Aaron McKissick (Training the Tactical Athlete, Injury Prevention and Sleep for Performance) - Episode 1122

Aaron has spent over 15 years in strength and conditioning and is now the Pulic Safety Wellness Coordinator for Virginia Beach. We discuss his journey into coaching, training the tactical athlete, injury prevention, programming, sleep and performance and so much more.

"I am a dedicated health and wellness professional committed to supporting the physical and mental resilience of our city's frontline heroes. With over 15 years of experience, I specialize in designing and managing comprehensive wellness programs that enhance the quality of life and performance of first responders.

My career began in the healthcare field, focusing on strength and conditioning within a physical therapy clinic in Virginia. There, I also led exercise sessions for medically supervised weight-loss patients. During this time, I was awarded an internship with Old Dominion University’s Olympic Sports Program under the mentorship of Yaw Baidoo—an experience that greatly shaped my approach to high-performance training.

After my internship, I transitioned into the private sector as a sports performance coach with the same healthcare system. This role allowed me to work with a diverse range of clients, including youth, professional athletes, tactical populations, and the general public. I was later promoted to Sports Performance Coordinator, and then Regional Performance Coordinator, where I oversaw multiple facilities, staff, budgets, contracts, and performance analytics.

It was during this time that I began working with first responders—an experience that led me to my current role with the City of Virginia Beach.

Currently, I lead initiatives aimed at building resilience and reducing operational injuries within the city’s police, fire, and sheriff academies. I utilize data-driven strategies and cutting-edge technologies, including advanced training software, to monitor and evolve the Virginia Beach Fire Department’s daily fitness protocols. My work also includes developing and instructing customized training programs for SWAT and Fire Academy recruits. These programs integrate physical preparation with classroom instruction on tactical readiness, ensuring high performance in demanding real-world environments."