Our Coaches
Experts in their respective fields, our coaches possess the highest accreditations—and perhaps as importantly, practice what they preach on their own time.
Scott FERGUSON, Ph.D.
Scott Ferguson (co-founder and coach) holds a Ph.D. in physiology, an M.S. in exercise science, and is an internationally recognized researcher in the field of high-altitude medicine, oxygen transport, and exercise physiology. Scott has authored or co-authored over 40 peer-reviewed scientific articles and book chapters and has been invited to speak about his work on skeletal muscle metabolic control throughout the world. His close collaboration with top physiologists including Professors Andrew Jones (consultant for Nike's "Breaking-2" endeavor) and David Poole (known for re-shaping our understanding of oxygen transport and muscular energetics) have provided him with a solid foundation from which to guide your training.
Scott's early research was the first to show that dietary nitrate supplementation (i.e., beet juice) elevates blood flow specifically to fast-twitch muscle during exercise. This finding provided crucial insight into why nitrate supplementation improves sport performance in some, but not all athlete populations. Since then, Scott has continued to build his expertise in muscular fatigue and energetics and has incorporated many of his findings into his lectures at the University of Colorado's Medical school and Kansas State University's Department of Kinesiology. In addition to coaching, Scott currently holds an Assistant Professor position at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where he is the director of the Integrative Aerospace and Exercise Physiology (IAEP) laboratory.
Above all, Scott strives to mentor his athletes through a sharing of his knowledge and expertisee of exercise physiology and endurance sport performance. He loves teaching, being in the wilderness, and is a passionate advocate for our public lands and responsible wildlife management.
Selected Publications
Jones, A. M., Ferguson, S. K., Bailey, S. J., Vanhatalo, A., & Poole, D. C. (2016). Fiber type-specific effects of dietary nitrate. Exercise and sport sciences reviews, 44(2), 53-60.
Ferguson, S. K., Hirai, D. M., Copp, S. W., Holdsworth, C. T., Allen, J. D., Jones, A. M., ... & Poole, D. C. (2013). Impact of dietary nitrate supplementation via beetroot juice on exercising muscle vascular control. The Journal of physiology, 591(2), 547-557.
Accolades
Post-Doctoral Fellowship, University of Colorado's School of Medicine
Ph.D., Physiology, Kansas State University
M.S., Exercise Physiology, Kansas State University
B.S., Kinesiology, Kansas State University
George Cedric Bieker, M.Ed.
As a full-time mountain guide and aspiring alpinist, George (co-founder and coach) brings a unique perspective to the Summation team. Spending more than half the year in the mountains allows George to apply the Occam's razor of practicality to the field of physiology research.
George was born and raised in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas. He found climbing in his 20's during his undergraduate training, after which his life quickly changed. Over the next decade, he would unrelentingly pursue his climbing passions, which would lead him to guide clients and climb in mountains throughout the world, earn a masters degree in education, and develop a keen understanding of nutrition, holistic development, cosmology, and mindfulness. To find out more about George visit his website at georgebieker.com.
Certifications
AMGA Certified Single Pitch Instructor
AMGA Ice Instructor Course Graduate
AMGA Aspiring Alpine Guide
WMI Wilderness First Responder
Qualifications
M. Ed. Higher Education, Student Development, University of Arkansas
B.S.E. Recreation & Sports Management, Outdoor, University of Arkansas
Instructor & Guide - The American Alpine Institute
Over Ten Years of Experience in Climbing, Guiding, and Education
