224. Will Bartholomew, Founder & CEO of D1 Training

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

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D1 Training's Website: https://www.d1training.com/
D1 Training's IG: https://www.instagram.com/d1sports
D1 Training's FB: https://www.facebook.com/D1Sports/

D1 Training is actively seeking qualified, community-minded franchisees with a passion for the fitness industry to continue its growth through single and multi-unit franchise deals. For more information on D1 Training and franchise opportunities, please visit https://www.d1franchise.com/

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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