Get to Know Professor Austin Cantrell

Professor Austin Cantrell’s Sunny’s Blog feature was adapted from a faculty highlight originally published in Halcyon Tidings.

From competing on the football field and training in the weight room to working in physical therapy, nutrition education and coaching, Austin has spent his career exploring what helps people grow and perform at their best. Now, he brings those experiences into the classroom, helping FPU students understand the science of human performance while challenging them to discover just how much they are capable of.

Helping Students Grow

For Austin, teaching is about more than helping students master course material.

“I deeply care about our students and their professional development,” he said. “I want to give them the tools necessary to be happy and successful in life.”

That passion shows up in the subjects he loves to teach.

When asked what his favorite class or topic is to teach, he had a hard time choosing just one.

“Aaaah, this is so hard to narrow down!” he said. “I LOVE teaching nutrition, exercise physiology and sports performance.”

His advice to students reflects the same focus on growth.

“Step out of your comfort zone,” Austin said. “If we want to see true growth and development, we have to challenge ourselves.”

He also encourages students to make time for self-improvement and the things that help them feel more confident in who they are and what they can do.

Beyond Kinesiology

Outside the classroom, Austin has another major passion: music.

He is a multi-instrumentalist whose primary instrument is guitar. Over the years, he has explored electric, acoustic, classical and flamenco guitar as well as bass.

His ideal day off might include spending time with his wife and children, exploring nature, recording music or playing video games.

And then there are the random facts.

Austin says he is naturally curious and loves figuring out how the world works. That curiosity often sends him researching unexpected topics, which means students and colleagues may hear a random fact about music, history or just about anything else.

“I just love asking questions, and I am intrigued by how the world works,” he said.

That curiosity fits naturally with the way he approaches teaching. Whether he is studying human performance, learning a new style of guitar or encouraging a student to try something outside their comfort zone, Austin keeps coming back to the same idea: Growth starts with curiosity and a willingness to try.