From Research Assistant to Executive: How Tennessee Tech Paved the Way for a CrossFit Leader
Jake Lockert’s journey is a testament to the power of education, research, and seizing opportunities. He didn’t envision his master’s program at Tennessee Tech University as a springboard to an executive position in the booming CrossFit industry, but that’s precisely what happened. Today, he stands as the president of Mayhem Nation and Mayhem Athlete, two prominent entities in the CrossFit world.
"I didn’t even think I wanted to do a master’s," Lockert admitted, highlighting the somewhat serendipitous nature of his career path. However, enrolling in the program opened doors he hadn’t anticipated, particularly the chance to become a research assistant, a role that proved instrumental in shaping his future.
Lockert pursued his master’s degree in exercise science with a concentration in lifetime wellness through Tennessee Tech’s online program. While the flexibility of online classes accommodated his busy schedule, it was his involvement in research that truly set him apart. He assisted his professors with various research projects, honing skills that he now utilizes daily in his executive role.
"The research helped me learn how to write, organize, and disseminate information clearly," he explained. This skill set is crucial in his current position, where he’s responsible for communicating training methods, creating engaging content, and explaining complex ideas to athletes and coaches.
At Mayhem Nation and Mayhem Athlete, Lockert is at the forefront of designing and implementing training programs for athletes of all levels, from everyday individuals to elite CrossFit competitors. This includes crafting customized training regimens for first responders, recognizing the unique physical demands of their profession.
Lockert attributes his success to the combination of experience, connections, and practical skills gained during his time at Tennessee Tech. "Some of the things I had done at Tennessee Tech, especially the research, led to the opportunity," he emphasized.
Tennessee Tech’s online concentration in lifetime wellness is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to assess and design exercise and rehabilitation plans for health improvement. The curriculum covers a range of topics, including exercise physiology, health promotion, and hands-on field experiences.
Lockert praised the rigor of the program, noting that the classes were "appropriately hard." He elaborated, "You knew you were learning something that would actually matter in the field." This emphasis on practical application resonated with him and provided a solid foundation for his future endeavors.
One of Lockert’s research projects focused on the training methodologies of Rich Froning, a CrossFit icon often referred to as "the Michael Jordan of CrossFit." Fortuitously, Froning’s gym, CrossFit Mayhem, was located less than a mile from the Tennessee Tech campus. Lockert took advantage of this proximity, volunteering his time at the gym before and after classes.
He described his daily routine: "I’d ride my bike to Mayhem, work in the morning with Rich, ride back to class, study and clean, then head back to coach a class or clean or do whatever they needed." Over time, his involvement grew, and he began assisting with a wider range of tasks.
His experience at CrossFit Mayhem, coupled with his in-depth understanding of Froning’s training principles, proved to be the perfect combination for what awaited him. He transitioned from coaching classes to assisting with program design, eventually playing a key role in the launch of Mayhem Athlete, a thriving digital platform with thousands of users and over 1,700 affiliated gyms.
"The first program we released online was literally the work that Rich did," Lockert revealed. "Because our first research paper was on Rich as an elite athlete, we logged his workouts. Since I did that, I got to be the one to start the program and oversee it because I was already logging his workouts – already doing work for free that applied to business. I got my job through it."
Lockert emphasizes the invaluable nature of his experiences, particularly the research opportunity that laid the groundwork for his current role. "Employers are going to hire you because of connections and your marketable skills, which you primarily learn through doing," he stated.
He also credited Tennessee Tech’s flexible online classes for enabling him to balance work, research, and his commitments to his church. "I learned to be efficient with my time," he explained. "I learned to be organized and focus on one thing at a time and how to organize my day. And doing research taught me how to write, how to think critically, how to take a ton of data and make it digestible. It’s what I do now, just in a different way."
Lockert’s story highlights the importance of pursuing educational opportunities that align with one’s interests and provide practical skills. His journey from a research assistant to an executive in the CrossFit world is a testament to the transformative power of education, research, and a willingness to embrace new challenges.
Tennessee Tech University’s master’s degree program in exercise science with a concentration in lifetime wellness offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to prepare students for a variety of careers in the health and fitness industry. The program’s focus on practical application, combined with the flexibility of online learning, makes it an attractive option for individuals seeking to advance their knowledge and skills.
