Will Bartholomew’s D1 Training Helps Athletes Achieve Their Goals
Will Bartholomew was a standout football player at the University of Tennessee with dreams of going pro. But when a serious injury ended his sports career, he pivoted into entrepreneurship and eventually created a new niche in franchising. In 2001, he founded D1 Training, a place where athletes of all ages could work toward their goals in a supportive and professional environment.
Bartholomew’s vision for D1 Training came from his own experience as a college athlete. “I wanted to build a facility that offered the same kind of challenging yet encouraging atmosphere I experienced in my career.” Over time, D1 Training grew into a thriving franchise system with more than 100 locations across the country, all focused on helping athletes reach their full potential. “Anytime an athlete reaches their goal, it means the world to me because it means we are living out our mission. It’s the reason we exist.”
A notable part of D1 Training’s growth has been Bartholomew’s partnerships with other athletes, including NFL legends Peyton Manning and Tim Tebow (above, right), both of whom are avid franchise investors and enthusiasts.
Team Spirit
As a lifelong athlete, Bartholomew finds a lot of similarities between sports and franchising. “In both, people want you to succeed,” he says. “There’s a shared goal of helping each other and sharing what works to benefit everyone.”
He brings the lessons he learned on the field into every part of the business, from team building to franchisee recruitment. “We look for people who are committed to their communities and share our core values: teamwork, passion, smart decision-making, and ‘D1 Character,’” he explains. “We’re a business that’s good for you, and a good-for-you business uplifts its community.”
Good leaders are the people who hold you accountable, support you and speak truth into your life.
Q&A: Will Bartholomew, D1 Training
1. Please share your favorite mantra or motto in business.
Iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17). I like this because to grow in life, you must have some healthy friction. This is the way to get better (and sharper) in life.
2. What does leadership mean to you?
I define leadership as serving others in a way that helps them reach their goals. I want to help them get to where they want to go. Ultimately, leadership is not about popularity or having the right answer or best idea. It’s about empowering and serving people and giving them tools to reach their goals more easily, more quickly and in a way that they are proud of. That means creating a culture people want to be a part of, and that’s true for family or business and for anyone. Good leaders are the people who hold you accountable, support you and speak truth into your life.
3. Who do you admire in franchising?
I admire Brandon Haire, D1 Training board member and operating partner. He is collaborative and he’s always willing to help. He has great insight and an overall positive attitude that makes you want to get better.
4. What is your greatest career accomplishment?
My greatest career accomplishment is waking up to a job that I love and that is about serving athletes all around the country in a positive and meaningful way. Our organization is making an impact on athletes’ lives, and it’s the greatest feeling.
For more information, visit https://d1franchise.com/.
