OLYMPUSATHLETICS
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EXPERIENCE · EDUCATION · LOCAL ROOTS

Meet Josh
& Michael Amaral.

The founders of Olympus Athletics. Since 2016, we have brought practical coaching, sport science and a community built around progress to Merced.

Josh’s experience & educationMeet Michael
Olympus Athletics co-founders Michael and Josh Amaral together at the gym
JOSH + MICHAEL AMARALCo-founders · Husband & wife

ABOUT OLYMPUS · ROOTED IN MERCED

Built together.
Built to last.

We’re Josh and Michael Amaral. We started Olympus together in 2016 and have spent more than a decade building it around the people who train here.

Our experience spans everyday fitness, strength sport, collegiate athletics, teaching, and applied sports science. The purpose has stayed the same: help people become stronger and more capable through training they can sustain.

Josh brings the research, testing, and coach education. Michael brings the day-to-day coaching, member care, and practical support that help those ideas become part of real life.

Local roots.Thoughtful coaching.Long-term progress.
Josh Amaral, Olympus Athletics co-founder

CO-FOUNDER · SPORTS SCIENCE & EDUCATION

Josh Amaral

M.S., CSCS

Josh brings nearly 15 years of industry experience to Olympus and is finishing his PhD in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Strength and Conditioning. He oversees training principles, develops the use of objective testing and helps educate the coaching team.

Education & credentials

  • B.S. in KinesiologyExercise Science
  • M.S. in Applied Exercise ScienceConcordia University Chicago · Strength & Conditioning and Sports Nutrition concentrations
  • Ph.D. in Kinesiology · in progressConcordia University, St. Paul · Strength & Conditioning emphasis; coursework completed, dissertation underway
  • Certified Strength & Conditioning SpecialistNational Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
Explore Josh’s experience
  • Sports science & testing consultation · VALDConsulting with collegiate and professional organizations, including Fresno State, Sacramento State and the Sacramento Kings, as well as schools, gyms, personal trainers and physical therapists across the Central Valley. The work focuses on sport science technology, testing protocols and practical workflows that make results useful for training.
  • Merced CollegeAdjunct kinesiology professor, teaching exercise program design and connecting exercise science with practical coaching.
  • Fresno State Athletics · internshipStrength & conditioning and sports science with football and Olympic sports, including athlete testing, monitoring, and speed development.
  • USPA & strength sportCentral Valley Director, national-level judge, meet director, and powerlifting coach.
  • Youth, high school & private coachingFormer Head Strength & Conditioning Coach at Stoneridge Christian High School, S.W.A.G. sports performance coach, and personal trainer.
Michael Amaral, Olympus Athletics co-founder

CO-FOUNDER · COACHING & MEMBER EXPERIENCE

Michael Amaral

Coach · Fresno State student

Michael leads the day-to-day member experience and much of the coaching at Olympus. Her background includes personal training, powerlifting coaching and competition, and helping members work toward strength, fitness, and lifestyle goals.

Education & focus

  • Studying toward becoming a registered dietitianFresno State · education in progress
  • Practical, sustainable habitsHelping members connect training with food, recovery, and the routines of everyday life.
  • Coaching & communityHands-on instruction, ongoing support, and a welcoming environment for beginners and experienced lifters.

Michael’s ongoing dietetics education adds to our commitment to informed, practical support as members build habits for the long term.

CONNECT WITH MICHAEL

PERFORMANCE FIRST · STRENGTH FOR LIFE

Train for what
you want to do.

We put capability at the center: getting stronger, moving with confidence, and staying able to do the things that matter to you. That could mean climbing stairs comfortably, keeping up with family, or competing at a higher level.

Appearance goals can be part of your plan. We also give you meaningful performance goals to work toward—strength, power, balance, and movement you can build and track for the long run. You do not have to be an athlete to train athletically.

01
Build capacity for life

Train strength, power, and balance to support the activities you want to keep doing as you age.

02
Make progress meaningful

Use goals you choose and measurements you understand to see what your training is helping you do.

03
Make consistency possible

Fit the work to your schedule and current ability. A useful plan is one you can keep returning to.

The research behind our approach

Strength & long-term health. A review of prospective cohort studies linked muscle-strengthening activity with lower mortality risk. These associations inform our emphasis on strength throughout life.Momma et al., 2022 · British Journal of Sports Medicine ↗

Motivation & adherence. A review of exercise research linked personally meaningful motivation and a sense of competence with participation and sustained exercise. We apply that insight through goals you choose, achievable progress, and coaching that supports your independence.Teixeira et al., 2012 · Exercise motivation review ↗

WORK WITH OLYMPUS

Find the support
that fits.

Individual servicesTeam testing & programming