004 | Brad Arnett: Journey From College Setback to Strength Coach Success

About the Guest

Brad Arnett is the co-founder and owner of NX Level Sports Performance, located in Wisconsin. He is a seasoned strength and conditioning coach with an impressive career in collegiate athletics, having served as the assistant athletics director and head strength coach at the University of Arizona and the University of Minnesota before the age of 30. Brad played collegiately at UW-Whitewater and has trained numerous high-profile athletes, including NFL star J.J. Watt. His transition from collegiate athletics to entrepreneurship highlights his bold move driven by family priorities and a vision to influence young athletes’ development.

Episode Summary

In this inspiring episode of Becoming UnDone, host Toby Brooks sits down with Brad Arnett, a renowned strength and conditioning coach who daringly transitioned from a prestigious collegiate sports career to a thriving entrepreneurial venture. Arnett candidly shares his journey, offering a behind-the-scenes look at his experiences while working with elite athletes and the pivotal moments that shaped his life and career. Through insightful storytelling, Brad emphasizes the significance of balancing personal priorities with professional aspirations.

The episode delves into Brad’s path from being a college athlete to head strength coach at major universities by age 24. Brad Arnett’s unconventional story, marked by both setbacks and triumphs, illustrates his resilience and determination. His anecdotal narratives reveal insights into the often challenging world of collegiate athletics and the immense opportunities and personal growth it’s afforded him. Brad’s transition to the private sector is explored, highlighting how he founded NX Level Sports Performance and his ongoing commitment to impacting athletes’ lives positively.

Key Takeaways

• Pursue Your Passion with Boldness: Brad Arnett’s move from collegiate athletics to private training exemplifies the courage to follow one’s passion despite risks.
• Balancing Family and Career: Success in one’s professional life should not come at the expense of family priorities, a central theme in Brad’s journey.
• Learning Through Adversity: Brad’s experiences emphasize that learning and growth often result from overcoming setbacks and accepting challenges.
• Building Relationships: Success is about collaboration, understanding athletes personally, and fostering a positive environment for development.
• Attitude and Consistency Matter: Brad highlights that maintaining a positive attitude and consistently working hard is crucial to achieving long-term success.

Notable Quotes:

• “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
• “It’s not about the income, it’s about the outcome.”
• “Humility before honor, or the concept that in order to be a good leader, you need to be comfortable or transparent enough to be a servant.”
• “Make where you’re at the big time.”
• “One of the biggest thieves of joy is comparison.”

Resources:

• NX Level Sports Performance Website 
• J.J. Watt (Athlete who credits his training to Brad Arnett)

Listeners are encouraged to delve into the full episode to discover more about Brad Arnett’s transformative journey and gain further insights that can be applied to their endeavors. Stay tuned for more inspirational content from “Becoming Undone,” where high achievers share their stories of resilience and growth.