UPSWING Foundation’s Sports Performance Training Coaches — Jermaine Stafford, Abby Marlow, Lizzie Waters, and Jackson Burrell — have all played key roles in the growth and success of UPSWING’s facility so far. Each coach brings a unique background as a former collegiate athlete, and these experiences have contributed to their success in their roles at UPSWING. Together, they share a common mission: to give back to the next generation of young athletes.
Jermaine Stafford - NASM PES, Facility Director, Performance coach
Jermaine Stafford, the UPSWING Facility Director, is a renowned health and wellness coach with a background as a professional football player and world-class track and field sprinter. He has experience coaching NFL, collegiate, high school, and youth athletes and has led them to numerous professional contracts, athletic scholarships, state sprint championships, and elite national rankings. He holds an NASM PES — which enables him to offer safe personal and group training using current, effective training methods — as well as the national federal certification of Physical Activity Consultant from the I Am Moving, I Am Learning program, a physical activity and nutrition initiative for preschool children. Jermaine’s extensive experience in track and field and professional football drives many athletes and teams to train with him at UPSWING, where he is dedicated to the mission of crushing barriers for youth athletes across Denver and surrounding areas, along with his goal of providing top-tier sports performance training and recovery programs for these athletes.
Abby Marlow - NSCA CSCS, USAW Level 1, Outreach Coordinator, Performance coach
Abby Marlow, the new Outreach Coordinator for UPSWING, brings a strong background in sports and leadership to the facility. A former multi-sport athlete in high school, Abby played Division I softball at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville from 2016 to 2020 and served as team captain for her last two seasons. She holds a degree in Exercise Science with a minor in Nutrition, and certifications including CPR/AED, NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and USA Weightlifting Level 1 Coach. Abby is passionate about demonstrating excellence, empowering others, and building meaningful relationships, which makes her a perfect fit for her role as Outreach Coordinator. She is committed to expanding UPSWING’s reach and helping young athletes develop discipline, resilience, and teamwork—values she believes extend far beyond the game.
Lizzie Waters - NASM CES & CPT Performance Coach
Lizzie Waters, who competed in both track and gymnastics in high school, continued her athletic career as a collegiate track runner at the University of Hawaii and the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. Lizzie has continued her education in sport psychology, nutrition, and corrective exercise to help improve her athletes overall performance. Her extensive athletic experience, education, and previous coaching background have made her a versatile coach at UPSWING. Lizzie specializes in teaching running form, speed training, and explosive movements, helping young athletes build strength, agility, and power while reducing injury risk. As a NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist and Certified Personal Trainer, Lizzie’s expertise allows her to support youth athletes at all levels. She is deeply passionate about empowering athletes to reach their full potential, not only in sports but in all aspects of life, as she believes sports can open up so many opportunities for young athletes. Lizzie’s favorite sayings, “Last one, Best one,” and “Let’s get it!” motivate her athletes to push through their workouts and embrace the valuable life lessons sports teach.
Jackson Burrell - NASM PES, Sports Performance Coach
Jackson Burrell, a former collegiate football player at Colorado Mesa University and Tarleton State University, brings his passion for mentoring and desire to make a positive impact on young athletes to his role at UPSWING. His coaching style focuses on speed, agility, change of direction, and plyometric training, helping athletes improve their overall athleticism to promote success in all areas of their sports. While also holding a NASM PES certification, Jackson is committed to helping the athletes he coaches hone in on their athletic skills as well as becoming a positive role model in their lives. Jackson encourages his athletes with the phrase, “Don’t Cheat Yourself,” motivating them to give 100% in everything they do, with the hope that they will take the lessons they learn in their facility training and apply them to their everyday lives as well.
With these dedicated coaches leading the way, athletes at UPSWING are in the right place to grow and develop not only in their sports, but also as individuals and leaders, regardless of their skill level. Lizzie and Jackson lead daily Sports Performance Training Classes for ages 8-11 and 12+, and their class schedules are available to book here. Additionally, all four coaches offer 1-on-1 training for athletes seeking more specialized, individualized attention. Whether you are an athlete looking to train with a like-minded group, a team, or in a 1-on-1 session with the coach of your choice, every athlete has an opportunity to grow stronger, faster, and more confident in their sports with these amazing Sports Performance Training Coaches at the UPSWING facility!
ABOUT UPSWING FOUNDATION:
UPSWING Foundation, a Colorado nonprofit corporation, exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Code, is the only youth sports foundation based in Colorado’s mile-high training grounds that provides access to world-class programs alongside top athletes for kids of all backgrounds in order to connect people and catapult dreams. Where access to sports and other opportunities is often limited by barriers such as socioeconomic factors, the UPSWING Foundation works to crush those barriers by creating first-in-class, accessible programming and training spaces to develop strong, confident, successful student-athletes who are able to pursue their dreams and give back to their communities in meaningful ways. To learn more, visit us at upswingfoundation.org.
Main Office:
1746 Cole Blvd, Ste 300,
Lakewood, CO 80401
contact@upswingfoundation.org
(720) 608-0259
ABOUT UPSWING CENTENNIAL:
UPSWING Centennial is the first dedicated space built to deliver the UPSWING experience to aspiring athletes in Denver and the surrounding communities with world-class services in performance training, dance, and recovery.
UPSWING Centennial:
7460 S University Blvd, Centennial, CO 80122
facilities@upswingfoundation.org
(720) 500-5100
