Vegas Circle

Elevating Human Performance: How Deon Hodges Became a Leading Performance Coach

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What does it take to build mental toughness in professional athletes? Deon Hodges pulls back the curtain on the world of elite sports performance training in this eye-opening conversation.

As a partner at AI Hospitality and leader of their IBI performance facility in Las Vegas, Hodges has carved out a unique space in the competitive fitness landscape by focusing on substance over flash. "We're not magnifying the 'look at me' aspect," he explains, distinguishing his approach from the Instagram-ready workouts that dominate social media. His facility has become a destination for NFL, NBA, UFC, and WNBA athletes seeking serious training in a city known for distractions.

Hodges' journey into exercise science began with personal adversity when he tore his ACL during spring football practice in high school. This setback introduced him to physical therapy and sparked his interest in sports science as a career path. Now, he uses that experience to connect with athletes during their most vulnerable moments. "The problem is not the problem—it's how you respond to it," he shares, reflecting on how he supports professionals through injuries and setbacks.

What's particularly refreshing about Hodges' philosophy is his emphasis on simplicity and fundamentals. Rather than creating complicated routines designed to impress, he focuses on education and building sustainable habits. "My biggest thing is how can I educate you when you're not with me," he says, highlighting his commitment to empowering athletes rather than making them dependent on his guidance.

Beyond training methodology, Hodges offers valuable insights about business development through his work with AI Hospitality. He stresses the importance of vulnerability and asking questions instead of pretending to know everything—wisdom that applies far beyond the gym floor. As Las Vegas continues to evolve into a sports mecca, Hodges and IBI Performance stand ready to support the next generation of athletic excellence.

Follow Deion on Instagram and X at @_DHodges and visit IBI Performance to experience their premium training approach firsthand.

Paki:

Welcome to Vegas Circle Podcast with your hosts, paki and Chris. We are people who are passionate about business, success and culture, and this is our platform to showcase to people in our city who make it happen. Today's guest is a powerhouse in performance training and business innovation. He's a partner at AI Hospitality, leading their IBI performance facility. They're shaping the future of athletic training and recovery. With a degree in exercise science, he's got an expertise in the cutting-edge technologies. Experience working with NFL and NBA athletes. They bring a unique perspective on mental toughness, sports performance and what it takes to build a successful business. Let's welcome to the circle Mr Deion Hodges man Welcome, deion Welcome welcome, Finally happy to have you, man.

Paki:

We done ran into each other about 5,000 times man.

Deon:

I was able to make it happen, man.

Paki:

Yeah, man.

Deon:

I sent the calendar invite 100% man.

Paki:

So let's jump right in man. So interesting journey man. I've been, I think, coaching for a long time, and at least in the sports space for a long time. But what I want to first start off with is the AI hospitality, how we actually met through Jay Sean. But how did you kind of cross paths with the team and become a with the hospitality?

Deon:

Yeah, no, it was a unique journey early on, when I first moved to Vegas back in 2020, I've always heard of him. We've had a few mutual friends, a lot of my athletes when they came to Vegas, that's who they would connect with. And when I transitioned out, I was able to connect with him a couple of times and you know, we was navigating some different things. At the time I was entertaining another facility, okay, and wanted to build and just kind of get plant my flag here in vegas and you know we talked. One time he was like, hey, man, I might have something that you know would interest you.

Deon:

just be, patient and, um, you know you fast forward. We made the connections and intro to the rest of the team and you know the rest we're still in progress. It was history from there and what is it?

Chris:

kind like a branch off, like of the old hospitality dynamic that they're trying to build, and it's like a little subset of the overall arm.

Deon:

Well, I think collectively, it was really just magnifying everyone's strengths.

Paki:

Got it Okay, that makes sense.

Deon:

You know whether it's nightlife, whether it's, you know, a concierge approach just delivering a premium product and for me. And then, once I saw the big picture, I was like, hey, I want to be that. How do we, you know, how do we align properly?

Paki:

Yeah, it seemed like everything that y'all do is detailed. It's very strategic, from the Pine Bistro to, you know, jay Blanco, and then obviously IBI you got the high gear.

Chris:

Yeah, it's very high entry level Like the eye. You got the high gear. Yeah, it's very high entry level, like it's the next level?

Deon:

Yeah, no for sure. I mean, like I said, the biggest thing was delivering a premium product to the community and understanding. You know, what could we cater to? For us, the 99, 99% versus the one percenters.

Paki:

That really stands value, love, that yeah.

Deon:

And just wanted to give a different experience. Of course, whatever you're looking for, you'll find it, but just wanted to over-deliver on that and present a good product to the community.

Paki:

Yeah, I was really impressed when I first went down to IVI. I'm not even going to lie to you. We've seen a lot of gyms, but it's state-of-the-art man. From your words, though, what makes you guys special compared to a lot of the other gyms out there?

Deon:

What makes IVI special? I mean, I think you kind of hit on it already it's just delivering a premium product. The experience, Of course, you can train anywhere, if you're in a grind mindset, no matter what the climate conditions and things like that. I mean you can really get it and get to work. You really want to do it, but yeah, that was the biggest thing of just saying filling the void of becoming a sports Mecca. Of course the city has had a history of big sports events and things like that, but you see where the city is trending now.

Deon:

It's like, hey, how can we insert ourself and add a value to the market? So that was the biggest thing is just adding the details of not magnifying the. Look at me, like let's find the people that really want to train and take it serious. It's a part of their schedule, it's not. You know, if I feel like it today, it today.

Paki:

You know the things that you battle with on the day-to-day I love how you're saying to look at me because we're in that flashy hollywood vegas kind of setup. So it's interesting you say that and y'all stay on the ground. It's consistent people that that are working out there, for sure with, I think, some of your nights.

Deon:

Right, you guys do specific nights like wednesdays and things like yeah, so on monday and wednesday night that was another thing we just developed of how do we meet the people where they're at. Okay, you know sometimes it can be intimidating, especially if you're seeing professional athletes. For sure you know training consistently, but also you know how can we help you as well. The approach is not any different. Yeah, we're treating you a professional in what you do on a day-to-day. It's the same approach. We just want to seek out the people that are serious about it and sometimes you need a little extra motivation and it's some and it's good to you know. You look across and you might see your favorite athlete or someone that's in town for the weekend as training and it's like, oh, wow, you know, that's. That's really what I think brings it full circle.

Chris:

And how important is it? Cause obviously you're developing these. You know it's a business right. So the business, more people in there as possible, you know making as much as possible, but now you're trying to have to navigate your business model a little bit to cater to specific kind of needs and wants.

Deon:

No, agree, agree, you definitely have to establish some boundaries in a city of hospitality.

Paki:

Yeah yeah, 100% boundaries is the key word. Yeah, yeah.

Deon:

So the complimentary approach, you know it doesn't take long to. You know pick out and evaluate where someone is mentally.

Paki:

So I go take advantage.

Deon:

Yeah, I want to commit, or just want to say hey, we're on to the next new thing. You know things are always popping up here New venues, new restaurants, events and things and you know that's a part of it, but it helps you long term. It's a part of the journey and it's helped me out a lot of just being able to see straight through it.

Chris:

Are you seeing people more like inclined for that flexibility? Or is it an equipment space? Is it you know educational piece that they're looking for? Is it like the whole package?

Deon:

For the most part, I think social media has a heavy influence on it. You know, seeing where everyone is training, sure, but for me it's like, hey, we might not be for you, it's okay. That's one thing that I had to get comfortable with being able to say no In the earliest stages in your career. You're a people pleaser.

Paki:

Yes.

Deon:

I do it, I make it happen those types of things. But once you start valuing your time, that's really the biggest transition of okay, let me take a better approach. Let me make sure I'm being very direct early on in this relationship and setting the standard. Yep.

Paki:

With it being like a premium gym, so like, let's say, for example, chris and I, we want to sign up for a membership, I probably couldn't get in. No, you, you whatever. But like, do I bring my own trainer or do I hire you guys or do, or can I just go in and just work out, like how's it set up? Because it's such, it seems like a boutique but it seems very high end compared to like a I don't want to say your competitors, yeah no for sure LBA, you know LB.

Paki:

I can't even think of the damn name. I'm thinking of my son's soccer team LBSA, lbsac, lbsac, yeah.

Deon:

I'm sorry. Yeah, in the business, on the business set, I mean, you have to define volume, you know that's exactly what I was getting at. Yeah, you know the price points and things might not be as competitive. Yeah, some are a bit more premium, just depending on everything that comes with it the amenities, the trainers and things like that. But for us, um, there's been a pivot as well for us. Uh, we started out, you know, just if you had you had to have a trainer to be in the facility that's all I was curious about yep, um, and then wanted to.

Deon:

We were realizing we was turning a lot of people away that maybe already had a sense of training and just wanted a privacy approach, so we've made some pivots within the last year of opening it up to a premium membership that gives you access, but also you have the availability to work with a trainer like myself and build out your program with me. Hey, you need me to program for you Intro assessments and that's pretty much it. Man, less is more when it comes to that. We don't want to overly complicate things. The thing I want to deliver on is making you think less, and that's the same thing with athletes Coming to Vegas. I don't want you to have to worry about anything.

Chris:

Just tell me what you need. That's kind of tough because now you're working with people, like you said, like high achievers, right? People that are next level, you would think the next level when they're really trying to develop their own bodies, their own workout programs. Have you felt any pressures like in trying to navigate that? Have you always felt really confident how you could build out that platform for?

Deon:

somebody at that level. That's a great point. No, really, it wasn't a struggle.

Deon:

It's really just getting to know the individual. You know everyone is motivated different. You know, there's no two people like it's too. No two athletes are like um could be similarities, but just understanding, hey, these are the goals, this is what motivates the person. So just, I'm profiling in a sense okay, okay, this react a little different when I say these, these things, are these coaching cues, um, so yeah, it's really just a skill of the art of coaching, of what translate I? I want to keep it simple, but also we will progress. But in today's society, things are more about, you know, the look at me thing, the crazy videos, the transitions, the, you know the. The fear I also see in the industry of this is why you should train with me and this, hey, I'm gonna let you choose.

Deon:

I deliver a product, I'll show you choose, I deliver a product, I show you the assessment and then from there, hey, can we move forward.

Paki:

Yeah, what is like just to ask you what is kind of a price point, like let's say, somebody is really because people want to. You know they listen and they'll say like, okay, I want to go to IBI. What would they pay monthly to be able to work with somebody like yourself? Well, with the membership.

Deon:

We have all access. Membership is $175, and that's just saying hey, you guys want to come in, that's great, that's really good, yeah for sure.

Deon:

And you know there's a stigma of talking price points, but I don't want to blindside anyone. It's a premium product and we love the space, so you know, just to have access $175. And then everything else on top of that for us, if you need programming, nutrition prep or also, just hey, personal training on a sports performance, then we'll get into the packages and things of you being consistent, of you know how many times a week, how many times a month are you thinking Okay?

Chris:

And are you ever learning off like some of the people that are bringing their own trainers in there? Cause I would assume some of these NFL NBA they're bringing world class.

Deon:

you know, no for sure just depending on, okay, you intro me to your for one, we've only had one situation that was like that, but the guy was bringing in someone that I highly respect in the space like your celebrity, I get it.

Chris:

And once we started talking, shopping things.

Deon:

This aligns. You know, the biggest thing was not allowing a liability. That was gonna, you know, be a detriment to the, to the brain vision because once it's out there, it's out there 1,000%.

Paki:

All right. No ego with that too, because it can go quick, it can go real quick. What's some of the things that you got? I guess innovation right, because people are doing so many different things right. But obviously we know, like you said, the show me set up the click bait. They're trying to do cool things to drive, drive attention.

Deon:

But what's the things that are really working in innovatively now that you're you implemented in your programs? Um, for me, man in in our personal space is really not a big flash. Okay, is is pretty much integrating everyone into, like I said, the the progression of. Hey this is where you are. I know this.

Deon:

This is what we're aiming at Okay, this is how we're going to get there. The coaching cues understanding that you know how to prep, warming up, what's your nutrition like, getting a schedule, you know pretty much setting that. And then, when you get into the technology and things like that, of course I use velocity-based training and things like that. It helps with the intent versus having to overcoach, because sometimes you can give too many coaching cues and you have this brain fog of wait what was I supposed to do?

Chris:

I was supposed to do this eight times or this five times?

Deon:

Yeah, yeah so I like to keep it very simple, and then we reevaluate as we progress through the session and then also through the entire program, and then it's seasonal as well, especially with the athletes. That's what I wanted to get into, yeah. So, it's seasonal and depending on where a guy is, if he's fresh out of college, if she's a first year pro. You know those types of things compared to the you know the veteran athletes.

Deon:

So, it's a different approach. Everything, pretty much, is based on systems, um, but from there it's like okay, that's what the one-on-one hey, this is what I want to work on.

Paki:

This is what this looks like. Okay, so, will you like? So? For example, I know you were just in Philly recently, right so for the game, and I know you're probably going to the Super Bowl too. So what does that look like? Right, so does a particular athlete, and you can share whoever you're working with if you want to or not. But let's say it's a particular athlete, do you fly with them, let's say, for example, to Philly, and then you're working them out while they're there too, before the game and things like that, and then come back home, or is it?

Deon:

that customizable, yeah Well, yeah, that question has some layers to it. It just depends on the athlete. Okay, when you're early on in your career, you don't have as much leverage of being able to dictate things For me. I just want to be complimentary to the organization, whether it's on the WNBA side, the NFL side, ufc, kind of like what are you guys doing? Sure, and then, hey, I just want to take a, take care of the investment and why it's with me. Let's be very transparent triangle offense for me, hey this is what I'm doing.

Deon:

You give me the information, hey. Hey, this is what I see. Yeah, dion, stay away from this. Just want to be complimentary to the athlete and the organization, so I never want to get the ego involved of this is my athlete, this is what we do. You know what you.

Deon:

You have some that can dictate a little more, you know, depending on where they're in their career but yeah, for me it's just like I said adding value to the bottom line and knowing that it's no, no liability when it comes to a lack of knowledge or, you know, just mentally messing with the athlete sure, my understanding is how does it kind of work?

Chris:

because I know when they're, when they're in the season, right, they have their own trainers that are provided by the, the coaching staff, and then they're off season, they get those same trainers or they have to go find their own trainer um season starts when they're in season for for one.

Deon:

And which? Which sport are we?

Chris:

talking just really and honestly, because they all have the off season, they all have the season. So I don't know if it's different among sports.

Deon:

Maybe um, no, yeah, for the most part it's a collective approach of in season wise. They have their own template, their training templates by position um yardage uh, court time, things like that where you're at in a rotation, um. So I have some athletes that want to add things in season. You know um activations are hey, I'm struggling with this. Uh, we're coming off the bi-week or there's been a long travel. You know, understanding that component of hey, we've been on the road for two weeks. Um we want to recalibrate.

Chris:

That's a whole that's a whole thing. That's great.

Paki:

It's a whole system man, it's, it's, it's lot of layers, so everything is is pretty much different for each organization.

Deon:

Um, but yeah, that's for me. I just keep it very simple. Um, if they want something in season, like I said, I want to communicate that properly. I never want to be a liability to hey. Well, she was training with her trainer and got hurt doing this and you know those type of things. So I just want to make sure we're being completely transparent yeah and understanding where we're at in the season. Um, the biggest thing is staying healthy later in the season to make a playoff run, whatever it may be.

Deon:

And then on the comeback side of it, it's just, hey, making sure that I'm communicating what you're doing mitts with. Hey, what's your volume like? Okay, we're doing grappling today.

Paki:

Okay, I know when to push and when to be more reserved, so you work wide range NBA, NFL, UFC being the headquarters is here, so you're working with everybody.

Deon:

Yeah, that's one of the narratives that I've had to overcome, being the football guy.

Paki:

And I'll be honest with you, I was biased on that. I honestly thought it was NBA, and NFL is what I always thought.

Deon:

Which, like I said, it's a good problem to have. Like I said, I play football, so I see why that. You know that gave me my opportunity to work with professionals. So the more I educated myself and it's hard to see different cities and the need it's like, oh well, let's do a little research and do my due diligence on this. How can I add value to this market? Women's sports, for sure, was the huge, the huge, undervalued. So it was like like that was another angle that I was like, hey, this is something that I could really plug into and add a premium approach to it as well.

Paki:

Everybody is Sorry. We got the aces here, but we got everybody here too that people forget about, and I'm sorry, go ahead, Chris.

Chris:

Yeah, you're 100% right, it's getting big, but how do you find? You know?

Deon:

kind of not, too, because you're only one person. You know you can't have 200 athletes, or can you, like I don't know what the bandwidth is for, like that?

Deon:

yeah, uh, being a startup company in vegas, you know, like I said, this is year five for me, so you know you're, you're not turning anything yeah, that's 1000, but also that's where the systems come in place and setting those boundaries of hey, this is what I'm working with and then also understanding like I had to learn how to say no to certain things of until I can continue to build a team, uh, build a trust. But also sometimes, when you've with an athlete for a while, it's like you know, don't ever put me with this person again. You know, I'm coming to you for you.

Deon:

So, understanding that. So you always want to empower your circle and anyone else that might be in the part of the triangle offensive therapy, pt recovery and those things. But you know, some athletes okay, some have their, their yeah.

Paki:

I know, I know exactly what you're getting at. Yeah, what would you say? Mindset wise, right Like I had little kids right, so they always paying attention and everybody's YouTube, happy, they think everybody's just two minutes doing a quick drill or whatever it is. But what's really the mindset of professional athletes that you're seeing, or or or even college players right, cause you're working with that are elite athletes? Um, what's their mindset like of of trying to continue to push themselves and be there?

Deon:

Um, you get a wide range. A wide range. You really have to be able to adapt and meet an athlete where he or she may be, but also you sprinkle in your influence of hey, you know, why did you do it this way? Or, you know, let me help you develop a tool belt, cause my biggest thing is how can I educate you when you're not with me? It's easy to say, hey, you can't do this because I'm not there. You have to, you know, bring me a part of this Like hey, no, I want you to be able to properly activate warm up. Hey, this is what I'm dealing with. How can I overcome it? Lacrosse ball, this is my travel bag of things that I could help you with, versus me physically having to be there. So I feel like every situation, this is what. Oh, I remember I was dealing with the low back. This is how I can help. You know also, hey, I have someone in the city that you're headed to. You know if you can get some table work?

Deon:

there if you can't get it with the team or you know the weight, especially when you dealing with team sports, and it's a big roster, Sure, Um. But on the professionals, most, most athletes are starting to develop their own circle, which I can truly appreciate. This is what we're doing we take the information, we pass it off and you know that pretty much has been successful for me.

Chris:

These people are just like just natural, just like they don't need to work out.

Deon:

Like man this guy just gossip all the time. He's like, no matter what I do, he don't listen.

Chris:

He's still out there killing it. No matter what I do, he don't listen and he's still out there killing it.

Deon:

No, you have those one-offs where it's like you know you will look at it and say, okay, some people are just naturally talented.

Deon:

It's always something we can work on for sure. Okay, I don't want to create problems mentally If it works for you. You know, my biggest thing is can you duplicate it? Can you duplicate it? Can you do it again? It's one thing to go out and ball one week or, you know, not get as much rest, live this lifestyle, then get caught up into those things. But for the most part, can you duplicate it in consistency. Yeah, five years, ten years, you are what you repeatedly do. So that was the big point for me of like, okay, I get it, you give and take, but yeah, that's the biggest thing for me To piggyback on.

Paki:

What Chris was getting at is like Kobe's documentaries out right now. So do you think you can teach mental toughness Like, for example, Kobe that went and shot a free throw at the what Pulling his Achilles right, or shot two free throws and walks himself off? You deal with a lot of premium athletes like that are in football and all these different sports that they got to work through the pain For sure. Do you think that can?

Deon:

be taught. I definitely think you can elevate a guy's mindset. A lot of things are from the neck up, sure, but for me, just navigating youth, sports, grassroots, all the way through the professional level, a lot of things start at home, at home, you know, for us I don't think I've heard anybody say this- yeah. Mindset. You know just you're taking in information, Like you're seeing how your parents navigate or whoever, your guardian or whoever you're living with Certain things of how to navigate adversity and things like that.

Deon:

So a lot of that is established early, whether you're conscious of it or not, and then some things can be later developed as you mature and decide who you want to be.

Paki:

I'm glad you're bringing that up, starting at home, because you got people that live through their kids with sports, right, you didn't make it to whatever certain level, right, and you try to live through your kids. And then you hard on your kids and that can sometimes hurt them the right way, I'm sorry, hurt them the wrong way because they might not be taking it in, no for sure. How do you help combat?

Deon:

that Well with youth sports and grassroots. I get that all the time from parents Because it's crazy right now these games.

Deon:

I say it all the time you know, get your rest, get off the video game, but if it comes from Coach Hodges, it's like gold. So, also, sometimes the message is just who it's coming from, you know. So I understand that as well, and that's the biggest thing. It goes back to the education and just keeping it simple. If it's a nutrition issue, you know the quick thing, coach, should I supplement? Should I do this? Hey, how about we start from the kitchen table? What's a protein? What's a carb? The basics, what does that look like? You know, are we getting it from the kitchen table and then from there as they progress and mature? Then we can.

Deon:

You know and I'm just using nutrition as an example, because that's usually a big one with the grassroot level of okay, what can I do to get a competitive edge? The biggest thing is just staying consistent and evaluating yourself and being realistic, because sometimes we can put these like you said. You're living through your kids and I get it. I get the passion behind it and wanting to see your kids be successful, but sometimes it can be detrimental, especially if you're not having those conversations For sure. Yeah.

Paki:

I want to back up just a little bit about your specialty of exercise science. Right, that's what you got the degree in and for our listeners, what? What is exercise science? As far as from your perspective on what you bring to the table, A great point, Um one one.

Deon:

One thing for me. Um earlier on I wasn't too aware of exercise science or exercise phys. Yeah, initially, going into my senior year, I tore my ACL.

Paki:

Oh Jesus yeah.

Deon:

Tore my ACL in a spring practice In football right yeah, football. And the recovery process with that was okay, you go to a PT.

Deon:

These people, this is gonna help me back on the field and it wasn't up until I started working with the PTs that there was a sports science behind that. You know it's one thing to have an issue or something that you're navigating and go get treatment and therapy sure did you get back to your everyday life, but what does that look like for the athlete? So at first you know it was PT for me.

Paki:

Okay, so just the physical therapy Straight physical therapy.

Deon:

You know, I had a great relationship with the team that was helping me in high school. Hey, this is what it's going to take. It's a long process, you know, this is what it looks like. And then, once I made it to Southern Miss, I got introduced to the exercise science program. I was like, oh wow, this is something that I can be a part of life after sports.

Deon:

You're interested right away yeah this can keep me close to whatever sport it may be. It's competitive, the knowledge is there and you can stay sharp in the industry. At first I was completely unaware of it and then, when I touched campus, I was like, oh, this is a program. This is something that I'm really really interested in.

Chris:

Yeah.

Deon:

Are you a?

Paki:

sports fan in general, like just you know not the outside of this, but like For sure He'd be at every game man. He's literally at every game, For sure.

Deon:

Yeah, definitely a sports fan man. Some things have grown on me as I matured, seeing different markets, different. You know, in in Mississippi it was football was king, so that was the driver. But um, once you hit campus you see different aspects, different sports, um, athletes from different countries. You know I was like, oh wow, this is, this is bigger than than that, you know, on a global scale. So that's what really, you know, caught my interest and helped me, you know, kind of navigate what lane at least I thought I wanted to do at the time.

Paki:

Sure, yeah, and this is ongoing debate, right about sports. Who's the best athlete? Is it NBA players? Is it NFL players? Is it, you know, soccer players? Is it? Now the UFC is huge, agreed In your perspective. I want to hear from you, man, Put you on blast. Who would you say?

Deon:

is the best athlete, because you know they asked lebron about this too. Yeah, so no man, that's, that's really a tough question sure there's so many components go into it yeah, yeah, position wise, you know just your natural anatomy, sure, um the environment.

Deon:

you know mindset, you know I've seen a lot from an athlete that was particularly from a certain area compared to oh oh, this guy is super competitive. Sure, he might not do all the little details right, but when the lights are on he's competitive. So it's kind of hard to single out one sport. I truly value the competitive edge, but also the, I would say, mindfulness that I see with a lot of athletes that can keep that composure.

Chris:

Okay.

Deon:

Never, never too high, never too low. So for me, that's the thing that I look for the most. Of course, everyone wants to be the, you know, the athlete that takes over the game, the dog, whatever you want to, you know, glorify it as, but just understanding, okay, this is how they've overcome adversity. You know, I've had a, a few guys that go down to some injuries. That was, you know, just a part of the sport. There wasn't any soft tissue or anything like that. And you know, the problem is not the problem how you're going to respond to it yeah, you know.

Deon:

So that's the thing that I value, whatever the platform may be.

Chris:

It's like okay yeah, I see it sure, yeah, yeah, what do you can't get away? Who do you think? I think NBA man.

Paki:

I would say NBA too. I think NBA and the only reason not just because I played. I mean I never played up to a professional level. I played college basketball. I just felt like NBA. You just do something. You know what I mean. Like those athletes can play football, you could a lot of them have played soccer. You know what I mean.

Deon:

So you can transition.

Paki:

Yeah, I mean, the volume is different. Baseball, I mean I'm hating on baseball, but you know baseball player, you know what I mean.

Deon:

They can play everything, they can dunk and it's a long journey, you know, depending on if you make it to that professional level, even on the baseball side. Sure, you know minor league and navigating this to make it to the bigs, no man you have. That's a great point. For me it's just mindset. That's what I value the most. It tells me a lot about you, know you as an individual, and then outside the sport, who are you on a day to day?

Chris:

Sure Cause they're all special, definitely no doubt about that.

Paki:

Like, I remember we were sitting down with him and he tripped me out when he had. He said that he never gave his all and I was like what it was your biggest regret? I never gave my all. One of his biggest regrets is he never gave it all. And I'm like, and you in the sport of boxing, where you can't play boxing at all, it's just one-on-one, so it's interesting, man. So what's the most memorable lesson for you? Like, like, were you working with an athlete and you might see them do something you've worked with him consistently on, or she on? What's one memorable lesson?

Paki:

thing that stood out for you that this, this, it's exciting. You can applaud it. You know what I?

Deon:

mean, uh, definitely had several moments. Um, I always try to stay out of it just because I don't want to feel like I'm taking credit. You know, you're so humble brother. I mean I feel like, hey, if, if he you know, if she had never met me, she probably would still made it this too smooth too smooth with it, okay, but understanding that component, um, it's been a lot of things that I've definitely been proud of, sure, but a lot of it is, you know, that dark space If there's an injury, I've seen athletes that navigate.

Deon:

you know, I've had one big time guy that I would consider he had his first injury like ever when he when he made it to the league, and that was a time that I was like, oh wow, he's human you know, in the sense of okay, not want to talk to anyone and I kind of connected in a sense to comparing that to what I felt like when I tore my acl in high school of you know, friends are not hitting you back.

Deon:

Everybody's kind of still going on with their life sure um you know, you kind of create this, this chip I'm going to get back.

Paki:

So seeing those type of things, those moments where you really have to overcome adversity, and depression too, man, you get into a bad I was listening to Derrick Rose man.

Deon:

Going into a depression makes your mind go crazy, no for sure, Seeing the athletes navigate that. Of course you want everyone to be healthy and have a great career, get extended contracts and things like that.

Deon:

Yeah, but those things mean the most to me, you know, just because those are vulnerable moments, you know those are really vulnerable moments of you questioning. You know, why did this happen? You know, then you start second guessing, you know, did I really prepare myself properly? You know, whatever the play may be or whatever, how did the injury happen, but those things really carry a lot of weight for me because it's bigger than the sport for me. You know, a couple of my athletes we've become family.

Chris:

That's what's up. That's a weird thought, because you think you're one of the only people who get to see him in that moment. Right, it's not really a lot of people Vulnerable.

Deon:

Yeah, you know, sometimes you just need someone to check up, like yo. We're good. You know, I've seen over the last couple of weeks we've had, you know, two guys go down to something that was pretty tough to navigate, especially in the playoffs. And it's like you know what do you say yeah, like yo, we locked in.

Paki:

You know, we'll, you know, we'll get, we'll get everything.

Deon:

Yeah, don't overthink it. I know it sucks right now. You embrace these moments and um and from there you know that's that's more fulfilling for me to be a part of that, of that support system. The training part is easy in a sense, but it's like, okay, the buy-in. It's like they see things of okay yo, you really checked it wasn't hitting me up about tickets or what can we do?

Paki:

Or can you, I got this business idea and all these different things. You know you have so many people pulling at the athletes on all levels.

Deon:

So I never want to be put in that boat of you. Know what is DM? What are you calling me? You know those things. So for me those moments mean a lot to me of seeing it but also how to handle success. I've had guys, you know, I had female athletes that were had some success on the court, on the field and things like that and it's like, okay, can you do? It again yeah, so it's that approach.

Paki:

It's just that high of continuing to keep going. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Deon:

So it's, I mean okay, you've done it once.

Paki:

Can we do it again? What does that look like?

Chris:

Nobody teaches you about that, though, right Like you just learn by yourself.

Deon:

You can learn, you know, exercise, science, but nobody teaches you how to be kind of a therapist in a sense, very true, man, and that was the thing that I was navigating with myself just mindset, how to connect, you know, how to just really commit myself to the athletes of understanding. Hey, I'm here as a resource, you know. Just understanding who are you from the neck up is a big thing for me. So, um, that's usually my approach, man, and it's got me to this point and I'm still learning today. Um, I know that I know nothing, um, cause things are changing. You evolve, but for the most part it's happening. So quick back to the fundamentals. Um, that tool belt that we talked about earlier, um, usually that's what presents itself. Again, it's easy to want to get into the sexy stuff and go fat, you know for sure. Oh, we want to train, we want to do this, want to do that, like no, let's slow it down.

Deon:

Basics yeah, yeah and just glorifying that, and sometimes it's it's more humbling, yeah, like, okay, it's going to be a time and a place where we're going to get after, but right, but, right now let's just be consistent is the main thing.

Paki:

You got to be excited about all the sports coming to Vegas, man.

Deon:

We get everybody now, and now I've heard.

Paki:

Obviously we already knew about the NBA, we knew about the A's coming here, athletics, and then I've heard MLS is really, really sprinkling in Part of it. I think what's the train that's coming here?

Deon:

yeah, part of I think um what's the train that's coming here.

Paki:

Uh, the bullet train that was going, yeah, between here and la, but what's it called? Uh, I have no idea.

Chris:

Uh I'm gonna think of a second.

Paki:

I'll think of it in a second but it's the same one as in miami to orlando, is the same one coming from here to la? But I'm I'm hearing that the mls is going to be on top of that stadium, the mls stadium similar to like a madison square garden. That's what I'm getting to hear, so we're going to get. Soccer supposedly is going to be happening. So three more sports, which Vegas is just, and how do you feel about that?

Deon:

I mean, this is your profession. That was the biggest thing for me of understanding evaluating markets. You know where the athletes want to be. I feel like Vegas is a hub that at some point you have to come through, our 100% an event conventions. Yeah, marketing deals it's something sporting events especially yeah, yeah, those things. So that is something that helps me solidify. Hey, this is where I need to be and, um, you know, I'm gonna put myself in the best situation and how do these?

Chris:

you know that's a good sidetrack, I think, but at least you know, uh, because you're not necessarily only working with vegas athletes, right? You have a lot of people in different markets, are they? Do they come here specifically to just be with you on the off season or the moment where they live here normally? Like, is it a hybrid? It's a hybrid?

Deon:

Um for sure we. We have athletes that are transitioning to Vegas. They see the benefits tax they see the benefits on the upside. And then you know we ha, I do have some athletes that, hey, I'm doing my off season in Vegas with you, yeah, um, which is fulfilling as well.

Chris:

Yeah, that'd be fantastic.

Deon:

People to uproot what they're doing. You know six months out of the year to come and be, you know, in your city and train with you, for you know eight to 12 weeks, depending on how long you have them or whatever the sport may be.

Paki:

Yeah, that's what's up, man. I applaud you, man, but right, because you new bit new in business now with the hospitality company. But what would you say, just a nugget from something that you've learned, man, because we all hit our heads sometimes that what's the lesson that you've learned just in business that it might be able to help. You know our listeners business advice.

Deon:

Um, it's several different things that I hospitality has introduced me to yeah, for sure I was completely naive too.

Paki:

wait, wait, what? Yeah, that's what you have to do.

Deon:

Sure, to keep it simple, the biggest thing is just asking the questions. You know, understanding, just being more vulnerable? Yeah, can you help me understand this? Yeah, compared to the ego of just sitting back and being quiet and faking it, I get it. I get it. I mean, I know those are some things that we talk about on the day to day of knowing everything. I know that I know nothing. When it comes, especially to the restaurant space Wait, what Front of house, back of house booking marketing it's as hard as industry, as restaurants.

Deon:

Advice, wise, I mean for sure, just being more vulnerable to the space um, doing your homework, doing your due diligence is one thing that the guys that I'm involved with with Aya has shown me outside of the training aspect is is really taking it from A to Z. A to Z is a big staple, uh, and statement on our day-to-day conversations of okay, you can go about halfway. Oh, I think I got it done.

Paki:

What do?

Deon:

you mean, you think, did you get it done? And that's what I definitely appreciate those guys for educating me on that aspect and it's it's just a spillover to how you do everything. Sure, you know how do you manage your household. Yeah, buddy, it's a thin line adds up yeah, you know, if you're sloppy at most things, you know your day to day, it usually shows itself at some point.

Paki:

Very true, you know. So I'm so glad you brought that up. And I'm a side check for one second Tony Robbins. I was just listening to him on a podcast. He has a personal investigator for every business partner he goes into and he allows them to do the same exact thing to really understand who he's getting into business with, because a lot of these deals might be a million, might be a hundred million, might be a billion dollars. I think he's invested in I don't know how many companies, but that was the first person I heard say that, and you're right. It starts at the home front. You don't know what the home front is like.

Deon:

You got to really know people to really understand what they're about and when do you really get a chance, a snapshot, to know people Riding the kids? Man, yeah, riding the kids. That's a good one Riding the kids. I'm sure it starts at home.

Paki:

Because my kids will tell you straight up like no, he don't do that.

Deon:

You know what I mean Exactly. You know you could sit and say certain things, but you know the people that goes into when adversity strikes.

Paki:

Things are not going right who are you?

Deon:

I know that, you know it's easy to sit here and say we did it and we developed this podcast, and you know, sure, you know, I'm sure there's some stories by the journey of being used.

Paki:

Yes, all the business partners yeah, it's.

Deon:

That's the thing that yeah introduces you to who you're at war with, and that's the thing that aya has definitely shown, yeah, and and helped me understand of okay, you know, I really got your back. What does?

Chris:

that look like sometimes things I mean it's not always easy.

Paki:

So well said, when you see, those things like okay, this makes sense.

Deon:

That's what's up you leading by example you know, you're helping. You're navigating, you're you know. Hey, what do we need to do next? Sure, collectively. Sometimes it's just hey, yo do you, don't be a robot, do you? Yeah, we got you you know those organic.

Chris:

Yeah, I love that great to be in that environment. It really helps you be your best self yeah, that's always y'all got some great partners.

Paki:

Man, shout out to all your partners your partners man, we always ask. We can't leave out. We're in the food mecca and I know you eat a lot, just like I do, man, so I got to know what your favorite restaurant is in Vegas.

Deon:

Don't say yours, I was about to say that's a loaded question. Say something else, man. You're trying to get me fired. Yeah, I would say, outside of our personal venues. Okay, for me I think. Oh man, that's a great question and you can shout about it. No, for sure, we will get to that.

Paki:

I'm going to be honest with you. Pine Beach Show is excellent, and I'm not just saying that it's excellent food, excellent ambiance, j Blanc. I was just there recently. It was excellent.

Deon:

Excellent food for me with with our personal venues, thick and thin.

Paki:

Oh yeah, I always forget about the thing.

Deon:

Yeah, just because it's it's complimentary to the day.

Paki:

Right next to IVI. Yeah.

Deon:

So with the protein shakes, wellness juices, those things, um that's, that's a huge staple for me. It provides that convenience but also understanding it adds to the experience of the of the facility. So I definitely appreciate Veronica and the team over at Thick and Thin Treats that that's a part of our every day.

Deon:

You know, that's our convenience store in a sense. For sure, you know, I always educate the athletes. Hey, what did you eat today? Yeah, understanding nutritional windows and things. Okay, it might not be what I'm eating, but when I'm eating, sure, but far as Vegas man, it's easy to want to go with the big time places. But for me I want to shout out one of my good friends, Kai Kamaka. He's one of the MMA fighters and we connected over Island Sushi Island.

Paki:

Sushi is more of a local approach. Okay, where's that at?

Deon:

I don't think anybody's mentioned that it's over off of Eastern Okay.

Paki:

Island Sushi. Shout out to them.

Deon:

Island. She is one of uh, one of my staples, and I just appreciate the community level. I get it to want to go to the big chain. Sure, yeah, yeah, flash, and you know yeah, I get it.

Paki:

Yeah, for sure, I get it.

Deon:

I get it. I love that with parking valet doing 100. I know so island sushi. Um, you know, I did the fried philly roll noodles, that's what's up? That's not good, it's one of the things that, okay, I mean for twice a month, maybe every other friday, um, okay, you there. Um, another one, um, I don't want to butcher the name. It's in north vegas, uh, me being from mississippi. Yeah, soul food, okay, so I'm looking for catfish, okay, um, maybe you can help me think of the name.

Paki:

I can't think of the spot in North.

Chris:

It's over on Lamb. What is the name of that spot?

Paki:

they got soul food.

Deon:

We used to go there way back in the day when we were at.

Chris:

Sonata right down the little shopping street.

Paki:

They just opened a new location or which one you're talking about, way down on West, going on Craig.

Chris:

Is it East North Las Vegas, like when East side I?

Paki:

think so. It probably is. We'll think. I think I'm trying to think of the daggone name. It's in that low plaza over there.

Deon:

Yeah, I don't want to butcher the shout out, but no for sure, for me it was just a taste of home, it's. It's something that, like I said, just it's a taste of home that helps me. Okay, this is very similar. I get it Calling my mom to send a care package about something. I get it. You know. You speak about language, catfish things like that.

Paki:

Speak about language, yeah.

Deon:

But yeah, man, um yeah, outside of thick and thin, for sure, not to say that I don't appreciate the other ones. You know, when the athletes come to town, that's the first thing. Can we get a reservation here? Can we do this? So I get it. But for me, the local experience of just being able to unplug and not have to you know, compete with traffic and things like that. And if you guys can educate me on anything else in the market.

Paki:

No, you know, you know I'm a big foodie, but you know I'm glad you said that because people like your hospitality company. You're putting nice restaurants and good food off the strip. That has that experience of being on the strip, yep, so I got to salute you guys. Like Paul, everything that you just mentioned is excellent because it's got that feel.

Deon:

You know what I mean to mean the high-end premium feel you want to put, like I said, at the grassroot level of the community of hey, we don't have to, like you said, go to the strip to have a premium experience but also we understand what we're in. I don't want to say competition with, but we want to get the community involved.

Chris:

That's the biggest thing for us. I love Cleaver's Natalia's Little Kitchen Thai food. If you like Thai food, definitely check those out.

Paki:

I just went to the, finally, for the first time, Cleave what's Cleaver's other Herbs? And Rye? I just went to Cleave Herbs and Rye for the first time. It was excellent. Yeah, shout out to them. What did we forgot to ask you, man that on, or something you just wanted to add to it? Um, I don't think you guys left out anything. I have a question for you guys. How soon can we come by, ivi, and get it right? Yeah, I need to get my. Get my weight off, man.

Paki:

You sound like sound like jay shaw, my wife must have texted you saying, saying get him, get him in there.

Chris:

We need to come through. You said premium athletes, that's where I was like premium, but it sounds like it really is a great facility. I think I've been by it a lot consistently, so definitely you could tell it's an exceptional and premium.

Paki:

But I think I got. We need to get in there. Stop making excuses. That's the thing. You're overthinking it. That is 100% right. Just try it out we have to accountability.

Deon:

That's all you. You were 100 right salute to you, man.

Paki:

Excuse me right away, he's 100, right, man, because we just talked about it. So that's what's up, man, baby, shout out to dion man. I'm glad I said I get a chance to sit out with you, man. Um, what's your social handles and how people can reach out to you?

Deon:

and then ivi and all that so far on instagram and twitter. Well, x, yeah, underscore d. Hodges is my handle. Okay, I don't have a Snapchat and I'm still navigating the TikTok world. Yeah, I think we all are. I'm figuring it out, but but yeah, that's, that's me on on social Instagram and X man. Underscore D.

Paki:

Hodges. Okay, Well, check them out, man. Dion is is, uh, somebody that's motivated man and so, humble brother, you were humble as hell, man, Great stuff. So we want to continue to keep supporting you and have you continue to keep winning man. So we applaud what you do.

Deon:

That's not for sure. I appreciate that. Yeah, maybe we can circle back in a few months 100% yeah. I would love to, yeah, get an update, talk through off-season training and things like that leading up. I know we have the Super Bowl coming up. The WNBA should be kicking back off here pretty soon. I would love to come back and just talk shop about the more things like that. We can dive with some more athletes if you guys are open to that.

Chris:

Yeah, let's keep it going, man Keep it going.

Deon:

Help me out a little bit.

Chris:

Keep it going.

Paki:

Shout out to DDI man. Check us out at TheVegasTurkeycom.

Deon:

Appreciate your time, brother.

Paki:

Really good stuff, thank you.