James A. McDermott

84kg Snatch at the 2015 All-World Weightlifting Federation National Championships!

James McDermott is the Head Coach of Albany CrossFit located in Albany, New York. He specializes in Weightlifting instruction and is an avid competitor in the sport. During his tenure, James has coached numerous athletes to the podium as well as athletes competing in the CrossFit North East Regionals. While he is very active in sports & fitness now – this was not always the case. As a teenager James struggled with a multitude of health issues as a result of being overweight and living an unhealthy lifestyle. As he matured into a young adult, James became increasingly unhappy with his life and decided to do something about it. He took responsibility for his personal health and fitness by eating healthier, exercising and playing sports. Eventually, through a fiery passion for fitness, James began to seek out knowledge on how he could help others live happier, healthier lives.

James entered college with a simple decision and goal: to pursue a career in the fitness industry. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from State University of New York (SUNY) College at Cortland in 2012. His relentless passion to help others be better led him to discover Albany CrossFit where he was hired as an intern coach. James dedicated the next few years to Albany CrossFit and saw more responsibility given to him through a series of promotions in the company. He views his role in the gym and opportunity to help bring about positive change in the lives of others as a privilege. James believes he truly has the best job in the world. He is always looking for ways he can improve as a coach and expand upon his knowledge to better serve his athletes.

Credentials

| Books |

• Published Author (2015): The Dark Orchestra (co-written with Jon North)
• (Coming Fall 2016): The Flexible Eating Blueprint (co-written with Jason Ackerman
• (Coming Spring 2017): Glenn Pendlay Project
• (Coming Summer 2017): Charlie Zamora Project

| Other Publications |

• Featured (December 2016): The CrossFit Journal: Coach’s Orders
• Featured (January 2016): 518 Life Magazine: Trainer Tip – Foam Roller Hip Release
• Featured (May 2016): The CrossFit Journal: Warm and Happy
• (Coming Fall 2016): Weightlifting Magazine: Issue #1

| Podcast Appearances |

• Weightlifting Talk with Jon North (Episode 152): The Dark Orchestra
• Weightlifting Talk with Jon North (Episode 154): I Am A Weightlifting Robot
• Squat Therapy with Jason Ackerman (Episode 38): James McDermott

Teaching at my first solo weightlifting seminar at CrossFit Sona on 8/21/16.

| Certifications | Seminars | Workshops |

• Attitude Nation Level 1 & 2
• Christmas Abbott: The Body Review (Nutrition)
• CrossFit Gymnastics
• CrossFit Endurance
• CrossFit Level 1 & 2 Trainer
• CrossFit Mobility & Movement
• CrossFit Weightlifting Trainer
• Dmitry Klokov Weightlifting Seminar
• Donny Shankle Weightlifting Seminar
• Enderton Strength Online Weightlifting Seminar
• Flexible Eating Seminar with Jason Ackerman
• FuBarbell + The Training Geek: Biomechanical Concepts Applied to Weightlifting
• Glenn Pendlay: Learn To Train
• Jeff Wittmer Weightlifting Seminar
• Jon North & Jared Enderton: Chase The Atmosphere Tour
• Moving With The Maestro: Scapjacked or Jacked-Up Scap?
• New York Weightlifting Academy: Biomechanics of the Jerk
• Original Strength: Pressing Reset – Restoring the Body Through Movement
• Power Monkey Fitness: Gymnastics
• Power Monkey Fitness: Weightlifting (Mike Cerbus)
• Primal Movement Chains – Level 2 – Power Lives In The Transverse Plane
• Punk Rope: Doubles or Nothing Workshop
• Red Cross CPR Certified
• Rock Tape: Fascial Movement Taping (FMT) Level 1 & 2
• Rock Tape: Performance Movement Taping (PMT) Level 1
• Rolling on the Floor Laughing: Mobility Workshop
• Tactical Athlete: Kettlebell Workshop with Jeff Martone
• Travis Cooper Weightlifting Seminar
• USA Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach
• YMCA Healthy Lifestyles & Principles
• YMCA Strength & Conditioning

| Professional Studies |

• Athletic Injury Risk Management
• Biomechanics
• Cardio-Respiratory Fitness Assessment and Programming
• Exercise Physiology
• Exercise Psychology
• History and Philosophy of Physical Education and Sport
• Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 & 2
• LIMBx: Going Out on a Limb: Anatomy of the Upper Limb
• Motor Behavior
• Neuromuscular Fitness Assessment and Programming
• Nutrition and Sport Performance

| Other Credentials |

• Member of: USA Weightlifting (USAW) & The All-World Weightlifting Federation (AWF)
• USA Weightlifting Club Coach (Albany Barbell Club)
• RockTape: Rock Doc (Advanced – FMT2)

104kg Clean and Jerk at the 2015 All-World Weightlifting Federation’s Grand Open.