Dr. Josh Cooper
Performance Director
Doctor Cooper brings a wealth of sports science and practical knowledge to the private sector. Dr. Cooper has trained Olympic gold medalists from the 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2008 and 2010 Olympic games. He has trained national champions, All-Americans as well as professional and amateur athletes from all over the country and in a multitude of sports.
Dr. Cooper started COOPER SPEED-STRENGTH SCHOOL in 2002 in order to deliver the best and most innovative world-class training to the public. He has also held positions as a sports scientist and strength and conditioning coach at the Olympic Training Center (Colorado Springs, CO), The University of Colorado (Boulder, CO), and The College of New Jersey (Trenton, NJ).
In addition to coaching athletes from a variety of sports and backgrounds, he also acts as an educator to other strength and conditioning specialists. He is often called upon to conduct clinics and presentations at the national level in the fields of sports science, speed development, sport-specific conditioning, program design, and sport mechanics. Furthermore, Dr. Cooper has published multiple peer-reviewed studies on human performance. These studies were published in the NSCA, ACSM and Med Science Research journals. He also holds a Bachelors and Masters degree in Exercise Science and recently completed his doctoral degree in education.
Dr. Cooper was a four-year starter on his college football team. Following his football career he competed as an elite level judo player and trained with the U.S. Olympic team. He currently stays competitive by competing in muay thai and grappling tournaments.
Laura Rogers
Performance Coach
Laura grew up in Colorado playing fastpitch softball and has always had a passion for sports. She has a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and a minor in Nutrition from the University of Northern Colorado.
She became certified with the NSCA in 2008 earning her Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist recognition. She also is well versed in Olympic lifting and is a certified Sports Performance Coach with USA Weightlifting.
Before coming to Cooper’s, she was the Assistant Sports Performance Director for Velocity Sports Performance for three years. Laura has also spent the last two years personal training in St Petersburg. She has worked with all ages and abilities and truly has a passion for training!
J. Cory Barsness
Performance Coach
Cory graduated from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, where he earned his Bachelors of Science degree in Exercise and Sport Science with an emphasis on Fitness, Strength and Conditioning. Also at the University of Wisconsin, Cory was the Assistant Strength Coach and wrestled on the nationally ranked NCAA team as a 3x Varsity Letter Winner and Captain. In High School, Cory played Football, Track, Tennis and wrestled. Also, Cory has completed 2 Marathons.
In 2008, Cory became a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists with the NSCA. Cory has over 8 years of sports performance and personal training experience with 3 years as the Director of Strength and Conditioning at a physical therapy clinic. Cory has trained children, athletes, elderly, and general populations with great success.
Cory has 7 years of experience as a wrestling coach/clinician at the collegiate, high school, and youth levels. Also, he has coached soccer and football at a youth level over 2 years.
Brittany Williams
Performance Coach
Brittany was a division one athlete and a four-year starter at Austin Peay State University. Where she holds several collegiate records including all time double plays, single season walks, forth all time in stolen bases and two back-to-back 100 assists seasons.
In 2011 Brittany placed first in her age division at the women’s World Tri-Fitness Championship in St. Petersburg Florida. Furthermore, she set the fifth fastest time (all time) on the obstacle course and holds the record for the fastest shuttle run.
Currently Brittany plays football for the LFL Tampa Bay Breeze where she is a two-way starter at WR/CB as well as the teams kick returner.
Brittany brings her experience in athletics and her passion to train athletes to Cooper’s. In addition to sports performance coaching Brittany also does hitting and fielding lessons.
