Meet Sean Cooper | Sports Performance Coach & Personal Trainer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sean Cooper and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sean, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
A very important lesson I have learned throughout my career is the value of context. While there are some clear things we can label as “good” or “bad” in any aspect of life, much of our world takes place in a gray area where we must use take into account multiple factors in order to come to a conclusion. Especially when it comes to health, fitness, and sports performance, where every individual is unique both physically and psychologically. In my industry, it is easy today to gravitate towards instant information – what exercises are best, what foods are the worst, etc. The problem with quick tips such as these is they fail to take into account the context that is so important for each individual. As I am sure other trainers and coaches can relate to, when asked for a quick tip or answer to a question, my answer is almost always “it depends.” This short phrase has become an almost cliche in the training world, because there is rarely an instance where that is not the most appropriate answer. In order to truly help someone and decide on the best course of action they should take, the first step is to do your best to understand the context surrounding them.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and Sports Performance Coach who helps athlete prepare physically, technically, tactically, and psychologically for their sport. My primary focus when working with an athlete is making sure that everything we do translates to their improved performance during competition. Higher numbers in the weight room and faster numbers in a speed test a great, but at the end of the day, every athlete’s goal is to be elite at their sport. By making sure to immerse myself in the details of an athlete’s sport and find exactly what each athlete’s strengths and weaknesses are, I am able to find their the best interventions to allow them to be the best on game day. As a former rugby player, I always make sure to relate to my athletes and think of everything from their perspective, helping build a personal connection that only helps us in our common goal.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Getting coffee and hanging out in downtown Culver City is a favorite way to start the day. As with anyone visiting Southern California, the biggest priority would be hitting the beach. I love the California Incline in Santa Monica for the great views of the coast and ocean, as well as a great place to get a good workout in running up the path. Of course you need to refuel after any physical activity, with some of my favorite food spots being any local street taco stand. My favorite thing about this city is how there is something for everyone. From the beach to the Arts District downtown, to all the amazing hikes and local coffee shops, you can always find something you enjoy.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There have been many people in my life who have helped guide me, pick me up when I’m down, and teach me valuable lessons. First and foremost, I am extremely fortunate to have loving parents who allowed me the freedom to discover my passions. From a young age I was told that I could be who I wanted, and do what I wanted with my life, as long as I worked hard and never gave up. There was never pressure to have to follow along a certain path or choose a particular career. Instead, they instilled values in me that allowed me to try and fail at many things before not only finding my path, but creating it as well.

Instagram: @sc_performance_training

Image Credits
Brian Jackson Oliver Dabao Lawrence Ma