Training Female Athletes with Intent in Tampa, Florida
Training Female Athletes with Intent in Tampa, Florida
The Megan Harper Approach
At Diesel Optimization in Tampa, Florida, you’ll often hear one word echoed through the weight room, the turf, and even in casual conversations between coaches and athletes: intent.
No one embodies that better than Coach Meg.
With 13 years of experience working with youth and adult athletes, Meg brings an intense, deeply personal approach to training, especially for female athletes. A former multi-sport athlete who played basketball at the college level before serving in the U.S. Air Force and even playing professionally overseas in Germany, Meg’s journey is one of resilience, strength, and lived experience.
“If you go hard in the gym, you’ll go hard in everything else in life,” Meg says. “But you have to do it with intent—whether it’s warming up, lifting, eating, or even sleeping. Everything should be done with a purpose.”
Building Confidence—Inside and Out
“Too many girls come in not knowing how strong they really are. That changes fast once we start working,” she says. “Confidence is the most powerful result we can create in here.”
For Meg, building better athletes starts with building confidence. Her mission goes beyond helping athletes get faster, stronger, and more explosive. She works to instill a belief in themselves that carries over into sport and life.
That mental toughness complements the physical work they do in the gym. Meg specializes in explosive movement training, Plyometrics, and fast-twitch exercises—like moving weight at high speed—are staples in her programming.
“It’s not just squats. It’s learning how to get your lower half doing one thing while your upper half is doing something else—and doing it fast,” she explains. “It’s coordination, control, and power all at once.”
Training Female Athletes Differently—and Better
Though she works with all types of athletes, Meg has become a magnet for female athletes and their parents, especially those in volleyball. That’s no accident. As a mom of two and a coach who has walked the path many of her athletes are just starting, she knows what they need.
“Right now, we’ve built a strong volleyball community here, mostly because our parents are connected, and word of mouth spreads. But it’s also because girls see that we take their training seriously. We’re not just softball or baseball. We’re about them.”
Meg advocates for strength training across all sports, even those traditionally considered "lower body" focused, such as soccer.
“I just want these girls to love what they’re doing. That’s what keeps you going.”
“Upper body strength supports lower body power. Every athlete can benefit from full-body strength work. Even our soccer athletes hit the weights,” she says.
More Than Just a Coach
Meg's credibility doesn't come just from certifications or a resume. It comes from life experience, and she doesn’t shy away from the lessons she’s learned.
“I wasn’t a perfect college athlete. I struggled with academics. I left college, joined the Air Force, and then played overseas. It was all short-lived, but it taught me a lot. I just want these girls to love what they’re doing. That’s what keeps you going.”
A Final Message to Young Athletes
If there’s one message Coach Meg wants her athletes to remember, it’s this:
“Do everything with intent. Love what you do. Train like it matters—because it does.”
Whether you're a volleyball player looking to jump higher, a basketball player seeking explosiveness, or a parent looking for a coach who will care as much about your daughter’s mindset as her mile time, Coach Meg is someone worth knowing.
Is your daughter ready to train with intent?
Come check out our programs or connect with Coach Meg to learn more about female-focused athlete development.
