Optimize your Performance with Targeted Training
Team, Small Group, and Individual Sessions for
Youth and Adults living with Physical Challenges
IRON CORE - ADAPTED STRENGTH & CONDITIONING
Enhance Your Performance and Mobility
At IRON CORE, we specialize in working with youth and adults living with physical challenges. We coach sport-specific training AND refining purposeful mobility which may include balance, coordination, strength, flexibility, agility, and reaction time.
Our coaches custom-design your exercise program to help you excel
in your chosen adaptive sport - recreational or competitive OR in the basics of strength & conditioning if this is new for you.
Our Coaches
Before working with participants, all student coaches receive adaptive training and education to ensure they deliver well-planned, guided, hands-on experiences each week. You can expect each coach to bring creativity, enthusiasm, and a passion for making every session engaging and fun.
All IRON CORE volunteers receive a Background Screen and complete SafeSport before they can participate in any programming.
Our Directors
Our Directors are a dynamic blend of licensed Physical Therapists, undergraduate health science majors and graduate PT and OT students who have each served as IRON CORE coaches. Their collective knowledge and passion have fueled our nonprofit’s continued growth and success.
In our seventh season, we have proudly provided free Adapted Strength & Conditioning training to more than 130 participants, while offering nearly 200 health science students the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others through sport and exercise.
Our program is possible through the generosity of our volunteer Directors, student volunteer coaches, non-student volunteers, LeBlond Recreation Center and their stafff, donors and grant providers.
WE ARE A REGISTERED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION
About iron core (EST. 2018)
Dan Scheid Co-founder
Dan Scheid, DPT, CSCS, CSPS - Director
He is an Exercise and Movement Coach, Research/Performance Technology Assistant, Olympic Boxing/Taekwondo Coach and Martial Arts Instructor. He is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati in Health Sciences (2019) and currently practicing as a licensed Physical Therapist (DPT, 2023) in an outpatient setting with an emphasis on movement and dance. He works closely with dancers of all skill levels to treat and educate them about injury prevention.
Dan’s goal is to bring human performance optimization and rehabilitation resources to populations that currently do not have proportionate access to them in the greater Cincinnati area. These groups include but are not limited to adaptive athletes, combat/tactical athletes, performing artists, and those with chronic health conditions affecting their overall quality of life.
Tommy McQuaid Co-founder
Tommy McQuaid, DPT - Co-Founder
Tommy has his DPT from The Ohio State University (2023); and B.S. in Health Sciences/Exercise & Movement Science (2019) from the University of Cincinnati. - At UC, his passion was with student development as a Peer Educator; led a Learning Community of 18 freshman, held Supplemental Instruction sessions for UC’s Anatomy & Physiology courses, worked with students as an Academic Coach, and was Lab Manager and Research Coordinator with the UC Neurorecovery Lab, where he coordinated a multi-site RCT on post-stroke locomotor training with faculty researchers.
He is now working full-time as an in-patient physical therapist in Columbus, Ohio at Dodd Hall while co-directing the Iron Core Adapted Strength & Conditioning program. As a primary caregiver of his older brother, who has competed in adaptive sports throughout his life, he couldn’t be more pleased with the success of Iron Core as a learning experience for the athletes, student coaches, and research community alike.
Renee Loftspring Co-founder
Renee Gaines Loftspring, PT, EdD - Director
Renee is a practicing physical therapist (1986) who has taught in both Pre-Physical Therapy and graduate Physical Therapy programs at The University of Cincinnati and College of Mount Saint Joseph; she has been a volunteer with USA Hockey's Disabled Section since 2008, growing adaptive ice hockey programs across the midwest including both sled and blind hockey in Cincinnati; co-founded and continues involvement with Cincinnati IceBreakers’ Sled Hockey (2007);
IRON CORE Adapted Strength & Conditioning (2018);
The Bridge Adaptive Sports and Recreation (2020),
and
Cincinnati Blind Hockey (2024).
Renee's expertise is with non-profit development for adaptive sport programming, custom wheelchair prescription and educating and assiting clients/caregivers living with a degenerative disease, throughout their journey.
Elizabeth Meyer- Director
A 2025 graduate in Health Sciences, currently studying at Mount St. Joseph University in their Doctor of Physical Therapy program;
Lizzy has been involved as a coach and Director with IRON CORE for the last 5 years. She is currently the Director of Coaching.
Sydney Ballew - Consultant
Sydney Ballew, PT, DPT, is a physical therapist with a passion for helping people feel strong, confident, and comfortable in their bodies. She graduated from the University of Cincinnati with her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and currently practices in outpatient orthopedics and pelvic health at The Christ Hospital Health Network.
She has been working with Iron Core since 2021. Outside of the clinic, Sydney enjoys running, playing sand volleyball and pickleball, and traveling. She is a big sports lover even playing lacrosse in college for UC.
Jordyn Fears
Jordyn is interning this season to learn about IRON CORE and the role of the Director. She's a student atthe University of CIncinnati, studying health science. This is her second season with IRON CORE.
Maya Rubin- Director
Maya is a third-year student at the University of Cincinnati, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences following the pre-physical therapy track. She is also earning a certificate in developmental disabilities.
Maya is a Peer Leader and Content Review Leader within the University of Cincinnati’s First-Year Experience Program, where she facilitates a seminar course for
pre-physical therapy students, helping navigate the transition to college. She works as a research assistant at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in the OT/PT division. Maya hopes to deepen her understanding of rehabilitation practices and contribute to more inclusive approaches in physical therapy.
Maya serves as a Coaching Director for Iron Core Adaptive Sports & Conditioning and has been involved as a coach since 2023.
Maddie Gognat- Director
Maddie is a Doctor of Physical Therapy graduate from the University of Cincinnati, where she also earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences. She has been involved with Iron Core Adapted Strength & Conditioning since 2022 and has volunteered with The Bridge Adaptive Sports & Recreation since 2024, supporting inclusive opportunities for individuals with disabilities to participate in sports and fitness.
Maddie is a Certified Personal Trainer and holds Certified Adaptive Recreation and Sports Specialist I and II certifications, as well as Emergency Response for the Athlete training. Her experience includes personal training across diverse populations and contributing to sports medicine research at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital focused on youth athlete outcomes and return-to-sport performance. Her background in physical therapy, strength and conditioning, and adaptive sports informs her commitment to accessible, evidence-based programming that promotes participation, performance, and success for athletes of all abilities.
Aaron Slusher - Consultant
Certified Sports Performance Coach (NSPA) | Mental Performance Coach | Movement & Performance Therapy Specialist
Aaron brings 29+ years of performance coaching experience to IRON CORE's mission. His work spans elite athletes, adaptive sports communities, combat athletes, and stroke survivors rebuilding from catastrophic setback. What unites them: they face real pressure and need tools that actually work.
Aaron's approach is simple. He meets the athlete where they are. He assesses movement patterns with precision, applies evidence-based mental performance protocols, and designs systems that hold up under fire—not just in the moment, but over time. His clients include Team USA adaptive athletes, MMA fighters operating under extreme pressure, and individuals recovering from neuro trauma who need more than hope.
He works as a consultant at IRON CORE on movement assessment and performance coaching, bringing the same rigor and care to every athlete who walks through the door.
Brookelyn Towe - Director
Brookelyn (Brooke) Towe is currently working towards her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Mount Saint Joseph University. Prior, she obtained her Bachelors of Health Sciences: Pre-Physical Therapy, a Nutrition minor, Certificate of Developmental Disabilities, and Certificate of Interprofessional Education at the University of Cincinnati in May 2024.
Brooke has been apart of Iron Core for 6 years in which she was a coach for 3 seasons and is currently serving as the Coaches Recruiting Director. for the last 3 years. She is also apart of MSJ's Pro-Bono board, SPTA Activities Coordinator, Admissions Committee Leader, and MSJs Mentor Leadership program. After graduation, Brooke hopes to become a physical therapist specializing in pediatrics or orthopedic sports.