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September 18, 2026
Tactical personnel like firefighters, law enforcement officials, and military live in a high-stakes environment that requires them to be conditioned for the challenges they face. In this episode, Dr. Jay Dawes and Dr. Katie Sell, co-editors of NSCA's Essentials of Tactical Strength and Conditioning, Second Edition, discuss the importance of tactical strength and conditioning training, testing and assessing, and the value of understanding and appreciating the community of each group.
NSCA's Essentials of Tactical Strength and Conditioning, Second Edition https://monkeylink.co/d5d270
J. Jay Dawes, PhD, CSCS, NSCA-CPT, TSAC-F, FNSCA
Dr. Jay Dawes is a professor of applied exercise science at Oklahoma State University and the codirector of the university's Tactical Fitness and Nutrition Lab. Dr. Dawes has over 25 years of experience serving as an athletic performance coordinator, strength and conditioning coach, personal trainer, and educator. Throughout his career, he has worked with a wide range of populations, including collegiate and professional athletes as well as members of law enforcement, fire, and military organizations.
In addition to his applied work, Dr. Dawes regularly provides sport science support and education to elite teams and tactical units to enhance operational readiness and reduce injury risk. His research primarily focuses on improving health, fitness, and performance outcomes among tactical athletes, first responders, and athletes in traditional sports. Dr. Dawes has authored or coauthored numerous peer-reviewed publications, textbooks, and educational resources in the areas of strength and conditioning, human performance, and tactical athlete readiness. He has extensive expertise in designing and implementing evidence-based training methods and strategies, emphasizing practical approaches that translate directly to real-world scenarios.
Katie Sell, PhD, CSCS,*D, TSAC-F,*D, FNSCA
Dr. Katie Sell is a professor and coordinator of the undergraduate exercise physiology and human anatomy and physiology programs in the department of allied health and kinesiology at Hofstra University. The editor in chief of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) TSAC Report, Dr. Sell is a certified strength and conditioning specialist with distinction (CSCS,*D), a tactical strength and conditioning facilitator with distinction (TSCA-F,*D), and is recognized as a fellow of the NSCA (FNSCA).
Dr. Sell has been a volunteer assistant coach for Hofstra University's women's tennis program, a member of the executive council of the NSCA's tactical strength and conditioning special interest group, and a consultant to FireFit (an interagency wildland firefighter fitness task group). Her primary research interests are in fitness assessment and injury risk reduction among collegiate student athletes and in firefighter health, physical fitness, and exercise programming. Dr. Sell received her doctoral degree from the University of Utah, her master's degree from Southern Illinois University, and her bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin.
