In Exercise and Physiology 101, Kevin Kearns' teacher said that Kearns' job is to make people feel good about exercise. He took that to heart, and he's been doing it ever since.

One of the best strength and conditioning coaches in the UFC, Kearns created the philosophy that helps him train others: more fitness, less time, better results.

"We believe in using more muscle," Kearns said. "The more muscle you use, the more joints you use. The more functional the movement, the more realistic the movement for everyday life, the more calories you're gonna burn. People in this busy world, they want results quick, and that isn't always practical when you're going to a regular gym."

Kearns' clients include Marcus Davis (21-6), who he has been with for over a year and a half; Stephan Bonnar (14-6); Jorge Gurgel (13-5); Kurt Pellegrino (20-4); Nate Quarry (17-3); Alberto Crane (11-3); Alex Karalexis (10-4); and Daniel Gracie (4-2-1). If the fighters are in town, Kearns trains with them at least three days a week.

Kenny Florian (11-4) is a note-worthy former client, who worked with Kearns for almost three years. They got together shortly after Florian's loss to Sean Sherk at the end of 2006, and stayed together until this past July. Florian held a record of six straight wins under the tutelage of Kearns.

To him, the most gratifying part about training the fighters doesn't even have anything to do with him. He trains them, and then just sits back and watches them ply their craft in the Octagon.

"When it comes to the fighters, it's them getting their hand raised," he said. "And having the respect and recognition of them. The respect of [them] saying, ‘Thanks, coach, I couldn't have done it without you, you're the best.' And I'm not the best. But hearing them say it definitely the recognition."

Kearns, 43, began training in martial arts when he was 12 years old. As a child, he was not the most well-liked kid in his class, and was usually the last to get picked for teams in sports.

"I fell into martial arts," he said. "I've been here ever since."

He began lifting weights when he was 14, and his concept of strength training evolved from there. It, then, turned into a hobby, which, then, turned into a lifestyle.

"If you had told me that I was going to turn a lifestyle into a career," he said, "I would have told you [that] you were nuts."

His girlfriend - who is now his wife - gave him the big push to start his own company. Kearns had been working for a few different companies at the time, and she suggested that he start his own. The idea stuck. Kearns became a trainer in 1987 and has been the owner of his own company since 1990.

Kearns trained with Mark DellaGrotte in 1992, when they were 24 and 18 years old, respectively. They later took separate career path - DellaGrotte choosing martial arts, while Kearns chose fitness. In 2004, his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach was getting to know DellaGrotte, and so the two of them met back up and reunited. They have been working together ever since.

Kearns has trained in Kenpo Karate (black belt), Shotokan karate (green belt), Jiu-Jitsu (apprentice to Shihan Bob Dickey), Pekiti-tirsia Kali...