The President of Industry Professor Association takes pride in presenting this citation to Industry Professor – Jonathan Nelson
Industry Experience
Jonathan “Jonny BBAD” Nelson has over 15 years of professional experience in the strength and fitness industry. His career encompasses multiple roles – he is a powerlifting specialist, a certified strength and conditioning coach, and the co-owner of Fortitude Barbell, a premier training gym he co-founded in Brisbane in 2014. Jonny has competed as a powerlifter for more than a decade, participating in many of Australia’s top powerlifting meets. Over that time, he has built a thriving community of lifters: at Fortitude Barbell, he and his team have coached athletes of all levels and led teams to competitions across Australia and internationally. This broad experience – as an athlete, coach, and gym owner – demonstrates both longevity and depth in his field, from grassroots training to world-class competition.
Industry Endorsements
Jonny BBAD is highly regarded by industry bodies and peers alike. He serves as Queensland State Representative for CAPO Powerlifting Australia – one of only two delegates in the state – a leadership role that reflects his stature in the sport. He has also organized major competitions, including serving as event director for the 2024 CAPO National Powerlifting Championships. Jonny’s expertise has earned international recognition: he was the Head Coach for Team Australia at the 2024 WPC World Powerlifting Championships. Under his guidance, Team Australia won the overall team trophy (first place out of 18 countries with 300 competitors) – the first time Australia has achieved this honor. This historic victory attests to Jonny’s coaching excellence on the world stage. Athletes and colleagues often refer to him as “Super Coach,” acknowledging his ability to bring out the best in his lifters. Jonny’s leadership roles and the accolades of his athletes illustrate the strong recognition he enjoys from industry authorities and peers.
Industry Training
Throughout his career, Jonny BBAD has demonstrated a passionate commitment to sharing knowledge and training others. He co-hosts “The Platform Podcast” (nearly 300 episodes since 2020), where he discusses training, coaching, and personal development in strength sports, freely sharing expert insights. He also runs his “Bad Coach” initiative, providing educational content and free strength training programs to the community, including specialized routines like his signature deadlift program. On social media, Jonny actively uses Instagram (as @jonny_bbad) to motivate and educate, with a personal mission to “help humans get strong.” As a gym owner and head coach, he has mentored countless clients and up-and-coming coaches, often hosting seminars and workshops. His philosophy of “train hard, have fun, and enjoy the process” fosters a supportive environment where learning is constant. Through in-person coaching, digital media, and public resources, Jonny consistently shares his practical expertise, exemplifying the Industry Professor ideal of advancing knowledge and fostering growth in others.
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As CEO of Industry Professor Association, I have a passion for education and learning that leads towards a productive outcome for Industry. The Industry Professor Association is a non-profit organisation that recognises industry expertise and experience and helps members gain the ultimate recognition of their Industry career. We also help organise their industry expertise by converting it into digital learning products and sharing it with a learner hungry world.
As a previous Head of School – Southbank Institute of Technology, it gave me great insight into educational design, corporate client learning needs, government policy and strategies. My goal was to meet the needs of industry in regards to providing graduates who were highly trained in practical skills and employability skills. Whilst meeting the learning style of a generation that is highly engaging with communication channels, and immersed in collaboration to gain learning at their time, place and pace.