Christopher Daniel

Biography

Christopher Daniel was born and raised in Smith County, TN. His passion for teaching and
coaching became apparent in his teens while earning his first-degree black belt. Given the
opportunity to teach both adult and children’s classes, he began coaching a successful
competition karate team he created. Several of his students went on to win state and national
championships and a few broke county records. He continued his family & long legacy and
attended Tennessee Tech for his undergraduate and master’s in Exercise Science. Christopher
earned the prestigious Exercise Science Major of the Year award during his undergraduate
years. He was hand-selected during his master’s to begin several research projects including
those presented in Atlanta during the annual Shape America conference. His Master’s thesis,
“Strength Training or Plyometrics to Improve Athletic Vertical Jump” was published and used as
a research resource.
Christopher has 12 years of teaching experience in the classroom. From teaching how to build a
trebuchet to his physical science students to demonstrating the water solution in alcohol forms a
protective barrier around a dollar bill, he was a hands-on educator who charismatically brought
science to life for his students. While teaching health and wellness, he was recruited by the
superintendent of schools to create the first-ever health and wellness curriculum educating
parents and students on the dangers of vaping. This groundbreaking manual was shared with
many counties across Middle TN to end vaping on school grounds.
Special Education is near and dear to Christopher’s heart. Struggling to find proper education
for his high-functioning autistic son, the answer to many prayers came when he was asked by
the director of a private special education school to create a curriculum and establish a school
catering to this underserved demographic. Never too far from his passion for exercise science
he worked closely with the Wilson County Special Olympics raising thousands during the annual
polar bear plunge and bringing local exercise science college students to work with the special
needs children.
Christopher was brought up in the family's local church but didn’t have a true understanding of
salvation and what it meant to be a Christian. As an adult, he began to question many things
about his head knowledge of God and would spend many hours talking with his wife about
philosophical thoughts. Having the privilege of watching his daughter get saved he began
seeking God even more. He became so convicted and so desperate for the Lord, he nearly bent
an entire hymnal in half before jumping over the pew and knocking over 4 deacons to get to the
altar.
Christopher is married to Audrey Daniel, formerly of Palm Beach. Together they are raising their
three children, Eden, who proudly attends Bryan and is a Keeper for the Lady Lions and
Ambassador for admissions. Jax, who attends Bryan’s piano conservatory classes, and Wyatt
who loves soccer, basketball, and singing in Bryan’s youth choir. He spends his free time
earning his Ph.D. through Liberty University, cheering on the Lady Lions, playing pickleball, or
grilling.

Publications, Research, & Editing

• Strength training or Plyometrics to improve athletes vertical jump
• Comparison of gender and positional differences in Grit scores in Division 1 sports
• Strategies of Pickleball

Conference & Workshop Presentations

• True Grit softball and baseball scores
• Shape America Atlanta 2015