About Us

• Founder & Head Coach of Viking Performance Training LLC
  CSCS, SCCC, Barwis Methods Master Performance Coach

  • 2x Best-Selling Collaborative Author
  • Co-Host of the Asymmetric Habits podcast, with Jonathan Pishner of Apex Counseling
  • M.S. Exercise Physiology, M.S. Athletic Coaching Education
  • USA Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach
  • Former Championship Strength and Conditioning Coach, West Virginia University (2004-2014)
  • USA Powerlifting WV State Chair, MAS Wrestling USA WV State Chair
  • West Virginia University Professor of Strength and Conditioning (2005-2016)

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  Jerry Handley, the founder and head coach of Viking Performance Training LLC, has spent over a decade as a strength and conditioning coach at West Virginia University (WVU), directly shaping the success of some of WVU’s most accomplished athletic programs. Throughout his tenure, Jerry worked with every varsity sports team at WVU, helping build some of the most formidable athletes in the university’s history.

  Since founding Viking Performance Training, Jerry has fueled his true passion: helping individuals of all ages and abilities become their best selves, with a particular focus on school-aged athletes. Viking-trained teams and athletes have gone on to win state championships, national championships, and compete on the world stage.

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  Career Highlights:

  • Coached multiple Olympians, including Gold & Silver medalists
  • Athletes trained by Jerry have won Gold at the Pan-American Games
  • Teams under Jerry’s guidance at WVU totaled 11 conference championships and 2 National Championships
  • Contributed to WVU football’s 2007 Gator Bowl and 2006 Sugar Bowl titles, as well as WVU basketball’s 2005 Elite Eight and 2009 Sweet Sixteen seasons

  Jerry’s coaching has extended to a wide range of elite athletes, including:

  • Olympic runners, shooters, and wrestlers
  • A 1st-round NBA draft pick and MLB draft picks
  • Professional soccer players (men’s and women’s), national-level MMA fighters, and MAS Wrestling National Champions
  • Pro and World Championship strongman competitors
  • Record-holding powerlifters and international-level swimmers

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  Education & Expertise

  Jerry holds Master’s Degrees in Exercise Physiology and Athletic Coaching Education, and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), as well as a Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified (SCCC). He has worked alongside some of the top strength coaches in the nation, including Mike Barwis (Barwis Methods), Chris Allen (Arizona), and Mike Joseph (WVU).

  Jerry’s expertise earned him the prestigious Barwis Methods Level 8: Master Performance Coach distinction, underscoring his mastery in elite athletic training.

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  “My personal philosophy is simple: once a person takes ownership of their decisions and actions, they gain control over their life. The present and future they want can be theirs—but it requires commitment and massive action. With aggressive patience and dedication, your goals will become your reality.”
  – Jerry Handley

• Bachelor of Science, Athletic Coaching Education from WVU

• Area of Emphasis: Strength and Conditioning

• Minor in Sport and Exercise Psychology

• Minor in Personal Training

• WV State Chairperson for Strongman Corporation 2014-present

• Former State Chairperson for USA Powerlifting (2017-2020)

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  Dad jokes like you wouldn’t believe

  Paul joined Viking Performance Training as a full time coach in January of 2020, but his affiliation with the facility goes back to the opening in 2014. Paul has been the most active strongman promoter in the United States in recent years, hosting more events than anyone else in America, with many of those events taking place right here at Viking Performance Training. Paul has extensive experience competing in the sport of strongman, while also enjoying some powerlifting meets and grip-sport events long the way. Paul’s coaching passions aren’t just limited to brute strength endeavors however, as this WV native has long enjoyed working with people of all different ages, ability levels, and with a variety of fitness/performance goals. Paul is particularly proud of the work he has been able to do with people trying to lose weight, battle chronic illnesses, and/or regain function in their daily lives. 

  “If a task is difficult, uncomfortable, or exhausting, there is a good chance it will get you closer to your goals. It’s my goal to help people along the way, give them the guidance they need, and dare I say help them enjoy the process. You focus on your consistency, your effort, and your attitude, and I’ll take care of the rest.”

• Bachelor of Science, Exercise Physiology from WVU

• Areas of Experience: Strength and Conditioning, Physical Therapy

• Former WVU Teaching Assistant

• May actually squat more than you

Jordan began coaching at VPT in January 2022 as a professional intern in the WVU Exercise Physiology program, where she was then hired on as a full-time staff member in May of that year upon completion of her internship.

In addition to being an invaluable coach at the gym, Jordan is in charge of Viking’s Internship Program which aims to give student & professional interns the tools they need to get experience with high-level strength & conditioning as well as general fitness training, and making sure they progress steadily through our Professional Development Course.

Jordan first got involved in strength training during early high school, and was a member of the WVU Powerlifting team through college. Since graduating Jordan has added competing in strongman to her strength sport profile.

Jordan is a WVU graduate from the Class of 2022 and has a B.S. in Exercise Physiology as well as two years of experience working in Physical Therapy, and has also been a WVU teaching assistant for their strength and conditioning courses.

• Associate of Applied Science from Coastal Pines College, Georgia
• ASFA Certified Personal Trainer
• Hobbies – powerlifting and being the nicest trainer in existence

Saveena joined the Viking Performance Training staff in the summer of 2023 after leaving the medical field to pursue her goal as a fitness trainer. 

• Currently studying for Sports Management degree at West Virginia University with a Minor in Physical Training and Performance
• NASM Certified Personal Trainer
• WVSSAC Certified Coach
• Best hair on staff for now (sorry Jordan, sorry Saveena)

Dan’s VPT experience dates back to the summer of 2017 when he joined the gym as a Strength & Conditioning client for hockey performance after 8th grade. Continuing to be a client for years, Dan became an intern while in college at WVU for the Summers of 2022 and 2023 before being hired as an official coach August 2023.

Dan played hockey for 16 years, including 2 years of collegiate hockey for WVU, leading the team in points both college seasons. Dan was also named an NSCA 2020 All-American Strength & Conditioning Athlete of the Year.