and mindset.
Before training with Derek, I never cared much about lifting, but he changed the way I approach training and pushing myself. The work ethic and mindset he helped build still carry over into my college athletics.”
Jackie Shores
Bowdoin College Soccer
“Training with Derek throughout middle school and high school helped me become significantly stronger, more athletic, and more confident on the soccer field.
Derek always knew how to push me to improve while still making training enjoyable and something I looked forward to every week. Beyond the workouts themselves, his guidance on nutrition and properly fueling as an athlete also had a huge impact on my overall development and confidence.”