In 2013, Clemson baseball coach Jack Leggett entered the weight room and saw an energetic, blonde-haired woman leading a workout, and that woman was Stephanie Mock Grubbs, then just an intern. But her relentless work ethic and passion for strength training would take her to unprecedented heights in Major League Baseball. The energy she brought was undeniable.
“I saw this ball of energy… her nickname is ‘fireball,’ and she has just this smile, this energy, this enthusiasm, this vibe about her that was contagious,” Leggett recalled. “I remember telling the guy in charge of the weight room: ‘Who’s this girl? She’s got to be involved with our program.’ And he goes, ‘Oh yeah, she’s something special.'”
Climbing the Ranks in Strength and Conditioning
Stephanie Mock Grubbs spent five years at Clemson, becoming Assistant Director of Olympic Sports Strength and Conditioning. Her career trajectory continued to rise, leading her through stints with West Virginia, Pittsburgh, and Mississippi State.
Then, in the 2023 offseason, the Houston Astros made a historic move by hiring her as their assistant major league strength and conditioning coach. In doing so, Grubbs became the only woman in MLB currently holding that role and the first-ever female in the Astros organization.
While breaking barriers, she remains focused on winning a World Series.
“One piece of advice that I received is to make it about the job, not about the gender,” Grubbs said. “I just want to help the team win. It’s about adding value to the organization, but if what I do inspires young women, that’s a great added bonus.”
From Volleyball to MLB: A Passion for Strength Training
A former West Virginia volleyball player, Stephanie’s love for strength and conditioning was ignited in college. She grew up in Renfrew, Pennsylvania, and played for Butler High School, but never experienced the training that later shaped her career.
“Once I got to college and played at the D1 level, I knew I had to capitalize on weight room training to prepare myself physically and gain a competitive edge,” she said. “After I was done playing, I realized the weight room was where my real passion lay.”
Rather than pursuing a traditional coaching route in volleyball, she dedicated herself to strength and conditioning—an industry dominated by men.
Her unique coaching style also sets her apart. Unlike the traditional, intense, aggressive approach often associated with strength training, Grubbs leads with positivity and high energy.
“Strength and conditioning is not known for people having a high-energy, optimistic, caring personality,” said Ryan Grubbs, Stephanie’s husband and the Houston Texans director of reconditioning and speed development. “It’s usually a male-dominated field with a more aggressive approach… But she’s the opposite—super high-energy, super optimistic, and always bringing a bubbly personality.”
Overcoming Challenges and Making an Impact
The grind of a strength and conditioning coach is not for the faint of heart. Long hours, extensive travel, and working with multiple teams in different seasons make it one of the most challenging professions in sports.
Her mentor, Corey Twine, now a strength trainer at NASA, initially cautioned her about the demanding nature of the field.
“She called me and said, ‘I want to be a strength coach,’ and I was like, ‘Whoa. Don’t do it,'” Twine recalled. “I knew how tough the road could be, but she was determined.”
That determination led Stephanie to intern at prestigious programs like West Virginia, Pittsburgh, and Clemson, gaining experience and climbing the ranks.
Her move to Mississippi State as the Director of Olympic Sports Strength and Conditioning solidified her expertise, and ironically, it was at this stage that her mentor, Twine, admitted that he started learning from her.
Making History and Inspiring Future Generations
Stephanie Mock Grubbs’ journey is a testament to hard work, passion, and perseverance. As MLB’s only female strength and conditioning coach, she is paving the way for women in professional sports.
Though she never set out to make history, her achievements inspire young women everywhere to chase their dreams, no matter the odds.
Her focus remains on helping the Houston Astros win another World Series, but her legacy extends far beyond the field.