About Justin Halley
Passionate Coach • Athlete Developer • Fun Advocate
My journey with running started on the high school football field. As I sat on the bench during practice, I would watch the cross country team run around the high school. In my head I thought, “Wow, they look like they are having fun.” One week, I quit football and spoke with one of my friends who was on the Cross Country team—and this eventually led me to running at Division 2 Maryville University for 4 years under Micky Kaufman.
Once I graduated, I began coaching in the Fall of 2014 under Micky’s tutelage. From 2014-2018, we oversaw our first national qualifiers and all-conference runners in the D2 era. During this time, I achieved my USATF Level 1 and Level 2 Certification in Endurance, as well as my USTFCCCA Endurance Event Specialization Certification. In 2020, I completed my Master’s in Sports Science and Rehabilitation at Logan University.
As an Assistant Coach at Maryville University St. Louis and then later as a Head Cross Country/Track and Field Coach at Fontbonne University, I've honed my skills in cultivating talent and fostering a supportive environment where athletes thrive.
My coaching philosophy revolves around two core principles: 1) developing athletes to reach their full potential and 2) ensuring they have fun every step of the way. I believe that success in sports is not just about winning competitions, but also about personal growth, teamwork, and enjoying the journey. Most athletes put a lot of pressure on themselves to achieve a certain time or performance. I want my athletes to fall in love with the process and enjoyment of the sport itself—and trust me, those performance goals will follow.
I prioritize individualized attention and tailored training programs to address each athlete's unique strengths, weaknesses, and goals. Working through our strengths and weaknesses gives us a new perspective of ourselves and shatters the doubt of not being able to achieve our goals. I empower athletes to push their limits to realize what lies on the other side of the unthinkable.
During my tenures at Maryville University and Fontbonne University, I've had the privilege of guiding athletes to numerous personal bests. Coaching at Fontbonne University has allowed me to coach athletes who have just discovered the sport, as well as individuals who have a long history with running. My personal goals for each of these athletes are to find their passion within the sport and challenge them to be the best they can be.
I firmly believe that sports should be enjoyable, and I infuse every training session and competition with enthusiasm, positivity, and a sense of camaraderie. Whether we're tackling challenging workouts, strategizing for a race, or celebrating achievements, I strive to create an environment where athletes feel motivated, supported, and excited to give their all.
Contact: justin@spewaktraining.com