MICHAEL SOUSTER MSc, BKin (Hons)
Athlete LTD, Performance & Testing
With a background at the national level in Athletics and a post secondary education in exercise physiology, Michael has dedicated his working life to developing athletes for their sport. Academically, Michael completed his undergraduate degree in Kinesiology at the University of Calgary, and his Masters of Science degree in Exercise Physiology from the University of Alberta. Over the past eight years, Michael has instructed at Mount Royal University in the area of exercise physiology and strength training.
After finishing his Masters degree in 1997, Michael established an industry-leading sport development company named Peak Power Sport Development (PPSD) where he currently serves as the director of strength and conditioning. Over the past 20 years, Michael has served as head strength and condition coach for the SAIT Trojans Athletics Department. During this time, he has helped SAIT Varsity athletes and teams in winning 114 Alberta College Athletic Conference (ACAC) medals and 19 Canadian College Athletic Association National Championship medals.
Michael first started working within the sport of hockey during his Masters degree when he had the privilege to work with the Edmonton Oilers. This experience consisted of fitness testing the players and he then spent his final year of his degree writing the Oilers first summer training manual for the players. Over the past 20 years, Michael has worked with thousands of hockey players from minor hockey, to all levels of collegiate and professional. Under the direction of Michael, PPSD currently acts as the strength and conditioning coaches for SAIT Men’s and Women’s Hockey, Mount Royal University Men’s and Women’s Hockey, University of Calgary Men’s Hockey and the Calgary Mustangs.
After assisting Team Canada in the 2004 World Bench Championships, Michael has led Team Canada as head coach, in seven World Bench Press Championships and has coached athletes to 10 World Records and dozens of National records in the sport of Powerlifting. He is currently writing the Coaching certification program for the Canadian Powerlifting Union and will be training instructors across Canada to deliver the certification.
In the sport of Weightlifting, Michael is one of three individuals in Alberta who is a Coach Developer for the National Coaching Certification Program and is one of 10 individuals across Canada to be trained as a Master Coach Developer by the Canadian Weightlifting Federation.
In other sports, Michael has worked with the sport of Rugby where he was chosen by Rugby Canada to be trained and certified by the International Rugby Board as a Level 2 Strength and Conditioning Coach. Michael has also worked extensively with Provincial Ski Associations over the past 10 years and the sport of Rugby. Dozens of these athletes have moved on to receive full ride scholarships to the NCAA and/or compete at the National and International levels in Alpine Skiing, Ski Cross, Moguls and Slopestyle Freestyle Skiing.
Michael lives in Calgary with his three daughters, Madison, Molly and Emerson.