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Athlete Development Business Success

Sometimes I enjoy writing about the ‘training’ aspects of Athlete Development, youth fitness and sport development.

 

Other times I like writing about the ‘business’ angles.

 

Today, I feel inspired to talk a little bit about both.

 

Over the years, my philosophies and thoughts about training young athletes have changed
significantly.

 

These changes were the result of learning a new concept or trying a new idea.

 

I read books.

 

Watched DVD’s.

 

Listened to speakers at live conferences.

 

I continue to do so even to this day.

 

And all of this self-directed study is what has lead me to my conclusions and guided my thoughts
regarding the developmental fitness process at the core of the IYCA Principles.

 

Now, many Athlete Development industry experts have had a significant hand in shaping my viewpoints –

 

Mike Boyle
Gray Cook
Jozeph Drabik
Mel Siff
Tony Reynolds
Bill Hartman

 

 

But no one professional has played a larger role in helping me create my training philosophies
than a man I consider to be one of the greatest Coaches alive today…

 

Lee Taft.

 

When I watched Lee’s ‘Groundbreaking’ DVD back in 2004, I was literally mesmerized by what
I saw.

 

I took notes feverishly.

 

Created drills based on his concepts.

 

Implemented his ideas into the training routines of my own young athletes.

 

And quite frankly, the results staggered me.

 

I have never been introduced to concepts that made more sense or were more easy to
Coach.

 

Lee’s speed and agility work is 100% pioneering and my own personal coaching philosophies have
never been the same since.

 

Now from a business perspective, I can say virtually the same stuff about a man whom I consider
to be an absolute genius when it comes to systems creation –

 

Nick Berry.

 

Just like you, I always struggled with the fine points of understanding how to be
the ‘Trainer’ and ‘Business Person’ in my company.

 

Finding enough time to train all your clients AND run the sales, marketing, scheduling and book
keeping.

 

And I admit, believe it or not, there was a time that I almost packed it in as a professional in this
industry.

 

Seriously.

 

Back in early 2003, I was struggling so badly with time management that I didn’t think I would
ever ‘get ahead’.

 

I remember distinctly having a conversation with Sara and explaining to her that I thought the
time was right for me to get out of the athlete development industry and move on to a more secure and predictable
profession.

 

Can you believe that?

 

And truth be told, I had difficulty with this balancing act right up until the beginning of 2008
when Nick became a full partner in the IYCA.

 

From Day 1, he started revamping our corporate structure and changing our working arrangements.

 

He put systems into place that allowed me to focus on one thing at a time and maximize me
efficiency in a given day.

 

Our Membership numbers increased.

 

Our revenue increased.

 

And my own personal workload DECREASED as a result of Nick’s efforts.

 

Lee Taft and Nick Berry.

 

The two guys that have changed everything about the way I train my young athletes and
run my youth athlete business.

 

And the best part?

 

They’ll both be at my International Summit in February sharing their secrets.

 

You likely know me as a ‘key player’ in the fitness industry.

 

Well known.

 

Highly respected.

 

Wildly successful.

 

Lee and Nick had a TON to do with that.

 

If I can admit that a good amount of the success I’ve experienced has come from learning from
these two fantastic professionals, just imagine what hearing what they have to say might to do
your career.

 

Worth a trip to Louisville this February?

 

Click on the link below to register now –

 

http://www.iyca.org/2009summit

 

 

‘TIll next time,

 

Brian