About Coach Eric

How about I don't talk in the third person as though someone else is writing this quick biography? Instead, please know that I'm a dedicated learner and educator, having earned my Ph.D. in Philosophy of Religion and Theology (useful, I know). I take great joy in introducing undergrads at Carroll College to the intentionally "useless" disciplines of Philosophy, Catholic Studies, and Theology. I'm also a lifelong dabbler in athletics, a bluebelt in Brazilian Jiujitsu (working hard toward the purple), and most importantly a husband, parent, and prostate cancer survivor. With that last thing, I hope to keep it that way, and time under the barbell is one important way I personally help to achieve that end.

All of these experiences have fostered in me a desire to develop in my community--especially those middle-aged folks still trying to figure life out, who have children and one or two jobs, and who've maybe forgotten about their health--an understanding of how to engage in the barbell lifts. I do so because of the concrete physical benefits these lifts bring: overall functional strength, resilience, and a knowledge that we can do difficult things. And also because these lifts bring some very similar adaptations to the way we live our lives: with strength, with resilience, and with the self-knowledge that we can do difficult things. As the ridiculous sub-phrase of Dadbod is "putting the rad back in dad and making mom bomb again," the "rad" dad's getting and the "bomb" coming back to mom pertain to these lifting and living qualities equally.

I'm currently and happily working toward certification with Barbell Logic coaching, and plan to work toward certification with the famed MMA Strength and Conditioning minds at 8 Weeks Out in the near future.

Check out some of the things that my athletes and Carroll students have said about me below, knowing I've hidden all the bad stuff:

• "The devotion and passion shared toward his subjects was amazing and enlightening for me as a student! Dr. Hall always encouraged me to do more and work hard for the things I love." (Carroll College student from anonymous survey)

• "Prior to working with Eric, I was stuck in a repetitive cycle of lifting heavy with improper form and injuring my lower back. However, with the personalized training program and the coaching I receive from Eric, I’m lifting heavier than before and have continued to do so without injury! While coaching, Eric gives cues on what to look for and what to feel while performing lifts to ensure I maintain proper form, which leads to longevity in strength training. As an added bonus, Eric provides an unintimidating, lighthearted atmosphere, while still being completely committed to proper form and hard work." (Dusty Mallo, former army Ranger, husband, and dad of two with a fierce triangle choke)

• "A perfect blend of encouragement and insight, Dadbod's method is effective, enjoyable, and very doable." (Fr. Bart Tolleson, Catholic Priest for Diocese of Helena)

• "The way in which Dr. Hall taught philosophy and theology allows anyone from any kind of background the possibility to learn something new." (Carroll College student from anonymous survey)

In other words, I can help you learn the barbell lifts safely and effectively, and we'll enjoy one anothers' company while doing it.

I'll add one final thing to bolster my credibility, and that is my lifting numbers. By powerlifting standards (which are not the standards we're using at Dadbod), these lifts are fine but nothing terribly impressive. However, I've worked hard from my late 30s and into my early 40s, training myself, experimenting, reading the science, and figuring out how to tell if something is working or failing.

• Squat: 550 (competition) 575 (training)

• Bench: 365 (competittion) 385 (training)

• Deadlift: 550 (competition) 575 (training)

• Overhead Press: 255 (training)

Take the numbers for what you will, but I hope they will show you that I put my words to action.

Quite frankly, something that is more important to me as a coach is that, with my prostate cancer treatment, I have been placed for six months on androgen deprivation therapy, where every darned bit of my testosterone is stolen from me. While it is expected that I gain fat and lose muscle, I have managed to retain most of my muscle mass, a good deal of strength, and have kept my weight down. I believe that testifies to my coaching, my dedication to individualized programming, and my capacity to remain flexible while training more than anything else.