Meet Rusty Whitt: A Coach with a Unique Background
From Special Forces to Inspiring Hundreds of College Athletes
This week we are diving into Resilience, Leadership, and Unconventional Excellence through the special journey of Rusty Whitt.
Monthly Spotlight
Meet Rusty Whitt: From Special Forces Sergeant to Football Strength and Conditioning Coach
In the world of strength and conditioning, Rusty Whitt stands out with his resilience, leadership, and pursuit of excellence.
• Decorated career as a Special Forces Sergeant in the United States Army
• Served in the 10th Special Forces Group from 2003 to 2009
• Deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom V and VI
• Current Football Strength and Conditioning Coach at Troy University
Not Only Triumph
• Rusty's journey is far from traditional, embodying the essence of adaptability and growth
• His path demonstrates that excellence can be defined and achieved in various ways
• From the battlefields of Iraq to the football field, Rusty's experiences shape his unique approach to coaching
Standing out from other Coaches
• Rusty's military background infuses his coaching philosophy with discipline and resilience
• He emphasizes the importance of mental toughness alongside physical strength
• His approach goes beyond making athletes tired; it's about building belief in oneself
A simple, yet profound philosophy
• Embracing discomfort is key to growth
• Learning to handle criticism without taking it personally is crucial for improvement
• Adversity is inevitable, but how we handle it determines our success
Rusty’s own Experiences
As a former Special Forces Sergeant, Rusty shared his experience about adjusting to the rigors of his duty:
Rusty's experiences in the Special Forces taught him the importance of selflessness and teamwork, qualities he now instills in his athletes.
"My main weakness was that when I got frustrated, I wanted to lash out. It was physically and mentally taxing to be able to overcome that, but I'm pretty proud of myself to have accomplished that."
Rusty's journey has been full of self-improvement and the power of overcoming personal challenges.
"Adversity is a part of life and those who handle it are going to be successful and those who are overwhelmed by it won't."
Rusty's philosophy emphasizes resilience in the face of adversity, a crucial lesson for athletes and individuals alike.
What does Grit mean for an Athlete?
Rusty has a holistic view of what makes a truly exceptional athlete - character that extends beyond the field.
Listen to Rusty's view on grit in an athlete:
OnThree celebrates Rusty Whitt's remarkable journey and his contribution to the world of sports and strength conditioning. He reminds us that excellence comes in many forms and that true strength is as much about character as it is about physical prowess.
This August: OnThree Launches its Weekly Text Newsletter 'The Story Behind the Glory: Coach’s Coffee Talk’
Details:
FREE for coaches to Host
Unlimited Income Potential: Revenue-sharing model.
High Engagement: Instant reach via SMS with a 98%+ open rate.
Discover Others' Journeys
OnThree amplifies true greatness that extends beyond victories or trophies, emphasizing shared human experiences.
Share Your Journey
Share your unique journey of Passion, Perseverance, or Pursuits of excellence.
As "Sports" mirrors life, our platform is open to anyone with a unique journey to share, providing an opportunity to impact lives and leave a lasting legacy.
That's A Wrap
Thank you for being part of the OnThree community – a collective force relentlessly pursuing being 1% better each day, highlighting ordinary individuals who add that extra touch to their lives, inspiring greatness, and fostering positive growth in others.
If you enjoyed this content from OnThree, help by spreading the word.

