Dr. Rhadi Ferguson is a 2004 Olympian, an author, speaker, former mixed martial arts professional fighter and an award winning judo coach. He is professionally called “The Intellectual Warrior” due to his academic approach as a strategist and tactician. He further staples down this moniker by having served as an Adjunct Professor in the sports science departments of the University of Central Florida and the University of Tampa. Dr. Ferguson also served as the Associate Editor of the Journal of Asian Martial Arts and currently serves as an editorial reviewer for the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.

Dr. Ferguson has been featured on major networks such as Yahoo!, NBC, ESPN and in print media such as UFC Fit Magazine, Ultimate Grappling Magazine, Washington Post and he is a writer for the professional blog ProMMANow.com which is syndicated by the USA Today. Dr. Ferguson has also been published in peer reviewed journals and his motivational speaking and coaching advice can be easily found on his internet show “Coffee With Rhadi” which is a spinoff from his book “Coffee with Rhadi: Herculean Conversations with an Olympian (and some other things that you think about from time to time...)”

In 2013 Dr. Ferguson was selected as 1 of the top 100 Mixed Martial Arts trainers in the world by UFC Fit Magazine. In 2006 he was awarded the USA Judo Coach of the Year Award and that same year he was nominated for the top sports science award issued by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), the Doc Counsilman Award. Dr. Ferguson also served as the Athlete Advisory Council representative in for USA Judo and the USOC.

Dr. Ferguson has also served as the Head Coach for the Bahamas Judo Federation where he has coached at the World Judo Championships (2009), the Junior World Championships (2018) and the Cadet World Championships (2009) and had the privilege of developing the first Olympian in the sport of Judo in the Bahamas during his time as Head Coach.

Professionally, Dr. Ferguson holds a 6th degree black belt in Judo. He also holds a 4th Degree black belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu which is a background that very few martial artists can proclaim. Dr. Ferguson also holds a doctorate and masters degree in area of education and currently runs, teaches and operates his own dojo in Tampa, Florida, where he coaches, teaches and mentors practitioners at the grassroots level of the art and sport who have been successful on the state and national levels.

Personally, Dr. Ferguson is a “judo parent” of two lovely children and while he coaches them, he still understands and goes through the hardships of being a “judo parent.” Both of his children have been ranked nationally as well as held the #1 ranking spot in the United States in the respective weight classes.

At the end of the day, Dr. Ferguson likes to say that he is “…just a coach and a mentor – nothing more, nothing less.” But the truth is, he is a highly sought out and recognized High Performance Enhancement Specialist centered in education, business and sport. Utilizing his proven background as an Olympian and lecturing motivator to course correct systems, create, modify and engineer curriculum initiatives and construct strategic framework toward improving performance and elevating desired outcomes.

Dr. Ferguson resides in Tampa, Florida and is the proud father two children, Rufus (17) and daughter Rhadi Isabelle (13). Both of whom are former Junior National Judo Champions.