March 21, 2025 • 43 mins
What does it take to build mental toughness in professional athletes? Deon Hodges pulls back the curtain on the world of elite sports performance training in this eye-opening conversation.
As a partner at AI Hospitality and leader of their IBI performance facility in Las Vegas, Hodges has carved out a unique space in the competitive fitness landscape by focusing on substance over flash. "We're not magnifying the 'look at me' aspect," he explains, distinguishing his approach from the Instagram-ready workouts that dominate social media. His facility has become a destination for NFL, NBA, UFC, and WNBA athletes seeking serious training in a city known for distractions.
Hodges' journey into exercise science began with personal adversity when he tore his ACL during spring football practice in high school. This setback introduced him to physical therapy and sparked his interest in sports science as a career path. Now, he uses that experience to connect with athletes during their most vulnerable moments. "The problem is not the problem—it's how you respond to it," he shares, reflecting on how he supports professionals through injuries and setbacks.
What's particularly refreshing about Hodges' philosophy is his emphasis on simplicity and fundamentals. Rather than creating complicated routines designed to impress, he focuses on education and building sustainable habits. "My biggest thing is how can I educate you when you're not with me," he says, highlighting his commitment to empowering athletes rather than making them dependent on his guidance.
Beyond training methodology, Hodges offers valuable insights about business development through his work with AI Hospitality. He stresses the importance of vulnerability and asking questions instead of pretending to know everything—wisdom that applies far beyond the gym floor. As Las Vegas continues to evolve into a sports mecca, Hodges and IBI Performance stand ready to support the next generation of athletic excellence.
Follow Deion on Instagram and X at @_DHodges and visit IBI Performance to experience their premium training approach firsthand.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Paki (00:00):
Welcome to Vegas Circle Podcast with your hosts, paki
and Chris.
We are people who arepassionate about business,
success and culture, and this isour platform to showcase to
people in our city who make ithappen.
Today's guest is a powerhousein performance training and
business innovation.
He's a partner at AIHospitality, leading their IBI
performance facility.
They're shaping the future ofathletic training and recovery.
(00:21):
With a degree in exercisescience, he's got an expertise
in the cutting-edge technologies.
Experience working with NFL andNBA athletes.
They bring a unique perspectiveon mental toughness, sports
performance and what it takes tobuild a successful business.
Let's welcome to the circle MrDeion Hodges man Welcome, deion
Welcome welcome, Finally happyto have you, man.
We done ran into each otherabout 5,000 times man.
Deon (00:42):
I was able to make it happen, man.
Paki (00:43):
Yeah, man.
Deon (00:44):
I sent the calendar invite 100% man.
Paki (00:46):
So let's jump right in man .
So interesting journey man.
I've been, I think, coachingfor a long time, and at least in
the sports space for a longtime.
But what I want to first startoff with is the AI hospitality,
how we actually met through JaySean.
But how did you kind of crosspaths with the team and become a
with the hospitality?
Deon (01:03):
Yeah, no, it was a unique journey early on, when I first
moved to Vegas back in 2020,I've always heard of him.
We've had a few mutual friends,a lot of my athletes when they
came to Vegas, that's who theywould connect with.
And when I transitioned out, Iwas able to connect with him a
couple of times and you know, wewas navigating some different
things.
At the time I was entertaininganother facility, okay, and
(01:25):
wanted to build and just kind ofget plant my flag here in vegas
and you know we talked.
One time he was like, hey, man,I might have something that you
know would interest you.
just be, patient and, um, youknow you fast forward.
We made the connections andintro to the rest of the team
and you know the rest we'restill in progress.
It was history from there andwhat is it?
Chris (01:42):
kind like a branch off, like of the old hospitality
dynamic that they're trying tobuild, and it's like a little
subset of the overall arm.
Deon (01:48):
Well, I think collectively , it was really just magnifying
everyone's strengths.
Paki (01:51):
Got it Okay, that makes sense.
Deon (01:52):
You know whether it's nightlife, whether it's, you
know, a concierge approach justdelivering a premium product and
for me.
And then, once I saw the bigpicture, I was like, hey, I want
to be that.
How do we, you know, how do wealign properly?
Paki (02:12):
Yeah, it seemed like everything that y'all do is
detailed.
It's very strategic, from thePine Bistro to, you know, jay
Blanco, and then obviously IBIyou got the high gear.
Chris (02:22):
Yeah, it's very high entry level Like the eye.
You got the high gear.
Yeah, it's very high entrylevel, like it's the next level?
Deon (02:26):
Yeah, no for sure.
I mean, like I said, thebiggest thing was delivering a
premium product to the communityand understanding.
You know, what could we caterto?
For us, the 99, 99% versus theone percenters.
Paki (02:36):
That really stands value, love, that yeah.
Deon (02:39):
And just wanted to give a different experience.
Of course, whatever you'relooking for, you'll find it, but
just wanted to over-deliver onthat and present a good product
to the community.
Paki (02:51):
Yeah, I was really impressed when I first went down
to IVI.
I'm not even going to lie toyou.
We've seen a lot of gyms, butit's state-of-the-art man.
From your words, though, whatmakes you guys special compared
to a lot of the other gyms outthere?
Deon (02:59):
What makes IVI special?
I mean, I think you kind of hiton it already it's just
delivering a premium product.
The experience, Of course, youcan train anywhere, if you're in
a grind mindset, no matter whatthe climate conditions and
things like that.
I mean you can really get itand get to work.
You really want to do it, butyeah, that was the biggest thing
of just saying filling the voidof becoming a sports Mecca.
(03:19):
Of course the city has had ahistory of big sports events and
things like that, but you seewhere the city is trending now.
It's like, hey, how can weinsert ourself and add a value
to the market?
So that was the biggest thingis just adding the details of
not magnifying the.
Look at me, like let's find thepeople that really want to
train and take it serious.
It's a part of their schedule,it's not.
(03:41):
You know, if I feel like ittoday, it today.
Paki (03:43):
You know the things that you battle with on the
day-to-day I love how you'resaying to look at me because
we're in that flashy hollywoodvegas kind of setup.
So it's interesting you saythat and y'all stay on the
ground.
It's consistent people thatthat are working out there, for
sure with, I think, some of yournights.
Deon (03:56):
Right, you guys do specific nights like wednesdays
and things like yeah, so onmonday and wednesday night that
was another thing we justdeveloped of how do we meet the
people where they're at.
Okay, you know sometimes it canbe intimidating, especially if
you're seeing professionalathletes.
For sure you know trainingconsistently, but also you know
how can we help you as well.
The approach is not anydifferent.
Yeah, we're treating you aprofessional in what you do on a
(04:18):
day-to-day.
It's the same approach.
We just want to seek out thepeople that are serious about it
and sometimes you need a littleextra motivation and it's some
and it's good to you know.
You look across and you mightsee your favorite athlete or
someone that's in town for theweekend as training and it's
like, oh, wow, you know, that's.
That's really what I thinkbrings it full circle.
Chris (04:35):
And how important is it?
Cause obviously you'redeveloping these.
You know it's a business right.
So the business, more people inthere as possible, you know
making as much as possible, butnow you're trying to have to
navigate your business model alittle bit to cater to specific
kind of needs and wants.
Deon (04:47):
No, agree, agree, you definitely have to establish
some boundaries in a city ofhospitality.
Paki (04:53):
Yeah yeah, 100% boundaries is the key word.
Yeah, yeah.
Deon (04:57):
So the complimentary approach, you know it doesn't
take long to.
You know pick out and evaluatewhere someone is mentally.
Paki (05:05):
So I go take advantage.
Deon (05:06):
Yeah, I want to commit, or just want to say hey, we're on
to the next new thing.
You know things are alwayspopping up here New venues, new
restaurants, events and thingsand you know that's a part of it
, but it helps you long term.
It's a part of the journey andit's helped me out a lot of just
being able to see straightthrough it.
Chris (05:23):
Are you seeing people more like inclined for that
flexibility?
Or is it an equipment space?
Is it you know educationalpiece that they're looking for?
Is it like the whole package?
Deon (05:32):
For the most part, I think social media has a heavy
influence on it.
You know, seeing where everyoneis training, sure, but for me
it's like, hey, we might not befor you, it's okay.
That's one thing that I had toget comfortable with being able
to say no In the earliest stagesin your career.
You're a people pleaser.
Paki (05:48):
Yes.
Deon (05:48):
I do it, I make it happen those types of things.
But once you start valuing yourtime, that's really the biggest
transition of okay, let me takea better approach.
Let me make sure I'm being verydirect early on in this
relationship and setting thestandard.
Yep.
Paki (06:06):
With it being like a premium gym, so like, let's say,
for example, chris and I, wewant to sign up for a membership
, I probably couldn't get in.
No, you, you whatever.
But like, do I bring my owntrainer or do I hire you guys or
do, or can I just go in andjust work out, like how's it set
up?
Because it's such, it seemslike a boutique but it seems
very high end compared to like aI don't want to say your
competitors, yeah no for sureLBA, you know LB.
(06:27):
I can't even think of the damnname.
I'm thinking of my son's soccerteam LBSA, lbsac, lbsac, yeah.
Deon (06:33):
I'm sorry.
Yeah, in the business, on thebusiness set, I mean, you have
to define volume, you knowthat's exactly what I was
getting at.
Yeah, you know the price pointsand things might not be as
competitive.
Yeah, some are a bit morepremium, just depending on
everything that comes with itthe amenities, the trainers and
things like that.
But for us, um, there's been apivot as well for us.
(06:54):
Uh, we started out, you know,just if you had you had to have
a trainer to be in the facilitythat's all I was curious about
yep, um, and then wanted to.
We were realizing we was turninga lot of people away that maybe
already had a sense of trainingand just wanted a privacy
approach, so we've made somepivots within the last year of
opening it up to a premiummembership that gives you access
(07:15):
, but also you have theavailability to work with a
trainer like myself and buildout your program with me.
Hey, you need me to program foryou Intro assessments and
that's pretty much it.
Man, less is more when it comesto that.
We don't want to overlycomplicate things.
The thing I want to deliver onis making you think less, and
that's the same thing withathletes Coming to Vegas.
(07:36):
I don't want you to have toworry about anything.
Chris (07:38):
Just tell me what you need.
That's kind of tough becausenow you're working with people,
like you said, like highachievers, right?
People that are next level, youwould think the next level when
they're really trying todevelop their own bodies, their
own workout programs.
Have you felt any pressureslike in trying to navigate that?
Have you always felt reallyconfident how you could build
out that platform for?
Deon (07:54):
somebody at that level.
That's a great point.
No, really, it wasn't astruggle.
It's really just getting to knowthe individual.
You know everyone is motivateddifferent.
You know, there's no two peoplelike it's too.
No two athletes are like umcould be similarities, but just
understanding, hey, these arethe goals, this is what
motivates the person.
So just, I'm profiling in asense okay, okay, this react a
little different when I saythese, these things, are these
(08:16):
coaching cues, um, so yeah, it'sreally just a skill of the art
of coaching, of what translate I?
I want to keep it simple, butalso we will progress.
But in today's society, thingsare more about, you know, the
look at me thing, the crazyvideos, the transitions, the,
you know the.
The fear I also see in theindustry of this is why you
(08:37):
should train with me and this,hey, I'm gonna let you choose.
I deliver a product, I'll showyou choose, I deliver a product,
I show you the assessment andthen from there, hey, can we
move forward.
Paki (08:46):
Yeah, what is like just to ask you what is kind of a price
point, like let's say, somebodyis really because people want
to.
You know they listen andthey'll say like, okay, I want
to go to IBI.
What would they pay monthly tobe able to work with somebody
like yourself?
Well, with the membership.
Deon (08:58):
We have all access.
Membership is $175, and that'sjust saying hey, you guys want
to come in, that's great, that'sreally good, yeah for sure.
And you know there's a stigma oftalking price points, but I
don't want to blindside anyone.
It's a premium product and welove the space, so you know,
just to have access $175.
And then everything else on topof that for us, if you need
(09:18):
programming, nutrition prep oralso, just hey, personal
training on a sports performance, then we'll get into the
packages and things of you beingconsistent, of you know how
many times a week, how manytimes a month are you thinking
Okay?
Chris (09:30):
And are you ever learning off like some of the people
that are bringing their owntrainers in there?
Cause I would assume some ofthese NFL NBA they're bringing
world class.
Deon (09:36):
you know, no for sure just depending on, okay, you intro
me to your for one, we've onlyhad one situation that was like
that, but the guy was bringingin someone that I highly respect
in the space like yourcelebrity, I get it.
Chris (09:51):
And once we started talking, shopping things.
Deon (09:57):
This aligns.
You know, the biggest thing wasnot allowing a liability.
That was gonna, you know, be adetriment to the, to the brain
vision because once it's outthere, it's out there 1,000%.
Paki (10:06):
All right.
No ego with that too, becauseit can go quick, it can go real
quick.
What's some of the things thatyou got?
I guess innovation right,because people are doing so many
different things right.
But obviously we know, like yousaid, the show me set up the
click bait.
They're trying to do coolthings to drive, drive attention
(10:26):
.
Deon (10:26):
But what's the things that are really working in
innovatively now that you're youimplemented in your programs?
Um, for me, man in in ourpersonal space is really not a
big flash.
Okay, is is pretty muchintegrating everyone into, like
I said, the the progression of.
Hey this is where you are.
I know this.
This is what we're aiming atOkay, this is how we're going to
get there.
The coaching cues understandingthat you know how to prep,
warming up, what's yournutrition like, getting a
(10:48):
schedule, you know pretty muchsetting that.
And then, when you get into thetechnology and things like that
, of course I use velocity-basedtraining and things like that.
It helps with the intent versushaving to overcoach, because
sometimes you can give too manycoaching cues and you have this
brain fog of wait what was Isupposed to do?
Chris (11:03):
I was supposed to do this eight times or this five times?
Deon (11:05):
Yeah, yeah so I like to keep it very simple, and then we
reevaluate as we progressthrough the session and then
also through the entire program,and then it's seasonal as well,
especially with the athletes.
That's what I wanted to getinto, yeah.
So, it's seasonal and dependingon where a guy is, if he's
fresh out of college, if she's afirst year pro.
You know those types of thingscompared to the you know the
(11:25):
veteran athletes.
So, it's a different approach.
Everything, pretty much, isbased on systems, um, but from
there it's like okay, that'swhat the one-on-one hey, this is
what I want to work on.
Paki (11:36):
This is what this looks like.
Okay, so, will you like?
So?
For example, I know you werejust in Philly recently, right
so for the game, and I knowyou're probably going to the
Super Bowl too.
So what does that look like?
Right, so does a particularathlete, and you can share
whoever you're working with ifyou want to or not.
But let's say it's a particularathlete, do you fly with them,
let's say, for example, toPhilly, and then you're working
them out while they're there too, before the game and things
(11:58):
like that, and then come backhome, or is it?
Deon (12:01):
that customizable, yeah Well, yeah, that question has
some layers to it.
It just depends on the athlete.
Okay, when you're early on inyour career, you don't have as
much leverage of being able todictate things For me.
I just want to be complimentaryto the organization, whether
it's on the WNBA side, the NFLside, ufc, kind of like what are
(12:22):
you guys doing?
Sure, and then, hey, I justwant to take a, take care of the
investment and why it's with me.
Let's be very transparenttriangle offense for me, hey
this is what I'm doing.
You give me the information, hey.
Hey, this is what I see.
Yeah, dion, stay away from this.
Just want to be complimentaryto the athlete and the
organization, so I never want toget the ego involved of this is
my athlete, this is what we do.
(12:42):
You know what you.
You have some that can dictate alittle more, you know,
depending on where they're intheir career but yeah, for me
it's just like I said addingvalue to the bottom line and
knowing that it's no, noliability when it comes to a
lack of knowledge or, you know,just mentally messing with the
athlete sure, my understandingis how does it kind of work?
Chris (13:01):
because I know when they're, when they're in the
season, right, they have theirown trainers that are provided
by the, the coaching staff, andthen they're off season, they
get those same trainers or theyhave to go find their own
trainer um season starts whenthey're in season for for one.
Deon (13:12):
And which?
Which sport are we?
Chris (13:13):
talking just really and honestly, because they all have
the off season, they all havethe season.
So I don't know if it'sdifferent among sports.
Deon (13:18):
Maybe um, no, yeah, for the most part it's a collective
approach of in season wise.
They have their own template,their training templates by
position um yardage uh, courttime, things like that where
you're at in a rotation, um.
So I have some athletes thatwant to add things in season.
You know um activations are hey, I'm struggling with this.
(13:39):
Uh, we're coming off thebi-week or there's been a long
travel.
You know, understanding thatcomponent of hey, we've been on
the road for two weeks.
Um we want to recalibrate.
Chris (13:48):
That's a whole that's a whole thing.
That's great.
Paki (13:49):
It's a whole system man, it's, it's, it's lot of layers,
so everything is is pretty muchdifferent for each organization.
Deon (13:56):
Um, but yeah, that's for me.
I just keep it very simple.
Um, if they want something inseason, like I said, I want to
communicate that properly.
I never want to be a liabilityto hey.
Well, she was training with hertrainer and got hurt doing this
and you know those type ofthings.
So I just want to make surewe're being completely
transparent yeah andunderstanding where we're at in
the season.
Um, the biggest thing isstaying healthy later in the
(14:18):
season to make a playoff run,whatever it may be.
And then on the comeback side ofit, it's just, hey, making sure
that I'm communicating whatyou're doing mitts with.
Hey, what's your volume like?
Okay, we're doing grapplingtoday.
Paki (14:30):
Okay, I know when to push and when to be more reserved, so
you work wide range NBA, NFL,UFC being the headquarters is
here, so you're working witheverybody.
Deon (14:40):
Yeah, that's one of the narratives that I've had to
overcome, being the football guy.
Paki (14:45):
And I'll be honest with you, I was biased on that.
I honestly thought it was NBA,and NFL is what I always thought
.
Deon (14:51):
Which, like I said, it's a good problem to have.
Like I said, I play football,so I see why that.
You know that gave me myopportunity to work with
professionals.
So the more I educated myselfand it's hard to see different
cities and the need it's like,oh well, let's do a little
research and do my due diligenceon this.
How can I add value to thismarket?
Women's sports, for sure, wasthe huge, the huge, undervalued.
(15:15):
So it was like like that wasanother angle that I was like,
hey, this is something that Icould really plug into and add a
premium approach to it as well.
Paki (15:22):
Everybody is Sorry.
We got the aces here, but wegot everybody here too that
people forget about, and I'msorry, go ahead, Chris.
Chris (15:28):
Yeah, you're 100% right, it's getting big, but how do you
find?
You know?
Deon (15:40):
kind of not, too, because you're only one person.
You know you can't have 200athletes, or can you, like I
don't know what the bandwidth isfor, like that?
yeah, uh, being a startupcompany in vegas, you know, like
I said, this is year five forme, so you know you're, you're
not turning anything yeah,that's 1000, but also that's
where the systems come in placeand setting those boundaries of
hey, this is what I'm workingwith and then also understanding
like I had to learn how to sayno to certain things of until I
can continue to build a team, uh, build a trust.
(16:02):
But also sometimes, when you'vewith an athlete for a while,
it's like you know, don't everput me with this person again.
You know, I'm coming to you foryou.
So, understanding that.
So you always want to empoweryour circle and anyone else that
might be in the part of thetriangle offensive therapy, pt
recovery and those things.
But you know, some athletesokay, some have their, their
(16:24):
yeah.
Paki (16:25):
I know, I know exactly what you're getting at.
Yeah, what would you say?
Mindset wise, right Like I hadlittle kids right, so they
always paying attention andeverybody's YouTube, happy, they
think everybody's just twominutes doing a quick drill or
whatever it is.
But what's really the mindsetof professional athletes that
you're seeing, or or or evencollege players right, cause
you're working with that areelite athletes?
Um, what's their mindset likeof of trying to continue to push
(16:47):
themselves and be there?
Deon (16:48):
Um, you get a wide range.
A wide range.
You really have to be able toadapt and meet an athlete where
he or she may be, but also yousprinkle in your influence of
hey, you know, why did you do itthis way?
Or, you know, let me help youdevelop a tool belt, cause my
biggest thing is how can Ieducate you when you're not with
me?
It's easy to say, hey, youcan't do this because I'm not
(17:12):
there.
You have to, you know, bring mea part of this Like hey, no, I
want you to be able to properlyactivate warm up.
Hey, this is what I'm dealingwith.
How can I overcome it?
Lacrosse ball, this is mytravel bag of things that I
(17:32):
could help you with, versus mephysically having to be there.
So I feel like every situation,this is what.
Oh, I remember I was dealingwith the low back.
This is how I can help.
You know also, hey, I havesomeone in the city that you're
headed to.
You know if you can get sometable work?
there if you can't get it withthe team or you know the weight,
especially when you dealingwith team sports, and it's a big
roster, Sure, Um.
But on the professionals, most,most athletes are starting to
(17:54):
develop their own circle, whichI can truly appreciate.
This is what we're doing wetake the information, we pass it
off and you know that prettymuch has been successful for me.
Chris (18:05):
These people are just like just natural, just like
they don't need to work out.
Deon (18:10):
Like man this guy just gossip all the time.
He's like, no matter what I do,he don't listen.
Chris (18:13):
He's still out there killing it.
No matter what I do, he don'tlisten and he's still out there
killing it.
Deon (18:15):
No, you have those one-offs where it's like you
know you will look at it and say, okay, some people are just
naturally talented.
It's always something we canwork on for sure.
Okay, I don't want to createproblems mentally If it works
for you.
You know, my biggest thing iscan you duplicate it?
Can you duplicate it?
Can you do it again?
It's one thing to go out andball one week or, you know, not
(18:37):
get as much rest, live thislifestyle, then get caught up
into those things.
But for the most part, can youduplicate it in consistency.
Yeah, five years, ten years,you are what you repeatedly do.
So that was the big point forme of like, okay, I get it, you
give and take, but yeah, that'sthe biggest thing for me To
piggyback on.
Paki (18:55):
What Chris was getting at is like Kobe's documentaries out
right now.
So do you think you can teachmental toughness Like, for
example, Kobe that went and shota free throw at the what
Pulling his Achilles right, orshot two free throws and walks
himself off?
You deal with a lot of premiumathletes like that are in
football and all these differentsports that they got to work
through the pain For sure.
(19:16):
Do you think that can?
Deon (19:16):
be taught.
I definitely think you canelevate a guy's mindset.
A lot of things are from theneck up, sure, but for me, just
navigating youth, sports,grassroots, all the way through
the professional level, a lot ofthings start at home, at home,
you know, for us I don't thinkI've heard anybody say this-
yeah.
Mindset.
You know just you're taking ininformation, Like you're seeing
(19:38):
how your parents navigate orwhoever, your guardian or
whoever you're living withCertain things of how to
navigate adversity and thingslike that.
So a lot of that is establishedearly, whether you're conscious
of it or not, and then somethings can be later developed as
you mature and decide who youwant to be.
Paki (19:56):
I'm glad you're bringing that up, starting at home,
because you got people that livethrough their kids with sports,
right, you didn't make it towhatever certain level, right,
and you try to live through yourkids.
And then you hard on your kidsand that can sometimes hurt them
the right way, I'm sorry, hurtthem the wrong way because they
might not be taking it in, nofor sure.
How do you help combat?
Deon (20:14):
that Well with youth sports and grassroots.
I get that all the time fromparents Because it's crazy right
now these games.
I say it all the time you know,get your rest, get off the video
game, but if it comes fromCoach Hodges, it's like gold.
So, also, sometimes the messageis just who it's coming from,
you know.
So I understand that as well,and that's the biggest thing.
It goes back to the educationand just keeping it simple.
(20:41):
If it's a nutrition issue, youknow the quick thing, coach,
should I supplement?
Should I do this?
Hey, how about we start fromthe kitchen table?
What's a protein?
What's a carb?
The basics, what does that looklike?
You know, are we getting itfrom the kitchen table and then
from there as they progress andmature?
Then we can.
You know and I'm just usingnutrition as an example, because
that's usually a big one withthe grassroot level of okay,
what can I do to get acompetitive edge?
The biggest thing is juststaying consistent and
(21:02):
evaluating yourself and beingrealistic, because sometimes we
can put these like you said.
You're living through your kidsand I get it.
I get the passion behind it andwanting to see your kids be
successful, but sometimes it canbe detrimental, especially if
you're not having thoseconversations For sure.
Yeah.
Paki (21:19):
I want to back up just a little bit about your specialty
of exercise science.
Right, that's what you got thedegree in and for our listeners,
what?
What is exercise science?
As far as from your perspectiveon what you bring to the table,
A great point, Um one one.
Deon (21:32):
One thing for me.
Um earlier on I wasn't tooaware of exercise science or
exercise phys.
Yeah, initially, going into mysenior year, I tore my ACL.
Paki (21:45):
Oh Jesus yeah.
Deon (21:46):
Tore my ACL in a spring practice In football right yeah,
football.
And the recovery process withthat was okay, you go to a PT.
These people, this is gonna helpme back on the field and it
wasn't up until I startedworking with the PTs that there
was a sports science behind that.
You know it's one thing to havean issue or something that
(22:07):
you're navigating and go gettreatment and therapy sure did
you get back to your everydaylife, but what does that look
like for the athlete?
So at first you know it was PTfor me.
Paki (22:16):
Okay, so just the physical therapy Straight physical
therapy.
Deon (22:19):
You know, I had a great relationship with the team that
was helping me in high school.
Hey, this is what it's going totake.
It's a long process, you know,this is what it looks like.
And then, once I made it toSouthern Miss, I got introduced
to the exercise science program.
I was like, oh wow, this issomething that I can be a part
of life after sports.
(22:40):
You're interested right awayyeah this can keep me close to
whatever sport it may be.
It's competitive, the knowledgeis there and you can stay sharp
in the industry.
At first I was completelyunaware of it and then, when I
touched campus, I was like, oh,this is a program.
This is something that I'mreally really interested in.
Chris (22:58):
Yeah.
Deon (22:59):
Are you a?
Paki (22:59):
sports fan in general, like just you know not the
outside of this, but like Forsure He'd be at every game man.
He's literally at every game,For sure.
Deon (23:06):
Yeah, definitely a sports fan man.
Some things have grown on me asI matured, seeing different
(23:27):
markets, different.
You know, in in Mississippi itwas football was king, so that
was the driver.
But um, once you hit campus yousee different aspects,
different sports, um, athletesfrom different countries.
You know I was like, oh wow,this is, this is bigger than
than that, you know, on a globalscale.
So that's what really, you know, caught my interest and helped
me, you know, kind of navigatewhat lane at least I thought I
wanted to do at the time.
Paki (23:38):
Sure, yeah, and this is ongoing debate, right about
sports.
Who's the best athlete?
Is it NBA players?
Is it NFL players?
Is it, you know, soccer players?
Is it?
Now the UFC is huge, agreed Inyour perspective.
I want to hear from you, man,Put you on blast.
Who would you say?
Deon (23:59):
is the best athlete, because you know they asked
lebron about this too.
Yeah, so no man, that's, that'sreally a tough question sure
there's so many components gointo it yeah, yeah, position
wise, you know just your naturalanatomy, sure, um the
environment.
you know mindset, you know I'veseen a lot from an athlete that
was particularly from a certainarea compared to oh oh, this guy
is super competitive.
(24:19):
Sure, he might not do all thelittle details right, but when
the lights are on he'scompetitive.
So it's kind of hard to singleout one sport.
I truly value the competitiveedge, but also the, I would say,
mindfulness that I see with alot of athletes that can keep
that composure.
Chris (24:37):
Okay.
Deon (24:39):
Never, never too high, never too low.
So for me, that's the thingthat I look for the most.
Of course, everyone wants to bethe, you know, the athlete that
takes over the game, the dog,whatever you want to, you know,
glorify it as, but justunderstanding, okay, this is how
(25:03):
they've overcome adversity.
You know, I've had a, a fewguys that go down to some
injuries.
That was, you know, just a partof the sport.
There wasn't any soft tissue oranything like that.
And you know, the problem isnot the problem how you're going
to respond to it yeah, you know.
So that's the thing that I value, whatever the platform may be.
Chris (25:11):
It's like okay yeah, I see it sure, yeah, yeah, what do
you can't get away?
Who do you think?
I think NBA man.
Paki (25:19):
I would say NBA too.
I think NBA and the only reasonnot just because I played.
I mean I never played up to aprofessional level.
I played college basketball.
I just felt like NBA.
You just do something.
You know what I mean.
Like those athletes can playfootball, you could a lot of
them have played soccer.
You know what I mean.
Deon (25:35):
So you can transition.
Paki (25:36):
Yeah, I mean, the volume is different.
Baseball, I mean I'm hating onbaseball, but you know baseball
player, you know what I mean.
Deon (25:41):
They can play everything, they can dunk and it's a long
journey, you know, depending onif you make it to that
professional level, even on thebaseball side.
Sure, you know minor league andnavigating this to make it to
the bigs, no man you have.
That's a great point.
For me it's just mindset.
That's what I value the most.
It tells me a lot about you,know you as an individual, and
(26:03):
then outside the sport, who areyou on a day to day?
Chris (26:06):
Sure Cause they're all special, definitely no doubt
about that.
Paki (26:17):
Like, I remember we were sitting down with him and he
tripped me out when he had.
He said that he never gave hisall and I was like what it was
your biggest regret?
I never gave my all.
One of his biggest regrets ishe never gave it all.
And I'm like, and you in thesport of boxing, where you can't
play boxing at all, it's justone-on-one, so it's interesting,
man.
So what's the most memorablelesson for you?
Like, like, were you workingwith an athlete and you might
see them do something you'veworked with him consistently on,
(26:39):
or she on?
What's one memorable lesson?
thing that stood out for youthat this, this, it's exciting.
You can applaud it.
You know what I?
Deon (26:47):
mean, uh, definitely had several moments.
Um, I always try to stay out ofit just because I don't want to
feel like I'm taking credit.
You know, you're so humblebrother.
I mean I feel like, hey, if, ifhe you know, if she had never
met me, she probably would stillmade it this too smooth too
smooth with it, okay, butunderstanding that component, um
, it's been a lot of things thatI've definitely been proud of,
(27:09):
sure, but a lot of it is, youknow, that dark space If there's
an injury, I've seen athletesthat navigate.
you know, I've had one big timeguy that I would consider he had
his first injury like ever whenhe when he made it to the
league, and that was a time thatI was like, oh wow, he's human
(27:30):
you know, in the sense of okay,not want to talk to anyone and I
kind of connected in a sense tocomparing that to what I felt
like when I tore my acl in highschool of you know, friends are
not hitting you back.
Everybody's kind of still goingon with their life sure um you
know, you kind of create this,this chip I'm going to get back.
Paki (27:51):
So seeing those type of things, those moments where you
really have to overcomeadversity, and depression too,
man, you get into a bad I waslistening to Derrick Rose man.
Deon (28:00):
Going into a depression makes your mind go crazy, no for
sure, Seeing the athletesnavigate that.
Of course you want everyone tobe healthy and have a great
career, get extended contractsand things like that.
Yeah, but those things mean themost to me, you know, just
because those are vulnerablemoments, you know those are
(28:21):
really vulnerable moments of youquestioning.
You know, why did this happen?
You know, then you start secondguessing, you know, did I
really prepare myself properly?
You know, whatever the play maybe or whatever, how did the
injury happen, but those thingsreally carry a lot of weight for
me because it's bigger than thesport for me.
You know, a couple of myathletes we've become family.
Chris (28:37):
That's what's up.
That's a weird thought, becauseyou think you're one of the
only people who get to see himin that moment.
Right, it's not really a lot ofpeople Vulnerable.
Deon (28:46):
Yeah, you know, sometimes you just need someone to check
up, like yo.
We're good.
You know, I've seen over thelast couple of weeks we've had,
you know, two guys go down tosomething that was pretty tough
to navigate, especially in theplayoffs.
And it's like you know what doyou say yeah, like yo, we locked
in.
Paki (29:05):
You know, we'll, you know, we'll get, we'll get everything
.
Deon (29:06):
Yeah, don't overthink it.
I know it sucks right now.
You embrace these moments andum and from there you know
that's that's more fulfillingfor me to be a part of that, of
that support system.
The training part is easy in asense, but it's like, okay, the
buy-in.
It's like they see things ofokay yo, you really checked it
wasn't hitting me up abouttickets or what can we do?
Paki (29:28):
Or can you, I got this business idea and all these
different things.
You know you have so manypeople pulling at the athletes
on all levels.
Deon (29:34):
So I never want to be put in that boat of you.
Know what is DM?
What are you calling me?
You know those things.
So for me those moments mean alot to me of seeing it but also
how to handle success.
I've had guys, you know, I hadfemale athletes that were had
some success on the court, onthe field and things like that
and it's like, okay, can you do?
(29:54):
It again yeah, so it's thatapproach.
Paki (29:55):
It's just that high of continuing to keep going.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Deon (29:58):
So it's, I mean okay, you've done it once.
Paki (29:59):
Can we do it again?
What does that look like?
Chris (30:01):
Nobody teaches you about that, though, right Like you
just learn by yourself.
Deon (30:05):
You can learn, you know, exercise, science, but nobody
teaches you how to be kind of atherapist in a sense, very true,
man, and that was the thingthat I was navigating with
myself just mindset, how toconnect, you know, how to just
really commit myself to theathletes of understanding.
Hey, I'm here as a resource,you know.
(30:27):
Just understanding who are youfrom the neck up is a big thing
for me.
So, um, that's usually myapproach, man, and it's got me
to this point and I'm stilllearning today.
Um, I know that I know nothing,um, cause things are changing.
You evolve, but for the mostpart it's happening.
So quick back to thefundamentals.
Um, that tool belt that wetalked about earlier, um,
(30:48):
usually that's what presentsitself.
Again, it's easy to want to getinto the sexy stuff and go fat,
you know for sure.
Oh, we want to train, we wantto do this, want to do that,
like no, let's slow it down.
Basics yeah, yeah and justglorifying that, and sometimes
it's it's more humbling, yeah,like, okay, it's going to be a
time and a place where we'regoing to get after, but right,
but, right now let's just beconsistent is the main thing.
Paki (31:09):
You got to be excited about all the sports coming to
Vegas, man.
Deon (31:11):
We get everybody now, and now I've heard.
Paki (31:15):
Obviously we already knew about the NBA, we knew about the
A's coming here, athletics, andthen I've heard MLS is really,
really sprinkling in Part of it.
I think what's the train that'scoming here?
Deon (31:29):
yeah, part of I think um what's the train that's coming
here.
Paki (31:30):
Uh, the bullet train that was going, yeah, between here
and la, but what's it called?
Uh, I have no idea.
Chris (31:32):
Uh I'm gonna think of a second.
Paki (31:34):
I'll think of it in a second but it's the same one as
in miami to orlando, is the sameone coming from here to la?
But I'm I'm hearing that themls is going to be on top of
that stadium, the mls stadiumsimilar to like a madison square
garden.
That's what I'm getting to hear, so we're going to get.
Soccer supposedly is going tobe happening.
So three more sports, whichVegas is just, and how do you
feel about that?
Deon (31:53):
I mean, this is your profession.
That was the biggest thing forme of understanding evaluating
markets.
You know where the athleteswant to be.
I feel like Vegas is a hub thatat some point you have to come
through, our 100% an eventconventions.
Yeah, marketing deals it'ssomething sporting events
especially yeah, yeah, thosethings.
So that is something that helpsme solidify.
Hey, this is where I need to beand, um, you know, I'm gonna
(32:16):
put myself in the best situationand how do these?
Chris (32:18):
you know that's a good sidetrack, I think, but at least
you know, uh, because you'renot necessarily only working
with vegas athletes, right?
You have a lot of people indifferent markets, are they?
Do they come here specificallyto just be with you on the off
season or the moment where theylive here normally?
Like, is it a hybrid?
It's a hybrid?
Deon (32:33):
Um for sure we.
We have athletes that aretransitioning to Vegas.
They see the benefits tax theysee the benefits on the upside.
And then you know we ha, I dohave some athletes that, hey,
I'm doing my off season in Vegaswith you, yeah, um, which is
fulfilling as well.
Chris (32:48):
Yeah, that'd be fantastic .
Deon (32:50):
People to uproot what they're doing.
You know six months out of theyear to come and be, you know,
in your city and train with you,for you know eight to 12 weeks,
depending on how long you havethem or whatever the sport may
be.
Paki (32:59):
Yeah, that's what's up, man.
I applaud you, man, but right,because you new bit new in
business now with thehospitality company.
But what would you say, just anugget from something that
you've learned, man, because weall hit our heads sometimes that
what's the lesson that you'velearned just in business that it
might be able to help.
You know our listeners businessadvice.
Deon (33:17):
Um, it's several different things that I hospitality has
introduced me to yeah, for sureI was completely naive too.
Paki (33:26):
wait, wait, what?
Yeah, that's what you have todo.
Deon (33:29):
Sure, to keep it simple, the biggest thing is just asking
the questions.
You know, understanding, justbeing more vulnerable?
Yeah, can you help meunderstand this?
Yeah, compared to the ego ofjust sitting back and being
quiet and faking it, I get it.
I get it.
I mean, I know those are somethings that we talk about on the
day to day of knowingeverything.
(33:52):
I know that I know nothing.
When it comes, especially tothe restaurant space Wait, what
Front of house, back of housebooking marketing it's as hard
as industry, as restaurants.
Advice, wise, I mean for sure,just being more vulnerable to
the space um, doing yourhomework, doing your due
(34:15):
diligence is one thing that theguys that I'm involved with with
Aya has shown me outside of thetraining aspect is is really
taking it from A to Z.
A to Z is a big staple, uh, andstatement on our day-to-day
conversations of okay, you cango about halfway.
Oh, I think I got it done.
Paki (34:27):
What do?
Deon (34:28):
you mean, you think, did you get it done?
And that's what I definitelyappreciate those guys for
educating me on that aspect andit's it's just a spillover to
how you do everything.
Sure, you know how do youmanage your household.
Yeah, buddy, it's a thin lineadds up yeah, you know, if
you're sloppy at most things,you know your day to day, it
usually shows itself at somepoint.
Paki (34:50):
Very true, you know.
So I'm so glad you brought thatup.
And I'm a side check for onesecond Tony Robbins.
I was just listening to him ona podcast.
He has a personal investigatorfor every business partner he
goes into and he allows them todo the same exact thing to
really understand who he'sgetting into business with,
because a lot of these dealsmight be a million, might be a
(35:11):
hundred million, might be abillion dollars.
I think he's invested in Idon't know how many companies,
but that was the first person Iheard say that, and you're right
.
It starts at the home front.
You don't know what the homefront is like.
Deon (35:19):
You got to really know people to really understand what
they're about and when do youreally get a chance, a snapshot,
to know people Riding the kids?
Man, yeah, riding the kids.
That's a good one Riding thekids.
I'm sure it starts at home.
Paki (35:31):
Because my kids will tell you straight up like no, he
don't do that.
Deon (35:34):
You know what I mean Exactly.
You know you could sit and saycertain things, but you know the
people that goes into whenadversity strikes.
Paki (35:39):
Things are not going right who are you?
Deon (35:50):
I know that, you know it's easy to sit here and say we did
it and we developed thispodcast, and you know, sure, you
know, I'm sure there's somestories by the journey of being
used.
Paki (36:02):
Yes, all the business partners yeah, it's.
Deon (36:05):
That's the thing that yeah introduces you to who you're at
war with, and that's the thingthat aya has definitely shown,
yeah, and and helped meunderstand of okay, you know, I
really got your back.
What does?
Chris (36:17):
that look like sometimes things I mean it's not always
easy.
Paki (36:21):
So well said, when you see , those things like okay, this
makes sense.
Deon (36:25):
That's what's up you leading by example you know,
you're helping.
You're navigating, you're youknow.
Hey, what do we need to do next?
Sure, collectively.
Sometimes it's just hey, yo doyou, don't be a robot, do you?
Yeah, we got you you know thoseorganic.
Chris (36:39):
Yeah, I love that great to be in that environment.
It really helps you be yourbest self yeah, that's always
y'all got some great partners.
Paki (36:44):
Man, shout out to all your partners your partners man, we
always ask.
We can't leave out.
We're in the food mecca and Iknow you eat a lot, just like I
do, man, so I got to know whatyour favorite restaurant is in
Vegas.
Deon (36:55):
Don't say yours, I was about to say that's a loaded
question.
Say something else, man.
You're trying to get me fired.
Yeah, I would say, outside ofour personal venues.
Okay, for me I think.
Oh man, that's a great questionand you can shout about it.
No, for sure, we will get tothat.
Paki (37:13):
I'm going to be honest with you.
Pine Beach Show is excellent,and I'm not just saying that
it's excellent food, excellentambiance, j Blanc.
I was just there recently.
It was excellent.
Deon (37:21):
Excellent food for me with with our personal venues, thick
and thin.
Paki (37:25):
Oh yeah, I always forget about the thing.
Deon (37:27):
Yeah, just because it's it's complimentary to the day.
Paki (37:29):
Right next to IVI.
Yeah.
Deon (37:30):
So with the protein shakes , wellness juices, those things,
um that's, that's a huge staplefor me.
It provides that conveniencebut also understanding it adds
to the experience of the of thefacility.
So I definitely appreciateVeronica and the team over at
Thick and Thin Treats thatthat's a part of our every day.
You know, that's our conveniencestore in a sense.
(37:51):
For sure, you know, I alwayseducate the athletes.
Hey, what did you eat today?
Yeah, understanding nutritionalwindows and things.
Okay, it might not be what I'meating, but when I'm eating,
sure, but far as Vegas man, it'seasy to want to go with the big
time places.
But for me I want to shout outone of my good friends, Kai
Kamaka.
(38:11):
He's one of the MMA fightersand we connected over Island
Sushi Island.
Paki (38:18):
Sushi is more of a local approach.
Okay, where's that at?
Deon (38:21):
I don't think anybody's mentioned that it's over off of
Eastern Okay.
Paki (38:25):
Island Sushi.
Shout out to them.
Deon (38:27):
Island.
She is one of uh, one of mystaples, and I just appreciate
the community level.
I get it to want to go to thebig chain.
Sure, yeah, yeah, flash, andyou know yeah, I get it.
Paki (38:37):
Yeah, for sure, I get it.
Deon (38:42):
I get it.
I love that with parking valetdoing 100.
I know so island sushi.
Um, you know, I did the friedphilly roll noodles, that's
what's up?
That's not good, it's one ofthe things that, okay, I mean
for twice a month, maybe everyother friday, um, okay, you
there.
Um, another one, um, I don'twant to butcher the name.
It's in north vegas, uh, mebeing from mississippi.
(39:04):
Yeah, soul food, okay, so I'mlooking for catfish, okay, um,
maybe you can help me think ofthe name.
Paki (39:10):
I can't think of the spot in North.
Chris (39:12):
It's over on Lamb.
What is the name of that spot?
Paki (39:15):
they got soul food.
Deon (39:16):
We used to go there way back in the day when we were at.
Chris (39:17):
Sonata right down the little shopping street.
Paki (39:19):
They just opened a new location or which one you're
talking about, way down on West,going on Craig.
Chris (39:26):
Is it East North Las Vegas, like when East side I?
Paki (39:29):
think so.
It probably is.
We'll think.
I think I'm trying to think ofthe daggone name.
It's in that low plaza overthere.
Deon (39:33):
Yeah, I don't want to butcher the shout out, but no
for sure, for me it was just ataste of home, it's.
It's something that, like Isaid, just it's a taste of home
that helps me.
Okay, this is very similar.
I get it Calling my mom to senda care package about something.
I get it.
You know.
You speak about language,catfish things like that.
Paki (39:55):
Speak about language, yeah .
Deon (39:56):
But yeah, man, um yeah, outside of thick and thin, for
sure, not to say that I don'tappreciate the other ones.
You know, when the athletescome to town, that's the first
thing.
Can we get a reservation here?
Can we do this?
So I get it.
But for me, the localexperience of just being able to
unplug and not have to you know, compete with traffic and
(40:19):
things like that.
And if you guys can educate meon anything else in the market.
Paki (40:25):
No, you know, you know I'm a big foodie, but you know I'm
glad you said that becausepeople like your hospitality
company.
You're putting nice restaurantsand good food off the strip.
That has that experience ofbeing on the strip, yep, so I
got to salute you guys.
Like Paul, everything that youjust mentioned is excellent
because it's got that feel.
Deon (40:42):
You know what I mean to mean the high-end premium feel
you want to put, like I said, atthe grassroot level of the
community of hey, we don't haveto, like you said, go to the
strip to have a premiumexperience but also we
understand what we're in.
I don't want to say competitionwith, but we want to get the
community involved.
Chris (41:00):
That's the biggest thing for us.
I love Cleaver's Natalia'sLittle Kitchen Thai food.
If you like Thai food,definitely check those out.
Paki (41:09):
I just went to the, finally, for the first time,
Cleave what's Cleaver's otherHerbs?
And Rye?
I just went to Cleave Herbs andRye for the first time.
It was excellent.
Yeah, shout out to them.
What did we forgot to ask you,man that on, or something you
(41:34):
just wanted to add to it?
Um, I don't think you guys leftout anything.
I have a question for you guys.
How soon can we come by, ivi,and get it right?
Yeah, I need to get my.
Get my weight off, man.
You sound like sound like jayshaw, my wife must have texted
you saying, saying get him, gethim in there.
Chris (41:42):
We need to come through.
You said premium athletes,that's where I was like premium,
but it sounds like it really isa great facility.
I think I've been by it a lotconsistently, so definitely you
could tell it's an exceptionaland premium.
Paki (41:53):
But I think I got.
We need to get in there.
Stop making excuses.
That's the thing.
You're overthinking it.
That is 100% right.
Just try it out we have toaccountability.
Deon (42:03):
That's all you.
You were 100 right salute toyou, man.
Paki (42:05):
Excuse me right away, he's 100, right, man, because we
just talked about it.
So that's what's up, man, baby,shout out to dion man.
I'm glad I said I get a chanceto sit out with you, man.
Um, what's your social handlesand how people can reach out to
you?
Deon (42:19):
and then ivi and all that so far on instagram and twitter.
Well, x, yeah, underscore d.
Hodges is my handle.
Okay, I don't have a Snapchatand I'm still navigating the
TikTok world.
Yeah, I think we all are.
I'm figuring it out, but butyeah, that's, that's me on on
social Instagram and X man.
Underscore D.
Paki (42:38):
Hodges.
Okay, Well, check them out, man.
Dion is is, uh, somebody that'smotivated man and so, humble
brother, you were humble as hell, man, Great stuff.
So we want to continue to keepsupporting you and have you
continue to keep winning man.
So we applaud what you do.
Deon (42:52):
That's not for sure.
I appreciate that.
Yeah, maybe we can circle backin a few months 100% yeah.
I would love to, yeah, get anupdate, talk through off-season
training and things like thatleading up.
I know we have the Super Bowlcoming up.
The WNBA should be kicking backoff here pretty soon.
I would love to come back andjust talk shop about the more
things like that.
We can dive with some moreathletes if you guys are open to
(43:12):
that.
Chris (43:13):
Yeah, let's keep it going , man Keep it going.
Deon (43:15):
Help me out a little bit.
Chris (43:16):
Keep it going.
Paki (43:18):
Shout out to DDI man.
Check us out atTheVegasTurkeycom.
Deon (43:21):
Appreciate your time, brother.
Paki (43:23):
Really good stuff, thank you.
Welcome to Vegas Circle Podcast with your hosts, paki
and Chris.
We are people who arepassionate about business,
success and culture, and this isour platform to showcase to
people in our city who make ithappen.
Today's guest is a powerhousein performance training and
business innovation.
He's a partner at AIHospitality, leading their IBI
performance facility.
They're shaping the future ofathletic training and recovery.
(00:21):
With a degree in exercisescience, he's got an expertise
in the cutting-edge technologies.
Experience working with NFL andNBA athletes.
They bring a unique perspectiveon mental toughness, sports
performance and what it takes tobuild a successful business.
Let's welcome to the circle MrDeion Hodges man Welcome, deion
Welcome welcome, Finally happyto have you, man.
We done ran into each otherabout 5,000 times man.
Deon (00:42):
I was able to make it happen, man.
Paki (00:43):
Yeah, man.
Deon (00:44):
I sent the calendar invite 100% man.
Paki (00:46):
So let's jump right in man .
So interesting journey man.
I've been, I think, coachingfor a long time, and at least in
the sports space for a longtime.
But what I want to first startoff with is the AI hospitality,
how we actually met through JaySean.
But how did you kind of crosspaths with the team and become a
with the hospitality?
Deon (01:03):
Yeah, no, it was a unique journey early on, when I first
moved to Vegas back in 2020,I've always heard of him.
We've had a few mutual friends,a lot of my athletes when they
came to Vegas, that's who theywould connect with.
And when I transitioned out, Iwas able to connect with him a
couple of times and you know, wewas navigating some different
things.
At the time I was entertaininganother facility, okay, and
(01:25):
wanted to build and just kind ofget plant my flag here in vegas
and you know we talked.
One time he was like, hey, man,I might have something that you
know would interest you.
just be, patient and, um, youknow you fast forward.
We made the connections andintro to the rest of the team
and you know the rest we'restill in progress.
It was history from there andwhat is it?
Chris (01:42):
kind like a branch off, like of the old hospitality
dynamic that they're trying tobuild, and it's like a little
subset of the overall arm.
Deon (01:48):
Well, I think collectively , it was really just magnifying
everyone's strengths.
Paki (01:51):
Got it Okay, that makes sense.
Deon (01:52):
You know whether it's nightlife, whether it's, you
know, a concierge approach justdelivering a premium product and
for me.
And then, once I saw the bigpicture, I was like, hey, I want
to be that.
How do we, you know, how do wealign properly?
Paki (02:12):
Yeah, it seemed like everything that y'all do is
detailed.
It's very strategic, from thePine Bistro to, you know, jay
Blanco, and then obviously IBIyou got the high gear.
Chris (02:22):
Yeah, it's very high entry level Like the eye.
You got the high gear.
Yeah, it's very high entrylevel, like it's the next level?
Deon (02:26):
Yeah, no for sure.
I mean, like I said, thebiggest thing was delivering a
premium product to the communityand understanding.
You know, what could we caterto?
For us, the 99, 99% versus theone percenters.
Paki (02:36):
That really stands value, love, that yeah.
Deon (02:39):
And just wanted to give a different experience.
Of course, whatever you'relooking for, you'll find it, but
just wanted to over-deliver onthat and present a good product
to the community.
Paki (02:51):
Yeah, I was really impressed when I first went down
to IVI.
I'm not even going to lie toyou.
We've seen a lot of gyms, butit's state-of-the-art man.
From your words, though, whatmakes you guys special compared
to a lot of the other gyms outthere?
Deon (02:59):
What makes IVI special?
I mean, I think you kind of hiton it already it's just
delivering a premium product.
The experience, Of course, youcan train anywhere, if you're in
a grind mindset, no matter whatthe climate conditions and
things like that.
I mean you can really get itand get to work.
You really want to do it, butyeah, that was the biggest thing
of just saying filling the voidof becoming a sports Mecca.
(03:19):
Of course the city has had ahistory of big sports events and
things like that, but you seewhere the city is trending now.
It's like, hey, how can weinsert ourself and add a value
to the market?
So that was the biggest thingis just adding the details of
not magnifying the.
Look at me, like let's find thepeople that really want to
train and take it serious.
It's a part of their schedule,it's not.
(03:41):
You know, if I feel like ittoday, it today.
Paki (03:43):
You know the things that you battle with on the
day-to-day I love how you'resaying to look at me because
we're in that flashy hollywoodvegas kind of setup.
So it's interesting you saythat and y'all stay on the
ground.
It's consistent people thatthat are working out there, for
sure with, I think, some of yournights.
Deon (03:56):
Right, you guys do specific nights like wednesdays
and things like yeah, so onmonday and wednesday night that
was another thing we justdeveloped of how do we meet the
people where they're at.
Okay, you know sometimes it canbe intimidating, especially if
you're seeing professionalathletes.
For sure you know trainingconsistently, but also you know
how can we help you as well.
The approach is not anydifferent.
Yeah, we're treating you aprofessional in what you do on a
(04:18):
day-to-day.
It's the same approach.
We just want to seek out thepeople that are serious about it
and sometimes you need a littleextra motivation and it's some
and it's good to you know.
You look across and you mightsee your favorite athlete or
someone that's in town for theweekend as training and it's
like, oh, wow, you know, that's.
That's really what I thinkbrings it full circle.
Chris (04:35):
And how important is it?
Cause obviously you'redeveloping these.
You know it's a business right.
So the business, more people inthere as possible, you know
making as much as possible, butnow you're trying to have to
navigate your business model alittle bit to cater to specific
kind of needs and wants.
Deon (04:47):
No, agree, agree, you definitely have to establish
some boundaries in a city ofhospitality.
Paki (04:53):
Yeah yeah, 100% boundaries is the key word.
Yeah, yeah.
Deon (04:57):
So the complimentary approach, you know it doesn't
take long to.
You know pick out and evaluatewhere someone is mentally.
Paki (05:05):
So I go take advantage.
Deon (05:06):
Yeah, I want to commit, or just want to say hey, we're on
to the next new thing.
You know things are alwayspopping up here New venues, new
restaurants, events and thingsand you know that's a part of it
, but it helps you long term.
It's a part of the journey andit's helped me out a lot of just
being able to see straightthrough it.
Chris (05:23):
Are you seeing people more like inclined for that
flexibility?
Or is it an equipment space?
Is it you know educationalpiece that they're looking for?
Is it like the whole package?
Deon (05:32):
For the most part, I think social media has a heavy
influence on it.
You know, seeing where everyoneis training, sure, but for me
it's like, hey, we might not befor you, it's okay.
That's one thing that I had toget comfortable with being able
to say no In the earliest stagesin your career.
You're a people pleaser.
Paki (05:48):
Yes.
Deon (05:48):
I do it, I make it happen those types of things.
But once you start valuing yourtime, that's really the biggest
transition of okay, let me takea better approach.
Let me make sure I'm being verydirect early on in this
relationship and setting thestandard.
Yep.
Paki (06:06):
With it being like a premium gym, so like, let's say,
for example, chris and I, wewant to sign up for a membership
, I probably couldn't get in.
No, you, you whatever.
But like, do I bring my owntrainer or do I hire you guys or
do, or can I just go in andjust work out, like how's it set
up?
Because it's such, it seemslike a boutique but it seems
very high end compared to like aI don't want to say your
competitors, yeah no for sureLBA, you know LB.
(06:27):
I can't even think of the damnname.
I'm thinking of my son's soccerteam LBSA, lbsac, lbsac, yeah.
Deon (06:33):
I'm sorry.
Yeah, in the business, on thebusiness set, I mean, you have
to define volume, you knowthat's exactly what I was
getting at.
Yeah, you know the price pointsand things might not be as
competitive.
Yeah, some are a bit morepremium, just depending on
everything that comes with itthe amenities, the trainers and
things like that.
But for us, um, there's been apivot as well for us.
(06:54):
Uh, we started out, you know,just if you had you had to have
a trainer to be in the facilitythat's all I was curious about
yep, um, and then wanted to.
We were realizing we was turninga lot of people away that maybe
already had a sense of trainingand just wanted a privacy
approach, so we've made somepivots within the last year of
opening it up to a premiummembership that gives you access
(07:15):
, but also you have theavailability to work with a
trainer like myself and buildout your program with me.
Hey, you need me to program foryou Intro assessments and
that's pretty much it.
Man, less is more when it comesto that.
We don't want to overlycomplicate things.
The thing I want to deliver onis making you think less, and
that's the same thing withathletes Coming to Vegas.
(07:36):
I don't want you to have toworry about anything.
Chris (07:38):
Just tell me what you need.
That's kind of tough becausenow you're working with people,
like you said, like highachievers, right?
People that are next level, youwould think the next level when
they're really trying todevelop their own bodies, their
own workout programs.
Have you felt any pressureslike in trying to navigate that?
Have you always felt reallyconfident how you could build
out that platform for?
Deon (07:54):
somebody at that level.
That's a great point.
No, really, it wasn't astruggle.
It's really just getting to knowthe individual.
You know everyone is motivateddifferent.
You know, there's no two peoplelike it's too.
No two athletes are like umcould be similarities, but just
understanding, hey, these arethe goals, this is what
motivates the person.
So just, I'm profiling in asense okay, okay, this react a
little different when I saythese, these things, are these
(08:16):
coaching cues, um, so yeah, it'sreally just a skill of the art
of coaching, of what translate I?
I want to keep it simple, butalso we will progress.
But in today's society, thingsare more about, you know, the
look at me thing, the crazyvideos, the transitions, the,
you know the.
The fear I also see in theindustry of this is why you
(08:37):
should train with me and this,hey, I'm gonna let you choose.
I deliver a product, I'll showyou choose, I deliver a product,
I show you the assessment andthen from there, hey, can we
move forward.
Paki (08:46):
Yeah, what is like just to ask you what is kind of a price
point, like let's say, somebodyis really because people want
to.
You know they listen andthey'll say like, okay, I want
to go to IBI.
What would they pay monthly tobe able to work with somebody
like yourself?
Well, with the membership.
Deon (08:58):
We have all access.
Membership is $175, and that'sjust saying hey, you guys want
to come in, that's great, that'sreally good, yeah for sure.
And you know there's a stigma oftalking price points, but I
don't want to blindside anyone.
It's a premium product and welove the space, so you know,
just to have access $175.
And then everything else on topof that for us, if you need
(09:18):
programming, nutrition prep oralso, just hey, personal
training on a sports performance, then we'll get into the
packages and things of you beingconsistent, of you know how
many times a week, how manytimes a month are you thinking
Okay?
Chris (09:30):
And are you ever learning off like some of the people
that are bringing their owntrainers in there?
Cause I would assume some ofthese NFL NBA they're bringing
world class.
Deon (09:36):
you know, no for sure just depending on, okay, you intro
me to your for one, we've onlyhad one situation that was like
that, but the guy was bringingin someone that I highly respect
in the space like yourcelebrity, I get it.
Chris (09:51):
And once we started talking, shopping things.
Deon (09:57):
This aligns.
You know, the biggest thing wasnot allowing a liability.
That was gonna, you know, be adetriment to the, to the brain
vision because once it's outthere, it's out there 1,000%.
Paki (10:06):
All right.
No ego with that too, becauseit can go quick, it can go real
quick.
What's some of the things thatyou got?
I guess innovation right,because people are doing so many
different things right.
But obviously we know, like yousaid, the show me set up the
click bait.
They're trying to do coolthings to drive, drive attention
(10:26):
.
Deon (10:26):
But what's the things that are really working in
innovatively now that you're youimplemented in your programs?
Um, for me, man in in ourpersonal space is really not a
big flash.
Okay, is is pretty muchintegrating everyone into, like
I said, the the progression of.
Hey this is where you are.
I know this.
This is what we're aiming atOkay, this is how we're going to
get there.
The coaching cues understandingthat you know how to prep,
warming up, what's yournutrition like, getting a
(10:48):
schedule, you know pretty muchsetting that.
And then, when you get into thetechnology and things like that
, of course I use velocity-basedtraining and things like that.
It helps with the intent versushaving to overcoach, because
sometimes you can give too manycoaching cues and you have this
brain fog of wait what was Isupposed to do?
Chris (11:03):
I was supposed to do this eight times or this five times?
Deon (11:05):
Yeah, yeah so I like to keep it very simple, and then we
reevaluate as we progressthrough the session and then
also through the entire program,and then it's seasonal as well,
especially with the athletes.
That's what I wanted to getinto, yeah.
So, it's seasonal and dependingon where a guy is, if he's
fresh out of college, if she's afirst year pro.
You know those types of thingscompared to the you know the
(11:25):
veteran athletes.
So, it's a different approach.
Everything, pretty much, isbased on systems, um, but from
there it's like okay, that'swhat the one-on-one hey, this is
what I want to work on.
Paki (11:36):
This is what this looks like.
Okay, so, will you like?
So?
For example, I know you werejust in Philly recently, right
so for the game, and I knowyou're probably going to the
Super Bowl too.
So what does that look like?
Right, so does a particularathlete, and you can share
whoever you're working with ifyou want to or not.
But let's say it's a particularathlete, do you fly with them,
let's say, for example, toPhilly, and then you're working
them out while they're there too, before the game and things
(11:58):
like that, and then come backhome, or is it?
Deon (12:01):
that customizable, yeah Well, yeah, that question has
some layers to it.
It just depends on the athlete.
Okay, when you're early on inyour career, you don't have as
much leverage of being able todictate things For me.
I just want to be complimentaryto the organization, whether
it's on the WNBA side, the NFLside, ufc, kind of like what are
(12:22):
you guys doing?
Sure, and then, hey, I justwant to take a, take care of the
investment and why it's with me.
Let's be very transparenttriangle offense for me, hey
this is what I'm doing.
You give me the information, hey.
Hey, this is what I see.
Yeah, dion, stay away from this.
Just want to be complimentaryto the athlete and the
organization, so I never want toget the ego involved of this is
my athlete, this is what we do.
(12:42):
You know what you.
You have some that can dictate alittle more, you know,
depending on where they're intheir career but yeah, for me
it's just like I said addingvalue to the bottom line and
knowing that it's no, noliability when it comes to a
lack of knowledge or, you know,just mentally messing with the
athlete sure, my understandingis how does it kind of work?
Chris (13:01):
because I know when they're, when they're in the
season, right, they have theirown trainers that are provided
by the, the coaching staff, andthen they're off season, they
get those same trainers or theyhave to go find their own
trainer um season starts whenthey're in season for for one.
Deon (13:12):
And which?
Which sport are we?
Chris (13:13):
talking just really and honestly, because they all have
the off season, they all havethe season.
So I don't know if it'sdifferent among sports.
Deon (13:18):
Maybe um, no, yeah, for the most part it's a collective
approach of in season wise.
They have their own template,their training templates by
position um yardage uh, courttime, things like that where
you're at in a rotation, um.
So I have some athletes thatwant to add things in season.
You know um activations are hey, I'm struggling with this.
(13:39):
Uh, we're coming off thebi-week or there's been a long
travel.
You know, understanding thatcomponent of hey, we've been on
the road for two weeks.
Um we want to recalibrate.
Chris (13:48):
That's a whole that's a whole thing.
That's great.
Paki (13:49):
It's a whole system man, it's, it's, it's lot of layers,
so everything is is pretty muchdifferent for each organization.
Deon (13:56):
Um, but yeah, that's for me.
I just keep it very simple.
Um, if they want something inseason, like I said, I want to
communicate that properly.
I never want to be a liabilityto hey.
Well, she was training with hertrainer and got hurt doing this
and you know those type ofthings.
So I just want to make surewe're being completely
transparent yeah andunderstanding where we're at in
the season.
Um, the biggest thing isstaying healthy later in the
(14:18):
season to make a playoff run,whatever it may be.
And then on the comeback side ofit, it's just, hey, making sure
that I'm communicating whatyou're doing mitts with.
Hey, what's your volume like?
Okay, we're doing grapplingtoday.
Paki (14:30):
Okay, I know when to push and when to be more reserved, so
you work wide range NBA, NFL,UFC being the headquarters is
here, so you're working witheverybody.
Deon (14:40):
Yeah, that's one of the narratives that I've had to
overcome, being the football guy.
Paki (14:45):
And I'll be honest with you, I was biased on that.
I honestly thought it was NBA,and NFL is what I always thought
.
Deon (14:51):
Which, like I said, it's a good problem to have.
Like I said, I play football,so I see why that.
You know that gave me myopportunity to work with
professionals.
So the more I educated myselfand it's hard to see different
cities and the need it's like,oh well, let's do a little
research and do my due diligenceon this.
How can I add value to thismarket?
Women's sports, for sure, wasthe huge, the huge, undervalued.
(15:15):
So it was like like that wasanother angle that I was like,
hey, this is something that Icould really plug into and add a
premium approach to it as well.
Paki (15:22):
Everybody is Sorry.
We got the aces here, but wegot everybody here too that
people forget about, and I'msorry, go ahead, Chris.
Chris (15:28):
Yeah, you're 100% right, it's getting big, but how do you
find?
You know?
Deon (15:40):
kind of not, too, because you're only one person.
You know you can't have 200athletes, or can you, like I
don't know what the bandwidth isfor, like that?
yeah, uh, being a startupcompany in vegas, you know, like
I said, this is year five forme, so you know you're, you're
not turning anything yeah,that's 1000, but also that's
where the systems come in placeand setting those boundaries of
hey, this is what I'm workingwith and then also understanding
like I had to learn how to sayno to certain things of until I
can continue to build a team, uh, build a trust.
(16:02):
But also sometimes, when you'vewith an athlete for a while,
it's like you know, don't everput me with this person again.
You know, I'm coming to you foryou.
So, understanding that.
So you always want to empoweryour circle and anyone else that
might be in the part of thetriangle offensive therapy, pt
recovery and those things.
But you know, some athletesokay, some have their, their
(16:24):
yeah.
Paki (16:25):
I know, I know exactly what you're getting at.
Yeah, what would you say?
Mindset wise, right Like I hadlittle kids right, so they
always paying attention andeverybody's YouTube, happy, they
think everybody's just twominutes doing a quick drill or
whatever it is.
But what's really the mindsetof professional athletes that
you're seeing, or or or evencollege players right, cause
you're working with that areelite athletes?
Um, what's their mindset likeof of trying to continue to push
(16:47):
themselves and be there?
Deon (16:48):
Um, you get a wide range.
A wide range.
You really have to be able toadapt and meet an athlete where
he or she may be, but also yousprinkle in your influence of
hey, you know, why did you do itthis way?
Or, you know, let me help youdevelop a tool belt, cause my
biggest thing is how can Ieducate you when you're not with
me?
It's easy to say, hey, youcan't do this because I'm not
(17:12):
there.
You have to, you know, bring mea part of this Like hey, no, I
want you to be able to properlyactivate warm up.
Hey, this is what I'm dealingwith.
How can I overcome it?
Lacrosse ball, this is mytravel bag of things that I
(17:32):
could help you with, versus mephysically having to be there.
So I feel like every situation,this is what.
Oh, I remember I was dealingwith the low back.
This is how I can help.
You know also, hey, I havesomeone in the city that you're
headed to.
You know if you can get sometable work?
there if you can't get it withthe team or you know the weight,
especially when you dealingwith team sports, and it's a big
roster, Sure, Um.
But on the professionals, most,most athletes are starting to
(17:54):
develop their own circle, whichI can truly appreciate.
This is what we're doing wetake the information, we pass it
off and you know that prettymuch has been successful for me.
Chris (18:05):
These people are just like just natural, just like
they don't need to work out.
Deon (18:10):
Like man this guy just gossip all the time.
He's like, no matter what I do,he don't listen.
Chris (18:13):
He's still out there killing it.
No matter what I do, he don'tlisten and he's still out there
killing it.
Deon (18:15):
No, you have those one-offs where it's like you
know you will look at it and say, okay, some people are just
naturally talented.
It's always something we canwork on for sure.
Okay, I don't want to createproblems mentally If it works
for you.
You know, my biggest thing iscan you duplicate it?
Can you duplicate it?
Can you do it again?
It's one thing to go out andball one week or, you know, not
(18:37):
get as much rest, live thislifestyle, then get caught up
into those things.
But for the most part, can youduplicate it in consistency.
Yeah, five years, ten years,you are what you repeatedly do.
So that was the big point forme of like, okay, I get it, you
give and take, but yeah, that'sthe biggest thing for me To
piggyback on.
Paki (18:55):
What Chris was getting at is like Kobe's documentaries out
right now.
So do you think you can teachmental toughness Like, for
example, Kobe that went and shota free throw at the what
Pulling his Achilles right, orshot two free throws and walks
himself off?
You deal with a lot of premiumathletes like that are in
football and all these differentsports that they got to work
through the pain For sure.
(19:16):
Do you think that can?
Deon (19:16):
be taught.
I definitely think you canelevate a guy's mindset.
A lot of things are from theneck up, sure, but for me, just
navigating youth, sports,grassroots, all the way through
the professional level, a lot ofthings start at home, at home,
you know, for us I don't thinkI've heard anybody say this-
yeah.
Mindset.
You know just you're taking ininformation, Like you're seeing
(19:38):
how your parents navigate orwhoever, your guardian or
whoever you're living withCertain things of how to
navigate adversity and thingslike that.
So a lot of that is establishedearly, whether you're conscious
of it or not, and then somethings can be later developed as
you mature and decide who youwant to be.
Paki (19:56):
I'm glad you're bringing that up, starting at home,
because you got people that livethrough their kids with sports,
right, you didn't make it towhatever certain level, right,
and you try to live through yourkids.
And then you hard on your kidsand that can sometimes hurt them
the right way, I'm sorry, hurtthem the wrong way because they
might not be taking it in, nofor sure.
How do you help combat?
Deon (20:14):
that Well with youth sports and grassroots.
I get that all the time fromparents Because it's crazy right
now these games.
I say it all the time you know,get your rest, get off the video
game, but if it comes fromCoach Hodges, it's like gold.
So, also, sometimes the messageis just who it's coming from,
you know.
So I understand that as well,and that's the biggest thing.
It goes back to the educationand just keeping it simple.
(20:41):
If it's a nutrition issue, youknow the quick thing, coach,
should I supplement?
Should I do this?
Hey, how about we start fromthe kitchen table?
What's a protein?
What's a carb?
The basics, what does that looklike?
You know, are we getting itfrom the kitchen table and then
from there as they progress andmature?
Then we can.
You know and I'm just usingnutrition as an example, because
that's usually a big one withthe grassroot level of okay,
what can I do to get acompetitive edge?
The biggest thing is juststaying consistent and
(21:02):
evaluating yourself and beingrealistic, because sometimes we
can put these like you said.
You're living through your kidsand I get it.
I get the passion behind it andwanting to see your kids be
successful, but sometimes it canbe detrimental, especially if
you're not having thoseconversations For sure.
Yeah.
Paki (21:19):
I want to back up just a little bit about your specialty
of exercise science.
Right, that's what you got thedegree in and for our listeners,
what?
What is exercise science?
As far as from your perspectiveon what you bring to the table,
A great point, Um one one.
Deon (21:32):
One thing for me.
Um earlier on I wasn't tooaware of exercise science or
exercise phys.
Yeah, initially, going into mysenior year, I tore my ACL.
Paki (21:45):
Oh Jesus yeah.
Deon (21:46):
Tore my ACL in a spring practice In football right yeah,
football.
And the recovery process withthat was okay, you go to a PT.
These people, this is gonna helpme back on the field and it
wasn't up until I startedworking with the PTs that there
was a sports science behind that.
You know it's one thing to havean issue or something that
(22:07):
you're navigating and go gettreatment and therapy sure did
you get back to your everydaylife, but what does that look
like for the athlete?
So at first you know it was PTfor me.
Paki (22:16):
Okay, so just the physical therapy Straight physical
therapy.
Deon (22:19):
You know, I had a great relationship with the team that
was helping me in high school.
Hey, this is what it's going totake.
It's a long process, you know,this is what it looks like.
And then, once I made it toSouthern Miss, I got introduced
to the exercise science program.
I was like, oh wow, this issomething that I can be a part
of life after sports.
(22:40):
You're interested right awayyeah this can keep me close to
whatever sport it may be.
It's competitive, the knowledgeis there and you can stay sharp
in the industry.
At first I was completelyunaware of it and then, when I
touched campus, I was like, oh,this is a program.
This is something that I'mreally really interested in.
Chris (22:58):
Yeah.
Deon (22:59):
Are you a?
Paki (22:59):
sports fan in general, like just you know not the
outside of this, but like Forsure He'd be at every game man.
He's literally at every game,For sure.
Deon (23:06):
Yeah, definitely a sports fan man.
Some things have grown on me asI matured, seeing different
(23:27):
markets, different.
You know, in in Mississippi itwas football was king, so that
was the driver.
But um, once you hit campus yousee different aspects,
different sports, um, athletesfrom different countries.
You know I was like, oh wow,this is, this is bigger than
than that, you know, on a globalscale.
So that's what really, you know, caught my interest and helped
me, you know, kind of navigatewhat lane at least I thought I
wanted to do at the time.
Paki (23:38):
Sure, yeah, and this is ongoing debate, right about
sports.
Who's the best athlete?
Is it NBA players?
Is it NFL players?
Is it, you know, soccer players?
Is it?
Now the UFC is huge, agreed Inyour perspective.
I want to hear from you, man,Put you on blast.
Who would you say?
Deon (23:59):
is the best athlete, because you know they asked
lebron about this too.
Yeah, so no man, that's, that'sreally a tough question sure
there's so many components gointo it yeah, yeah, position
wise, you know just your naturalanatomy, sure, um the
environment.
you know mindset, you know I'veseen a lot from an athlete that
was particularly from a certainarea compared to oh oh, this guy
is super competitive.
(24:19):
Sure, he might not do all thelittle details right, but when
the lights are on he'scompetitive.
So it's kind of hard to singleout one sport.
I truly value the competitiveedge, but also the, I would say,
mindfulness that I see with alot of athletes that can keep
that composure.
Chris (24:37):
Okay.
Deon (24:39):
Never, never too high, never too low.
So for me, that's the thingthat I look for the most.
Of course, everyone wants to bethe, you know, the athlete that
takes over the game, the dog,whatever you want to, you know,
glorify it as, but justunderstanding, okay, this is how
(25:03):
they've overcome adversity.
You know, I've had a, a fewguys that go down to some
injuries.
That was, you know, just a partof the sport.
There wasn't any soft tissue oranything like that.
And you know, the problem isnot the problem how you're going
to respond to it yeah, you know.
So that's the thing that I value, whatever the platform may be.
Chris (25:11):
It's like okay yeah, I see it sure, yeah, yeah, what do
you can't get away?
Who do you think?
I think NBA man.
Paki (25:19):
I would say NBA too.
I think NBA and the only reasonnot just because I played.
I mean I never played up to aprofessional level.
I played college basketball.
I just felt like NBA.
You just do something.
You know what I mean.
Like those athletes can playfootball, you could a lot of
them have played soccer.
You know what I mean.
Deon (25:35):
So you can transition.
Paki (25:36):
Yeah, I mean, the volume is different.
Baseball, I mean I'm hating onbaseball, but you know baseball
player, you know what I mean.
Deon (25:41):
They can play everything, they can dunk and it's a long
journey, you know, depending onif you make it to that
professional level, even on thebaseball side.
Sure, you know minor league andnavigating this to make it to
the bigs, no man you have.
That's a great point.
For me it's just mindset.
That's what I value the most.
It tells me a lot about you,know you as an individual, and
(26:03):
then outside the sport, who areyou on a day to day?
Chris (26:06):
Sure Cause they're all special, definitely no doubt
about that.
Paki (26:17):
Like, I remember we were sitting down with him and he
tripped me out when he had.
He said that he never gave hisall and I was like what it was
your biggest regret?
I never gave my all.
One of his biggest regrets ishe never gave it all.
And I'm like, and you in thesport of boxing, where you can't
play boxing at all, it's justone-on-one, so it's interesting,
man.
So what's the most memorablelesson for you?
Like, like, were you workingwith an athlete and you might
see them do something you'veworked with him consistently on,
(26:39):
or she on?
What's one memorable lesson?
thing that stood out for youthat this, this, it's exciting.
You can applaud it.
You know what I?
Deon (26:47):
mean, uh, definitely had several moments.
Um, I always try to stay out ofit just because I don't want to
feel like I'm taking credit.
You know, you're so humblebrother.
I mean I feel like, hey, if, ifhe you know, if she had never
met me, she probably would stillmade it this too smooth too
smooth with it, okay, butunderstanding that component, um
, it's been a lot of things thatI've definitely been proud of,
(27:09):
sure, but a lot of it is, youknow, that dark space If there's
an injury, I've seen athletesthat navigate.
you know, I've had one big timeguy that I would consider he had
his first injury like ever whenhe when he made it to the
league, and that was a time thatI was like, oh wow, he's human
(27:30):
you know, in the sense of okay,not want to talk to anyone and I
kind of connected in a sense tocomparing that to what I felt
like when I tore my acl in highschool of you know, friends are
not hitting you back.
Everybody's kind of still goingon with their life sure um you
know, you kind of create this,this chip I'm going to get back.
Paki (27:51):
So seeing those type of things, those moments where you
really have to overcomeadversity, and depression too,
man, you get into a bad I waslistening to Derrick Rose man.
Deon (28:00):
Going into a depression makes your mind go crazy, no for
sure, Seeing the athletesnavigate that.
Of course you want everyone tobe healthy and have a great
career, get extended contractsand things like that.
Yeah, but those things mean themost to me, you know, just
because those are vulnerablemoments, you know those are
(28:21):
really vulnerable moments of youquestioning.
You know, why did this happen?
You know, then you start secondguessing, you know, did I
really prepare myself properly?
You know, whatever the play maybe or whatever, how did the
injury happen, but those thingsreally carry a lot of weight for
me because it's bigger than thesport for me.
You know, a couple of myathletes we've become family.
Chris (28:37):
That's what's up.
That's a weird thought, becauseyou think you're one of the
only people who get to see himin that moment.
Right, it's not really a lot ofpeople Vulnerable.
Deon (28:46):
Yeah, you know, sometimes you just need someone to check
up, like yo.
We're good.
You know, I've seen over thelast couple of weeks we've had,
you know, two guys go down tosomething that was pretty tough
to navigate, especially in theplayoffs.
And it's like you know what doyou say yeah, like yo, we locked
in.
Paki (29:05):
You know, we'll, you know, we'll get, we'll get everything
.
Deon (29:06):
Yeah, don't overthink it.
I know it sucks right now.
You embrace these moments andum and from there you know
that's that's more fulfillingfor me to be a part of that, of
that support system.
The training part is easy in asense, but it's like, okay, the
buy-in.
It's like they see things ofokay yo, you really checked it
wasn't hitting me up abouttickets or what can we do?
Paki (29:28):
Or can you, I got this business idea and all these
different things.
You know you have so manypeople pulling at the athletes
on all levels.
Deon (29:34):
So I never want to be put in that boat of you.
Know what is DM?
What are you calling me?
You know those things.
So for me those moments mean alot to me of seeing it but also
how to handle success.
I've had guys, you know, I hadfemale athletes that were had
some success on the court, onthe field and things like that
and it's like, okay, can you do?
(29:54):
It again yeah, so it's thatapproach.
Paki (29:55):
It's just that high of continuing to keep going.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Deon (29:58):
So it's, I mean okay, you've done it once.
Paki (29:59):
Can we do it again?
What does that look like?
Chris (30:01):
Nobody teaches you about that, though, right Like you
just learn by yourself.
Deon (30:05):
You can learn, you know, exercise, science, but nobody
teaches you how to be kind of atherapist in a sense, very true,
man, and that was the thingthat I was navigating with
myself just mindset, how toconnect, you know, how to just
really commit myself to theathletes of understanding.
Hey, I'm here as a resource,you know.
(30:27):
Just understanding who are youfrom the neck up is a big thing
for me.
So, um, that's usually myapproach, man, and it's got me
to this point and I'm stilllearning today.
Um, I know that I know nothing,um, cause things are changing.
You evolve, but for the mostpart it's happening.
So quick back to thefundamentals.
Um, that tool belt that wetalked about earlier, um,
(30:48):
usually that's what presentsitself.
Again, it's easy to want to getinto the sexy stuff and go fat,
you know for sure.
Oh, we want to train, we wantto do this, want to do that,
like no, let's slow it down.
Basics yeah, yeah and justglorifying that, and sometimes
it's it's more humbling, yeah,like, okay, it's going to be a
time and a place where we'regoing to get after, but right,
but, right now let's just beconsistent is the main thing.
Paki (31:09):
You got to be excited about all the sports coming to
Vegas, man.
Deon (31:11):
We get everybody now, and now I've heard.
Paki (31:15):
Obviously we already knew about the NBA, we knew about the
A's coming here, athletics, andthen I've heard MLS is really,
really sprinkling in Part of it.
I think what's the train that'scoming here?
Deon (31:29):
yeah, part of I think um what's the train that's coming
here.
Paki (31:30):
Uh, the bullet train that was going, yeah, between here
and la, but what's it called?
Uh, I have no idea.
Chris (31:32):
Uh I'm gonna think of a second.
Paki (31:34):
I'll think of it in a second but it's the same one as
in miami to orlando, is the sameone coming from here to la?
But I'm I'm hearing that themls is going to be on top of
that stadium, the mls stadiumsimilar to like a madison square
garden.
That's what I'm getting to hear, so we're going to get.
Soccer supposedly is going tobe happening.
So three more sports, whichVegas is just, and how do you
feel about that?
Deon (31:53):
I mean, this is your profession.
That was the biggest thing forme of understanding evaluating
markets.
You know where the athleteswant to be.
I feel like Vegas is a hub thatat some point you have to come
through, our 100% an eventconventions.
Yeah, marketing deals it'ssomething sporting events
especially yeah, yeah, thosethings.
So that is something that helpsme solidify.
Hey, this is where I need to beand, um, you know, I'm gonna
(32:16):
put myself in the best situationand how do these?
Chris (32:18):
you know that's a good sidetrack, I think, but at least
you know, uh, because you'renot necessarily only working
with vegas athletes, right?
You have a lot of people indifferent markets, are they?
Do they come here specificallyto just be with you on the off
season or the moment where theylive here normally?
Like, is it a hybrid?
It's a hybrid?
Deon (32:33):
Um for sure we.
We have athletes that aretransitioning to Vegas.
They see the benefits tax theysee the benefits on the upside.
And then you know we ha, I dohave some athletes that, hey,
I'm doing my off season in Vegaswith you, yeah, um, which is
fulfilling as well.
Chris (32:48):
Yeah, that'd be fantastic .
Deon (32:50):
People to uproot what they're doing.
You know six months out of theyear to come and be, you know,
in your city and train with you,for you know eight to 12 weeks,
depending on how long you havethem or whatever the sport may
be.
Paki (32:59):
Yeah, that's what's up, man.
I applaud you, man, but right,because you new bit new in
business now with thehospitality company.
But what would you say, just anugget from something that
you've learned, man, because weall hit our heads sometimes that
what's the lesson that you'velearned just in business that it
might be able to help.
You know our listeners businessadvice.
Deon (33:17):
Um, it's several different things that I hospitality has
introduced me to yeah, for sureI was completely naive too.
Paki (33:26):
wait, wait, what?
Yeah, that's what you have todo.
Deon (33:29):
Sure, to keep it simple, the biggest thing is just asking
the questions.
You know, understanding, justbeing more vulnerable?
Yeah, can you help meunderstand this?
Yeah, compared to the ego ofjust sitting back and being
quiet and faking it, I get it.
I get it.
I mean, I know those are somethings that we talk about on the
day to day of knowingeverything.
(33:52):
I know that I know nothing.
When it comes, especially tothe restaurant space Wait, what
Front of house, back of housebooking marketing it's as hard
as industry, as restaurants.
Advice, wise, I mean for sure,just being more vulnerable to
the space um, doing yourhomework, doing your due
(34:15):
diligence is one thing that theguys that I'm involved with with
Aya has shown me outside of thetraining aspect is is really
taking it from A to Z.
A to Z is a big staple, uh, andstatement on our day-to-day
conversations of okay, you cango about halfway.
Oh, I think I got it done.
Paki (34:27):
What do?
Deon (34:28):
you mean, you think, did you get it done?
And that's what I definitelyappreciate those guys for
educating me on that aspect andit's it's just a spillover to
how you do everything.
Sure, you know how do youmanage your household.
Yeah, buddy, it's a thin lineadds up yeah, you know, if
you're sloppy at most things,you know your day to day, it
usually shows itself at somepoint.
Paki (34:50):
Very true, you know.
So I'm so glad you brought thatup.
And I'm a side check for onesecond Tony Robbins.
I was just listening to him ona podcast.
He has a personal investigatorfor every business partner he
goes into and he allows them todo the same exact thing to
really understand who he'sgetting into business with,
because a lot of these dealsmight be a million, might be a
(35:11):
hundred million, might be abillion dollars.
I think he's invested in Idon't know how many companies,
but that was the first person Iheard say that, and you're right
.
It starts at the home front.
You don't know what the homefront is like.
Deon (35:19):
You got to really know people to really understand what
they're about and when do youreally get a chance, a snapshot,
to know people Riding the kids?
Man, yeah, riding the kids.
That's a good one Riding thekids.
I'm sure it starts at home.
Paki (35:31):
Because my kids will tell you straight up like no, he
don't do that.
Deon (35:34):
You know what I mean Exactly.
You know you could sit and saycertain things, but you know the
people that goes into whenadversity strikes.
Paki (35:39):
Things are not going right who are you?
Deon (35:50):
I know that, you know it's easy to sit here and say we did
it and we developed thispodcast, and you know, sure, you
know, I'm sure there's somestories by the journey of being
used.
Paki (36:02):
Yes, all the business partners yeah, it's.
Deon (36:05):
That's the thing that yeah introduces you to who you're at
war with, and that's the thingthat aya has definitely shown,
yeah, and and helped meunderstand of okay, you know, I
really got your back.
What does?
Chris (36:17):
that look like sometimes things I mean it's not always
easy.
Paki (36:21):
So well said, when you see , those things like okay, this
makes sense.
Deon (36:25):
That's what's up you leading by example you know,
you're helping.
You're navigating, you're youknow.
Hey, what do we need to do next?
Sure, collectively.
Sometimes it's just hey, yo doyou, don't be a robot, do you?
Yeah, we got you you know thoseorganic.
Chris (36:39):
Yeah, I love that great to be in that environment.
It really helps you be yourbest self yeah, that's always
y'all got some great partners.
Paki (36:44):
Man, shout out to all your partners your partners man, we
always ask.
We can't leave out.
We're in the food mecca and Iknow you eat a lot, just like I
do, man, so I got to know whatyour favorite restaurant is in
Vegas.
Deon (36:55):
Don't say yours, I was about to say that's a loaded
question.
Say something else, man.
You're trying to get me fired.
Yeah, I would say, outside ofour personal venues.
Okay, for me I think.
Oh man, that's a great questionand you can shout about it.
No, for sure, we will get tothat.
Paki (37:13):
I'm going to be honest with you.
Pine Beach Show is excellent,and I'm not just saying that
it's excellent food, excellentambiance, j Blanc.
I was just there recently.
It was excellent.
Deon (37:21):
Excellent food for me with with our personal venues, thick
and thin.
Paki (37:25):
Oh yeah, I always forget about the thing.
Deon (37:27):
Yeah, just because it's it's complimentary to the day.
Paki (37:29):
Right next to IVI.
Yeah.
Deon (37:30):
So with the protein shakes , wellness juices, those things,
um that's, that's a huge staplefor me.
It provides that conveniencebut also understanding it adds
to the experience of the of thefacility.
So I definitely appreciateVeronica and the team over at
Thick and Thin Treats thatthat's a part of our every day.
You know, that's our conveniencestore in a sense.
(37:51):
For sure, you know, I alwayseducate the athletes.
Hey, what did you eat today?
Yeah, understanding nutritionalwindows and things.
Okay, it might not be what I'meating, but when I'm eating,
sure, but far as Vegas man, it'seasy to want to go with the big
time places.
But for me I want to shout outone of my good friends, Kai
Kamaka.
(38:11):
He's one of the MMA fightersand we connected over Island
Sushi Island.
Paki (38:18):
Sushi is more of a local approach.
Okay, where's that at?
Deon (38:21):
I don't think anybody's mentioned that it's over off of
Eastern Okay.
Paki (38:25):
Island Sushi.
Shout out to them.
Deon (38:27):
Island.
She is one of uh, one of mystaples, and I just appreciate
the community level.
I get it to want to go to thebig chain.
Sure, yeah, yeah, flash, andyou know yeah, I get it.
Paki (38:37):
Yeah, for sure, I get it.
Deon (38:42):
I get it.
I love that with parking valetdoing 100.
I know so island sushi.
Um, you know, I did the friedphilly roll noodles, that's
what's up?
That's not good, it's one ofthe things that, okay, I mean
for twice a month, maybe everyother friday, um, okay, you
there.
Um, another one, um, I don'twant to butcher the name.
It's in north vegas, uh, mebeing from mississippi.
(39:04):
Yeah, soul food, okay, so I'mlooking for catfish, okay, um,
maybe you can help me think ofthe name.
Paki (39:10):
I can't think of the spot in North.
Chris (39:12):
It's over on Lamb.
What is the name of that spot?
Paki (39:15):
they got soul food.
Deon (39:16):
We used to go there way back in the day when we were at.
Chris (39:17):
Sonata right down the little shopping street.
Paki (39:19):
They just opened a new location or which one you're
talking about, way down on West,going on Craig.
Chris (39:26):
Is it East North Las Vegas, like when East side I?
Paki (39:29):
think so.
It probably is.
We'll think.
I think I'm trying to think ofthe daggone name.
It's in that low plaza overthere.
Deon (39:33):
Yeah, I don't want to butcher the shout out, but no
for sure, for me it was just ataste of home, it's.
It's something that, like Isaid, just it's a taste of home
that helps me.
Okay, this is very similar.
I get it Calling my mom to senda care package about something.
I get it.
You know.
You speak about language,catfish things like that.
Paki (39:55):
Speak about language, yeah .
Deon (39:56):
But yeah, man, um yeah, outside of thick and thin, for
sure, not to say that I don'tappreciate the other ones.
You know, when the athletescome to town, that's the first
thing.
Can we get a reservation here?
Can we do this?
So I get it.
But for me, the localexperience of just being able to
unplug and not have to you know, compete with traffic and
(40:19):
things like that.
And if you guys can educate meon anything else in the market.
Paki (40:25):
No, you know, you know I'm a big foodie, but you know I'm
glad you said that becausepeople like your hospitality
company.
You're putting nice restaurantsand good food off the strip.
That has that experience ofbeing on the strip, yep, so I
got to salute you guys.
Like Paul, everything that youjust mentioned is excellent
because it's got that feel.
Deon (40:42):
You know what I mean to mean the high-end premium feel
you want to put, like I said, atthe grassroot level of the
community of hey, we don't haveto, like you said, go to the
strip to have a premiumexperience but also we
understand what we're in.
I don't want to say competitionwith, but we want to get the
community involved.
Chris (41:00):
That's the biggest thing for us.
I love Cleaver's Natalia'sLittle Kitchen Thai food.
If you like Thai food,definitely check those out.
Paki (41:09):
I just went to the, finally, for the first time,
Cleave what's Cleaver's otherHerbs?
And Rye?
I just went to Cleave Herbs andRye for the first time.
It was excellent.
Yeah, shout out to them.
What did we forgot to ask you,man that on, or something you
(41:34):
just wanted to add to it?
Um, I don't think you guys leftout anything.
I have a question for you guys.
How soon can we come by, ivi,and get it right?
Yeah, I need to get my.
Get my weight off, man.
You sound like sound like jayshaw, my wife must have texted
you saying, saying get him, gethim in there.
Chris (41:42):
We need to come through.
You said premium athletes,that's where I was like premium,
but it sounds like it really isa great facility.
I think I've been by it a lotconsistently, so definitely you
could tell it's an exceptionaland premium.
Paki (41:53):
But I think I got.
We need to get in there.
Stop making excuses.
That's the thing.
You're overthinking it.
That is 100% right.
Just try it out we have toaccountability.
Deon (42:03):
That's all you.
You were 100 right salute toyou, man.
Paki (42:05):
Excuse me right away, he's 100, right, man, because we
just talked about it.
So that's what's up, man, baby,shout out to dion man.
I'm glad I said I get a chanceto sit out with you, man.
Um, what's your social handlesand how people can reach out to
you?
Deon (42:19):
and then ivi and all that so far on instagram and twitter.
Well, x, yeah, underscore d.
Hodges is my handle.
Okay, I don't have a Snapchatand I'm still navigating the
TikTok world.
Yeah, I think we all are.
I'm figuring it out, but butyeah, that's, that's me on on
social Instagram and X man.
Underscore D.
Paki (42:38):
Hodges.
Okay, Well, check them out, man.
Dion is is, uh, somebody that'smotivated man and so, humble
brother, you were humble as hell, man, Great stuff.
So we want to continue to keepsupporting you and have you
continue to keep winning man.
So we applaud what you do.
Deon (42:52):
That's not for sure.
I appreciate that.
Yeah, maybe we can circle backin a few months 100% yeah.
I would love to, yeah, get anupdate, talk through off-season
training and things like thatleading up.
I know we have the Super Bowlcoming up.
The WNBA should be kicking backoff here pretty soon.
I would love to come back andjust talk shop about the more
things like that.
We can dive with some moreathletes if you guys are open to
(43:12):
that.
Chris (43:13):
Yeah, let's keep it going , man Keep it going.
Deon (43:15):
Help me out a little bit.
Chris (43:16):
Keep it going.
Paki (43:18):
Shout out to DDI man.
Check us out atTheVegasTurkeycom.
Deon (43:21):
Appreciate your time, brother.
Paki (43:23):
Really good stuff, thank you.
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