Alex Ogbongbemiga, Owner | Coaching Director | CSCS, BA ECON, RMT.

Prior to establishing SMART PERFORMANCE Training Center & Clinic, Alex was selected 36th overall in the 2016 CFL Draft by the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Alex played 2 years in the CFL for the Edmonton Eskimos and the BC Lions. Alex mentored local athletes Chuba Hubbard, Amen Ogbongbemiga, Albert Reese through their high school recruiting process leading to their signing at DIV 1 Oklahoma State and Mississippi State. Alex enjoys sharing his passion of coaching with young athletes, as he believes they are the future. Alex enjoys sharing the mistakes he made during his sports career to young athletes to ensure they don’t make the same. Alex has been fortunate to be coached by 1998 Denver Broncos Superbowl Champion Allen Aldridge, 3-time Vanier cup champion Blake Nill, former Philadelphia Eagles Wide receiver coach Carson Walch, and Strength and condition coach David Swagar. Heavily influenced by his past coaches, Alex bases his coaching philosophy on the lessons he learned through his time under them. “It is a privilege to play sports, appreciate every minute of it and know that there are millions of people who wish to be in your shoes. Be Disciplined, Do your job!”

Alex graduated from the University of Calgary in 2015 with his Bachelor of Arts in Economics, completed his NSCA CSCS (2020) and is Registered Massage Therapist (2021)

Football Career – George Bush High School Houston Texas 2006-2010 | University of Houston Cougars 2010-2011 | University of Calgary Dinos 2011-2013 | Calgary Colts 2015 | Saskatchewan Roughriders 2016 | Edmonton Eskimos 2017-2018 BC Lions 2017-2018

Sam Duerr, Performance Coach,Director of Peewee & Bantam Training Programs

Sam is currently pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Calgary and playing receiver for the Calgary Colts in the CJFL. Prior to playing for the Colts Sam played with the Calgary Dinos. He graduated from Ernest manning high school in 2021.

Born and raised in Calgary Sam is looking to give back to all athletes, using successes and past mistakes to help lead the next generation to success of their own.

Growing up Sam was a multi-sport athlete until specializing in football in grade 11. Having experience playing soccer, basketball, volleyball, racquet sports, golf, track and field. Sam has an understanding of the strength and conditioning requirements for many different sports. Mentored by Alex Ogbongbemiga, Sam is consistently looking for new ways to help athletes unlock their full potential physically and mentally.

Sam Duerr offers group training and 1on1 sessions.

Tim Duerr, Assistant Performance Coach

Tim has been part of the SMART PERFORMANCE Training Center & Clinic since 2021, initially as an athlete, at the beginning of his football career with the Ernest Manning Griffins. Tim had the honor of being part of the school’s first-ever Division 1 City Championship team in 2023, which opened doors for him to continue his football journey beyond high school. Tim received a few USPORT offers out of high school but chose to stay in Calgary to play in the CJFL for the Calgary Colts, alongside his brother and SMART PERFORMANCE coach, Sam Duerr. After a season with the Colts, Tim was fortunate to join the University of Calgary Dinos, where hes currently playing while pursuing a degree at the Haskayne School of Business. Tim is excited to get to work to mentor and guide Calgary’s next generation of talented athletes.

Micheala Gracie, Performance Coach

Micheala is currently studying at the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy while continuing to build her expertise in strength training and injury prevention. She holds a Personal Training Diploma and has experience working in sports medicine and alongside physiotherapists to support clients post-injury.

Originally from Nova Scotia and raised in central Alberta, Micheala grew up playing soccer, volleyball, and competing as a sprinter in track and field. This athletic background gives her a strong understanding of performance demands and injury prevention across different sports.

She takes a practical, holistic approach to training, helping clients move well, stay pain-free, and build lasting strength for both sport and everyday life.

Caelan Chauvin, Performance Coach

Caelan is currently pursuing a Business degree at the Bissett School of Business at Mount Royal University. He plays running back and long snapper for the Calgary Colts after graduating from Ernest Manning High School in 2024, where he was part of the team that made history by winning both the Division 1 city championship and the provincial championship for the first time in school history.

With a lifelong passion for sports, Caelan works with peewee, bantam, and high school athletes, helping them develop the skills and mindset required to compete at the highest level. He also volunteers as a coach with the Calgary Wildcats, giving back to the community that shaped him by providing young athletes with access to high-quality coaching and mentorship.

Having played competitive football, baseball, hockey, and lacrosse, Caelan understands what it takes to succeed in high-performance athletics. Training under Alex Ogbongbemiga since the age of 13, he has developed a deep understanding of strength and conditioning principles, allowing him to create effective training programs that maximize performance.

Caelan offers both group training and one-on-one sessions.

Kwads Boahen, Performance Coach

Rylee Fieldstone,Manager

Arielle Fitzgerald, Business Development Manager

Arielle Fitzgerald is known for her innovative spirit, dedication to community building, and a relentless drive to achieve excellence in every endeavor. Arielle has built a diverse career in business oversight, marketing, and partnerships.

Arielle excels in relationships, launching innovative projects, and is passionate about leveraging technology to improve human health. She serves as an Assistant Coach with the Spartan Track and Field Club and is the Chair of Community Engagement for Run Calgary, where her leadership continues to inspire positive change. In her free time you can find her on a mountain or in the trails, as she also holds two Guinness World Records for the fastest 50K and 100K run on the treadmill.

Sam Ito, Assistant Performance Coach