Introducing: Mike Shukis, Fitness Center Director and Strength Coach

Mike Shukis comes to Brownell Talbot from University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) but his history of fitness and athletics began long before then. Shukis played high school golf, and then college golf at both the University of Nebraska at Kearney and UNO. Shukis was an assistant in the strength and conditioning department at UNO for four years before serving at the director level. He also worked at a private gym in town, coaching youth volleyball and training individual sports players. 

While a director at UNO, Shukis worked with coaches to help train athletes. At BT, Shukis is excited to stretch his abilities at teaching and to work more closely with individuals. 

“BT offers an opportunity to see students all the way through. It’s challenging, but more impactful to actually help them develop skills around basic body awareness, flexibility, and nutrition,” Shukis said. 

Shukis has many opportunities to connect with students, not just when teaching or training, but also as an Upper School House Dean. 

“I’m around those students all the time, and it’s not about just athletic goals, but about helping them develop good habits.” 

Shukis says working with BT students has motivated him to simplify his messages to help them understand why he asks them to do what they are doing and to tie it to an overall goal of healthy living. 

The weight room can be intimidating, but it’s not the only way to live healthy and better. My focus is on tying education and good habits together to create a lifelong positive impact. 

Shukis has plans to support the BT community beyond teaching students. This spring he developed a fitness challenge to encourage faculty and staff to start moving and is also implementing a faculty and staff wellness program for the 2023-2024 school year. 

“I want to promote general wellness for faculty and staff, giving them tips for different areas such as nutrition, exercise, hydration, and sleep. Even simple things like how to set up a desk and incorporate movement breaks into their day.”