A Career Rooted in Exercise Science, Service, and Kinesiology

For Dr. Wallace, earning a doctorate wasn’t simply about achieving an academic milestone. It was the culmination of a journey defined by perseverance, faith, and an unwavering commitment to serving others. Throughout his career, he has dedicated himself to improving lives through education, exercise science, and community wellness. Whether as an educator, entrepreneur, researcher, or mentor, his purpose has remained remarkably consistent.

For years, that purpose came to life through IATO Fitness, the faith-based fitness facility he founded with a mission to help people improve not only their physical health, but also their mental and spiritual well-being.

“I owned IATO Fitness, where the motto was ‘the place where your faith and fitness connect,’ and the mission was to transform lives to the glory of God. My career has always centered around serving others through education, health, and fitness.”

Dr. Gregory Wallace working out at IATO Fitness, the gym he founded.

Perseverance Through a Doctoral Kinesiology Program

Behind his professional accomplishments was a doctoral journey that tested his resilience in ways he never expected. Long before arriving at CSP Global, Dr. Wallace experienced significant setbacks in graduate school. After completing four years of coursework and defending his research proposal twice, he found himself without a doctoral program. During that same season, he also experienced the loss of a close friend.

Yet even amidst those challenges, he continued building a successful business while serving both his church and his community. Reflecting on that season, he says:

“My journey toward earning a doctoral degree has been one of perseverance, growth, and faith.”

His path continued to be anything but straightforward after enrolling at CSP Global.

“Earning my doctorate at Concordia University St. Paul was more than achieving a personal milestone, but it has been built on fortitude.” While progressing through the program, Dr. Wallace faced personal circumstances that affected every part of his life, including his studies. “I started out very strong, then I had a personal life situation that was stressful and sent me into functional depression where I couldn’t focus on my work and was removed from the program.”

Rather than allowing that setback to define his story, he found people at CSP Global who believed in him and helped him find his way back. “My academic advisor reached out, and we went through the process of getting me back into the program.”

After returning with regular check-in calls with his student success coach, he completed all of his coursework, prepared for his dissertation defense, and then made an unexpected decision right as he neared the finish line: to switch from the EdD to the PhD program, requiring four additional research-intensive courses.

As with everything else in his life, Dr. Wallace embraced the challenge and earned straight A’s in his final semester consisting of qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods, and advanced statistical analysis research courses. Immediately following, he successfully defended his dissertation.

Looking back, he credits one simple philosophy for carrying him through every obstacle:

“I had to lean on my personal motto and something that I share with others, which is desire + hard work + persistence will always = success.”

Why He Chose CSP Global’s Online Doctorate in Kinesiology

For Dr. Wallace, choosing CSP Global wasn’t simply about convenience. He wanted a program that would allow him to continue leading his business, supporting his family, and serving students while pursuing a terminal degree. For working professionals considering an online doctorate in kinesiology, flexibility and structure can be essential.

He especially appreciated the intentional structure of the program.

“The process driven focus of this program was excellent. Every semester built on the previous one. In this process driven format, we were required to write every chapter of our dissertation in our seminars.”

Beyond the curriculum, he also found faculty who continually encouraged him to grow. “The faculty challenged me to think critically, become a stronger researcher, and grow as a scholar. Their mentorship helped me refine my ability to connect research with practical application, something that has always been important to me as an exercise physiologist.”

The relationships Dr. Wallace built became one of the defining aspects of his doctoral experience.

“The greatest strength of CSP’s Kinesiology doctoral program is its people. The professors genuinely invest in their students and create an environment where you are challenged, supported, and encouraged throughout the program.”

Those connections extended beyond the classroom. “Most of all, I value the relationships I built with faculty and fellow doctoral students. Those relationships created a supportive learning community that continued to encourage one another throughout the doctoral journey.”

Dissertation Research in Exercise Science and Applied Kinesiology

Dr. Wallace’s research reflects the same philosophy that has guided his professional career: evidence should improve lives. His dissertation, entitled “Muscle Endurance Exercise Training Improves Body Composition, Cardiorespiratory Fitness, and Muscle Endurance in Healthy Adults,” explored how an eight-week muscle endurance exercise training program affects body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, and muscular endurance in healthy adults.

Dr. Gregory Wallace presenting his dissertation.

“I was motivated to pursue this topic because I’ve spent my career helping people improve their health through exercise, and I wanted to contribute scientific evidence that supports practical training methods anyone can use.”

He sees his research not as an endpoint, but as a foundation for future work. “This research continues to be a passion of mine because it bridges the gap between research and practice,” he shares.

Advancing Kinesiology Careers Through Teaching and Research

As he continues his academic career, Dr. Wallace hopes to involve students in research while developing practical solutions that improve health outcomes for diverse populations.

This year marked another exciting milestone as Dr. Wallace accepted a tenure-track faculty position as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutrition, Kinesiology, and Health Sciences at the University of Central Missouri. For him, the opportunity brings together everything he values most.

“This opportunity allows me to combine my passion for teaching, mentoring students, conducting research, and preparing future professionals who will positively impact the health of their communities.”

His career demonstrates the variety of paths available within kinesiology careers, including higher education, exercise science, research, mentorship, and community wellness.

Looking ahead, he plans to continue expanding his research while integrating evidence-based exercise with faith, wellness, and healthy living. His long-term vision includes mentoring future researchers, collaborating with colleagues and students, and advancing community health through meaningful scholarship. Most importantly, he hopes his career continues to reflect the values that have shaped every step of his journey.

“I want my career to reflect a commitment to excellence, service, and lifelong learning. If I can inspire students to pursue their purpose and positively impact the health of others, then I will consider my career a success.”

Dr. Gregory Wallace at the Concordia University, St. Paul Commencement Ceremony in May 2026.

Advice for Future PhD and EdD in Kinesiology Students

Having overcome obstacles that might have ended someone else’s doctoral journey, Dr. Wallace offers simple but powerful advice to those just beginning theirs:

“Believe in yourself, trust the process, and remember why you started.”

He encourages students not to become overwhelmed by the size of the journey, but to remain focused on steady progress and meaningful relationships. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions, seek mentorship, and build relationships with your professors and classmates. Those relationships can become some of the most valuable parts of your experience.”

For Dr. Wallace, earning a PhD wasn’t the destination. It was another step in a lifelong calling to educate, serve, and inspire others. His story reminds us that setbacks don’t define success; how we respond to them does. Guided by faith, strengthened through perseverance, and committed to helping others thrive, he continues to build a legacy that reaches far beyond the classroom.

For example, Dr. Wallace recently led a panel discussion: CSP Kinesiology Real Talk: The Future of Kinesiology, Trends Shaping the Next 5–10 Years.

Interested in learning more about CSP Global’s online Doctorate in Kinesiology? Discover how the program supports professionals pursuing advanced research, leadership opportunities, and meaningful contributions to the field of kinesiology.