Today we’d like to introduce you to Martin Egwuagu.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My parents immigrated from Nigeria to the United States. I was the first generation born here. I have a twin sister, younger sister, and a younger brother.
During this time, my step-father was verbally and physically abusive to my mother and was an alcoholic. I experienced this growing up. My biological father was abusive to my mother as well. My mother is twice divorced and I took it upon my shoulders to be the man of the house and take care of my siblings as a father figure. I believe this just made me stronger emotionally and mentally for whatever life could throw my way.
In highschool, I learned to play the game of football. I got a partial scholarship to play at Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, Texas. My step-father was a captain in the U.S. Army and played goalie for the army national soccer team. In spite of his struggles and demons, he pushed me to train harder, to aim higher with my goals. So, in 2006, I spent six months training, running, eating healthy and studying to get stronger, faster and smarter at the game of football. I walked on to The University of Texas Longhorns Football Team in Spring 2007.
I went on to finish playing at Texas in 2009 and was a part of a senior class that had one of the best records in Texas football history.
While at UT, I did missionary work in Nigeria, Mexico, and different college campuses. I attended the Every Nation School of Ministry in order to be a full-time missionary to the UT campus. After I graduated from UT, I felt lead to becoming a personal trainer. Personal training became my mission field.
You see, I had a personal trainer train me to become stronger, faster and mentally tough for Texas football. After this, I felt like I could do anything, attempt greater goals, and get outside of my comfort zone. My faith in God grew during this time. Training became an outlet, and a way to train for the game of life for me.
I wanted others to experience this as well. So, I became a personal trainer in 2007. I want every human being I train to become better versions of themselves.
I tell everyone this, “to not try to be as good as Michael Jordan, or Lebron James, Mark Zuckerberg or Steve Jobs… because the moment you do this, you set a ceiling… who is to say that you can achieve bigger and better things than them”. The only thing you owe this world is to be the best version of yourself. To maximize your gifts and talents to help this world.
This is how I found my purpose in training.
This is how you can find yours.
Your purpose and calling in life is when your inner-most desires meets the world’s hunger.
Over the course of nine years, I have worked with Nike to innovate and grow the brand. I am a Nike Master Trainer. 1 of 22 in North America and 1 of 56 Globally.
One question I get asked all the time is “How Did You Become A Nike Master Trainer?”
Growing up, I’ve always been a fan of the brand. I remember as a kid, I would always ask for a pair of new Nike Shoes for my birthday. So, I always had a pair of Nike on my feet. In college, I played football for The University of Texas Longhorns who were also sponsored by the Swoosh. I saw how training influenced my game and became a way of life. From this, I developed a passion for helping people transform their fitness and athleticism. Since then, I have had the opportunity to work with Nike, UT athletics, professional athletes, and recreational athletes.
It has been an incredible experience.
The simple answer is this, just be passionate about your work with athletes, attain education and certifications, network, work hard, do great work, but more importantly be passionate and help as many people as you can because you care and good things will come. Like professional athletes in their sport, you don’t look for Nike, Nike will find you.
As a Nike Master Trainer, I motivate and inspire athletes* around the world. We are the most experienced trainers in the Nike Trainer network, who inform workouts featured in the Nike+ Training Club app, as well as live workouts for NTC events. As a Master Trainer, I am also responsible for educating other trainers in the Nike Trainer network. In addition, Master Trainers are the face of Nike+ Training Club, providing digital and physical inspiration and coaching to a growing global community if you are the best at your game. My typical day as a Nike Master Trainer includes leading NTC live classes. I also work closely with Nike to develop workouts and programs that are featured in the NTC app.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
No.
My father was abusive to my mother.
My step-father was an alcoholic and abusive to my mother.
My mother was divorced twice, so I grew up in a very unstable home, but my mother provided everything we could ever need. She would work multiple jobs to support me and my three other siblings. She graduated from Texas Tech with a Nursing degree and also got her MBA and started her own home healthcare business
My father-in-law died just recently on July 31st of this year, and my biological father has had 2 strokes. So, no, it has not been an easy road, but it is a road that has shaped me, but not defines me.
There is no progress without struggle.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Nedufitness exist to help men and women, move good, look good, feel good and create a lifestyle of fitness. I specialize in strength and conditioning and also corrective exercise.
I think one thing that sets me apart from others is that my faith is just as much a part of my holistic approach to fitness. I use fitness to help individuals realize their God-given potential in this world. My goal for each client is for them to become better versions of themselves.
I am most proud to work in partnership with Nike to continue to bring innovation and inspiration to every athlete* in the world.
*If you have a body, you are an athlete.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was very quiet and kept to myself. I read tons of books on science, historical fiction, and personal development and also comic books. You could say I was a bit of a nerd.
I grew up playing soccer, basketball. and ran track.
I was very ambitious growing up and still am. I remember starting a lemonade stand business and selling my artwork in our neighborhood.
Pricing:
- $299/Month for Online Coaching
- $500-$700/Month for Semi-Private Coaching (2-3 session/week)
Contact Info:
- Phone: 5128881230
- Email: martinegwuagu@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neduthetrainer/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachnedu/
Image Credit:
Caroline Herbert, Sarah Herbert, Eric Gates, Shawn Abboud, Marcus Mosby, Ken Wiratheda Zheng, Todd Gantt
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