Today we’d like to introduce you to AJ Billings.
Hi AJ, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
As a high school and college athlete, I have been able to make relationships with athletes and coaches across the world. I was very fortunate to have great mentors along the way to help guild me to the path that I am on at this time…
Athletes and coaches call us by many different titles:
Trainer, Coach, S&C specialist, Personal Trainer, Strength Guy, Performance Coach, Physio Expert, Strength, and Conditioner…
As a strength and conditioning coach my main two responsibilities are to reduce the risk of injury and to improve athletic performance. However, I’ve seen that I get the most out of my players, especially at the professional level when I take the holistic approach. I’ve built a culture here in Dallas around being Mentally Physically and Spiritually strong. The holistic approach necessitates a core set of traits and qualities that go far beyond knowing the X’s and O’s; it’s a deeper dive on the players actually “LIFE’S FORCE” knowing the player and the player knowing self to get through the ups and downs that sports bring… think about it as what the late Kobe Bryant lives by the Mamba Mentally.
The top six qualities that lead me into being a successful strength and conditioning coach over the last decade are points that influence and build on actual coaching. Interpersonal relationships, self-awareness, leadership, systems-building, and creativity are those “intangible” qualities that I feel truly have made me a great coach. My coaching style has lead me to working with some of the top athletes in the world… from the NBA including Buddy Hield, Julius Randle, Tyress Maxey, Jahmi’us Ramsey, NFL rushing champions Derrick Henry and Ezekiel Elliot and 2X Superbowl Champ Von Miller and NFL All-Pro Tony Pollard. Other notable professional athletes include Isaiah Austin, Danny Mason, Vernon Scott, and Laquon Treadwell to name a few.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
A lot of my clients, friends, even family do not understand how I was able to get to where I am today, growing up in the inner city of Dallas. Pleasant grove southeast Dallas a lot of adversity was there. I was able to have. Great mentor CJ Richardson that was one of my high school’s coches take me under his wing and be Father figure when that role was not there… Coach Rich was there to show me that it was possible to dream and live up to those dreams… Also, after graduating college at Texas A&M – C there, I played collegiate football. I was able to work out for a couple NFL scouts but after a couple years of not signing to a roster spot I was actually in the work field for a couple years working a corporate job and personal training & strength training was my part-time gig. I was able again to have relationships in the spots world that eventually lead me to be general manager and director or athlete Development at a small gym here in downtown Dallas…
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Jay Shetty On purpose podcast
The quote of the day podcast
Sean Croxton
The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom
Book by Don Miguel Ruiz
The Tools
Book by Phil Stutz
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sandersfit.com/a-j-billings/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/anthonyjfit?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aj-billings-340565149?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F
- Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/anthonyjfit
