Today we’d like to introduce you to Deventri Jordan
Hi, Deventri; we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in Minneapolis, specifically in the black community, until I attended college in St. Cloud to play football. The other athletes around me were predominantly white but were learners & healthier. I was still fast and performed well, but these other athletes were preparing their food in healthier ways than I had learned back home & in my community. It sparked my interest in what else I could be doing differently and how, as an athlete, I could become better. I moved on to train athletes at IMG for about 7 years, and there, I learned the details of what they never taught me back home. The difference between excellent athletes and average. The key details in training and nutrition. My time there turned me into an extremist who wanted to educate my community back home so athletes and, honestly, everyone could lead healthier lives and have more longevity. Many people close to me were struggling with health concerns all my life as I grew up, partially due to a lack of knowledge.
In 2013, when it was time for me to leave IMG and start my own training company, of course, it was intimidating, but I knew it was the right move. I had a wife and a young son to provide for, but I was also confident I had all the pieces to succeed & that it was inevitable. I had to sell the car I had then to afford the equipment I needed for my athletes. I had to bet on myself before anyone else would.
The time in between, starting with my first athletes out of the back of my car to now, has been challenging. I’ve faced multiple evictions, court, and a lot of losses of people close to me. But these obstacles have also made my team of people close to me very strong. We’ve opened and closed multiple training facilities all over the US, but I stay in Minnesota because it is home to me. This is my community. The mission has always been the same, and we are changing how performance training is viewed. We’re not short-cutting athletes in their needs. We help them train for longevity. That is why many of the athletes I train have been with me since their youth. That is why GameFace even began training guys for the NFL combine. I had the experience from IMG, but the demand was there from my young athletes who grew up and did well in college. Now, many people see us doing well and training guys for the NFL Combine & NBA Pre-Draft and think this has been the goal, but it’s not. It has always been to provide what my athletes truly need.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Many struggles. I grew up in a house with a single mom in Minneapolis; I’ve lost a lot of loved ones and faced eviction from one of my training facilities. I wasn’t losing the space because I was a bad business person; I was losing it because I was making bad choices. I was trying to please everyone instead of doing what I knew needed to be done. Even though it didn’t feel like it then, the eviction was my biggest blessing. Before I changed how I looked at being kicked out of my facility, it felt like my business career flashed before my eyes; it felt like this could’ve taken me out. I got through it by temporarily renting a space in Ramsey, MN, to train my athletes out of. I still remember exactly where I was when my broker called me, telling me he had a building in Maple Grove that he wanted to show me. The building was perfect, but it already had a couple of bids. My broker knew that training space could be mine if he could get me in front of the building owner and if he heard my story. All I could do was be transparent, and he ended up relating to many of the situations I’ve faced, and he wanted to help me out. So I sold my truck and walked in with that check, and this building became my new and improved training facility.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
GameFace Training, a unique sports performance training center, is dedicated to honing the skills of athletes of all ages. Our specialized programs focus on building a strong foundation of strength and endurance. With two strategic locations, including Boca Raton, Florida, where DeVentri hosts his renowned NFL combine & NBA Pre-draft training, we prepare young men to excel in these high-stakes events.
Our successful collaboration with TRIA Health Partners at our St.Louis Park, Minnesota location is a testament to our commitment to innovation. Together, we’ve bridged the gap between physical therapy and sports performance training, providing athletes with the most comprehensive understanding of training to sustain their bodies for their unique sport & position.
What sets GameFace apart is our ability to meet athletes where they are at. As we evaluate them physically, we also connect mentally so we know how to motivate them with their desires. Pushing athletes to train hard is one thing, but knowing you are giving athletes the most comprehensive and efficient training program they know can help them achieve their goals and bring out the best in everyone. We can get that last rep and sprint that others couldn’t because we know how to connect with our athletes.
I am most proud that I still have a brand that has been sustained through all these years. I’m pleased I have a son who is involved and actively taking over more and more responsibilities in the business.
What makes you happy?
When I can help someone with a vision by assisting them to get super clear on it and avoid unnecessary problems, I can also give them the tools I have to help them move through it faster.
Pricing:
- Varsity Program – duration 60 minutes for all options – (2x per week = $170 per month) (3x per week = $230 per month) (4x per week = $285 per month) (5x per week = $330 per month)
- D1 Program – duration 90 minutes for all options – (2x per week =$250 per month) (3x per week =$340 per month) (4x per week = $435 monthly) (5x per week = $490 per month)
- Jr. Varsity Program – 2x per week – duration 60 minutes – monthly price $100
- Adult Fitness Program – 2x per week – duration 60 minutes – monthly price $150
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gamefacetraining.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gamefacetraining/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gamefacetraining
