Today we’d like to introduce you to Darnell Brown.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Darnell. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My story starts as a young Track and Field athlete. I started running track at the age of 7 in Queens, NY and through the years of training and competing at a national level. I’ve had the privilege of learning directly and indirectly from some of the best coaches in youth Track and Field. Through coaches and self-research, I began to accumulate tons of information, that wouldn’t just improve the performance of track and field athletes, but frankly, any athlete. As an athlete myself, I competed in nearly every event in track and field, from sprints to middle and long distances, hurdles, you name it. As a coach, the information I’ve gained in all those events has been precious for the athletes I train.
As I grew older and entered high school, I began to mix my love and interest in track and field to science, specifically physics. When I learned about physics in high school, my favorite pass time was breaking down the forces generated by Usain Bolt and Tyson Gay when they ran in the 2009 World Championship 100m (where Bolt broke the world record running 9.58) using formulas given to me in class. I would also watch countless hours of track and field athletes sprinting, jogging, training, weight lifting, etc.
Little did I know I was subconsciously training my eye for the level of detail needed for coaching speed. While attending high school and college I always found myself assisting the coach in prescribing workouts for injury prevention or demonstrating the proper techniques and drills for improving speed. Specifically, in college, my interest in helping athletes increased. I began assisting in the training of some of my fellow teammates to Personal Best, school records and national qualifying marks. During college was when my first ¨official¨ client appeared. It was a ten year old boy who was watching me train on a soccer field during summer in between seasons. His mother approached me and asked if I would train her son for speed and conditioning. I agreed and since then, I’ve had the pleasure of training countless high school, college and adult athletes to succeed in there selected sport and goal. Even individuals not considered ¨athletes¨ have benefited from training with me in the form of weight loss, rehab from muscle tears or knee injuries and meal plans.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I think no journey is quality without struggles along the way. I heard a quote years ago that stated ¨Stormy seas make for skillful sailors¨. I try to live my life by that quote. To answer the question, my journey has had a few challenges. But like any obstacle, it was made to overcome and learn from. As a coach, I’ve found it a challenge to coach certain aspects of running. I did naturally as an athlete. Sometimes as a coach, I would get caught up in explaining how a drill would help improve an aspect of the athlete’s form instead of coaching how it should feel.
Another challenge has been informing parents that are interesting in improving their child’s skill in speed and conditioning, that like football and basketball, Track and Field related training is an investment. Over time I have noticed a trend in track and field that it is merely ¨running around in a circle¨. Many are becoming more aware that this is not the case. I appreciate all the football athletes that have come out saying how track and field have been essential to their success.
Please tell us about the company.
Track Headz Training is a company that specializes in Speed and Conditioning focused training. We train a multitude of different athletes and our focus is to bring athletes to the best versions of themselves. We are most known for our training in speed, strength training and rehab and also offer meal plans. Many of the athletes that came out of Track Headz training have gone on to be successful in the next level of their sport. What makes me proud is that Track Headz Training not only improves you as an athlete but as a person as well. No training session is complete without relating aspects of the training to life. These lessons stick to the athlete and it makes me proud when they not only grow as an elite athlete but also a human being. What sets Track Headz Training apart from others is that we recognize that improving an athlete’s abilities isn’t just about the physical; its also about the mental and spiritual aspects of the athlete. That’s what sets Track Headz Training apart from the rest.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I wouldn’t change a single thing. Through any challenge or block in the road, I have learned and became a better coach and person.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 429-7732
- Email: trackheadztraining@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trackheadztraining/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrackHeadzTrackClub/
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