There’s a good chance you’ve seen Coach Riley on the gym floor already, but here’s a little more of his story.
He grew up in American Canyon and played baseball for 15 years, all the way through the collegiate level. After all that time, he still hasn’t left the game. Currently, he’s coaching multiple travel baseball teams, ages 14 to 18. Add in ~6 months coaching here at NTF, and yeah, the guy stays busy.
Riley’s dad has played a big part in shaping his work ethic. His father, a former collegiate athlete with 25+ years of experience in the fitness space, was the one who pushed him early on. And that influence still shapes how he trains clients today. “Without his discipline and the way he pushed me, I wouldn’t be who I am today,” he says. It shows in his approach: motivational, supportive, and disciplined.
When Riley is not coaching, you can bet he’s got country music playing, a plate of enchiladas or tacos in front of him, and a warm chocolate chip cookie waiting for dessert. In the gym, he’s all about the bench press and pull-ups. But his real focus is on getting 1% better every single day, not only in the weight room, but also as a coach and as a person.
What keeps him coming back day after day isn’t the reps or the sets. It’s watching someone’s face light up when they achieve something they didn’t think they could—hearing them talk about feeling stronger, better, more like themselves. That’s the whole point. In his own words: “Come in, work hard, have a great session, be better than you were yesterday.”
When he’s not coaching, he’s on a golf course, watching baseball, or catching up on a show. Fun fact: He is not a fan of raccoons. 🦝 (We don’t ask questions — we just respect it.)
Next time you’re in for a session, be sure to say hi to Coach Riley!
-Written by Coach Vincent Nguyen
