Farm to beach: Tom Green’s journey

Hornick, Iowa: a small town with old-fashioned, Midwestern charm is how many would describe this quaint and charming place. Perhaps best known for scenes filmed for the original 1980's cult-classic “Children of the Corn,” it’s also the hometown of Tom Green, a former trainee for the 2004 Olympics and now a well-known personal training coach in San Diego, California.

San Diego and Hornick are two very different places. The allure of the sandy beaches, glistening ocean, picture-perfect weather and sunshine is what attracts many, but there’s still much to be said about the low-key, softer-paced life among the gracious corn fields and four-season weather in Iowa. Humble roots and beginnings where one can always go back to is where Green identifies the roots of success from.

“I grew up on hardworking Iowa farm. It was a major influence on my athletic background,” said Green. “My parents and grandparents are incredible role models and they still inspire me everyday.”

His parents are Sheryn and Tom, Sr., also of Iowa, who at a young age instilled in him core values he still carries to this day, including persistence and consistency.

“I was taught at a very young age how hard work and attention to detail are in earning success. I’m so grateful for growing up in a disciplined environment,” said Green.

Those values ultimately led him to where he is today, where he’s now one one of the most popular coaches in San Diego, and runs GreenSpeed Training Facility, which boasts around 200 clients.

Before landing in the beach city in Southern California, though, he was a star in his own right in Iowa. A 1997 graduate of Westwood High School, Green’s accolades certainly leave quite the impression: aside having a very successful athletic career in high school setting school records in track and field, football and taekwondo, he went on to excel at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion.

His college career is one to take a nod at as well. As a standout of the university’s track and field team, he also has the distinction as an 8-time NCAA All-American along with a long, impressive list of other achievements, including personal bests, state records and much more.

After graduating in 2002 with yet another impressive feat (a double major with degrees in contemporary media and journalism, and another one in psychology), he was accepted into the USA Olympic Training Center at Chula Vista, where he trained for the 2004 Olympics before an injury halted that journey. After volunteering at local high schools, Green found his way towards personal training.

Today, Green trains and coaches a wide range of clients, from professional athletes, law enforcement, military members and even high school and college athletes. “A lot of the same principles I grew up with are what I instill into all of my clients,” said Green. “I give them tough love.”

He also has the same approach with his clients across the board. “Whether it’s a professional athlete or just a general consumer looking to shed some weight and feel healthy, people often times need advice, help with proper technique, education, encouragement, camaraderie and discipline. The overwhelming majority of my clients are highly experienced athletes, law enforcement, even Navy SEALs. They know how to workout,” said Green.

The hard work on the farm translates to his approach with his coaching, too. “I will push [my clients] to new levels way beyond their comfort zones, something they wouldn’t have done on their own.”

Though the current lockdown situation affecting the entire world right now includes the cease of operations for his gym, he remains positive, as any good ol’ Iowan would reflect upon. “I am fully committed to the safety, health and overall well-being of our clients. Not only will we follow all guidelines, but we’ll take it a step further with specially designed workouts and scheduling protocols to ensure social distancing and minimal foot traffic until things have fully cleared,” said Green. “It’s of utmost importance that healthy clients stay healthy.”

And when he reopens under the impending rules and regulations as sanctioned by San Diego and the state of California, he’ll be ready to welcome back his clients with open arms — just like a true Iowan.