VSA (Victory Sport Academy) has become a global leader in online athletic training. With over 11,000 registered users and more than 35 elite coaches from 12+ countries — including national champions, NHL pros, and Bolshoi ballerinas — VSA is setting a new standard for home-based, high-performance coaching. VSA’s influence is now widely felt across the coaching and skating community. We spoke with its founder to explore how the platform is revolutionizing athlete development worldwide.
Q: VSA is known for helping young athletes progress quickly. What was missing in traditional training that you wanted to improve?
So many talented kids just don’t have access to the right coaches. Or they spend years trying to improve without getting real results. I’ve always believed that with the right training structure and support, progress can happen much faster than people think.
Today’s coaches — especially the ones we work with — know exactly how to build technique the right way. They understand how much training is too much, what drills get results, and how to keep kids motivated. Add in some modern tools and feedback systems, and you’ve got a formula for real, lasting improvement.
At VSA, we see that all the time. A kid might start with us placing in local events, and two years later, they’re on the podium at nationals. Not everyone moves at the same pace, of course, but when the training is smart and consistent — it works. That’s the gap we wanted to close.
Q: What makes your home-based training model so effective? How do you keep athletes motivated without being in the same room?
It’s all about the approach. We don’t treat everyone like they’re training for the Olympics — unless they want to be. Every athlete has their own goals, and we meet them where they are.
A lot of our students actually look forward to their sessions. There’s no pressure, no stress — we try to make it enjoyable, even fun. Especially with kids, that’s huge. If they’re tired after school or already juggling five other activities, training can’t feel like a burden. We keep the energy positive and focused on growth.
When athletes see progress — whether it’s mastering a spin or just moving more confidently — they get excited. That fuels motivation better than anything else.
Q: VSA is being used by athletes from all over the world. How do you make sure the quality stays high across different cultures and languages?
That’s one of the things we’re most proud of — we’ve built a global community, but we’ve kept the personal touch. Our team of coaches is truly world-class. Many have competed or coached at the highest levels, and they all share the same passion and commitment to teaching.
We also put a lot of effort into making our platform more accessible — not just in English, but in other languages too, including Spanish and Chinese. And we’re always expanding the types of classes we offer to fit different time zones, needs, and skill levels.
The key is staying flexible while holding onto our core values: personalization, quality, and connection. We want every athlete, no matter where they live, to feel like they’re getting the best coaching available.
Q: VSA has already disrupted traditional coaching. What kind of impact do you hope to make on the future of athlete development?
I think the real shift we’re contributing to — and one I hope becomes the norm — is the idea that elite athlete development doesn’t have to be limited by location, budget, or circumstance.
Online coaching has opened up access in a way that simply wasn’t possible five or six years ago. We’re seeing kids in small towns working with Olympic-level coaches, athletes training with flexibility around school schedules, and skaters making measurable progress without having to move across the country or join expensive academies.
There’s also a growing awareness that more isn’t always better — better is better. With structured online programs, real-time feedback, and focused sessions, athletes are often able to achieve the same or better results with less burnout and lower risk of injury.
From what we’ve seen — with over 21,000 sessions delivered and a 60%+ return rate — when athletes feel supported, challenged, and understood, they stay in the sport longer. They enjoy it more. And that’s the kind of sustainable development I want to see more of across all levels of sport.
So the impact I hope we continue to make is helping shift the mindset from “train harder” to “train smarter,” and proving that great coaching can be available to anyone, anywhere — not just the lucky few.
