Our Team

  • Michael Vo

    • Powerlifting & Weightlifting Coach

    • Coaching for over 3 years

    • B.S. Finance CSULB 2018

    • B.A. Business Economics CSULB 2018

    • SafeSport Certified

    I started coaching with the goal to get lifters to the national level of competition while still having fun! My full time job as a financial analyst actually pays off towards coaching because it makes programming my athletes much easier. I frequently referee for USPA and USAPL to be part of the community whenever I can.

  • Henry Nguyen

    • Head Powerlifting Coach & Owner

    • B.S. in Kinesiology CSUF 2016

    • Coaching for over 5 years

    • USAPL Meet Director

    • Nutritional Guidance

    • SafeSport Certified

    My first powerlifting meet was at 19 years old in Temecula, California with the USPA over 10 years ago. Watching this sport grow has been a great thing to witness and it is continuing to grow! My athletic background ranges from gymnastics, volleyball, football, and track & field. Although I am well versed in these sports, my love for track & field will never falter. My goal everyday is to help individuals or my athletes in any way possible I can thats available in my arsenal. Daily communication as well as technique review is offered to every athlete. After finishing college at CSUF I started a meal prep business and then continued forward by opening Exceed Performance during COVID-19. We were fortunate enough to have an amazing community to keep us alive and thriving. If you’re looking to start your powerlifting path in Orange County, then me and team are more than willing to help!

  • Steven Vu

    • Powerlifting Coach

    • Nutritional Guidance

    • Coaching for over 3 years

    I’ve been competitively powerlifting and strength conditioning for over 7 years. My highest total in the 75kg weight class was 731kg, which makes that almost 10x over my bodyweight! My goal as a coach and mentor is to ensure all my athletes are to perform at the best of their abilities on and off the platform. I offer daily communication as well as technique review and nutritional advice. Growing up as an athlete in wrestling, my passion for powerlifting was natural.

  • JJ Tompkins

    • Powerlifting Coach at UCI

    • B.S. BIology UCI 2022

    • Personal training & Coaching for over 3 years

    • SafeSport Certified

    I’ve loved the competitive aspect of every sport I’ve played throughout my life whether that be soccer, basketball, or Volleyball. However I found that what I loved even more was spending time lifting heavy weights. The summer after graduating High school I found out about this smaller up an coming sport called Powerlifting where I was able to Combine my two passions and fast forwarding about 5.5 years I’ve been able to compete in 8 meets and having my first USAPL Raw Nationals appearance in 2023. During this time I developed a passion for helping others refine their technique and help them execute to the best of their abilities. If your goals are to just become consistent in the gym or compete on the national stage feel free to contact me and we can get started working towards your goals.

  • Joseph Penaflor

    • Powerlifting Coach

    • SafeSport Certified

    • Coaching for over 3 years

    I’ve been training since high school from playing football but got more serious in this sport about 5 years ago. My experience in coaching and training have expanded immensely since the beginning when I coached my friends in my garage to present time here at Exceed Performance. I find passion in precision, effort, and growth though the outlet that is powerlifting!

  • Timothy Wong

    • Powerlifting Coach

    • B. S. in Kinesiology SJSU 2022

    • Training & Coaching for over 3 years

    As a Powerlifting Coach since 2021 and a Strength Coach/Certified Personal Trainer since 2020, I use my expertise to help improve your training experience! Holding a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, I am well-equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to drive compelling results. My approach to coaching is deeply holistic, ensuring that your training aligns not only with your ambitions but also harmonizes with your day-to-day life. Tailoring strategies to your individual needs, I build a clear roadmap to guide you to your goals! This commitment to programming extends to competitive athletes; I have had the honor of preparing lifters for national competitions, with notable success including a first-place victory for one of my athletes. If you're interested in getting started with powerlifting, feel free to contact me for more information!