1. Tell us about yourself and your business.

What's goin on PTU crew. My name is Nii Wilson.It's a pleasure and an honor to speak to you guys today. I am very humbled and I know I was put on this planet to help and serve others and to share the love so just being here having the opportunity to motivate and help others is a great feeling.

I was born in Philadelphia, PA, grew up in Montgomery County Maryland (Gaithersburg/Silver Spring) just 20 minutes outside good 'ol Washington D.C.

I joined the US ARMY after high school and served honorably from 1999-2003, now I live in Pelham Parkway section of the Bronx, NYC with my high school sweetheart Adama and my 10 month old daughter Isis Marie.

I own and run a company called Athletic Combined Training Systems or Athletic CTS for short that I started a few years ago with my buddy David. I run fitness boot camps in NYC on the Upper West Side of Central Park Manhattan and have a blast every time I train even in 10 degree weather. My people appreciate the butt whoopin and the results. I am currently just focused on really dominating my area and am already making some key relationships with female friendly stores in the area that directly serve my niche.

Besides the deep down passion and desire to help others I got into fitness because my dad had some weights in the house and would show me some basic exercises. What really gave me the bodybuilding and strength bug as a kid was... get ready here goes the cliche story but when I was introduced to a Muscle and Fitness Magazine with Arnold on the cover by my childhood friend Peter James. This was when Lee Haney was Mr. Olympia and my buddy Peter was shocked that I had no idea who Lee Haney was at the time so he immediately turned off the Rambo game we were playing on the Sega Master System (flashback) and insisted that I found out who Lee Haney was at that moment. That changed my life.

But something special stood out about that issue. There was an article that had athletes living with Sickle Cell disease which is something I live with and could not even imagine that people with sickle cell could really be that physically active. One athlete was a cyclist and another was an avid lifter. Since then it was my mission to physically defy and metaphorically spit in the face of what my doctors and science said that I could or could not do physically. Since then I had an insane fascination with physiology and the extent that we can take all aspects of human performance. I hope to live long enough to see a 9.39 100 meter dash or lower.

Quick science lesson... Sickle Cell mainly affects those of West African descent and also affects some in the Mediterranean. The disease is caused by a genetic mutation of the hemoglobin. This genetic mutation has various degrees of severity but can cause fatigue due to constant breakdown of blood vessels, extreme joint pain called crises, stroke, heart attack, numerous hospital visits, kidney issues, and early death. I ask GOD why this genetic mutation did not come with cool powers like on X-Men but I am still crossing my fingers though.

As a kid I had a few small businesses. I cut lawns for extra money and sold greeting cards and stationary to the women and housewives in my neighborhood. I eventually used the money to buy a weight set so all my buddies could lift weights with me. When I worked at GNC in my neighborhood all my buddies and some of the athletes in my high school called it "NiiNC" since they figured I "knew everything" about training and performance.

2. How has being a part of PTU impacted your career / business?

WOW! For me to truly express how PTU has changed my life would probably consist of

A) more shout outs than a Wu Tang hip hop album 

or  

B) an Oscar worthy speech that may have the music playing early to get me to shut up

but I will give it a shot.

The stuff that is being taught on PTU should really be accredited by a state or online educational board because while colleges may be giving the foundationally technical skills to be a trainer, physical therapist, or strength coach PTU is showing you how to monetize and systematize that skill set. Personally I think the most depressing thing on the planet would be for a newly graduating college student with $50,000 or more in school debt for an Exercise Physiology just to work at a gym for $10 bucks an hour only to eventually leave and work for Wall Street or a drug company like Merck. It may sound crazy but in terms of knowledge and physical attributes I have met some people on Wall Street that probably would not be there if they knew about PTU. Then again I truly believe those that want a result will seek the knowledge and the means to achieve that result

First I would like to thank Ryan Lee because his passion, action, and love for our profession has had an insane ripple effect that has affected many. Thanks for letting us grow with your family but I am still waiting on a blog post from Bruce because it is evident where you get the love of people for. Next I want to thank Jim Labadie who has had such an impact on my mindset and habits when my business was at its infancy. I appreciate his emails which at time can be kicks in the ass that let me know I need to get moving in the right direction. Someone that truly "luvs ya" will give it to you raw and give you the motivational kick in the ass when you need it. David Cabral a dear friend who was at the ground of starting AthleticCTS.com company when we were on a crowed boat ride on the Staten Island Ferry. David opened my eyes and helped a computer illiterate person feel a lot more at home with the computer and really drove the company when I was hospitalized or stuck is bed with my sickle cell crises. AJ Roberts, Pat Rigsby, Nick Berry, and B.J Gaddour...these guys truly care from the bottom of their hearts about our future success.  Zach Even-Esh just for being you, living passionately and always extending a helping hand and a cool open door policy. Chris McCombs for his killer internet info and giving us all the feeling like he's our buddy from back home we used to party with and   Rocco Catellano for his web expertise, and no nonsense coaching and taking a 1 1/2 hour bus ride from Brooklyn the day after Thanksgiving stuck in NYC traffic just to help me out. Thanks Roc it won't be forgotten. Antonio Valladares a fellow New Yorker for writting a nutrition cookbook that is transforming my health forever. Rashad Devoe for being a patient customer then eventually a good buddy that has a wealth of information. Eric Cressy for giving me the idea about my blog The Sickle Cell Athlete and just being a cool dude and Alwyn Cosgrove for taking the time out of his day to let me know that an impact big or small is still and impact and we all have something to contribute to life.

2 Nuggets of Wisdom

I think we all have idols in this industry. Some of you may want to be the next Jordan, Trump, or Defranco but Lou Schuler- told me this personally "Don't worry about being the next anything, Just be the first Nii Wilson. (Lou I still owe you a beer)

Elliot Hulse Gave me this one when I was concerned about trying to learn uber amounts of marketing info. He said, "If it doesn't support your business model don't read it because you can't produce and consume at the same time.

If I left anyone out of this Oscar speech I apologize and will tackle you at the next Ryan Lee Boot Camp or at the Fitness Fast Track in NJ....if you don't know what I'm talking about you just had to be there : )

3. What are your 3 biggest tips for your fellow PTU Members?

1) Technolgy is great you can't email a handshake or a hug.

People are the life blood of our business and I try to greet everyone as if they are more important than myself because in their eyes THEY ARE! Give them the excitment you would have like you just won the lottery.

2) Don't underestimate "small" in house business issues or lack of systems.

While we try to protect our house from big disasters don't forget about the little termites or "small issues" that may be eating the foundation of your business.

3) Have a "Battle Buddy".

In the ARMY a battle buddy is someone that has your back no matter what, will push you, and never leave you to die on the battle field. PTU is filled with Battle Buddies or someone looking for a Battle Buddy

I would like to thank my Battle Buddies Geo "No Last Name Needed" Derice
and Blair Baxter for the constant flow of simplified and effective knowledge. Thanks for the motivation and the pick me ups when times got rocky.

In Conclusion of the book I just wrote I hope I was of some help to you today. Always remember while we are all trying to build our businesses and learn every bit of marketing and training information on the planet make sure to step back and appreciate life and people that have helped you on the way. Every person you meet has the potential to change your life forever so value that, pick up the phone and call that old client you no longer train and let them know they were in your thoughts.

I have a compassionate heart to help others the way that I have been helped. Feel free to email me personally at mrniiwilson [at] gmail.com and be my Battle Buddy on >>>FACEBOOK<<<  because hey we can all use some friends right about now!

PEACE,

Nii Wilson

The Sickle Cell Athlete

NYC Boot Camps