Our Team

Luke Carlson

Luke Carlson is the founder and CEO of Discover Strength. Luke is a practitioner, speaker, and author on the topic of strength training and evidence-based exercise programs.

Luke is an American College of Sports Medicine certified Health and Fitness Specialist. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology and a Master of Science in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise Physiology from the University of Minnesota.

Brian Christensen

Brian joined the Discover Strength team in the spring of 2012.  Brian completed his Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology at the University of Minnesota.  Brian is a National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer and previously served as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Macalester College in St. Paul.

Brandon Jonker

Brandon is the General Manager of the Discover Strength Downtown Minneapolis location.  Brandon received a degree in Health and Exercise Science from Gustavus Adolphus College. He is an American College of Sports Medicine certified Health and Fitness Specialist.  Brandon is an assistant strength and conditioning and football coach at Simley High School.

Matt Mattek

Matt joined the Discover Strength team in January of 2013. Matt completed a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Human Performance from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where he was a three year letter winner in football.

Tyler McCarthy

Tyler joined the Discover Strength team in the spring of 2012.  Tyler completed a Bachelor's degree in Exercise and Movement Science from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and is a certified Personal Trainer through the National Strength and Conditioning Association.  

Taylor Melvin

Taylor joined the Discover Strength team in the summer of 2012.  Taylor received a degree in Exercise Science at the University of St. Thomas and is a Certified Personal Trainer from American College of Sports Medicine.

Rick Rignell

Rick has been certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist since 1993. He has been the Strength and Conditioning Coordinator at Anoka High School since 1996, where he also serves as a Physical Education/Health Education teacher and assistant football coach. An avid runner and tri-athlete, he completed the Ironman Wisconsin Triathlon in 2003, and has a marathon PR of 3:27.

Brandon Rudenick

Brandon is the General Manager at the Discover Strength Chanhassen location. He is an American College of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist from the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Brandon received a Bachelor's Degree in Health and Physical Education with a minor in Coaching and Business Administration from Augsburg College where he was a two-year captain of the football team. He is an assistant strength and conditioning and football coach at Edina High School.

Bronson Shepherd

Bronson joined the Discover Strength team is the spring of 2012.  Bronson received a Bachelor's degree in Health Fitness and Exercise Science from Concordia College-Moorhead. He is the assistant football coach at Minnetonka High School.

Sam Topping

Sam joined the Discover Strength team in the fall of 2012. He received his Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Minnesota and is a Certified Personal Trainer from the National Academy of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Sam also completed strength and conditioning internships with the University of Minnesota Gopher Football Team and Athletic Republic Sports Performance Facility.

Greg Viland

Greg joined the Discover Strength team in November of 2007. Greg received a Bachelor's of Arts in Health Fitness and Exercise Science from Gustavus Adolphus College and is an American College of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer. Greg is the head Nordic Ski coach for Lakeville South High School.

Elyssa Williams

Elyssa received a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Minnesota in 2010 and is an American College of Sports Medicine Certifed Personal Trainer. After two years of personal training experience, she joined the Discover Strength team in the winter of 2012.