As a former all-pro running back who played nine seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Oakland Raiders, Maurice Jones-Drew has trained in all sorts of facilities, all over America. However, the Oakland native noticed that there were very few options for athletes in the bay area, “Growing up in the bay area we were always training in parks and smaller areas. When I was in the league we would go to Miami, LA, Phoenix, Atlanta, and all these places had premier training facilities for young athletes. But we never had that in the bay, we never had a place where young athletes could learn proper techniques and develop. It’s important to have that kind of structure around our kids. Then for professionals, you would see Raider and Niners players at generic gyms and facilities, that’s crazy.” It was out of this realization along with a partnership with Nathan Kenion and Mike Neal that Maurice created Power Endurance in 2017 as built a place where dedicated athletic individuals regardless of age, level, and experience can devote their time towards achievement and excellence.
Maurice created Power Endurance Training Center to serve as a community where trainers and athletes can develop the physical and mental traits that provide true competitive advantages. “A lot of people think sports are all physical, but it really is 90% mental. It’s how you train and put your best foot forward and train your mind to endure difficult situations.” It was with this in mind that led Maurice to consider mental as well as physical excellence in the facilities and personnel that make Power Endurance so special. They bring athletes, trainers, and tutors who inspire and influence with a focus on adversity and mental fortitude to Power Endurances, “Every athlete and trainer we’ve had has been through adversities and challenges on and off the field and they’ve learned how to handle it. They bring those perspectives and attitudes to each of our athletes, so they have that self-confidence and mentality to get through challenging situations with their training when they’re competing, and when they’re handling life.” Those who work out at Power Endurance are surrounded by trainers, role models, and teammates who support and challenge one another in the pursuit of any and all goals.
For Maurice, Power Endurance is a place where he not only wants to work out but where he wants his kids and the Bay area youth to build character, “When you’re in your adolescent years that’s when you’re the most influential and experiencing the great development. That’s why it’s so important to have a facility and a place to be constructive and have fun instead of hanging out and partying, you’re focusing on your goals and feeling good about your accomplishments. I was lucky enough to have that at De La Salle and growing up and I want to bring that mindset and opportunity to everyone in this community. I want this, not just for my kids but for all the bay area kids so that they have a place they can perform and be better not just physically, but mentally.” Having run several football programs in Jacksonville and in the bay area Maurice saw what the programs could do for young athletes, not just in terms of physical performance, but also just having a place to go and be themselves.
