Featured Mavryk: Dennis Dixon

Tell us about yourself. How long have sports been in your life and why did you choose the path toward becoming a professional athlete?

I was a three sport athlete, played baseball, basketball and football since I was 6 years old. My dream was to become a professional athlete in either sport. I wanted to take care of family so they wouldn’t have pay for my scholarship and beyond. I also wanted to create a better life for my family.

What was the most difficult part of being a professional athlete? The most rewarding?

The most difficult part of being a professional athlete is always staying ready. When you're not considered the franchise player of the team, you have to work that much harder to gain respect from your teams and coaches and staff. The saying “be the first to work, and the last to leave” is very true. Taking care of business when no one is looking is key; on a constant basis. The most rewarding is knowing when your time comes, you are prepared for the moment because you’ve practiced it behind the scenes. Hard work always pay off.

You now have DixonFit—can you share about your experience in making the transition to being a business owner?

Making the transition was somewhat easy for me because I was proactive during my time I was playing football. I made sure once the off-season came around I trained in Portland, Oregon (where the Nike headquarters are). I made it my job to workout in the morning and build relationships at Nike. I understood that football doesn’t last forever, so I had to generate my own opportunities in other areas. To make a long story short, once I left the NFL I worked for the Jordan Brand as a brand marketing specialist in football and baseball training. After working for Nike/Jordan for 3 years I decided I wanted to be my own boss and do exactly what I did inside Nike but now outside the company for myself. It was the best decision I’ve made. Being an entrepreneur is tough, but I’ll bet on myself to beat the odds every time.

How do you define success in your business and for your clients?

The way I define success is making people come out of their comfort zones. Continue to challenge them mentally and physically. I love when clients start off in that fragile state and then gain confidence as they become more in tuned with change; that keeps my cup full of joy.

How do you continue to motivate yourself throughout your various professional pursuits?

My "why" is strong, it’s not about me anymore, it’s about YOU. I just want to share my knowledge with others and fitness/DixonFit has given me the platform to do just that.

What’s the most important thing someone looking to become a professional athlete should know?

The most important thing someone looking to become a professional athlete should know is do what you can control. Being a professional athlete comes with a lot of politics. Don’t let it control your character. Be you and have fun through the process.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your professional journey?

I would like to say for those pursuing being a professional athlete, the key is to lean on veterans. They are the ones that can take your game to the next level. Second, let your pride go. Be willing to learn at all times.

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