Today, I’m joined by Will Bartholomew, founder and CEO of D1 Training.
Will developed the idea for an athletics-based training center after an ACL injury cut his NFL career short. Since 2001, D1 has grown from one Nashville location to 40+ facilities nationwide — helping aspiring college athletes, pros, and the general public reach their goals.
In this episode, we discuss Will’s journey scaling a multi-million-dollar business. Plus, we talk trends in youth sports and boutique fitness.
We also cover:
D1’s approach to athletic training and fitness
Having Peyton Manning and Chris Paul as investors
Deciding to franchise after being privately run for 16 years
The Fitt Insider Podcast is brought to you by EGYM. Visit EGYM.com to learn more about its smart workout solutions for fitness and health facilities.
Chapters:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:53) D1 Training’s background and growth
(04:03) Business model and coaching approach
(05:49) Recruiting and training coaches
(07:45) Scaling and franchising
(10:09) Will deciding to follow his passion and go all in on D1 Training
(14:20) Creating a team environment at D1 Training
(16:26) Facility size and programming
(19:12) Diversifying revenue streams
(21:30) Peyton Manning and other professional athlete involvement
(24:04) Corporate-owned locations vs franchising
(25:03) Youth sports and getting kids active
(28:15) Emphasis on strength and conditioning for athletes
(31:40) Future roadmap and Will’s focus
(32:35) Conclusion
We break down how fitness, wellness, and healthcare are converging — and what it means for business, culture, and capital.
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