Andrew Mitchell’s career in strength and conditioning began earlier than most. A series of concussions cut short his basketball journey, but what ended one path opened another. Instead of waiting until life after sport, Andrew dove headfirst into coaching—pursuing a passion for performance that has now spanned more than 15 years.
He first made his mark in the private sector, quickly rising as a leader at Equinox on the West Coast, where he was named one of the top 10 trainers out of more than 3,000 nationwide. After the pandemic, he transitioned into collegiate athletics, coaching at Elon University and the University of North Carolina before joining the Tampa Bay Rays in 2022. Today, he serves as a Strength and Conditioning Coach specializing in speed and acceleration development, collaborating with the Rays’ performance science and baserunning units to design training systems that push the boundaries of athlete development.
Building Athletes, Building Systems
Andrew’s education laid the foundation for his career: a B.S. in Exercise Science from Elon University and an M.Sc. in Performance Coaching from Setanta College. Along the way, he earned industry-leading certifications including RSCC, CSCS, USAW2, TPI Power 3, and PN2.
What distinguishes Andrew is his balance of scientific rigor and practical application. His philosophy blends biomechanics, data, and holistic training protocols aimed not just at performance, but at long-term health. For him, speed is more than a metric, it’s a skill that requires precision, intention, and constant refinement.
Beyond the Field
When Andrew isn’t coaching, he’s running (he’s completed four marathons), traveling with his wife by plane, van, and boat, or spending time with their competition-level Cocker Spaniel. He is currently pursuing a PhD in kinesiology, focusing on the science of connective tissue and performance training, because if you know Andrew, you know this: he’s never satisfied with “good enough.”
EmberBox and The Next Chapter
Each year, Andrew attends the NSCA National Conference to learn, connect, and stay sharp alongside some of the best coaches in the world. At the most recent event, one product in particular caught his eye: EmberBox. It stood out as one of the most practical and effective innovations he had ever seen in person. What began as a moment of curiosity at a tradeshow has grown into an exciting collaboration, where Andrew brings both his professional expertise and his passion for performance to shaping a new tool for athletes and coaches alike.