The Heart Behind Total Athlete Track Club
- TATC
- Apr 9
- 3 min read
From Special Forces to Track & Field—Why We’re Building More Than Athletes
When people ask how Total Athlete Track Club (TATC) began, they usually expect a story about sports. But for us, it started with something deeper: faith, family, and a calling that couldn’t be ignored.
I served over 18 years on active duty as a U.S. Army Green Beret. Throughout my military career, I held roles as a Special Forces Medical Sergeant, Operations Sergeant, Jump Master, and Combat Dive Supervisor. I trained elite soldiers, led high-stakes missions, and instructed at the Special Forces Underwater Operations School, helping shape some of the most physically and mentally prepared warriors in the world.
Outside of my career in uniform, I pushed my limits as a competitor—racing in triathlons, and ultramarathons, as well as competing in MMA, Muay Thai, and CrossFit. I also became a functional medicine health coach, a public speaker, and a developer of resiliency programs focused on helping others align physical wellness with mental clarity and purpose.
I was pursuing strength, leadership, and high performance. But something was still missing.
A Calling Through Christ
In the middle of all that striving, I found Jesus Christ—or rather, He found me.
Through my faith journey, I realized that everything I had learned about discipline, strength, leadership, and resilience was meant for something greater than myself. God had given me these tools not just for combat or competition—but to help raise up the next generation.
That realization hit even harder at home. My wife and I are still in the thick of raising our children—seven of them, ages 7 to 15. Our older boys are avid competitive runners, and we’ve seen firsthand how training, structure, and encouragement can shape young people in powerful ways.
But we’ve also seen what happens when kids don’t have that foundation. One night, while watching our son’s basketball game, I noticed how many kids were struggling with simple movement—balance, body control, coordination. Not because they lacked effort, but because they lacked opportunity. They hadn’t been taught.
That moment stayed with me.
God began to give us a vision for something more: a program built not just to train athletes—but to build character, discipline, and confidence in young people. A place where kids could grow in strength, integrity, and purpose. A place rooted in faith but open to all.
That’s how TATC was born.
Who We Serve
Total Athlete Track Club is a Christian-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit and proud USATF member club, serving youth athletes ages 8–18 across North Fayetteville, Fort Bragg, South Sanford, and Western Harnett County, NC.
We provide high-quality training in track, cross country, and endurance running—but we’re just as focused on what’s happening off the track. Our goal is to create an environment where athletes learn to lead, grow with purpose, and gain confidence that extends into every area of life.
And while TATC is built on a Christian foundation, we welcome athletes and families from all backgrounds and beliefs. Our faith shapes our culture, but our door is open to anyone who wants to grow in a values-driven environment.
What Makes TATC Different
We’re not here just to create faster runners. We’re here to invest in future leaders. At TATC, your athlete will be coached, encouraged, and challenged in the ways that matter most.
We focus on:
Athletic development – foundational movement, mobility, strength, and performance
Mental & emotional resilience – showing up, working hard, and bouncing back
Faith & character formation – opportunities for spiritual encouragement and mentorship
Health education – teaching youth how to care for their bodies and live well
We also recognize that not every family has the same access. That’s why we offer scholarships for military families, low-income households, and youth from underserved communities, funded by generous sponsors and donors.
A Message from Coach Russ
“My mission now is to build more than strong athletes—I want to build strong people. TATC is where that work begins. Whether your child is stepping onto the track for the first time or chasing big goals, we’re here to help them grow—with discipline, faith, and purpose.”
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