Chapter 66: Media Reaction

The morning began with a flurry of notifications on Derek's phone. He was used to the attention his gym was getting, but today something was different. The partnership with Nike, which had previously been kept under wraps, had been announced to the public. Photos and videos of Derek training some of the brand's biggest athletes were all over social media, sports newspapers, and news sites.

Derek was at home, eating breakfast with Kylie and the kids, when Kylie saw the first news story pop up on her timeline.

"Look at this, Derek," she said, showing him her phone. "The Nike partnership news is everywhere."

Derek leaned over curiously and saw a headline in bold letters:

"Nike Announces Exclusive Partnership with Derek Rogan to Train Elite Athletes"

Below the headline was a series of photos taken during workouts at the gym. There was Derek, coaching LeBron James as he lifted weights, adjusting Serena Williams' form, and running alongside Kylian Mbappé on an endurance course. The images were stunning, showing not only the intensity of Derek's work, but also the closeness he had with these elite athletes.

Kylie beamed with pride. "You knew this was going to be big, but I don't think you realized how big it was."

Derek shrugged modestly. "I just wanted to create an environment where athletes could train and get better. Everything else follows."

But social media and traditional media were abuzz with the news. Newspapers like The New York Times and ESPN were covering the partnership, highlighting the fact that Derek, a former Marine and fitness expert, was now in charge of training the biggest names in sports.

Some sports commentators were praising Nike for making the move, taking a chance on someone with a background as diverse as Derek's. Kylie, while checking Twitter, laughed when she read some comments from fans.

"Look at this: 'LeBron and Mbappé training together? All that's left is for Derek to put them on a basketball and soccer team at the same time!" she read, laughing.

Derek smiled and replied: "Well, it would be interesting to see how they do."

Other comments praised Nike for investing in a partnership that was not just about image, but also efficiency. One fan commented: "This is not just another advertising campaign. Derek knows what he's doing, and these athletes are lucky to have him as their coach."

Soon, more detailed criticism from the sports press began to emerge as well. Some analysts highlighted the importance of Derek's work in preparing elite athletes, while others compared his approach to that of other renowned coaches. Derek, however, remained focused on his work.

As Derek read a Sports Illustrated article that mentioned his Marine Corps background and his background in physical education, he remembered the hardships and challenges he had faced over the years. He knew he wasn't just here for his Nike partnership or the celebrities he trained; he had built his career on sweat, discipline, and commitment.

Later that morning, Derek got a call from his publicist.

"Derek, congratulations on the buzz," he said. "The media is loving the story. People are asking about exclusive interviews, and even some brands are already reaching out to see if you would be willing to expand your gym or perhaps do joint events."

Derek considered. "I appreciate the interest, but right now I want to stay focused on training and working with the athletes. Expansion can come later if it makes sense. The important thing is that everyone here at the gym feels like they are in a high-quality environment, without distractions."

Shortly after the call, Derek got a text from LeBron.

"Hey man, did you see the media? They're loving yesterday's workout! Thanks for the intense session, I feel more prepared than ever."

Derek smiled when he read the message and replied: "LeBron, you're already a machine, we're just fine-tuning the details. Let's keep raising the bar."

It didn't take long for the news to spread among the athletes' fans as well. Serena Williams' fan profiles, for example, reposted several images of her at Derek's gym, highlighting how focused she was. "Serena training with Derek Rogan? This is going to be epic next season!" read one popular post.

Behind the scenes, Nike's marketing team was thrilled with the response. Derek's partnership with the brand was not just a marketing deal, but an initiative to drive real results in the athletes' performance. The spontaneous visibility they were receiving with the photos and videos only reinforced that they had made the right choice.

Meanwhile, Derek was back at his gym, training a group of promising youngsters. The day was going on with the same dedication as always, without letting himself be dazzled by the media frenzy that was causing him. He cared more about the results than the spotlight.

During a break in training, Sha'Carri Richardson, who was back for another session, looked at Derek and asked: "Have you been following all this talk about you? It seems like everyone is obsessed with the Nike partnership."

Derek laughed. "I've seen some things. But at the end of the day, it's what we do in here that matters. The media comes and goes, but the hard work is what stays."

Sha'Carri smiled and gave him a friendly punch on the arm. "That's why I like training with you. No bullshit, just serious work."

As the day went on, more messages of support and curiosity came Derek's way. Athletes from other sports also began to express interest in training with him, which only solidified his position as one of the most sought-after trainers in the world.

That night, at home, Kylie showed Derek an article from Vogue, where the magazine not only mentioned the partnership with Nike, but also analyzed the lifestyle Derek promoted—a balance of discipline, mental health, and physical excellence.

"They're even analyzing his philosophy of life now," Kylie said, laughing.

Derek shook his head, smiling. "That's what happens when you try to do something authentic. People start to pay attention."

As the weeks went by, the partnership with Nike would continue to bear fruit, not only for the gym, but also for the athletes who saw in Derek someone capable of taking them to the next level. But for Derek, the mission remained the same: to train, inspire, and help each person who came through his gym become a better version of themselves.

The media could celebrate his rise, but he knew that true success lay in the small, daily victories, achieved on the mat, in the races and in the endless training sessions that only he and his athletes knew deeply.

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