A career-ending injury closed one career door for former Tennessee Volunteer football player Will Bartholomew– but flung another one wide open.
The offensive lineman — who once protected Peyton Manning during his storied SEC reign — suffered a non-contact injury during training camp with the Denver Broncos that would ultimately require several surgeries.
He returned home to Tennessee to begin rehabilitation, but soon realized that traditional gyms in his area were surprisingly limited in their offerings. A bench, flaking kettlebells and some Stairmasters weren’t going to cut it.
“It was with this simple realization that he started the D1 journey,” reads a statement on Bartholomew’s business website. “What began in 2001 as training kids in a field evolved into training facilities all over the country, producing some of the best athletes in the world. The basis for this success is Will’s passion for training, his motivation, and the strong team around him.”
Bartholomew is now bringing that concept to sports-crazed Ponte Vedra, where new franchise owner Jessica Hayes of Jacksonville Beach will open a new 3,700 square foot D1 Sports location at 10860 US Highway 1 North in November.
The local mom is a lifelong fitness enthusiast and former educator, according to her bio on the new gym’s website.
The cavernous facility will cater to both serious athletes with collegiate and professional aspirations, along with weekend warriors hoping to elevate their skills.
D1 — which boasts endorsements from Manning, former Nease star and Florida Gator Tim Tebow and retired running back LaDainian Tomlinson — already has more than 100 locations around the country, including one at 11744 Beach Blvd. in Jacksonville.
According to the company’s website, D1 has trained 1,000 collegiate and 3,000 professional athletes since its inception.
