James Ball

James Ball is a dedicated Strength & Conditioning Coach, former competitive bodybuilder and strongman, and retired U.S. Navy Officer with over 20 years of high-performance experience.

Originally from Southern California, James grew up in the Thousand Oaks area where he developed a deep passion for athletics. After excelling as a varsity baseball player (4-year starter, All-State honors, and MLB prospect), he shifted his focus to the world of strength sports. This transition sparked a lifelong commitment to building elite levels of strength, power, and physique that continues to define his career.

James is a National Strongman Champion (2009) with multiple 1st-place finishes in powerlifting (2010–2017). In bodybuilding, he competed at the highest levels, earning four Top 2 finishes at national-level competitions along with two additional Top 3 placings. He was personally coached by renowned bodybuilding coach Matt Jansen for his contest preps, which played a key role in his success on the national stage. These accomplishments reflect his mastery of contest prep, peak-week strategies, posing, and the discipline required to sculpt a championship physique while maintaining elite performance.

Since 2018, James has operated James Ball Fitness in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he has trained over 500 athletes and competitors. His coaching has produced outstanding results in the bodybuilding world: athletes have earned IFBB Pro Cards, while many others have secured Overall titles at the regional and state level. James excels at designing individualized periodized programs that blend hypertrophy training, nutrition protocols, recovery strategies, and mental toughness development. Clients consistently achieve stage-ready physiques. He trained and learned directly under legendary coaches Charles Poliquin and Justin King, integrating their proven methodologies into practical, results-driven programming focused on athlete development, structural balance, injury prevention, and peak performance.

In addition to his athletic and coaching background, James brings exceptional leadership experience from his distinguished military career. He served as a U.S. Navy Supply Corps Officer from 2006 until his retirement in 2026, rising from enlisted service to Lieutenant Commander. During his 20 years of active duty, he led supply and logistics teams in support of fleet operations, carrier strike groups, and expeditionary units. He managed multi-billion-dollar budgets, mentored thousands of young service members, and developed the organizational, motivational, and crisis-management skills that now translate directly into his coaching philosophy: building disciplined, resilient athletes who perform under pressure.

James holds a Master of Science in Leadership and a Bachelor of Science in Management, both from Seattle University.

Whether working with competitive bodybuilders and strength athletes, or teams seeking a championship edge, James is passionate about developing not just stronger bodies, but stronger minds and character. His blend of elite competitive experience, proven coaching success in bodybuilding and strength sports, and proven leadership makes him a powerful catalyst for athletes ready to reach the next level.

Ready to build your strongest, most aesthetic version yet? Connect with James today.