Tracy Kujat
Head Strength and Conditioning Coach - Shawnee
Qualifications
BS – Exercise Science (University of Central Missouri)
NSCA-CPT – Certified Personal Trainer (National Strength and Conditioning Association)
USATF Lv. 1 (USA Track & Field)
About Coach
I have been a trainer since 2006 and I love what I do! I knew at a young age that I enjoyed working out and that most of the general public does not. I decided that I wanted to be an example of what living a healthy lifestyle could do. I also realized that I had overcome a lot of challenges as a smaller athlete and wanted to share that with the athletes that I train now. I worked hard and earned a spot on the track team at Central Missouri State University running the 200 and 400m races. While I was there I was coached by Olympic decathlete Kip Janvrin, that has an immense amount of knowledge for the world of track and field. I unfortunately did suffer a wide array of injuries, but that just allowed me to understand not only the physical recovery but the mental recovery as well. I have a strong belief in the mental capability of an individual and use that drive to help teach young athletes how great they really can be! After graduating from CMSU I returned home to Branson to start my personal training career. During this time in Branson I was in charge of classes such as; Bootcamp, Spin, Ab Attack, not to mention numerous personal training clients. It was through these experiences in Branson that I developed my ability to motivate all types of individuals in a fun and energetic way, creating an environment built on results. For the last 4 years I have been working in the sports performance field with middle school, high school, and collegiate athletes. I have developed and implemented programs for athletes at all levels competing in baseball, track and field, cross-country, swimming and tennis. I was also the Head Strength Coach for the Missouri State Lacrosse team from 2012 to 2013. It is through all this experience that I have grown my coaching abilities and continue to constantly learn more in this field so that I can always be up to date with what works best for our PSP3 athletes.
Turning Point
My whole life I have had various obstacles that could be considered a turning point that impacted how I became who I am today. When I got to high school, I was a very undersized kid. At 4'9" 108# I was one of the smallest kids in school, and this was my first strike. My siblings left a bad taste in the coaches mouth for my last name, so by the time I was trying out for teams I was already looked at differently. This would be the second strike against me. It was my freshman year that I had a weight training class and I decided I didn't want to strike out without even showing what I was capable of. So I put my head down and got to work. I found out I was pretty good at lifting and was getting really strong for my size. It was then that coaches started to realize I wasn't my brother or sister, and instead I was just myself and should be viewed as such. Staying disciplined and using those strikes as motivation I created my own name for myself and went on to have a fun and rewarding high school athletic career.
Motivation & Passion
Simply put my coaching purpose is this: "I coach to inspire, motivate, and propel athletes of all ages to live a life defined by integrity, compassion, and fitness in order to have a more positive impact on the lives of others." We have a duty to help any person become the best version of themselves that they can be. My hope is that I show a hard work ethic, dedication, and discipline that my athletes will trust in my abilities to coach them to reach their goals. I also want to share my testimony of life to help anybody overcome anything that they may have going on in their life. We are here to love each other and help each other be better in life, and I want to do whatever I can to make that happen.
