Derek Clark Joins GPSC as New Health & Athletic Performance Director 

We are excited to announce the addition of Derek Clark to the Greater Pittsburgh Sports Complex team as our new Director of Athletic Performance and Wellness.  

Derek is a licensed athletic trainer and master sports performance coach, holding multiple certifications in sports medicine and performance. With a career spanning over two decades, he has honed his expertise in managing athletes’ health along with their daily mental, emotional, and physical stresses.  

Focus on Holistic Recovery Strategies & Treatments

His journey began as the Assistant Football Athletic Trainer and Coordinator of Reconditioning at the University of Nebraska and most recently was the Head Athletic Trainer, Director of Athletic Performance and Assistant Athletic Director for the Quaker Valley School District and remains an athletic medicine and sports performance consultant for the Quakers.   

Derek is also the founder of Grizz Athletic Performance and Recovery, a pioneering company dedicated to sports performance, injury rehabilitation, and recovery. Derek is dedicated to nurturing the physical and mental growth of athletes of all ages, incorporating holistic recovery strategies and treatments to support their overall development 

Redefining Stress for a Healthier Balance

Derek is also a highly regarded speaker and authority on stress recovery. His presentations have captivated audiences of students, adults, educators, and executives throughout the Pittsburgh region. Notable engagements include those hosted by the Friends of Safe Schools Pennsylvania and the Western Pennsylvania Assistant Superintendents Forum. Derek has been featured on popular podcasts such as Vince Cortese’s “Leave Your Mark” and Erin Renninger’s “Unapologetically Authentic.” In his talks, Derek redefines stress then shares firsthand insights into how unbalanced stress can unknowingly undermine health and, more importantly, how balance can be regained through stress recovery.   

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Building Essential Tactics through Dynamic Classes

In his wellness role at the Greater Pittsburgh Sports Complex Derek will deliver engaging presentations and lead dynamic classes focused on essential tactics for stress recovery and life balance. His sessions are designed to empower participants with practical tools to restore their well-being and achieve greater harmony in their daily lives. 

A pivotal moment in Derek’s life came when he was diagnosed with two major health conditions within six months, despite being an active, fit, and seemingly healthy individual. This led him to investigate how these conditions could have simultaneously developed. His research revealed that the complex interplay between personality, temperament, genetics, and chronic mental, emotional, and physical strains could create vulnerabilities in one’s health. As a speaker, Derek empowers individuals to mitigate their health susceptibilities and embrace life’s challenges through his Stress Recovery Game Plan. 

Stress Recovery Game Plan

Derek believes everyone is an athlete in the game of life, and his passion is to help individuals be at their best mentally, emotionally, and physically each day. He now sees himself as an athletic trainer not just for sports but also for life. His Stress Recovery Game Plan is a four-step daily process designed to balance stress, ensuring individuals can feel their best while navigating their lifestyles. This approach aims to provide not only a long lifespan but, more importantly, a long health span. 

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Upcoming Programs with Derek Clark

With a wealth of experience and expertise, Derek will be overseeing the operations of our brand-new weight room. His knowledge and dedication will be invaluable to our community as we continue to strive for health and wellness excellence here at our facility.  

He is currently holding two programs, one for Adult Performance Enhancement Program and High School Athletic Performance Enhancement Program where you can sign up on our weight room page. Please join us in welcoming Derek to the Greater Pittsburgh Sports Complex family!