We were lucky to catch up with Armond Willis recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Armond thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

I was seventeen years old. A senior on the high school football team. Even though I was “on the roster, I did not get to play very much. I was a bench warmer, however I knew I was more than capable. Let’s just say I was caught in a political system that did not afford me the opportunity to showcase what I could do.

The defining moment of not only my athletic career, but also my life in general, was when I told my coach that I wanted to play division one football, and he laughed in my face, and literally discouraged me from pursuing that goal.

I was hurt and honestly thought that I would give up even trying to play football. But I had a stubborn trait in me to keep going and still try to make it happen.

Despite several academic scholarship offers to small liberal arts schools, I still wanted to play division one football.

I applied to go to Florida International University and was accepted in 2005. However, it was not until 2007 until I would get my first opportunity to try out for the football team.

For 2 years, every week I would show up at the coach’s offices asking what I needed to do to get my opportunity:

“Stay in shape and keep you grades up…”

I managed a 3.9 GPA my freshman and sophomore year and trained hard and put on a solid 15 pounds of muscle.

I lived on my grandfather’s couch in Miami instead of going back home to Tennessee in the summer so that I could train and get in “football” shape.

Spring 2007, a new coaching staff arrives, and they finally hold an open try out.

I try out. Get a phone call that I made the team as a walk on and was invited to Spring Practice. I didn’t have an amazing Spring Practice, but good enough to get invited to summer practices and training camp.

After 3 weeks of training camp passed, on the very last day of camp, Coach Cristobal approaches me, holds out his hand, and tells me “Congratulations. I am putting you on full athletic scholarship!”

It was a life altering moment for me that changed how I approached challenges and overcoming in ALL that I did.

I went on to start (Division 1 football) my last 2 of 3 full seasons at FIU, and invited to a mini camp with the Detroit Lions after college as linebacker.

While it was not quite the legendary professional career, the trajectory leading up to it considering the ridicule I received after sharing with my coach coach a desire to even play Division 1 proved significant.

It’s what I call the Walk On mentality: A stubborn drive that develops resilience despite obstacles, and a relentless pursuit of winning.

It defines how I approach all challenges in business and in life, and a mindset that I try to instill in my staff and clients alike.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Coach Armond Willis I am the founder of Willis Performance Training. The WPT staff of coaches consider ourselves as fitness and performance training solutionists in a landscape inundated with superficial and optically appealing choreography confused with exercise and “performance training”.

We help dedicated athletes break barriers through precision biomechanical and mental discovery, while applying anatomy concepts and proven coaching techniques.

On the other hand, we are THE training solution for the active adult 40 and over, tired of thoughtless exercise predominant in bootcamp spheres, hardcore exercise that constantly exceeds their tolerance levels, and desire training professionals that don’t just deliver the same borrowed exercise.

The key ingredient that sets us apart from the rest of “trainers” in the entire state is the concept of thought provoking exercise. Because we apply actually physical, muscular anatomy, strength and conditioning concepts, and speed agility techniques outside of norm of tradition, we are one of the few places that can deliver a complete training system of total athlete and fitness development.

We are most proud of the fact that every single one of our clients hits and exceeds their goals, have successful collegiate and professional careers. Also that top medical professionals, physical therapists, NFL and MLS coaches recognize and endorse what we do, as well as having international recognition for our innovative and effective approach to training.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

One of the biggest things that allows us as a unit to be successful is a relentless pursuit of knowledge, and an even more extreme genuine care to see our athletes and clients do well. Moreover, the technology and training cache that we implement that helps us to validate training results, is also a heavy factor as to why we succeed.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

One thing that has helped accelerate our reputation is from having a good service, which we feel should be the core essence of any business in the service industry. People can tell when you care and are devoted to what you do, and this not only nourishes retention, but also referrals within the community.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.willisperformance.com / www.willisperformancelabs.com
• Instagram: willisperformancetraining
• Facebook: willisperformancetraining