Chapter 65: Elite Athletes

It was a sunny morning when Derek walked into his gym. The place was busier than usual, with new faces milling about, and he knew exactly why. After the partnership with Nike, the gym had gained even more notoriety, and the first athletes sponsored by the sports giant were starting to frequent the space.

Derek felt a mix of excitement and responsibility. Although he was used to working with people of high physical and mental level, having the opportunity to train elite athletes brought a new challenge. He knew that limits would be tested and expectations would be high.

Early in the morning, the first athlete walked through the door. It was none other than LeBron James, the legendary NBA player, accompanied by one of his assistants. Derek, with his easygoing manner, met them with a firm handshake.

"LeBron, it's an honor to have you here. I hope you're ready to sweat today," Derek said, smiling.

LeBron laughed. "I've heard a lot about you, Derek. I'm ready to be challenged."

As LeBron warmed up, Derek walked over to the group of young men also in the gym, cheering them on. Among them was one of the new sensations in American track and field, sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson. She had a vibrant energy and unshakable confidence.

"Derek, I hear you're unbeatable in fitness. I hope you can keep up with me," Sha'Carri joked, stretching her muscles.

Derek laughed. "Well, if I can keep up with a sprinter at your level, maybe I should consider competing in the next Olympics."

Sha'Carri laughed, but there was a gleam in her eyes that indicated she was there to take the training seriously. Derek adjusted the workout schedule to suit each athlete, ensuring that everyone received personalized attention.

Over the next few days, more athletes began to show up at the gym. Derek has hosted the likes of Serena Williams, who was looking for a strength training program that would fit in with her workout routine. He has also begun working with soccer star Kylian Mbappé, who was looking to improve his fitness off the field.

During an intense training session, Derek paired LeBron and Mbappé up against each other for a resistance and muscle-explosion workout. The atmosphere in the gym was one of total concentration, and the athletes, accustomed to competing on the world's biggest stages, were ready to give it their all.

LeBron looked at Mbappé with a defiant smile. "Let's see who can last the longest without getting tired."

Mbappé, ever confident, replied, "Maybe it's you, but I run faster."

Derek watched closely, guiding the exercise's form and intensity. He knew these athletes were already extremely talented and well-trained, but he believed he could help them reach new levels of performance.

"Kylian, keep your focus on explosive movements. And LeBron, don't underestimate his toughness," Derek said as he encouraged them. "This type of training is about mental toughness as much as physical toughness. You two know that better than anyone."

Meanwhile, Serena was in another corner of the gym, working on strength exercises with kettlebells. Derek walked over to her and began adjusting the weight.

"Serena, you're one of the strongest athletes I've ever seen. Let's increase the weight a bit and focus more on core strength. It'll help your lateral movement on the court."

Serena nodded, trusting Derek's instructions completely. She knew he had a meticulous, no-nonsense approach, born from years of rigorous training in both the Marine Corps and his college degree in physical education.

"I like the way you explain things, Derek. Straight to the point, no bullshit," Serena commented as she lifted the weight with ease.

Derek smiled. "I believe the best way to improve is to be clear about what needs to be done. But don't worry, we'll step it up in the next few practices."

As the morning wore on, Derek continued to coach the athletes. They were impressed not only by his expertise, but also by his ability to connect physical training with the psychological demands of high-level sport.

After practice, the athletes gathered in the gym's rest area. LeBron, Serena, Sha'Carri and Mbappé were exhausted but satisfied. Derek joined them, handing them bottles of water.

"That was more intense than I expected," Mbappé said, still catching his breath. "I thought I was at my limit, but you showed me that I can still get better."

Serena, standing nearby, agreed. "Yeah, Derek, you really know how to push us."

Derek shrugged humbly. "You guys are already great athletes. I'm just here to help you get the most out of what you already have."

LeBron smiled. "Man, if you keep this up, I'm going to have to spend more time here than on the court."

The mood was light, but the athletes knew they were in good hands. Derek had a knack for tailoring workouts to their individual needs, and each of them left his sessions feeling like they had made some kind of progress.

Later that day, as the gym emptied out, Derek had a moment of reflection. He looked around, pleased with what he had accomplished. It wasn't just that he was coaching some of the best athletes in the world, but that his knowledge and experience were making a difference in people's lives.

Kylie arrived at the gym late in the afternoon, as usual, accompanied by Stormi and Aire. The kids ran up to Derek, who picked them up with a smile.

"So, how was your day?" Kylie asked, taking in the still-energetic atmosphere.

"It was amazing," Derek replied, kissing her on the cheek. "I coached some of the best athletes in the world today."

Kylie beamed proudly. "I knew this was coming. You deserve it all, Derek."

He hugged her warmly as the children played around them. In that moment, Derek knew he was exactly where he was meant to be helping others reach their full potential, both physically and mentally, while also living his personal life to the fullest with the people he loved.

With the Nike partnership in full swing, Derek's gym was becoming the epicenter of elite training. More Nike-sponsored athletes had already booked their sessions, and Derek knew this was just the beginning of an exciting new phase in his career.

"So what's next?" Kylie asked, curious about what was next.

Derek smiled, looking ahead with optimism. "Now it's time to continue training these athletes and maybe explore new challenges. But most of all, to do what I love helping people excel."

With that thought, he looked out at the gym, now empty but full of possibilities. The future looked bright, both for him and for those he had the privilege of training.

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