Hello, I am Liz Scott, MD
Sports Performance Coach for Fencers & Combat Athletes
Dr. Scott is a Sports Medicine fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon & fencer turned sport performance specialist. She brings a wealth of musculoskeletal knowledge to her coaching which exceeds the education and training most fitness coaches can offer.
TEDxSaintAndrews
From Scalpel to Sword: The Power of Embracing Your Full Self
Never give up on the dream and ideas that inspire you - no matter how wacky or unrealistic they sound to others.
This talk was a part of the TEDx event April 2025 at Saint Andrew's School in Boca Raton, Florida
Education
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MSc Strength & Conditioning, Loughborough University (in progress)
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MD, Duke University School of Medicine
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Orthopaedic Surgery Residency, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
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Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellowship, Boston Children's Hospital
Certifications
In addition to being licensed by the North Carolina Medical Board and certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, I am a credentialed personal trainer, S&C, and wellness coach.
Coaching Philosophy
My coaching philosophy is centered on developing durable, high-performing athletes through structured, evidence-informed training.
My approach is built on a few key principles:
Build capacity before chasing performance.
Strength, control, and tissue tolerance form the foundation for speed and power. Without this base, performance gains are limited and injury risk increases.
Train for the demands of the sport.
Fencing requires rapid acceleration and deceleration, efficient force transfer, and the ability to repeat high-intensity efforts under fatigue. Training should reflect these demands rather than rely on generic fitness approaches.
Develop both performance and resilience.
The goal is not only to improve speed, strength, and endurance, but to ensure the body can consistently tolerate training and competition over time.
Individualize the process.
Programs are adapted to each athlete’s training history, current capacity, schedule, and constraints. Effective training must work within real-world conditions.
Prioritize clarity and education.
Athletes should understand what they are doing and why. This builds confidence, consistency, and long-term independence in training.
My overall aim is to help athletes move and perform with efficiency, control, and confidence under pressure. I help each athlete thrive not just in isolated training sessions, but in competition and over the long term course of their athletic career.
From Medicine to Performance
My background in orthopaedic sports medicine shapes how I approach training.
I have seen firsthand seen the consequence of systems where:
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athletes rely on sport alone as preparation
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short-term performance is prioritized over long-term durability
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injuries are ignored or managed reactively
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athletes are treated as replaceable rather than individuals
These patterns consistently lead to preventable injury and stalled performance.
My coaching is built to address these gaps, developing athletes who can perform at a high level repeatedly, without breaking down.
A Personal Note
A North Carolina native, I grew up in Durham, NC and Boca Raton, FL (USA). I found historical and sport fencing as a young adult after retiring from competitive showjumping. I still enjoy both sports, competing in historical European martial arts (HEMA), epee, and dressage.
I am currently the head coach at Art of Arms HEMA club (Sudborough, UK) teaching longsword and other historical weapons near Historic Equitation, where I train in classical dressage, mounted combat, and jousting.
Fun fact: I am also a retired Irish dancer and performed in the past with Solas, The Chieftans, and Lunasa.
