Today we’d like to introduce you to Niko Halkias.
Hi Niko, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I competed in multiple sports growing up and my appreciation for the “behind the scenes” aspect of sport preparation exponentially grew throughout my athletic experience. Throughout my high-school athletic career, I noticed the improvements in my athleticism, strength, and durability through resistance training. As college was approaching, I was wondering what I was most interested in pursuing as a career. I asked one of my Coaches if there was a career that catered to training athletes. My coach replied with “You mean a Strength & Conditioning Coach?” I was so excited to find out that there was such a career and immediately began researching. I chose to attend Frostburg State University where I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise and Sports Science and a Master’s Degree in Physical Education and Human Performance. I served as a Graduate Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach while earning my Master’s and was then brought on as an Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach for Frostburg State University. After Frostburg, I decided to work in the private sector in hopes to help younger athletes and the general population with their performance/fitness needs. Now I’m excited to say that I started my own training business and will be opening my doors in October.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It was most definitely not a smooth road. Obtaining my degrees while working full-time was a challenge, but fulfilling nonetheless. I won’t necessarily use the word struggle in this description. The last thing I want to do is create the perception that my experience was harder than anyone else’s. I always say I’m the luckiest guy on the planet with the experiences I have had and the people that I have interacted with. To say I am grateful would be a gross understatement. No path worth traveling is smooth.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Odyssey Strength & Conditioning?
First, I want to share that the Grand Opening for Odyssey Strength & Conditioning will be Saturday, October 15th, 2022. Please stop by! 11845 Scaggsville Road, Fulton MD, 20759. Odyssey Strength & Conditioning is a Private Gym located in Fulton, MD. It is not a commercial facility open to the public that utilizes monthly memberships. My clients and anyone interested will schedule their sessions through me. We offer private training, semi-private training, youth athletic performance, corporate training, team training, and adult fitness group training.
I would say I’m known for making everyone feel included and welcome. I’m not a fan of gym intimidation. I am perpetually striving to give anyone who walks into my gym the best training experience and interaction. Hard work is still a non-negotiable. Lastly, I would say I am known for educating my clients. Educating my clients leads to knowledge retention which leads to sustainable results.
I absolutely love training everyone, but if I were to choose a specialization, I would have to choose athletic performance.
What sets me apart from others is my personality, social intelligence, credentials, experience, and education. I can genuinely get along with anyone.
It’s hard to say what I am most proud of within my brand. From the logo displaying my Greek heritage, to sharing our vision into the vacant space we transformed into the coolest gym in Howard County. Ultimately without my clients and my support system, there would be no brand. So perhaps I’m most proud of that.
I want the readers to know that this brand is about inclusivity, education, community, and sustainable results.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
I learned to appreciate the minute events in my everyday life to a greater extent. I learned that I was undoubtedly going to ask my now wife to marry me. I learned how to be creative and still produce high-quality training for the clients of my most recent workplace while in a lockdown. I also learned that the career path I chose can be incredibly unifying.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.odysseystrong.com
- Instagram: odyssey.strong
