As a wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers, De’Andre Presley was used to grueling workouts and countless hours in the gym. So when his professional football career ended in 2015, he searched for a challenging workout that would keep him in gridiron shape. By Jessica Jones
Former Pro Footballer De’Andre Presley Finds a New Passion
As a wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers, De’Andre Presley was used to grueling workouts and countless hours in the gym. So when his professional football career ended in 2015, he searched for a challenging workout that would keep him in gridiron shape.
“I tried so many other fitness concepts, but nothing compared to MAD,” he said of the strength-driven, interval training program designed to torch body fat, increase strength, and promote lean muscle. “The program is challenging yet scalable; everything is designed with the client in mind.”
Rooted in science and backed by years of athletic experience, MADabolic’s key pillars are in its name: MAD stands for Momentum, Anaerobic and Durability. Founded in 2011 by former professional hockey players Brandon Cullen and Kirk DeWaele, the gym has been creating a buzz in the industry, setting new standards for group fitness.
Inspired by the concept, Presley and his wife Courtney, also a former athlete, decided to take over ownership of a MADabolic franchise in Greenville, South Carolina, in 2019.
“We both love meeting new people and helping them reach their goals,” Presley said. “Seeing the transformations in our clients and the confidence it inspires – that’s what MADabolic is all about.”
4:45 a.m. Presley gets his day started early, leaving his house before the sun rises, to set up his MADabolic gym at 5 a.m. He lays out all of the morning’s stations, making sure each piece of equipment is ready to go for the 6 a.m. class.
5:50 a.m. Gym members begin to arrive. Presley takes their temperatures, gives his whiteboard speech, and details and demonstrates each move before class begins.
6 a.m. “Once we hit the clock, it’s off to the races,” Presley said. “We have classes at 6 a.m., 7 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. But once that first class goes off, the day just flies. We clean everything thoroughly in between and then set up for our next group to come in.”
6 p.m. Presley regroups after the last member leaves. It’s time to vacuum, sanitize and get the gym ready for the next morning. “Once the day is done, I’ll work out if I have time, and then it’s time to go home and be Daddy to my three little ones.”
For information about MADabolic franchising opportunities, visit madabolic.com/own-a-madabolic.
– Jessica Jones