E05: Building a Successful Business in Sports Training with Coach Lily Abdelmalek

Discover how to leverage your time in sports to create opportunities for future growth and unlock your full potential. In this episode, Kris Benson and Alec Ogletree sit down with speed and agility coach Lily Abdelmalek to discuss her journey building her own training business, DSA Training. 

Lily shares how she got her start training some of the biggest names in football like Alec Ogletree and Takeo Spikes. She also opens up about the challenges of being a female entrepreneur in a male-dominated industry. Whether you're an aspiring athlete or embarking on a new career path, Lily's insights will inspire you to think bigger and master the art of wealth creation on and off the field.

Here are some power takeaways from today’s conversation:

[00:00] - Introduction

[06:52] - Lily’s athletic training background

[10:06] - Her career path in sports training

[17:20] - How she started her own business

[23:39] - Recognizing the growth cycle

[33:04] - Managing a gym business with a focus on growth and real estate investment

[35:59] - The power of versatility: Lily's journey in training athletes

[45:40] - Gaining respect in a male-dominated field

[53:36] - Athlete financial planning and retirement

Episode Highlights:

[08:13] Lily’s Career Path in Sports Training

• Lily's unconventional journey into sports training began with casual sports participation in her youth and a college education focused on physiology and kinesiology. An internship in Atlanta exposed her to the field and working with high-performing athletes. After training under Olympic coach Tony Villani, Lily decided to start her own business, DSA Training. Starting small, she gradually built her clientele through word-of-mouth and overcame the challenges of being a female entrepreneur. Today, she owns a 15,000 sq. ft. facility and leads a team that serves hundreds of athletes each season.

[23:39] Recognizing the Growth Cycle

In her fourth year in her current space, Lily reflects on her journey and acknowledges the lessons learned along the way. Hindsight has shown her areas where she would have made different choices, but she understands that these experiences have provided valuable knowledge for the future. She recognizes that this cycle of growth and learning will continue as she continues to push forward in her pursuit of success in sports training.

[35:59] The Power of Versatility: Lily's Journey in Training Athletes

Lily's experience in the sports training business has taught her the importance of versatility. Instead of focusing solely on one specific area, like speed and agility for receivers, she has tapped into a broader market. By working with athletes across different sports, from baseball to football to soccer, she ensures a steady stream of clients throughout the year. This flexibility not only allows her to cater to a wider range of athletes but also provides financial stability. While specializing in one area may seem appealing, Lily understands the need to broaden horizons and adapt to different athletic needs. By doing so, she has been able to establish herself as a trusted trainer who can effectively train athletes from various disciplines.

[54:29] Beyond the Field: Maximizing Football as a Resource in the Journey

In Lily's experience, football has served as more than just a game. It has become a valuable resource that sets athletes up for their future endeavors. She emphasizes the importance of helping players understand this aspect, as many tend to get lost in the identity of being solely a football player. Lily reminds them that their football career will eventually come to an end, usually by the time they reach their late 30s or 40s. Instead, she encourages them to view football as a stepping stone, a vital part of their journey, but not the sole source of income. 

Resource