OUR Story
Our new home, Rodney on
Fitborough is a family affair and ours is made up of Josh (me), Morgan, Asbell, Murdoch, Obi (dog) and Yirg (cat). Is there a better time to make major life changes than when a global pandemic sweeps the Earth? As another lockdown took hold in Ontario after Christmas, we began to dream about what the next chapter of our lives might look like. I grew up in Englehart, a small town in Northern Ontario and Morgan spent much of her youth at her grandparents farm in West Lorne. While our life in Guelph has served us well, we longed for more space to roam and the feel of a small town. We imagined a rural community where we would have fun raising our children, while also being active and giving back. An opportunity presented itself and we jumped at it, purchasing a 2-acre property in Rodney, Ontario with a small barn, which is now the home of Fitborough!
Josh Ford
CSCS, MA Leadership
Owner, Fitborough
Fitness & Wellness Coach
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ABOUT COACH FORD
Josh brings a unique skill set and experience to the private sector having spent the past 12 years working as a Strength & Conditioning Coach in the NCAA, USPORTS, and with National Sport Organizations such as Canada Basketball. His prior experience in the private sector saw him managing personal training teams and working with general population clients in busy Toronto fitness clubs. Coach Ford also holds a Masters degree in Leadership from the Lang School of Business at the University of Guelph where his Major Research Project was titled "Barriers to Collaboration in Athlete Care Teams".
During his time working with high performance teams and athletes over the years he experienced moments like feeling the rumble of the crowd in the arena when Duke came to town while working with the University of Maryland’s Basketball teams, or celebrating the first-ever National Championship victory with the University of Guelph’s Women’s Hockey team. He has been fortunate to work alongside award-winning coaches, world-class therapists and unbelievably resilient athletes.
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It is this experience and wisdom he is excited to share with his clients and the Fitborough community, helping them get out of pain, achieve their fitness goals and fortify their lives!
Experience
2014-21
head Strength & Conditioning Coach
UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH
2013-14
Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach
McMASTER UNIVERSITY
2012-13
Fitness Manager
EQUINOX YORKVILLE
2011-12
Assistant Director of Basketball Performance
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
2009
Began working with Canada Basketball’s National Teams
TEAM CANADA BASKETBALL
2008-10
Strength & Conditioning Coach
EASTERN COMMERCE COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE BASKETBALL
2007
Strength & Conditioning Intern
MIKE BOYLE STRENGTH & CONDITIONING
Coach Ford was hired as the inaugural Head S&C Coach for Gryphon Athletics and oversaw tremendous growth in his 7+ year tenure. During his time he executed on his vision of a new training facility, the Gryphon Performance Centre, as well as new S&C positions and expansion of services to multiple varsity teams as well as community athletes through the Gryphon Performance Academy.
During his time at McMaster Coach Ford worked directly with M/W Basketball and M/W Volleyball as well as training a variety of Individual clients such as Montreal Canadiens Defensemen Ben Chiarot, Professional Snowboarder Mikey Ciccarelli and WNBA star Kia Nurse. (P.S. This is where he met his better half!)
Coach Ford directed the ongoing professional development of the entire Personal Training department in a busy fitness club in downtown Toronto, ensuring a consistent and quality product for members.
Coach Ford was responsible for team performance of a perennial powerhouse with the University of Maryland’s Women’s Basketball program, experiencing a Big 10 Conference Championship and Elite 8 appearance while also assisting on the Men’s side.
Coach Ford has been fortunate to work with a number of future NBA athletes such as Andrew Wiggins, Jamal Murray and Cory Joseph, amongst the dozens through the Canada Basketball development system over the years.
Coach Ford worked with Canadian High School Basketball powerhouse Eastern Commerce during their last OFSAA Championship season, working alongside current Sacramento Kings Assistant Coach Roy Rana. Eastern has produced many NCAA, USPORTS and professional basketball athletes.
Coach Ford interned under legendary S&C Coach Mike Boyle at this facility outside of Boston in the Summer of 2007. This is where he first cut his teeth and truly learned how to coach, seeing upwards of 300 youth, college and professional athletes per day.
"THE BARN"
22266 Thomson Line
Rodney, ON
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No need to drive to Chatham or London when you can find us here in the heart of Elgin County!
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