coach SAmuel

Samuel C. Payne is a proud West African native raised in Philadelphia, bringing over eight years of coaching knowledge shaped by internships, academic study, and hands-on experience. His professional journey includes work with the University of Pennsylvania, Temple University, Saint Joseph’s University, West Chester University, Orange Theory Fitness, A Game Fitness & Performance, and City Fitness Philly.

Samuel currently serves as the Head Trainer and Director of Sports Performance at Limitless Philly, where he leads programs designed to help athletes and individuals reach their full potential. His passion for performance and human movement was ignited after sustaining a spinal injury while playing collegiate football—a pivotal moment that turned his focus toward empowering others through training and education.

As a former NCAA Division II student-athlete at Clarion University, Samuel competed in the PSAC, starting for two of his three playing years. After his athletic career, his interest in sports performance and nutrition deepened, leading him to earn a B.S. in Exercise and Sport Science from Temple University and a M.S. in Exercise and Sport Science with a concentration in Applied Performance from West Chester University.

Samuel holds multiple industry certifications, including:

• NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)

• USAW Level 1

• CFSC Level 1

• American Red Cross BLS Certification

With a training philosophy rooted in intention, recovery, and evidence-based practice, Samuel specializes in performance training for individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and ability levels.

A fun fact: Samuel trains only two to three times per week, proving that results come not from how often you train—but how intentionally you train.

Two of his favorite quotes reflect his approach to coaching and life:

“Train hard but recover harder.”

“Less is more when there is intention and a strategy behind your training.”