Ricardo Nieves

Ricardo A. Nieves, M.D., CSCS, Strong First Team Leader
Dr. Nieves is originally from Puerto Rico were he completed his undergraduate education and Medical School. He did his Internship at Mayo Clinic and Residency Training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Temple University Hospital. He completed a Fellowship in Interventional Spine and Pain Management under Fluoroscopic Guidance at Georgia Pain Physicians.

Dr. Nieves is Board Certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He also has sub-specialty Board Certifications in Sports Medicine and Pain Medicine (ABMS). Dr. Nieves is also a National Strength and Conditioning Association -Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.

Dr. Nieves is a 3^rd degree (San-Dan) in Judo and USA Continental Level Certified Coach. Dr. Nieves was an Outstanding Athlete representing Puerto Rico in Judo and wining numerous Regional, National and International Judo Tournament including USA Junior Nationals. He also won University Puerto Rico Games in Judo and represented Puerto Rico at the University Olympic Games in Kobe, Japan, 1985. He also won the 1993 USA Sombo National Championship.

Dr. Nieves serves as a Team Physician for USA Judo in Regional, National and International Competitions and Judo Training Camps. He also served in Medical Staff at the Olympic Trials 2004 and 2008 and is a Volunteer Physician for The United States Olympic Training Center (Volunteer Physician Program). He presented at National and International Sports Medicine Meetings and co-author articles and book chapters in Spine related topics. He is a Certified as National level Judo Coach through USA Judo.  He is being involved in Ring Side Physician for Mixed Martial Arts and Boxing and is a member of The American Association of Professional Ring Side Physicians where he was a Featured Speaker in the 2007 AAPRP Medical Conference.

Dr. Nieves completed the Russian Kettlebell Challenge Instructor Certification Program in May, 2007 RKC Level I in Denmark and the Russian Kettlebell Challenge Level II Instructor Certification Program in June 2007. He served as an Assistant Instructor at the RKC Instructor Certification Program in Denmark in 2008, at the First HKC Certification in Saint Paul, MN in 2009 and at the HKC Certification in Denver in 2010. He was promoted to RKC Team Leader in March of 2010 and served as a Team Leader in numerous certifications with RKC and subsequently with Strong First organization in which Dr. Nieves is currently a Team Leader.

Dr. Nieves incorporates his extensive medical training and knowledge together with his Strength, Functional Conditioning and Kettlebells knowledge to provide his clients with a unique training experience.