From Humble Beginnings to Business Success: The Journey of Tyler Leclerc
The start of the PxP 100 series involved reaching out to influential individuals, and Tyler, with his substantial following and strong brand image, agreed to participate. This speaks volumes about Tyler and his character. He truly embodies the mission of PxP, which aims to use its platform to uplift others and provide opportunities. Given this alignment, I couldn’t imagine a better way to launch the series.
In 2016, Tyler began his journey into the world of basketball training. It all started when one of his buddies, a freshman, sought his guidance while he was an upperclassmen. Recognizing his talent for coaching, he began training this freshman individually.
After graduating from high school, he saw an opportunity to monetize his skills, charging a few local kids for training sessions. He briefly attended college, playing basketball for a year before realizing that wasn’t his desired path. Dropping out, he took a job at a golf course, balancing work with his passion for training on the side. This period of about seven months was critical as he honed his skills, dedicating every waking hour to learning and improving.
That winter, he decided to go all-in on his training career. He immersed himself in learning everything he could about the sport and the business side of training. By August 2020, his efforts paid off when he opened his first facility. This marked a significant milestone, transforming his passion into a legitimate business. The journey wasn’t without challenges, notably finding consistent gym space and dealing with rental fees.
Transitioning to a full-time business owner required a significant mindset shift. He dove into studying business, learning how to attract clients, setting pricing strategies, and understanding the nuances of running the business itself. One of his initial challenges was finding and maintaining his own facility, which required a different set of skills and knowledge. In this process there always seemed to be a new hurdle to overcome, but he embraced these struggles, viewing them as opportunities for growth.
Finding reliable staff was another challenge he faced. He realized the importance of becoming a leader people wanted to work for and learn from. He understood that to grow, he needed to have systems in place and be able to teach others to replicate his methods. The quote “teaching is learning twice” resonated with him, as teaching exposed gaps in his own knowledge and pushed him to improve.
Initially, he managed all his content creation, recognizing the scalability of social media. As his business grew, he hired someone to handle this aspect, allowing him to focus on his passion for business and content creation. His goal was to provide uncut, valuable information to inspire and help others grow their training businesses.
His consulting business has flourished over the past year, driven by his wealth of knowledge and experience from opening his second facility. He is passionate about helping others in the sports training industry, whether it’s opening gyms or providing sport-based services. He has developed a range of documents and assets to help others handle client acquisition and other business processes.
When asked for advice for aspiring trainers, he emphasizes the importance of just starting and becoming as knowledgeable as possible. He stresses the need to master the art of training, understanding psychology, skill acquisition, and the intricacies of the game. Providing value in every possible way is crucial, as is the belief that the more you learn, the more you earn.
Reflecting on his journey, he recalls the moment in 2016 when he made his first dollar from training and knew this was his path. His relentless belief in himself, bordering on delusional confidence, kept him going. Building relationships has been key to his success; people come for the training but stay because of the personal connection.
Looking ahead, he plans to own, not lease, his facilities and expand his consulting side. He continues to draw inspiration from books like “Who Not How,” always seeking ways to improve and grow his business.
Tyler’s journey from a high school athlete coaching a freshman to a successful business owner with two facilities is a testament to his dedication, passion, and relentless pursuit of excellence. For those looking to follow in his footsteps, his story is a powerful reminder that with hard work and confidence, anything is possible.