ABOUT STS

Tom Butler is the founder and creator of Strength Through Science (STS). As a college basketball strength coach, Tom Butler revolutionized the world of jump training, having many of his athletes increase over 10 inches on their vertical jumps.

At 6' 2" and 263 lb., Tom Butler is the World's most Flexible Super Heavy Weight Athlete. He has a 2nd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, a 1st degree black belt in Kempo Karate, and a purple belt in Rickson Gracie Jiu Jitsu. In 1997 he became the blue belt masters unlimited weight class Rickson Gracie Jiu Jitsu World Champion. Tom Butler started strength training on his 10th birthday when he received his first weight set as a birthday present. With over 28 years of strength training experience, he now has a 400 lb. bench and a 500 lb. dead lift. In his own words:

"As a strength coach, I realize that my success is truly measured by the performance improvements made by my athletes. My team of doctors, coaches, and I have spent many years researching the most effective training methods to enhance athletic ability.

Many people ask me how and why I became so obsessed with strength, flexibility, and physical performance. You could say it was inspiration through desperation. A tragic accident had almost left me crippled for life. On June 25th, 1990, at 9:00 a.m., I had my legs torn off in a near fatal motorcycle accident. I suffered multiple compound fractures of the tibia and fibula, multiple segmental fractures of the femur, and a crushed patella. My bones literally tore through my skin. The doctors told me that I may never walk again. Through the course of many complex reconstructive surgeries, Dr. Erick Johnson, Chief of Trauma Reconstructive Surgery at the UCLA Medical Center, bolted my legs back onto my body. My left kneecap had to be amputated during my 6th surgery. I underwent a total of 7 surgeries to reconstruct my legs. This tragedy sparked an incredible amount of enthusiasm for recovery. I became obsessed with learning everything I could about strength and range of motion. I studied everything I could, talked to several different doctors, trainers, and coaches, and trained hardcore. After my legs were bolted back on, recovery became an issue of strength and range of motion. I became the most flexible super heavy weight strength athlete in the whole world. My case was presented at the World's Physician's Convention in December 1991 by Dr. Erick Johnson. Now I have maximum range of motion and enough strength to lift a Volkswagen.

After achieving what all the doctors and surgeons called a "Medical Miracle Recovery", I decided to turn this tragedy into a positive thing and make a difference for others. I decided to form STRENGTH THROUGH SCIENCE (STS)."

Dr. Smith is a martial artist and sports enthusiast and currently practices Gracie Jiu Jitsu under Rickson Gracie where he holds the rank of blue belt. Dr. Smith's 24 years as a medical doctor, knowledge of the human nervous system, and vast experience in surgery, pain management, and medication makes him an indispensable part of Strength Through Science.

Dr. Linville is an avid martial arts grappling enthusiast and has been competitively grappling for over 37 years. He wrestled for the University of Iowa Hawkeyes from 1968-1972, then went on to earn a Black Belt in Judo and qualified for the National Judo Tournament. In 1993, Dr. Linville became a student of Rickson Gracie Jiu Jitsu and has been training on the Rickson Gracie Jiu Jitsu Competition team ever since. Dr. Linville's vast athletic experience coupled with his anatomical and kinesiology knowledge makes him a valuable asset to the STS team.

Dr. Ralph Wilson is a certified Doctor of Chiropractic and has treated hundreds of athletes, including basketball players, volleyball players, football players, baseball players, distance runners, sprinters, dancers, martial artists, and weight lifters. He is an expert on physical rehabilitation, range of motion, nutritional supplementation, and sports injuries. Dr. Wilson earned his degree from the Pasadena School of Chiropractic and runs a thriving practice in Ventura, Ca. Dr. Wilson's expertise in injury recovery and sports performance makes him a huge contributor to team STS.

Mike Dulaney is the product of Strength Through Science's athletic training programs. In his freshman year in college, Mike could barely get above the rim on a two footed jump. As a kinesiology major in college, Mike immediately became fascinated with the science of sports performance. After becoming educated on the ideal mechanics of jumping and how to generate maximum power and upward speed, Mike piled 10 inches on his vertical and acquired the nickname "The Elevator". At 6'4", the elevator can touch the top of the bank shot square on the backboard at 11'4" high!

At Cal Lutheran University he was elected as 1st team all conference all star, and team captain in both his junior and senior years.  The Elevator now plays pro basketball in Europe and is on the European Elite League All Star team.  During the off season, Mike plays in Summer Pro Leagues in California and lights up the sky with his explosive, rim rattling Slams.  The Elevator is a world class jumper and truly illustrates the massive progress a jumper can make if they train intelligently.

Mike "The Elevator" Dulaney has a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology and is certified as a personal trainer.  "The Elevator" is a product of Strength Through Science and represents what an athlete can achieve with intelligent training. We are proud to have Mike Dulaney aboard team STS.

Joe Marino is a world class power lifter and certified personal trainer with over 35 years of strength training experience. This ex-marine has served as a uniformed police officer and S.W.A.T member for over 20 years for the Oxnard Police Department. Marino is the two time World Police & Fireman Power Lifting Champion, two time World Police & Fireman Dead Lift record holder, and three time United States Power Lifting Federation Gold Medal Champion.

On August 11, 1996, in Las Vegas Nevada, Joe Marino captured the Gold Medal at the American Power Lifting Federation World Championship. Joe Marino's superhuman strength and vast amount of strength training knowledge makes him an integral part of Strength Through Science. 

Molly Flippen is a professional ballerina currently with the Pennsylvania Ballet II.  She’ll be working in shows like The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and Carmina Burana.  Molly is a fantastic female jumper who learned her leaping technique from Strength Through Science’s best seller:  The Science of Jumping.  Molly possesses a unique blend of power and grace that makes her a great example of what intelligent training can accomplish.  Molly has earned the rank of professional dancer and we’re proud to have her represent STS.