We recently connected with Sean Draper and have shared our conversation below.
Sean , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.
In 2016 after graduating from the university of Iowa. I moved to Kobe Japan where I played American Football for a tech company called Elecom Kobe Finies for 5 years. While I was there I also coached at various universities (Kobe Uni, Kyoto Uni, Kindai Uni, etc). Coached at Minoo Jiyu high school in kansai, while teaching various elementary school kids how to play flag football and basketball.
After 5 years of living in Kobe, I moved to Tokyo Japan where I played for two teams Tokyo Gas Creators and Obic Seagulls. During that time I began to train a high school student on the American Embassy Base, he now is a player at Franklin and Marshall.
This was a huge risk moving to another country at the age of 21. The amount of work I was able to accomplish in a country where I don’t speak the native language has given me confidence to bet on myself. After 7 years I moved back to America with the idea to start my own training business.
So I moved back to Ohio with my family, there is where they helped me apply for training jobs in Santa Monica California. This was a risk because I had already started building up as a training in Cincinnati. Also my uncle Tony Overton owns training business in Clearwater Florida.
Moving to LA was an adjustment after living in Japan for most of my 20’s.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Grew up in Cleveland Ohio, my older brother Shane Belle II is only two years older and played at Ball State university. My younger Matthew Draper is two years younger and played at university of Cincinnati and UT Chattanooga’.
As a child my mom Lisa Draper invested in a full rack and machine in my basement growing up so we could train. I thank her for that and I try my best to help her train still to this day. She currently has lost 100lbs from changing her diet and training once I returned home from Japan.
My uncle Tony Overton has been my coach and mentor, teaching habits of discipline and hard work. He was also a coach at our high schools before starting his own training business in Clearwater Florida called OStrongFitness.
Naturally all of our friends in high school would come to our place to lift. In these sessions I would act as a trainer for myself and my brothers. Our high school Glenville is known for producing a lot of professional and division 1 football and track athletes. Ted Ginn Sr opened a school and has been the head coach at Glenville for decades. His teachings have taught me patience and professionalism.
This is when I first learned my love for helping others reach their fitness goals. I’ve always been the friend and family member encouraging others to train and eat healthy.
After high school I attended the university of Iowa where I played American football. I learned a lot about technique and attention to details in the weight room. Also I battled through injuries from my first month at school where I was in moped accident and had to have surgery on my right knee. This helped me develop a relationship with the trainers in the treatment room. Learned a lot about recovery through my process of battling hamstring injury my senior year, knee surgery first summer and a 50% torn PCL my sophomore year going into my junior year.
My senior year at Iowa we became the first and only undefeated Iowa football team in school history. After the season I began training students on campus at the university gym. My defensive coordinator Phil Parker found the opportunity for me to move to Kobe Japan. I credit his seriousness to how I approach the things I care about now.
After graduated with a Health and Human Physiology degree. I moved to Japan for 7years where I coached at various universities and trained students for sports ranging from elementary – college students.
While in Japan my younger brother Matthew Draper came to visit while he worked on his training certification. On this trip we helped eachother develop a healthy relationship with recovery and training.
Before I moved to Tokyo I lived in Kyoto, where I was coach at Kyoto University helping with every position group. Also participating in their speed program and sometimes joining practices.
This moved into me grading film, choosing drills and running them. I went on to do the same on my current team I was playing for Tokyo Gas.
Once I moved back to America I started at a gym in Cincinnati Ohio (MyFitnessSuites). Here is where I learned that teaching group classes were similar to my experience as a coach in Japan or being a leader on my football teams growing up.
These experiences were big at shaping my essence as a Fitness Coach.
Starting my business two years ago in Los Angeles, Kevin Atkinson has been an on the ground mentor helping me build my business. He was a former division 1 soccer talent who has a similar background to my family.
During my time at Sweat60 in Santa Monica I’ve been able to build my business with principles I’ve learned throughout life. The community at Sweat60 align with my values and the things I enjoy helping other reach their full potential. Whether their goal is to play professional sports, lose 30Lbs or gain 30Lbs of muscle.
My sessions are filled with motivation, encouragement to build healthy habits. A lot of my cliental have been with me the entire 2 years I’ve been in Los Angeles. Ranging from ages 14-76, personalized programs to fit their personal goals. I offer private training for more attention and semi private (4-5 people in one session.
The success I’ve been able to achieve J can only credit to God, my prior your upbringing and having great mentors.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
The most effective strategy is being myself completely. I have been fortunate to have mentors that have taught me how to conduct business in a way that is transparent. I communicate efficiently and am always flexible with my clients when they are ready to commit.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
One thing I had to unlearn is that my job isn’t as business as much as it is a service. The business is built in the background but the service is what keeps people consistent.
Provide patience and attention to detail in the way you approach each session and business will always be there.
Listening before speaking and observing before choosing the right form of action when working with a new client.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/drape7?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=ef1bfbe9-444a-45c6-b886-2f2b13cd3b91&fbclid=PAAabwfAwuapHi7Si6HcpOiAbBbZEwkdc7Z9pT9Dk7-O3tRxRq9c0VLNeAIa0_aem_AfgshKs149oOOEWJ92hKt_pEOPM3ChddV9YRVgq1af74a55LjRjUUq8h86IaQOO7EXo
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seandraperfit?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sean.draper.14?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-draper-4213b81a6?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Twitter: 1Drape
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@seandraper1?si=bXWCtqQr30ybYLHw
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/iGfUA8GgSq
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/jLEBzK1EUA7nosDu8
- Other: https://www.bbm-japan.com/article/detail/27417#google_vignette
Image Credits
Sweat60 photo – R Ray Robinson
Mom and me – Karin McKenna
Photo in uniform (white and Blue) – Dan Takahasi
Photo of me and my brothers – Lisa Draper
Photo of me and my coach at Iowa – Brian Ray Hawkeyesports
Photo of me squatting- Megumi Sugita
Photo with Kyoto university players – Taken by a Kyoto Student