Coach the nervous system, not just the muscles

GSAS shows you how to read regulation, behavior, and movement as one connected story. You’ll learn simple ways to use breath, environment, language, and 3D movement to help athletes feel safe, organized, and ready to train—without needing a neuroscience degree.

Elite culture and elite coaching—never one or the other.

Golden Strength is built on world-class training and a one-of-one community culture. This course gives you both: the skills to coach with real confidence and the heart to build environments where athletes, families, and staff feel seen, safe, and valued for the long term.

No fluff—just tools you can use tomorrow.

Inside GSAS you’ll find session templates, Human → Athlete → Skill maps, CARs-based assessments, behavior-support checklists, parent scripts, and coaching language you can plug directly into your next session—whether you’re in a gym, school, clinic, or living room.

About the Course

The Golden Strength Adaptive Specialist Course is where heart, science, and real-world reps come together. Whether you’re a coach, SPED teacher, therapist, respite worker, gym owner, or parent, GSAS gives you a clear system for working with individuals with special needs—rooted in nervous-system awareness, 3D movement, and real gym experience. You’ll learn how to: "See behavior as communication" "Train the body as a connected 3D structure (not a stack of levers)" "Progress athletes from Human → Athlete → Skill" "Design low-equipment, high-impact sessions that actually work in the chaos of real life" Every enrollment also includes access to our GSA One-Day Movement Clinic, where you’ll experience the model live, hands-on, with athletes and peers.

🌟 What Happens After You Enroll?

✅ Start Instantly

Unlock immediate access to all GSAS modules, video demos, and downloads. Move through the course at your own pace with clear, step-by-step guidance, real session footage, and plug-and-play tools you can bring straight into your current setting.

🤝 Join the GSA Coaching Community

Join a network of coaches, teachers, therapists, and leaders who all share the same mission: build the human first. Connect with like-minded adaptive professionals across the country Get listed in the GSA Provider Directory so families and organizations can find you Receive a personal welcome call from Coach Henry to help you plug GSAS into your world and goals

🔥 GSA One-Day Movement Clinic: Where It All Comes to Life

This isn’t a throw-in bonus—it’s the heart of your transformation. You’ll join a full-day, in-person intensive (date TBD) where you’ll: Build real-time adaptive programs Practice tactile cueing and hands-on support Run full Golden Strength sessions with peers See how nervous-system-first, 3D movement coaching looks and feels in real athletes We don’t want you just “book smart.” We want you confident in the field—reading athletes, adjusting on the fly, and leading sessions you’re proud of.

Introducing Coach Henry Aviles, Founder of Golden Strength Academy

Coach Henry Aviles is a nationally recognized performance coach with over 18 years of experience in speed training, strength and conditioning, and adaptive fitness. He’s the founder of Golden Strength Academy — one of the West Coast’s leading programs for individuals with special needs — and the owner of Functional Speed Academy. Henry’s career spans work with professional athletes, youth, and adaptive athletes with physical, cognitive, and developmental differences. His philosophy, “Build the human first — then make them stronger and faster,” is the foundation of the Golden Strength Adaptive Specialist Course. He’s on a mission to help coaches lead with empathy, skill, and confidence — and to make fitness a place where every athlete belongs.

From the Heart, Backed by Knowledge: Why GSAS Was Born

GSAS was born out of a simple tension Henry kept seeing: huge hearts, not enough support. Coaches, teachers, parents, and aides were doing their absolute best for individuals with special needs—but most had to learn through trial and error. They cared deeply, but they weren’t given a clear framework for things like: "How behavior and nervous system state are connected" "How the body actually works as a 3D system, not just isolated muscles" "How environment, language, and touch can either calm or overwhelm an athlete" "Golden Strength Adaptive Specialist was built to close that gap." GSAS gives you: "A shared language for families, coaches, and staff" "A practical framework (Human → Athlete → Skill) for progress" "Tools to see behavior as communication, not defiance" "Session designs that respect the nervous system and real-world constraints" It’s more than a course—it’s a way to raise the standard together. When more people are equipped with real knowledge and a simple system, more doors open for the special needs community. Join the GSAS movement—and help turn heart into long-term impact.

Curriculum

19 Chapters · 80 Lessons

  1. 1

    Welcome to the Movement

    1. The Golden Strength Adaptive Specialist Journey Begins Here Free preview
    2. About the Author Free preview
  2. 2

    📚 Appendix and Glossary

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      GSAS Course References • Resources • Glossary

    2. How to use the course as a NON TRAINER Free preview
  3. 3

    📚 Chapter 1: Introduction to the Golden Strength Adaptive Specialist

    1. 🌟 Welcome to the Mission- Build the Human First! Free preview
    2. (Included in full purchase)

      🎓 Knowledge Check: Quick Quiz

  4. 4

    📚 Chapter 2: Understanding Disabilities

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      💬 Why This Chapter Matters

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      🧩 Disability Spotlight #1: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      🧩 Disability Spotlight #2: Down Syndrome (DS)

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      🧩 Disability Spotlight #3: Cerebral Palsy (CP)

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      🧩 Disability Spotlight #4: Intellectual Disability (ID)

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      🧩 Disability Spotlight #5: Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      🧩 Disability Spotlight #6: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      🧠 Chapter Recap: Understanding Disabilities in Adaptive Fitness

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      🎓 Knowledge Check: Quick Quiz

  5. 5

    📚 Chapter 3: Managing Behaviors

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      🌈 Why This Chapter Matters

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      🗣️ Non-Verbal Communication:

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      🚦 Addressing Challenging Behavior

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      🏗️ Building a Behavior-Smart Environment

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      🔄 Real-World Coaching Scenarios + Action Plans

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      🏗️ Creating a Behavior-Smart Environment (continued)

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      📝 Behavior Support Planning

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      🎓 Knowledge Check: Quick Quiz

  6. 6

    📚 Chapter 4: The GSA Philosophy & Framework

    1. 🌟 Why This Chapter Matters Free preview
    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Bringing Philosophy to Life

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      🎓 Knowledge Check: Quick Quiz

  7. 7

    📚 Chapter 5: The Brain and Nervous System

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      💥 Why This Chapter Matters

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      1️⃣ The 3 P’s of Performance

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      2️⃣ Movement Starts in the Brain

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      3️⃣ Coaching Language That Works

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      4️⃣ CARs: Your Coaching Superpower

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      5️⃣ Nervous System Regulation: Shift Gears!

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      6️⃣ Movement Variability: Train for Adaptation

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      7️⃣ Psychology: You’re Six Inches from the Brain

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      ✅ Mastery Checklist

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      🎓 Knowledge Check: Quick Quiz

  8. 8

    🫁 Chapter 6: Breathing & The Autonomic Nervous System

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      📍 Why This Chapter Matters

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      🧠 Breathing & The Autonomic Nervous System: Coaching Calm from the Inside Out

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      🎓 Knowledge Check: Quick Quiz

  9. 9

    🌿 CHAPTER 7: Barefoot & Grounded – The Secret Sauce of Special Needs Coaching

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      🟢 Why This Chapter Matters

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      🎓 Knowledge Check: Quick Quiz

  10. 10

    📚 Chapter 8: GSA Client Assessment

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      🎯 The Importance of Assessment

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      1️⃣ Start With CARs for Neurological Insight

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      2️⃣ Make the PAR-Q a Conversation, Not a Form

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      3️⃣ Observe Passively Before Moving Actively

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      4️⃣ Map Progress: Human → Athlete → Skill

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      5️⃣ Use Simple, Smart Testing Protocols

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      6️⃣ Educate, Frame, Debrief

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      ✅ Chapter Summary: Assessment = Insight + Trust

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      🎓 Knowledge Check: Quick Quiz

  11. 11

    📚 Chapter 9: The Golden Strength Model

    1. ⚡ Built in the Trenches Free preview
    2. (Included in full purchase)

      🎓 Knowledge Check: Quick Quiz

  12. 12

    📚 Chapter 10: Adaptive Program Design by Disability Type

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      🎯 Why This Chapter Matters

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Condition-Informed Coaching – Translating Diagnosis into Action

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      🎓 Knowledge Check: Quick Quiz

  13. 13

    📚 Chapter 11: Golden Strength Training Sessions

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      🎈 Section 1 – Golden Circle Ice‑Breaker: Connect, Comfort & Confidence

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      🌀 Section 2- Controlled Articular Rotations (CARs)

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      💪 Section 3 – Strength & Core Block

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      ⚡ Section 4 – Speed & Agility Block

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      🎉 Section 5 – Golden Celebration & Close

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      🎓 Knowledge Check: Quick Quiz

  14. 14

    📚 Chapter 12: Behavior Support & Emotional Regulation in Training Sessions

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Understanding Behavior Through the Nervous System Lens 🔍

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      🎓 Knowledge Check: Quick Quiz

  15. 15

    🏡 Chapter 13: Family & Caregiver Coaching

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      🏠 How to Build Trusted Partnerships That Elevate Athlete Success

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      🎓 Knowledge Check: Quick Quiz

  16. 16

    🌍 Chapter 14: Connecting with Your Community & Spreading the Word

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      🌟 Introduction: More Than Fitness

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      🎓 Knowledge Check: Quick Quiz

  17. 17

    📚 Chapter 15: The Golden Strength Commitment

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      🌟 Welcome to the Final Chapter — and the Beginning of Your New Journey

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      🎓 Knowledge Check: Quick Quiz

  18. 18

    📚 Chapter 16: Our Greatest Tool – Hands (Bonus)

    1. 🌟 Introduction:Why Hands Matter in Adaptive Fitness Free preview
    2. ✋ Hands-Free Progression Planning Free preview
    3. 🔧 Become the Machine Free preview
    4. 🏁 Freedom Through Movement Free preview
    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Freedom in Movement (FINAL PREVIEW)

    6. 🎓 Knowledge Check: Quick Quiz Free preview
  19. 19

    GSAS Coaching Tool Kit

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      GSAS Course Download

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      GSAS Coaching Playbook

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Adaptive Athlete Intake Form

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Behavior is Communication Worksheet

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      GSA Quick Reference Guide for SPED & Respite Workers

❓Got Questions? We’re Glad You Asked.

🧠 I’ve worked with adaptive populations before—will this actually teach me something new? Yes. This isn’t recycled content from general fitness programs. You’ll gain a nervous-system-informed, whole-body coaching framework, behavior-responsive programming strategies, and session designs that adapt to different diagnoses, energy levels, and environments. Even experienced professionals walk away saying, “Why didn’t I learn this sooner?” 👥 Who is this course for? Whether you’re a seasoned professional (coach, therapist, educator), just starting in adaptive fitness, or a parent seeking clarity—this course is for you. If you want to strengthen your skills, expand your toolbox, and better support individuals with special needs, you’re in the right place. 🚸 I’m brand new to adaptive fitness. Can I still take this course? Absolutely. No background in therapy or special education is required. All you need is empathy, curiosity, and a desire to help others move, grow, and thrive. We’ll guide you step by step with clear, actionable strategies. 🛠️ What equipment do I need? Minimal to none. The Golden Strength model is designed to be low-equipment and highly adaptable. All you need is open space, a few soft props like cones or balls, and a readiness to engage. 💡 Is this just another “inclusive fitness” course? Not at all. This course goes beyond surface-level inclusion. You’ll learn how to: "Understand the nervous system and regulation" "See behavior as communication" "Train the body as a connected 3D structure, not just levers and muscles" "Run sessions that are emotionally safe and physically challenging" It’s not about checking boxes—it’s about changing lives with coaching that’s both compassionate and technically sound. 🧩 How is this different from adaptive PE or special ed resources? This course bridges education, therapy, and fitness without replacing any of them. It’s built by a coach with a deep respect for all fields, and it gives you tools that connect emotional state, physical readiness, and real-time decision-making—right where your athletes are. 🔄 How do I apply what I learn in my current setting? Whether you work in a school, clinic, gym, or home, you’ll walk away with practical tools: a Human→Athlete→Skill framework, session templates, cueing strategies, and behavior support techniques you can use immediately. 🤝 Will this help grow my business or professional reach? Yes. You’ll be featured in the GSA Coach Directory, giving families and professionals a direct way to find and refer to you. You’ll also gain messaging tools and frameworks that elevate your brand, credibility, and client trust.  🔥 What is the GSA One-Day Movement Clinic—and why is it a big deal? This clinic is where theory meets reality. You’ll experience hands-on learning, practice inclusive coaching, refine your cueing, and collaborate with peers in real time. It’s the most powerful part of the course—and a true game changer for your confidence and application.  💬 What support is available during the course? You’ll join the GSA Community, a private network of adaptive specialists—coaches, therapists, and educators. It’s your space to share ideas, ask questions, troubleshoot sessions, and stay inspired.  💳 What are the payment options? You can pay upfront at a discount or choose monthly installments—whichever works for your budget. We believe in accessibility, not barriers.  ✅ What if the course isn’t what I expected? We offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. No pressure, no catch. If it’s not the right fit for you, we’ll make it right. Your growth is our mission.

Join the Movement

If you feel the pull to serve the special needs community with more than just good intentions—if you want elite-level coaching skills and a culture families can trust—GSAS was built for you. Train the whole human. Lead with confidence. Join a movement that’s raising the standard for adaptive fitness. Enroll today and start your Golden Strength journey.

Enroll Now Free preview