{"id":4320,"date":"2017-06-16T16:55:34","date_gmt":"2017-06-16T23:55:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nakoalife.com\/?p=1175"},"modified":"2017-06-16T16:55:34","modified_gmt":"2017-06-16T23:55:34","slug":"bro-deal-todd-clever","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/fananddigital.com\/nakoafit\/bro-deal-todd-clever\/","title":{"rendered":"The Bro Deal with Todd Clever"},"content":{"rendered":"

Captain America, Rugby Fabio, Tom Selleck\u2026.the nicknames go on and on. \u00a0But that typically comes when you are the face of USA Rugby for over a decade, arguably the most decorated Eagle ever, and your play on the field is as ferocious as your Lion\u2019s mane. \u00a0Todd Clever is also a great dad and one of the most fun blokes to hang with, and I am proud to call him my friend.<\/span><\/p>\n

Initiation of the Bro Deal<\/span><\/i><\/h2>\n

About 10 years ago I was a personal trainer aspiring to break into the world of athletic-based performance training, while also still chasing my passion and playing career with OMBAC Rugby. \u00a0Two of the top young prospects for USA Rugby, Chris Wyles and Todd Clever, moved to the area to play Super League for OMBAC while preparing for a summer of Test Matches with the USA Eagles. \u00a0I saw the opportunity to gain experience with High-Performance Training, and reached out to David Williams, at the time the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, to volunteer to train Todd and Chris. \u00a0The rest, as they say, is history.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Training<\/span><\/i><\/h2>\n

Ok, let\u2019s get the obvious out of the way (sorry TC)- Todd has HORRIBLE running mechanics, and what you might call chicken legs for a Loose Forward. \u00a0Yet anyone who has watched him play knows how FAST & AGGRESSIVE he flies around the pitch, hitting rucks, smashing ball carriers and scoring tries. \u00a0So my goal whenever working with Todd is to dose him with some lower body and rotational power, engage in foundational based lower body strength training to improve force production and attempt to lower risk of injuries, and smash some rugby-specific Energy System Development. (for anyone who follows Todd on his Instagram, you know he is MORE THAN WILLING to handle his upper body and core work on his own). \u00a0Todd has also helped me in my programming for other high-level athletes with a lot of mileage on their bodies- you simply CANNOT give them the same loads, volumes or intensities as you can with much younger athletes in the same sport. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We also have served as a home for Todd\u2019s MANY needs in Physical Therapy. \u00a0As you may guess with the absolutely violent nature of Rugby, injuries are more of a WHEN than an IF, and our Director of Physical Therapy Allison Nelson<\/a> has always done a great job with his rehabilitative care.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Bro Deal<\/span><\/i><\/h2>\n

Because of our relationship beginning on a volunteer basis, it was always going to be tough to transfer from that arrangement to a monetary one. \u00a0Truth is, I have always volunteered to train Todd, and on many occasions simply train alongside him.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Payoffs<\/span><\/i><\/h2>\n

The rewards of being involved in Todd Clever\u2019s training program over the years have been honestly too large to count. \u00a0From a marketing collateral and exposure standpoint, MANY of Todd and NAKOA\u2019s media ventures have included each other, simultaneously raising the awareness of EACH Brand and the loyal relationship. \u00a0From a strictly \u201crugby street cred\u201d standpoint, working with Todd has helped me IMMENSELY. \u00a0From the recruitment of rugby clients into NAKOA to getting the USA Men’s 7s strength and conditioning role, our association together has been INVALUABLE to my career. \u00a0And financially, we have always been able to tap into Todd\u2019s team-based health insurance to cover his MANY bouts on Allison\u2019s therapy table\u2026.<\/span><\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/span><\/i><\/h2>\n

To put it simply, NAKOA has always been very good to Todd, and Todd has always been very good to NAKOA. Whether it\u2019s showing his gratitude by attending our Grand Opening Party, or chatting up the young athletes we have that look up to him, he is a loyal ambassador that we are fortunate to have. And for me personally, I got a bro for life.<\/span><\/p>\n