Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Ferraro.
Hi Anthony, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Movement and athletics have been a constant thread throughout my life. I grew up playing basketball and went on to play for my college team in Mexico, while also diving into running, general fitness, and yoga. After college, my interest in basketball naturally faded, but my desire to stay active didn’t.
When I moved to Austin in 2000, I decided to become a runner. I remember those early days vividly—it was a real struggle just trying to run around the Town Lake Trail without stopping. I eventually built up a decent amount of endurance, but I kept hitting frustrating roadblocks: severe stomach cramps from poor hydration, bruised toes from tight shoes, and constantly tight muscles. Looking for guidance, I joined a local running club. The camaraderie was fantastic, but whenever I asked my coach about my stomach cramps or shin pain, the advice was always just “take some Advil.”
After a particularly bad case of shin splints sidelined me, I realized I needed to take control of my own physical health. I decided to study human performance and turn my passion into a career. I earned my running coach certifications through both USA Track & Field (USATF) and the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA), along with credentials as a Personal Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).
Living right next to the University of Texas campus, I applied for a job with UT’s fitness program. That opened up some incredible doors. Nike was aggressively rolling out campus programs at the time, and I became one of the first Nike Training Club (NTC) trainers in Austin. Around the same period, I volunteered as the strength training coach for the Rogue Athletic Club, an elite Olympic development team in Austin, where I had the privilege of training multiple Team USA athletes and two Olympians.
When Nike decided to launch the Nike Running Club (NRC), their UT representative invited me to lead NRC Austin. I traveled to NYC to train directly with legendary Nike coaches Chris Bennett and Jerry Schumacher, and brought the NRC experience back to the UT campus. That partnership eventually led to me becoming the official running coach for the Longhorn Run, UT’s annual 5k/10k race sponsored by Nike. Over the years, I got to prepare thousands of runners through massive campus training events and custom virtual programs.
All of this experience laid the foundation for my own practice, Anthony Ferraro Elite Training, where my philosophy is simple: help every athlete uncover and achieve the absolute Elite version of themselves. During the COVID pandemic, I also got certified as a Yoga Instructor, fully integrating mobility and recovery into my holistic training approach.
While my formal partnerships with UT and Nike have wrapped up, I continue to train private clients both in-person and online worldwide. My in-person work focuses on Central Austin, but through virtual coaching, I work with athletes across the globe—ranging from high school runners aiming to break track records and earn college roster spots, to marathoners looking for personalized coaching to hit PRs without getting injured, to multi-sport athletes (soccer, baseball, rugby) looking to refine their running form and sprint speed.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth, linear road—it has required constant determination, grit, and effort every step of the way. But those very struggles are what shaped my entire philosophy as a coach.
Early on, my biggest obstacle was simply a lack of proper knowledge. When I started running in Austin, I hit wall after wall with severe hydration issues, ill-fitting shoes, and agonizing shin splints. Being told to just “take Advil” when dealing with real pain wasn’t a solution. Overcoming those physical setbacks meant taking matters into my own hands—investing heavy time and energy into studying the actual science of human performance and earning the certifications needed to do things right.
Even with credentials in hand, nothing was handed to me. It took real hustle: knocking on doors to land my first personal training job at UT, continually working to refine my craft as a trainer, and actively seeking out bigger opportunities like volunteering with Rogue Athletic Club to coach Olympic-level athletes.
One of the hardest periods was building my own practice, Anthony Ferraro Elite Training, while simultaneously working a demanding 9-to-5 full-time job. Juggling corporate responsibilities during the day while leading Nike events, coaching private clients, and preparing thousands of Longhorn Run participants in my early mornings, evenings, and weekends required relentless discipline.
Then came COVID, which completely disrupted in-person training. Once again, I had to adapt and push forward. Instead of slowing down, I used that time to expand my skill set—getting certified as a Yoga Instructor to incorporate mobility and recovery, and pivoting to virtual coaching so I could support athletes worldwide.
Looking back, every hurdle—from early injuries and cold-calling for jobs to balancing a full-time career while building a business—taught me that true progress takes work. That experience allows me to show up for my clients not just as a knowledgeable coach, but as someone who truly understands what it takes to stay committed and push through obstacles.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Anthony Ferraro Elite Training, I provide personalized running coaching, athletic development, and strength conditioning—both in-person in Central Austin and virtually to clients around the world. I specialize in helping athletes of all backgrounds optimize their running mechanics, build functional strength, increase sprint speed, and achieve their performance goals while dramatically reducing the risk of injury.
My client base is diverse: I coach high school track and field athletes striving to break school records and earn college athletic placements; marathoners and recreational runners looking for structured, individualized plans to hit major PRs; and athletes from non-running sports (like soccer, baseball, and rugby) who want to improve their speed, efficiency, and conditioning on the field.
What Sets Us Apart
What truly sets my practice apart is the synthesis of top-tier science, elite-level experience, and a holistic approach to movement:
Comprehensive Credentials & Science-Based Methodology: I hold certifications from USA Track & Field (USATF), the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA), and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). My programs aren’t based on generic templates or trend diets—they are built on proven human performance science.
Elite Coaching Background: My training approach has been tested and proven at every level of the sport. Having coached Olympic-level athletes with Rogue Athletic Club, led massive Nike Running Club (NRC) initiatives, and prepared thousands of runners for the Longhorn Run, I bring high-performance strategies to every individual client—whether they are aiming for an Olympic Trial or their very first 5k.
360-Degree Holistic Training: Because I am also a certified Yoga Instructor, my programs integrate mobility, active recovery, injury prevention, and breathwork alongside heavy strength and endurance training. I don’t just train people to run faster; I train them to move better and stay healthy for life.
What I Am Most Proud of Brand-Wise
Brand-wise, I am most proud of what the word “Elite” actually stands for in my practice. To me, “Elite Training” isn’t about exclusive access or coaching only professional athletes—it is a mindset. I am immensely proud to have built a practice where the core mission is helping every individual client discover and unlock the absolute Elite version of themselves, regardless of their starting point.
What Readers Should Know About Our Offerings
Whether you are based locally in Austin or anywhere else in the world, you get a direct, highly customized coaching relationship. Services include:
In-Person Training (Central Austin): 1-on-1 running form analysis, strength training, mobility work, and high-performance speed sessions.
Virtual Online Coaching (Global): Custom training schedules, virtual form analysis, strength programming, and ongoing performance tracking tailored to your specific race schedule or athletic season.
At the end of the day, Anthony Ferraro Elite Training is built on empathy, proven athletic science, and a deep commitment to helping you reach your full potential without burning out or getting injured. You can find out more about me and my practice at: www.anthonyferraro.com and follow me on IG: anthony_ferraro and TikTok: anthony.ferrarox
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
People who know me in the running and fitness world usually associate me strictly with track workouts, marathon prep, and strength training. What many don’t realize is that my foundational athletic background started on the basketball court, where I played through my college years before ever stepping onto a long-distance running trail.
Outside of sports and coaching, something that often surprises people is my background in the corporate world. I balance my training practice and coaching thousands of athletes alongside a full-time, 9-to-5 corporate career in technology.
Managing complex corporate frameworks while coaching high-performance athletes full-time requires a high level of discipline, structure, and problem-solving—skills that ultimately have made me a far more organized, detail-oriented, and effective coach for my clients.
Pricing:
- 1:1 run coaching sessions (55 minutes) $95
- 1:1 personal training / yoga sessions (55 minutes) $95
- Group Yoga in Austin (Variable fees based on group size, location, etc)
- Online training (4 week plan) $160
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.anthonyferaro.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anthony_ferraro
- Tiktok: @anthony.ferrarox
