Fit By Caddy

From a Childhood Dream to the NFL: My Path to Success

Becoming an NFL player was a dream of mine since I was six years old, back in 1993. I truly believed I could make it, even though I had no idea how rare it was to reach that level in athletics. Through hard work, dedication, and belief in myself, I turned that dream into a reality—earning a full-ride scholarship to Tulane University, and later signing with the San Diego Chargers and the Philadelphia Eagles in 2010.
Looking back, here are the five key factors I believe were essential to my success:

1. Early Exposure
Times were different in the ’90s. Most kids played outside—and I was no different. I was known as the fastest kid in our apartment complex and was constantly being challenged to races. When we weren't racing, we played a game we called "Kill the Man with the Ball." One kid would throw the ball in the air, and whoever caught it had to try to score while everyone else tried to tackle them. Being the fastest kid gave me a huge edge—I could run circles around everyone. That’s actually how I got noticed by a youth football coach.
I started playing organized football at age 6—competing against 8-year-olds. It was tough, and I wanted to quit many times, but my grandmother wouldn’t let me. She’d say, “You’re going to finish what you started.” Looking back, playing against older, stronger kids made me tough as nails and laid the foundation for early success. The following season, I played in my age group and dominated. I was pulled from practices because I was too tough for my peers. That early edge made all the difference.
“Early success builds belief.”

2. Family Support
While my biological father wasn’t present in my life, I was incredibly blessed with an amazing grandmother. Alongside my two siblings, I was raised by my mom and stepfather until I was about 10. When they divorced, my grandmother legally adopted the three of us. My mom remained in our lives, living about 10 minutes away with her new husband.
If it weren’t for my grandmother, I don't think I would’ve made it. She believed in me, showed up to every game, showered me with love, and raised me to be the man of the house. She was strict enough to keep me away from the wrong crowds, but wise enough to let me make mistakes and learn from them. Her presence in my life was nothing short of a blessing.
“Athletes need guidance and support to truly flourish.”

3. Skill & Athleticism
I hate to say it—but you need to be good if you’re dreaming of the NFL. Talent matters. Early on, I was praised by coaches in youth sports, but that success caught up with me in junior high. In 8th grade, I was a backup running back for the first time ever—and it crushed my confidence. But deep down, I still believed I was the best.
You can work on speed, strength, and agility—but skill comes from reps, practice, and game experience. My years as a running back gave me vision, quickness, and the ability to make sharp cuts. Eventually, I realized I had great hands and could high-point the ball with ease—probably thanks to all those backyard games. Athleticism may get you noticed, but skill is what sustains you.
“Skill is just as important as athleticism.”

4. Opportunity
Things don’t always go your way as an athlete. That’s why your mindset has to be strong—especially when you’re overlooked. As a sophomore in high school, I played JV while five other sophomores—including one at my position—were moved up to varsity. I was used as the scout team running back and wasn’t allowed to make moves during practice, just take hits. I tried to quit—again—but my grandmother refused to let me.
That summer, I trained relentlessly and earned the starting RB spot on varsity as a junior. My first game was rough—I got hit a lot and suffered a mild concussion. Coaches moved me to wide receiver, and in my first game at that position, I scored five touchdowns and was named Houston Area Player of the Week. From there, I became the offensive focal point and earned unanimous All-District honors. I was finally able to capitalize on my opportunity.
“You have to be ready when opportunity comes knocking.”

5. Training
After my sophomore season at Tulane, opportunity knocked again. Our star RB, Matt Forte, was drafted by the Chicago Bears, leaving a big void in the offense. I wanted to be the one to fill it—but I knew I’d have to take my training to the next level.
That’s when I found Sonic Boom Training, thanks to teammate Preston Brown. Wyatt, the owner, pushed me through intense sessions that focused on speed, explosiveness, conditioning, and position-specific drills. We worked on my get-offs, route running, and endurance. There were definitely times I wanted to curse him out—but I knew I needed the grind.
That summer, I got into the best shape of my life. Through the first five games of the season, I was one of the top receivers in the country. Then, in a game vs. Army, I broke my hand and injured my knee—ending my season. Even still, scouts took notice. I was named the #2 senior WR going into my final year at Tulane.
“If you want to be like everybody else, do what everybody else is doing.”

Everyone’s path is different—this was mine. It’s not the only way to get there, but it was my way. If you have the talent, you’re already halfway there. Add the right mindset and surround yourself with the right people, and the sky is the limit.

Who’s trying to go D1?

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✨ Ever feel like your body is stuck in storage mode — tired, hungry, and holding onto fat no matter what you do? Here’s the thing: your body isn’t broken. It’s following the rules of insulin and energy use. First glucose, then glycogen, and only last fat. If insulin is high all the time, your fat stores stay locked away, even though you’re carrying thousands of calories of energy. (And here’s a nuance I didn’t mention in the video 👉 it’s not that every bit of sugar or glycogen has to be gone before fat burning can start. Your body can overlap and pull from multiple fuel sources at once — but high, constant insulin makes it way harder to tap into fat stores.) 🚫 This is why “eat less, move more” doesn’t always work. ✅ The real fix? Lower insulin day by day with: • Intermittent fasting 🕒 • Fiber 🥦 • Healthy fats 🧈 • Protein 🍳 When you do that, your body finally shifts out of storage mode and starts burning fat for fuel. 👉 Follow me for more hands-on biology lessons to understand what’s happening inside your flesh suit.

Youth Class at 5:30 pm today. Ages 5-10 welcome.

Been getting a lot of interest in an Adult Fitness Beginner Class. Who's down?