For Nathaniel Gordon, MS (’25), CSCS, CPT, MBA-F, USAWL2, FMSC2, USAPL-CC, fitness has always been a passion and lifelong pursuit. After earning a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and a Master of Business Administration from Washington State University and working in the industry for nearly a decade, he recognized he needed to strengthen his skills and credentials to advance. That decision led him to Logan University’s Master of Science in Strength & Conditioning (MSSC) program.
Before enrolling at Logan, Nathan worked as a personal trainer, strength coach for club sports and fitness director for a large gym chain. After serving in the Marine Corps, he returned to the fitness industry and observed how economic fluctuations had made personal training unpredictable.
With one year of GI Bill benefits remaining, Nathan decided to pursue a specialized graduate degree that could help him stand out. “Logan’s MSSC program fit perfectly with what I needed,” he said. “It was about a year long, flexible and exactly the kind of academic refresh I was looking for.”
Today, Nathan serves as a tactical strength and conditioning coach for Serco, a contractor supporting the U.S. Army’s Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) initiative. The program hires experts in strength and conditioning, athletic training, nutrition and physical therapy to enhance soldier performance, reduce injuries and build resilience.
Assigned to a battalion, Nathan trains non-commissioned officers to lead evidence-based physical training sessions, oversees battalion-level programming, and supports specialized groups such as pregnancy and postpartum soldiers.
“The Army realized they needed experts to help soldiers get stronger, faster and healthier,” Nathan said. “We can coach up to 1,000 soldiers a day. It’s rewarding work that’s really making a difference.”
Nathan credits Logan’s MSSC program for reigniting his passion for learning and giving him the confidence to advance his career.
“The program got my brain going back in the right direction,” he said. “The professors were experienced and worked in the field, so I could ask realistic questions and get practical answers.”
He also appreciated the program’s fully online format and accelerated pace. “Most master’s degree programs take two years, but this one was efficient without sacrificing depth,” he said. “It allowed me to focus, learn at my own pace, and balance work and study.”
Along the way, Nathan also earned his Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certification. While strength and conditioning is a competitive field, Nathan has found stability and purpose in his current role.
“This job turned out way better than I could’ve asked for,” he said. “It’s rewarding, it fits my background, and I’m not going anywhere anytime soon.”