Strength Coach and Teen Motivator

Smiley Elmore has specialized in group and one-on-one fitness training for clergymen and weekend warriors, world-class athletes and housewives, dancers and lawyers, but his greatest joy comes from training and motivating teenagers and middle-school kids to set and reach their fitness goals: "These fitness successes translate into life successes!"

Smiley has worked with teens and children in fitness and motivation for the last 12 years. He currently works as a high-school strength and running back coach who provides customized workouts and summer conditioning programs for high-school athletes

A former American Gladiator champion (1995), Mr. St Louis (1992), and Mr. Natural Missouri (1992), and green-belt martial artist, Smiley practices what he preaches in a program that he calls "controlled variety." "I use variety but not so much that I'm disorganized and not getting anything done." Recently he's been training for a bodybuilding championship so his personal program reflects that. He alternates weight-training days with cardio days, does calf and abdominal work 6 days a week; on Saturdays he does a "full-body blast," and on Sunday he rests. He's fanatical about warm-ups and stretching.

Smiley is currently completing recertification through AFAA and ISSA.

Gladiator and Bodybuilder

Smiley was a 3-year member of the world-renowned John Jacobs Power Team, a fitness team that traveled nationally and internationally motivating young people to do their very best in life. This work led to appearances on national television, including Entertainment Tonight, Hard Copy, and Good Morning America, and in national magazines such as People, Charisma, New Man, and USA Today.

Nicknamed the "Human Bullet," he specialized in running through 10-ft. walls of ice and in jumping through the air and breaking two stacks of concrete bricks before hitting the ground. Smiley also has a reputation as a stretching expert; doing the splits is a specialty. His Team Samson continues to travel and motivate young people through feats of strength. "After seeing the amazing things that we do, kids are impressed enough to listen."

Smiley Elmore on Teen Fitness

"Teenagers need exercise to motivate them to stay active in life. Whether the teen is an athlete or not, fitness encourages them to avoid "just hanging out" as well as giving them the benefits of increased endurance, stronger muscles, and goal-oriented living. Depending on the young person's goals, I recommend proper stretching and breathing, resistance training, cardiovascular training, and speed, power, and quickness workouts.

As with adults, the absolute BEST fitness program for young people is one that they will do! Getting teens to add one more activity to their already full schedules is challenging, but if an exercise routine is enjoyable and effective, they get the desired results and want to exercise.

I strongly believe that as teenagers set and achieve fitness goals, they are motivated to set and achieve life goals. Whether a young person wants to lose weight, get in shape for upcoming cheerleading tryouts, or improve their vertical leap, I share with them that exercise is like life: the more effort we put into it, the better results we get out of it."