About Us & Our Team
Welcome to Real Neal Sports! We are dedicated to helping athletes of all levels reach their full potential and achieve peak performance. With a passion for sports and a commitment to excellence, we provide exclusive training programs that focus on enhancing strength, speed, agility, and overall athletic ability. Our team of experienced coaches and trainers are here to provide you with top-notch guidance and support, ensuring that you have the tools and knowledge needed to excel in your respective sport.
What sets us apart is our commitment to individualized attention. We understand that every athlete is unique, with different strengths, weaknesses, and goals. That's why our trainers take the time to assess your abilities and create personalized training plans that address your areas of improvement. Through ongoing coaching and mentorship, we help you overcome obstacles and push past limits, so you can achieve greatness. Whether you're a beginner looking to improve your fundamentals or an elite athlete striving for excellence, we've got you covered!
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Our wide variety of equipment and cutting-edge techniques will help you push past your limits and break through barriers. From dynamic warm-ups to sport-specific drills, we focus on building a solid foundation while also challenging you to constantly improve. Through our progressive approach, you'll witness tangible results and see your skills soar to new heights.
But it's not just about physical prowess at our facility – we also emphasize the importance of mental conditioning. We believe that success starts from within, which is why our programs incorporate mindset training and goal setting techniques. Our coaches emphasize the importance of discipline, resilience, and teamwork, instilling these qualities in every athlete who walks through our doors. By developing a winning mindset, possessing sharp mental fortitude, and staying focused on your objectives, success is within your reach!
Meet Our Team
Mike Neal, Sports Performance Engineer
Founder & CEO
Founder of Real Neal Sports, established in 2012, I am a Master's degree holder in biomechanics with a passion for optimizing sports performance across all levels and disciplines. Recognizing the profound impact of proper
strength, speed and conditioning, my mission is to enhance athletes; performance and prolong their careers. Through my extensive experience
and expertise, I have devised holistic training programs that encompass mechanics, speed, strength, mobility, and endurance.
Samuel Protich, Youth Performance Coach
Sam graduated from De La Salle High School and went on to attend the University of Arizona where he earned my Bachelors in Physiology and Applied Mathematics. He holds ISSA Personal Trainer, Sports Nutrition, and Strength & Conditioning certifications. He is also a Certified aquatic fitness and hydrotherapy instructor and the current Head Coach of Indian Valley Swim Team in Walnut Creek.
Having participated in multiple sports, all introduced to him by his dad, Sam fell in love with swimming and later lifting. He competed in Junior National Championship meets for swimming until college. It was not until he was older that he truly realized the need for proper balance between health and fitness. Sam’s drive for health has always been fueled by setbacks and criticism in a constant journey of self-improvement. His family and friends have been his greatest motivation and inspiration. His goal is to be able to provide and support his family like they have done for him and along the way change lives individually, either through healthy lifestyle changes or career choices.
As head trainer, mentor, and developer, Real Neal Sports is the culmination of a lifetime devoted to this pursuit. Throughout my career, I have had the honor of mentoring and shaping athletes who have excelled on the international stage. My training methodology goes beyond physical aptitude; I cultivate mentalities that drive high performance not only in sports but also molding high performers for life beyond the field. Empowering individuals to become leaders, we specialize in optimizing movement patterns and honing athletic abilities. Consider me an engineer of the human body, with an expertise in speed, mobility, flexibility, and strengthening small muscles. Additionally, I’m known for maximizing linear and lateral explosive movements, leveraging my skills to prepare athletes for NFL, NBA, and MLB combines, pro days, and showcases. ​ My ultimate objective is to engineer athletes to unlock their full potential. I create patterns, build strength, and develop power, harnessing the unique capabilities of each athlete. With unwavering commitment to excellence, I strive to achieve breakthroughs in sports performance. Join me as we revolutionize the way athletes train and elevate them to unparalleled success! ​ CERTIFICATIONS & ACCOLADES Masters of Science - Biomechanics Level 1 USA Track and Field Coach NASM-PES Performance Enhancement Specialization CSCS - Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist PCA Certified NFL Certified Coaching Certificate National Lacrosse Coaches - Club Coach Certified ​
Matt Guisto, Olympic Technique Coach
Born and raised in the Bay Area Matt was a 1984 graduate of San Mateo High School where he began his 42 year and counting running, coaching and consulting career which included four years at the University of Arizona, a twelve year professional athletic running career which included cross country, outdoor track, indoor track and road racing. After retiring from professional running in 2000 he started his own personal training consultant company, Five Rings Elite Fitness which specialized in cardiovascular endurance, running mechanics, and speed development for sports including soccer, lacrosse, cross-country, track, and basketball.
Matt’s prolific running resume began when he won the Footlocker National Cross-Country Championship his senior year of high school which earned him an athletic scholarship to the University of Arizona and induction into the San Mateo High School Hall of Fame. At the University of Arizona, he was a 4-time All American in Cross Country and Track, including individual accolades of Pac-10 Champion in both Cross Country and Track, in addition to winning the 1988 NCAA Championship title in track in the 5000-meter event. His collegiate success earned him induction into the University of Arizona Athletic Hall of Fame. After graduating from the University of Arizona in 1988, Matt began a twelve-year professional running career that included being a member of three World Cross Country USA national teams and three World Track and Field USA national teams. He won five USA National titles and was a four-time Olympic trials qualifier in track at the 5000m event (1988, 1992, 1996, and 2000), while making the 1996 United States Olympic Track and Field team in the 5000m event in Atlanta, Georgia. One of Matt’s most prized track accomplishments came in 1993 when he ran the first ever sub-4-minute mile in the city of San Francisco at Kezar Stadium. His time of 3:55 still stands as the fastest mile ever run in San Francisco. In addition to cross country and track Matt also competed in various road races throughout the world including San Francisco’s Bay to Breakers (4 th place) and winning USA National Road titles at 5k (3.1 miles) and 10k (6.2 miles) distances. His 10k Road National Championship winning time of 27:59 is the current American Record for the event. Upon his retirement in 2000 , Matt was inducted into the San Mateo County Athletic Hall Fame.