Darin Lovat
Football Head Strength & Conditioning Coach, Washington State University

*The following is a online interview conducted, August 9, 2010 with Coach Lovat

Q: Why did you decide to incorporate a recovery product into your program?
A: We push our kids pretty hard here….With the demands we place on them physically as well as their hectic schedule. Anything they can do to recover between workouts is an added benefit.  Recovery is crucial for developing athletes.  After talking with others in the profession, CR was highly recommended to us and we have been using it steadily for the last 2 years.

Q: What were the most important factors in choosing a recovery product?
A: Obtaining something that is NCAA compliant was our top priority.  A close second to that was getting a product that we could trust was putting in the right nutrients into their product and not just a lot of bogus fillers.  CR has received high marks in both these areas.

Q: What objections did you have in implementing a recovery product into your program?
A: None really….Just cost.  That’s an issue with anyone.  But since our administration has seen the results these last 2 years and the progress we are making, it hasn’t really been an issue anymore.

Q: Why did you choose Critical Reload, by ONS Performance
A: Highly recommended….And we are pleased with the results we have been getting.

Q: Awesome! Any measurable results achieved by the Critical Reload performance & recovery shake since you started using it?
A: Our kids are making positive gains in all facets of their athleticism:  Power, Speed, Strength, Agility with substantial increases in Lean Body Mass.  We are able to push them harder more often and they are able to bounce back between workouts really well.

Q: That's great to hear Coach Lovat! Can you  please give us an example of how you implement Critical Reload into your program, daily?
A: It’s available to our players everyday, post workout.  For some of our kids that are trying to stack on some extra mass, we will increase their serving size a little to help increase their calorie intake.  We scoop it into their shaker bottle and they drink it right after they complete their workouts.

Q: That's a great system. What type of feedback do you get from your athletes, (taste, results, etc)?
A: The players like the product, they have seen the progress they are making and are motivated to keep taking it.  Chocolate is definitely the favorite as far as flavors go.  We burn through Chocolate pretty quickly.

Q: Always makes it easy for guys to drink something when they love the taste, for sure! Product aside, could you please comment on the level of customer service that you receive from ONS Performance.
A: Customer service has been 1st rate.  Turnaround time on orders has been very quick and when things weren’t available Tom and Mike went out of their way to make sure we had some product to continue distributing so we didn’t run out.

Q: Thanks Coach Lovat! We appreciate your business. Would you recommend Critical Reload to others?
A: Absolutely. It’s a great product and we don’t plan to stop using it anytime soon!

Darin Lovat's Bio: Lovat joined the Cougars staff before Paul Wulff's first season in 2008. Previously, he was an assistant strength coach at Boston College (2007-2008), but he worked with Wulff at Eastern Washington from 2002-2007. He also served as an assistant strength coach at UCLA from 1999-2002. The former UNLV offensive lineman has good bloodlines. His uncle, Tom Lovat, is a long-time NFL assistant coach, while his cousin, Mark Lovat, is an assistant strength coach with the Green Bay Packers.

John Patrick
Director of S & C Youngstown State University

"As a collegiate strength coach, I've seen my share of hyped-up nutritional products. When looking for a supplement to provide to my athletes, I needed a product that was NCAA-Compliant, tasted great, was easy to distribute and had a sound nutritional breakdown; Critical Reload was it! Critical Reload's convenient single serve bottles make it perfect for athletes to take as a snack between classes, post-workout or mid-competition. Athletes love how Critical Reload mixes easily and with the single serve bottles, there's no clean-up. With the addition of Critical Reload to our program there has been a noticeable difference in the athlete's energy levels and recovery time. ONS customer service has been able to fill any order, big or small. This not only helps our student-athletes receive their supplements on time, but shows how dependable and committed ONS is to their customers. Hands-down, ONS has the best supplement products on the market today!"

John Patrick's Bio: Patrick took over the YSU strength program in June 2008 and handles the strength and conditioning duties for all 18 YSU athletic programs, working primarily with the football program on a daily basis. Prior to coming to Youngstown, Patrick spent three years as head strength & conditioning coach for Division I Jacksonville University. Before working in college athletics, Patrick worked as a strength & conditioning intern with the Detroit Tigers Baseball Organization (Spring Training), before moving on to work with the Cleveland Indians Minor League Team, the Class A Mahoning Valley Scrappers.

Shaun Tahrebandi
Strength & Conditioning Coordinator Ford II Football, Henry Ford II High School

"Our football team does not always get the most talent or get the biggest kids, so we are constantly looking for ways to improve our performance. We strength train HARD and condition for razor sharp performance….until now we have never had the opportunity to provide our young men with exemplary nutritional choices. Your product Critical Reload has given our young men that opportunity. Our team loves the product because of the light and smooth taste and the fact that it is not “heavy” like most protein shakes on the market. As for me, I cannot tell you enough how much I love the product because I know it is certified and tested...I know I am giving my boys the best! Finally the Mixing Machine has allowed me to serve our whole team (70 Players) in a matter of minutes because of the quick efficiency of the machine. I am extremely happy I met Mike (President, ONS) at the Motor City Strength & Conditioning Clinic and cannot thank him enough for the high quality customer service that he and his staff have continued to provide me with. I look forward to a long lasting relationship with you and your outstanding company!"

Kerri Goodrich
Founder & Director, Performance Initiatives
Weightlifting Coach, Coastal Empire Weightlifting 

"As a former U.S. Weightlifting World Team Member and personal trainer, I have found ONS products to be the most reliable and safest supplements available to the health community. Having seen the benefits in both my athletes and myself, I strongly recommend these products to anyone who is serious about their athletic performance."

Kerri Goodrich Bio: Performance Initiatives is a non-profit organization based in Savannah, Georgia. The purpose of the organization is to educate and mentor youth and adults by using athletics and fitness, with olympic-style weight lifting as the base. Goodrich also works directly with Her and her staff work directly with Coastal Empire Weightlifting. A former weightlifter herself, Goodrich was a member of the U.S. Women's Olympic Weightlifting National Team. She is a graduate of Leadership Savannah and has provided leadership training and seminars for many organizations including the YMCA and the Frank Callen Girls and Boys Club.