STRIVE IS GROWING AND WE WANT TO GIVEA BIG WELCOME TO OUR NEW TEAMMATES!
We’ve taken leaps and bounds in preparing to extend our sales and client success in tactical, industrial, and professional sports this year. Since January, we’ve quadrupled our sports science team to bring on even more clients across various markets in 2022.
As we near the halfway point of the year, we would like to highlight all of the impressive new employees we’ve gained and tell you a little bit more about their background and what they bring to STRIVE.
MICHAEL BLOUT
Master Sergeant Michael Blout, fondly known around STRIVE as “BT”, joins us after 20 years serving our country at the highest level. Today, BT is the Director for Tactical Market Sales for STRIVE.
In 2004, BT graduated from the Combat Control Apprentice and Journeyman pipeline through the Air Force. His qualifications in the armed forces include Combat Driver, Static Line Parachute Jumpmaster, Air Traffic Controller, and Military Freefall Parachutist, among many more. Additionally, BT has worked as a combat control journeyman, combat control craftsmen, section chief for the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, AF combat Dive instructor, Flight chief training support, and Senior enlisted Leader, just to name a few.
In 2013, BT was honored with the JINSA Award for providing joint terminal attack control support for his unit in Afghanistan. He earned the Silver Star, the third highest military award one can receive, in 2014 for action against an enemy in Afghanistan. Other impressive honors awarded to BT include AETC SNCO of the year in 2020, Portraits in Courage in 2013, Pitsenbarger Nominee in 2013, Iraq campaign medal with 2 devices, Humanitarian medal with 1 device, combat readiness medal, and air force combat action medal.
Military personnel, firemen, police officers etc. are at the forefront of the safety of this nation. All of the men and women in these positions have to carry heavy weights and endure a significant amount of physical duress. As Director of Tactical Markets, BT is both increasing the possibilities and opportunities for STRIVE to work with tactical teams, and helping ensure these service men and women can best mitigate their injuries.
KYLE SAMMONS
Performance Engineer and Applied Scientist Kyle Sammons joins STRIVE with 13 years experience in the strength and conditioning fields.
Sammons attended the University of Nevada, Reno, where he was a wide receiver on the school’s football team. During his master’s program at the university, Kyle took a grad assistant position as Strength and Conditioning Coach for women’s soccer, track and field, and football, and found his passion. From 2012 to 2015 he was the Associate Strength and Conditioning Coach for Nevada, Reno, focusing on football, men’s basketball, women’s soccer, and track & field.
In 2015 Sammons was hired at the University of Washington as the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the football team and was soon promoted to Director of Sports Science where he devised return-to-play protocols and building the nutrition program for athletes.
As our Performance Engineer and Applied Scientist, Kyle is helping athletes make more informed decisions based on their data.
MATT HOWLEY
Our newest Performance Engineer, Matt Howley, joins STRIVE with a strong sport science background.
Howley is originally from Australia where he attended Deakin University with an Exercise Physiology and Sport Coaching degree. In 2011 he received his masters from Edith Cowan University in Exercise Science with an emphasis in strength and conditioning.
After graduation, Matt worked as a strength and conditioning intern for the University of Notre Dame, as well as Australian-based Hawthorn Football Club, and acted as the High Performance Manager for the Eastern Ranges Football Club in Victoria, Australia.
Matt’s internship with Notre Dame turned into a full-time position as Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach where he focused on men’s soccer, rowing, men’s & women’s golf, and women’s tennis. Following three fruitful years in this position, Matt was promoted to Director of Sports Science at Notre Dame.
Following Howley’s time at Notre Dame he became the Head of Sports Science and Performance Coach for Real Salt Lake, an MLS team, and was soon promoted to Director of Performance for the club. As the director, Howley oversaw all aspects of sports science, strength and conditioning, and nutrition.
As a sports scientist with STRIVE, Howley is responsible for ensuring that our performance system continues to improve.
MICHELLE PERNA
Michelle Perna our Client Success Specialist joins STRIVE with experience as a personal trainer, instructor, coach, health coach, and nurse.
In 2013, Michelle received an Exercise Science degree from George Washington University, in addition to serving as a trainer, health coach, and athlete. She was a member of the school’s rugby teams both in and out of college where her passion for fitness really shined through. Michelle also served as a research assistant in the George Washington University Hospital and served as volunteer EMT for the Seat Pleasant Fire Department.
In 2017, Michelle received her nursing degree from George Washington University and soon after became a NICU nurse in D.C for the Children’s National Health System. She then relocated to Florida where she maintained her role as NICU nurse at Jupiter Medical Center until 2022.
Back in the fitness industry once again, Michelle is here to ensure our clients have the best STRIVE experience possible by personally onboarding clients, educating trainers and athletes about the tech, and helping to integrate it into their existing routine. Even better, Michelle ensures our clients are always collecting good data with regular check-ins, for the most positive STRIVE experience.
STEVEN PAZAN
Steven Pazan, our Senior Solutions Manager, joins the STRIVE team with experience in strength and conditioning, physical therapy, and sales.
Steven graduated from George Washington University with an undergraduate degree in Exercise Science, as well as a master’s in Exercise Science with a concentration in Strength and Conditioning. While at GWU, he was a physical therapy aide creating home exercise programs for patients.
In 2012 Steven worked with Walter Reed Army Medical Center as the Prosthetics and Orthotics intern, while also working at QuistMD as an Active Isolated Stretching and Strengthening Therapist.
Steven’s experience as a physical therapist lead him to pursue a role in sales after working with medical device reps. Steven worked as the Regional Sales Manager at iMcustom, which 3D-prints custom insoles to solve various foot problems. He then worked for First Line Technology, and medical device company NormaTec X Hyperice, which offers a range of compression therapy products designed to support athletic performance and recovery. With Hyperice, Steven helped veterans, current military service personnel, and government employees obtain the best products needed to help with their performance.
As Sr. Sales Manager with STRIVE, Steven brings a wealth of experience in both the sales field and physical therapy fields. Steven will work with increasing the clientele for both sports and tactical markets, harnessing his experience in both backgrounds.
JASON PARKER
Jason Parker joins STRIVE with a strong Engineering background, a Ph.D. from Stanford in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, and 9+ years of technical experience. At STRIVE, Jason is our Integration Manager where he combines his deep knowledge of engineering with his interest in fitness.
Jason attended the University of Washington for his undergraduate degree with a double major in German, and literature and electrical and electronics engineering. He received both his master’s and doctorate degrees from Stanford in Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
In 2009, Jason worked at Silexos as a Photovoltaic Materials scientist, followed by a 5-year stint at Intel where he was the Senior Process Integration Engineer. He then worked as a Process Engineer for Modern Electron, and then a Senior Microfabrication Manufacturing Engineer at Carlisle Interconnect Technologies.
Throughout his career, Jason has worked on various engineering projects, such as qualifying lithography machines, developing next-generation inter-connect processes, performing R & D, and direct implementation of MES and ERP systems.
Jason’s athletic experience lies primarily in marathon running – and he actually trained with STRIVE gear for the 2021 Bend marathon and 2022 BMO Vancouver Marathon. As an athlete that has used the gear, Jason understands this product on a personal level and is motivated to continue improving it.
As Integration Manager at STRIVE, Jason will combine his impressive knowledge of engineering with his hands-on use of the product for training.
RICH FLY
At STRIVE, Rich Fly will combine his passion for fitness and technology as our Senior Product Manager.
In 2019, Rich graduated with a Business Information Systems degree from Seattle Pacific University with a minor in Computer Science. His technical experience includes increasing R&D productivity, building SQL views, and using FIGMA to assist in quicker iterations through design thinking.
Rich is an honored serviceman serving in the 2nd Ranger Battalion as an infantryman out of high school. Once his time in the service was complete, Rich turned to coaching and personal training and worked as the coach, general manager, and sales manager at various gyms in Washington and San Francisco. Following graduation, Rich began working for Fraxion as Product Manager and Chief of Staff performing various coding duties.
Rich’s sporting history lies mainly in the pool where he was a swimmer, diver and member of the water polo team. His diving success led him to the Junior Olympic team where his passion for coaching really bloomed.
Rich’s athletic experience, coupled with his deep technological expertise, will serve STRIVE to swiftly combat any technological concerns, specifically software development.
JARROD BONSMANN
Jarrod Bonsmann joins STRIVE with experience in both aerospace and mechanical engineering. At STRIVE, Jarrod is an Applied Scientist for STRIVE’s tactical side of business, combining his passion for engineering with his interest in athletics, specifically water polo, swimming, and beach volleyball.
Jarrod attended the University of Florida, earning an undergraduate degree in Aerospace Engineering, and a master’s in Mechanical Engineering. He then continued his academic studies at the University of Maryland where he earned a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering.
After his time at University of Florida, Jarrod took a position with Sikorsky Helicopters as a flight test engineer, where he played a crucial role evaluating aircrafts to determine the performance success rate of the helicopter. Additionally, Jarrod worked as an R&D Durability Engineer for W.L. Gore, where he checked the durability of certain products. Following this position, he became the lead instructor and a senior biochemist with DBC Performance.
As Applied Scientist for STRIVE’s tactical market, Jarrod provides many years of experience and knowledge in the engineering fields to further propel the team. He will work on developing muscle activation threshold parameters to aid in musculoskeletal injury risk mitigation for military personnel.
SEARCH CAREERS TODAY!
SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 | STRIVE, the only platform proven to optimize muscle performance for elite athletes and teams, today announced a strategic partnership with Fairly Group, the premier insurance broker and risk management company with hundreds of clients across all major professional sports leagues. Through the partnership, STRIVE is now available to players and teams as a benefit. Numerous players are already using STRIVE to help their return to play from injuries suffered during games.
AUGUST 10, 2021 | STRIVE CEO and Cofounder Nikola Mrvaljevic sat down with the Driving Force Podcast to discuss STRIVE’s place in human performance. From playing professional basketball in Montenegro, to leading his team at STRIVE, Mrvaljevic discusses it all.
