About Cont. | Viking Shield | Fitness & Training

Meet The Viking

Greetings, warrior, my name is Glenn Fleenor. I am a Doctor of Physical Therapy and a Nashville native. During my athletic career I participated in baseball, football, track, and karate.

My passion is to help individuals reach their true physical potential whether in a sport or in recreational activities.

My inspiration came after I suffered a debilitating injury. During the height of my high school football career, the unthinkable happened; I suffered a severe ACL tear requiring extensive reconstruction followed by months of rehabilitation.

After a season of mourning the loss of what could have been, I came to the realization that this was a blessing in disguise. Going through the rehabilitation process, my passion for injury prevention and recovery was ignited.

After grad school and four years in the Physical Therapy profession, I realized tools and resources for sport specific injury prevention and training are scattered or thin at best. In response, I created this programming to be a lifeline and guide for both individuals and organizations who want to maximize their potential success in any sport or recreational activity.

It will take training and strength of will, but I look forward to assisting you in unlocking your full potential.

VIKING LORE

Who were the Vikings, you might ask? They were Scandinavian (Norway, Sweden, and Denmark) seafarers, warriors, traders, and pirates who, during the Viking Age (roughly from the 8th to the mid-11th centuries), raided, explored, and settled across vast areas of Europe and the North Atlantic. They are known for their raids on coastal settlements, often targeting wealth and resources. They also engaged in extensive trade networks and exchanging of goods across long distances. The use of their longships was vital to their success, allowing them to travel long distances and traverse rivers with remarkable speed and agility.

But the Vikings were more than just fearsome raiders—they were also skilled farmers, craftsmen, and settlers who left lasting cultural imprints wherever they went. Many established permanent communities in places like England, Ireland, and Normandy, blending Norse traditions with local customs. Their influence extended into language, law, and governance, with words like “law” tracing back to Old Norse origins.

Viking trade routes stretched from the Arctic Circle to the Middle East, where they exchanged furs, amber, and slaves for silver, silk, and spices. Some even served as elite bodyguards to Byzantine emperors, known as the Varangian Guard. Despite popular myths, they didn’t wear horned helmets—those were a 19th-century invention. Instead, they had a rich oral tradition, preserved in the Icelandic sagas, which blend history, myth, and heroic tales. Their legacy as explorers is unmatched, with evidence suggesting they reached as far west as Newfoundland in North America, centuries before Columbus.

Rise to the Top

WHY VIKING SHIELD?

A Viking or Shield-maiden used their shield to protect against incoming damage; I consider exercise to be the "shield" of today's realm. With proper training and knowledge, you can prepare your body to withstand the stress that's involved with your recreational activity. Use the experience I've gleaned from my time as a competitive athlete and physical therapist to help you achieve your goals.

Norse Runes

Runes are an ancient form of writing often used by the Viking and other Germanic tribes. This lettering was known to denote and mark areas of importance, display power, and indicate consecrated ground. There are five runes that represent the ideals of Viking Shield. When training for your sport, one must not only prepare your body physically, but exercise your mind to produce results.