National Media Tells The Story Of D1 Training Billings: 'A Recipe For Success' | D1 Daily
D1 Training franchise owners continue to do amazing work, helping their athletes accomplish their fitness goals.
Recently, D1 Billings owners Josiah Johnson, Michael Rider and Larry Iverson were featured in an Athletech News article, sharing the story of their journey as successful franchise owners.
Here are their three biggest pieces of advice:
1. Find Ways To Overcome Challenges
Prior to launching D1 Billings, Johnson, Rider and Iverson had no experience working in the fitness field. The first challenge they faced was trying to make an impact in the community.
“We’ve enjoyed the journey and we’ve had some short-term success, but there have been some uphill battles,” Johnson said. “How do we let people know we’re here? How do we communicate to them that we’re not a CrossFit or a competitive gym — that this is a ‘meet you where you are in your physical journey’ kind of gym?”
To do so, they've started highlighting members' journeys, such as Montana mom Bailey Boss, who lost 80 pounds through D1 Billings.
READ: Here's How D1 Billings Helped Montana Mom Bailey Boss Find Her Confidence
Now, people know D1 Billings is where to go to find community and great workouts.
2. Build A Connection To Working Out
Johnson, Rider and Iverson said one of the biggest reasons for launching D1 Billings was to help people create a healthy relationship with working out.
“Our focus is more on creating a good foundation and a healthy relationship with working out,” Rider told Athletech. “There are opportunities to create a lot of grit, toughness, attention to detail and accountability, and those are skills that you can get in and foster within a kid from a young age.”
This mindset also applied to D1 Billings' younger members, such as kids in the rookie and devo classes.
“We knew we could make an impact because otherwise, their mom or dad is taking them to the gym and they’re just trying to figure things out,” he said. There needs to be structure, and we’ve seen some massive growth just from that. Plus, it also gets kids away from screens and gets their bodies moving. We knew we wanted to make that type of an impact.”
3. Be Present At D1
Even if D1's franchise model is meant to simplify the process for owners, Johnson, Rider and Iverson said they know how important it is for them to be present at D1 Billings.
“You’re not buying a stock,” Johnson added. “I stress to other owners, if you’re not setting the tone, if you’re not there working out on a daily basis, championing your general manager for the small and big wins, and asking your head coach what support they need, it’s not going to do well. But if you can do those things successfully, with passion and also follow through, it’s a recipe for success.”
That success has certainly translated to D1 Billings.
The group is now planning on launching their second location in Bozeman, Montana.
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Start your week off right with the newest episode of The Turf: Powered by D1, featuring guest Golden Tate. Listen on Apply or Spotify, or watch the YouTube episode below.
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