When most people think of football, they think of the brisk Friday nights under the lights. They think as they’re walking out the front door, “Hey should I bring a jacket? Nahh!” then freeze their buns off at the game. They think of throwing on their school colors and cheering like their life depends on it. But it’s not often that spectators think of the preparation players go through before the game, or even before the season.

Over the past nine months, the Wenatchee football team has been working tirelessly, five days a week, with the help of personal trainer Blaine Davidson. Davidson began his coaching career as the strength and conditioning coach for Bellevue High School’s football team, during which time the team won four state championships in four years.

Davidson didn’t always see himself as a coach. In high school, he was a top-notch athlete, but like many athletes he struggled with injuries. Davidson worked with physical therapists and orthopedic surgeons. However, “Several of the well-intentioned things I was utilizing to better myself weren’t in my best interest. In fact, they outright contributed to my injuries,” he said.

Knowing that his opportunity to pursue an athletic career was ending, he redirected his passion toward more healthy methods of strength and conditioning. “Out of the desire to better equip athletes with the tools that I didn’t have access to,” Davidson said, “I sought mentors from afar who were on the cutting edge.”

In January, Davidson joined the Wenatchee football program as an unpaid volunteer. Head football coach Scott Devereaux couldn’t be more grateful to have Davidson’s help. “He’s made our guys bigger, faster, and stronger. Blaine is so much more than just a personal trainer. He hopes to make men out of boys,” Devereaux said, adding that there has been nothing but positive feedback from players and coaches.

In addition to a rigorous workout program that includes body composition testing, strength training, and a high protein diet, the players also learn life skills. Each player has a binder that includes workouts and personal goal information. Players track progress and are accountable for reaching their goals.

“It’s incredible to see how far we’ve all come since January. Not only do I feel better about myself physically, but I truly feel closer to this group of guys,” junior Joe Sells said. “It’s been an amazing experience.”

“A lot of athletes think that being good in a sport will reveal their character, but in reality it’s backwards,” Davidson said. “You need to know the real you before you can expect results in anything.”