About Us

is an internationally recognized clinical pharmacist, author, and board-certified clinical nutritionist, with over 40 years of clinical experience in natural products, lifestyle, drug/nutrient depletion, compounding pharmacy and peptides.  LaValle is currently the Chief Science Officer for Life Time and is best known for his expertise in performance health and integrative care.

He has served thousands of patients, using his metabolic model for health, at his clinics in Orange County, CA, Austin, TX and formerly at LaValle Metabolic Institute, in Cincinnati Ohio.   His focus both in clinic and enterprise platforms is to uncover the underlying metabolic issues that keep people from their peak health and resiliency. 

He is the founder of Metabolic Code Enterprises, a cloud-based health technology that helps practitioners and individuals pinpoint the metabolic roadblocks to health based on a symptom survey, lab markers, biometrics, and wearable data.  This groundbreaking assessment tool incorporates some 40,000 decisions, prioritizing networks of metabolism that are the most out of balance and provides suggestions for dietary supplements, diet and other targeted interventions and  lifestyle suggestions with the goal of building metabolic reserve, resiliency and vitality.

In 2010, Jim and his team developed personalized weight loss and wellness programs for Lifetime Fitness using his Metabolic Code approach for health and wellness.  He was the clinical director for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Performance Health Program. Organizations including Corvette Race Team, Orlando Magic, Chicago Blackhawks, San Jose Sharks, Golden State Warriors, Austin FC, and Colorado Rapids have relied on his expertise for performance, resiliency and return to play programs.

Mike enters his first year as the Director of High Performance for the San Jose Sharks after being with the Golden State Warriors the past two seasons serving as the Director of Performance.  He was in charge of the planning and physical training of the players, provided support to GSW’s performance nutritionist, coordinated and administered the yearly performance testing schedule, created return from injury programs for the athletes, and worked closely with the coaches and development staff on daily scheduling. 

Before going to the Warriors, Mike spent 16 years in the NHL with the San Jose Sharks.  His prime responsibilities as Director of Strength & Conditioning were in the areas of performance enhancement, reconditioning the athletes after injury, nutrition, performance assessment, NHL combine evaluations, player physical development planning and Training Camp testing.  He managed a staff of three strength coaches at the NHL and minor league levels.  

Mike served as Vice President of the NHL Strength Coaches Association from 2015 to 2019 and the President of the Association from 2019 to 2022.  He was the main point of contact between the league and its Performance Coaches on all issues relating to training, performance testing, COVID protocols, the Combine format, and equipment standardizations for visiting teams. 

During Mike’s time in San Jose, he worked closely with two United States Air Force Pararescue teams within the National Guard Bureau on implementing a Performance Enhancement Program for its operators.  The programs were initiated for the 131st Rescue Squadron (California) in 2009 and for the 212th Rescue Squadron (Alaska) in 2012.  The Performance Enhancement Program model has now become a standardized program among all 5 National Guard Bureau Pararescue teams. 

Prior to coming to the Bay area, Mike served as the Strength and Conditioning coach for the Men’s and Women’s hockey teams at the University of Wisconsin (Madison) from 2003 to 2006.  In 2006, both teams won the Division 1 National Championships.  

Mike is a graduate of Springfield College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Exercise Science. After receiving his Bachelor’s degree, Potenza earned a Master’s degree in Physical Education with a concentration in Human Movement Science from Boston University.  While at BU he held a graduate assistant position within the Strength and Conditioning department working with all twenty-one Varsity intercollegiate sports. 

Mike and his wife Bonnie reside in San Jose with their three children, Griffin, Natalie and Luca.  

Associate Director of Strength & Conditioning at The University of Wisconsin – Madison currently Snider oversees the performance programs for nationally ranked Men’s Basketball and Rowing programs.  Prior to taking over his position with men’s basketball, he was the director of hockey performance.  He also has worked with football, soccer, tennis, and wrestling teams at the university as well in a previous stint at Wisconsin.  Also worked as the primary liaison to the Sports Performance Lab where they conduct research, evaluate key sport performance metrics, and athlete monitoring.

He is also the Founder and President of Neuro Explosion Performance Training which specializes in holistic performance training, integrating therapeutic, and nutritional interventions. Has coached and consulted with numerous Olympians, Stanley Cup winners, Hobey Baker and Patty Kazmaier winners, National Champions, National Level Olympic Weightlifters, as well as top level athletes from NFL, NBA, NHL, and PGA.

Before rejoining the Badgers, he served as the Assistant Director of Strength and Conditioning at the University of Minnesota. At Minnesota, Snider worked alongside Cal Dietz and was responsible for the administration and development of athletic enhancement programs for men’s basketball, baseball, track and field, and assisted with Men’s and Women’s Hockey, while managing full-time and intern personnel.

Snider completed his undergraduate work at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise and Sport Science with an emphasis in Strength and Conditioning and also a degree in Sports Management.  He also has a Master’s Degree in Applied Kinesiology from the University of Minnesota, as well as a degree in Asian Bodywork & Therapeutic Massage from East West Healing Arts Institute.

Snider is a member of several organizations including the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), and USA Weightlifting. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA, Level II Senior Coach through USA Weightlifting, Licensed Massage Therapist, Level II BioSignature Practitioner, and also a certified referee through USA Weightlifting. His depth of knowledge and scope of practice when it comes to the variety of sports and range of athletes is a true indicator of his dedication and passion for the performance of the human being.

Ben Peterson was recently names the Vice President of player health and performance for the Atlanta Hawks. He spent the past four seasons with the 49ers as head of player health & performance, overseeing athletic training, functional performance, nutrition and strength & conditioning. In his role, he manages and orchestrates all available resources to ensure 49ers players are provided the best standard of care, with the goal of maximizing their availability.

He joined the 49ers after spending more than two years as the director of sports science with the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League. In his role with the Flyers, he helped integrate strength and conditioning, sports medicine, physical therapy and nutrition.

Prior to his time in Philadelphia, Peterson was the director of research and analytics for Catapult, a global category-leader in elite sports technology. At Catapult, he worked with teams in every major professional league around the world, helping them identify and evaluate contextual analytics by measuring training loads and biomarkers to improve the performance outcomes and reduce soft tissue injuries of their athletes.

A native of Plymouth, MN, Peterson received his PhD in applied exercise physiology from the University of Minnesota and his bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University. He spent three years as a graduate research assistant at Minnesota, while working as director of performance at P3, which brings a data-driven approach to understanding athlete movement and development for performance optimization.

Cal Dietz joined the Athletic Performance staff at the University of Minnesota in 2000.  He is currently an Associate Director of Athletic Performance and works directly with the Men’s & Women’s Ice Hockey programs.  Dietz has worked with several programs over the course of his career with the Gophers including Men’s Basketball, Men’s & Women’s Golf, Men’s Swimming, Track & Field, Baseball and Wrestling.  Dietz’s athletes and teams have achieved numerous accolades including 11 NCAA National Championships, 35 B1G/WCHA Championships. 540+ All-American honors, 30 B1G/WCHA Tournament Championships, 22 NCAA Final Four appearances and several Olympic and World Championships.   

The Shelby, Ohio native earned his Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from the University of Findlay in 1996.  Dietz was a 2-sport athlete at the University of Findlay and was part of 3 National Championships: 2 with Football and 1 with Wrestling.  He was a 2 time NAIA All-American in Football and was the NAIA National Duals MVP in Wrestling.  He was the NAIA College Sports Magazine Athlete of the Year in 1995 and was inducted into the University of Findlay’s Hall of Fame in 2005.  

Dietz was a Graduate Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach at the University of Minnesota and completed his Master of Education degree in 2000.  Dietz worked with the Gopher Football program and assisted with a majority of Olympic sports during his time as a GA.

Dietz worked briefly at the University of Findlay as the Strength Coordinator and oversaw 26 Men’s & Women’s teams prior to his return to Minnesota.  He also was the Offensive Line coach with the Football program, coordinated the university’s fitness center and taught strength and conditioning classes. 

Cal is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) by the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA) and is certified in Reflexive Performance Reset (RPR).

Kevin Neeld is the Head Performance Coach for the Boston Bruins, where he oversees all aspects of designing and implementing the team’s performance training program, as well as monitoring the players’ performance, workload and recovery. Prior to Boston, Kevin spent 2 years as an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach for the San Jose Sharks after serving as the director of a private sports performance facility in New Jersey for 7 years, working with pro, college, junior and elite level youth hockey players. He also served as a strength and conditioning coach with the U.S. Women’s Olympic Ice Hockey Team for 5 years.

Neeld is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and Licensed Massage Therapist holding a Master’s degree in Kinesiology & Exercise Neuroscience from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and a Bachelor’s degree in Health Behavior Science & Fitness Management with a minor in Strength and Conditioning from the University of Delaware. He’s currently a Doctoral candidate in Rocky Mountain University’s Human and Sport Performance program. In 2013, Kevin became one of only 9 professionals worldwide to earn the Postural Restoration Trained (PRT) credential from the Postural Restoration Institute.

Kevin has an unwavering passion for helping hockey players fulfill their potential. He recognizes the huge impact that quality instruction, coaching, and training can have on a player’s career. In order to help hockey players of all ages and levels succeed,

Kevin is sought after for his expertise in blending high performance training with injury prevention and post-rehabilitation work.  At Endeavor, Kevin has trained athletes for improved performance while alleviating symptoms of a variety of injuries, including: shoulder labral tears, hip labral tears, shoulder impingement, hip impingement, sports hernias, groin pain, hip flexor strains, and low back pain.

After completing a successful college hockey career at the University of Delaware (‘05-’06: MVP; ‘06-’07: Team Captain, Lifetime Achievement Award, 2nd Team All-American), Kevin served as the Assistant Coach of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst Women’s Ice Hockey Team and assisted with the implementation of the strength and conditioning program for the UMass-Amherst Men’s Ice Hockey Team.  Kevin continues his work in ice hockey serving as a coach, educator, and program consultant in the sport.

An accomplished author, Kevin has had articles published in Men’s Fitness and many of the top fitness and performance sites, including AskMen.com, StrengthCoach.com, T-Nation.com, EliteFTS.com, and SportsRehabExpert.com. He also wrote Chapter 3: The Real Reason You Can’t See Your Abs in the Men’s Health Big Book of Abs, and is the author of Ultimate Hockey Training, a comprehensive resource on long-term player development and year-round off-ice training methods. Additionally, he has served as an investigator and co-author on scholarly works published in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, Perceptual and Motor Skills, and The Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.

Kevin possesses the unique ability to combine his backgrounds in research, academia, and athletics to create highly effective programs for athletes and clients of all backgrounds. Specializing in ice hockey training, Kevin has helped guide athletes of all ages and abilities to optimal health and performance.