“The first time I ran track was my junior year. I had always been a football player, and the only way I could play my preferred position the following year was to get faster by running track. Little did I know, I would never play football again. After my first season being coached by Tanya, I absolutely fell in love with the sport of track and decided to pursue it in hopes of running in college. I made the switch to run for Hustle (after my high school season) and at that moment my life completely changed for the better. Don’t get me wrong, Hustle is not easy by any means, but if you put your trust in Tanya, work hard, and have fun along the way, you will definitely see success in the sport of track. Hustle has shown me that hard work, discipline, dedication, honesty, and a good attitude can yield benefits for you. To me, Hustle is not only a track club but a second family. Hustle has taught me so many things about life and reaffirmed that you get out what you put in! The experiences I’ve had and relationships I’ve made are something that I just can’t put a price on. I can say with 150% certainty that Hustle has changed my life and added to it in so many ways. I am now headed off to UCCS on scholarship to pursue the sport I love at the next level. Thank you, Coach!”
Ann Konieczny
My son Isaac sustained an injury during his high school weight training class the Spring of his freshman year. It was a serious back injury that caused an L4 disc herniation and small avulsion fracture. This was a huge disappointment and setback since he is a serious baseball player. It caused him to miss half of his spring and summer baseball season due to the injury.
When he was given the clearance to start rehabilitation, we went back to Hustle Denver to work with Coach Kyle. His one on one sessions with Isaac twice a week helped him regain his fitness while avoiding any exacerbation of his back injury. After three months of dedicated work, Isaac was fully cleared to play baseball again. He now has no pain and has returned to the sport he loves. We could not have done this without the caring and expert physical rehabilitation that Kyle gave him. We are so grateful for Hustle!
“I first began track only as a means to train to be a better football player with aspirations to play in college. However, shortly after joining Hustle, I fell in love with track and field, and my college dreams changed sports completely, and it’s still the best decision I’ve ever made. Hustle has not only given me collegiate opportunities to pursue the sport I love, but the program has mended me into a better athlete, teammate, leader, and person, on & off the track. Hustle has taught me discipline and given me perspective on what it truly means to be passionate about a goal, and the hard work required to achieve it. The program at Hustle is rigorous and demanding, but the results you get from buying in are unmatched; I’ve never made a better investment than putting my time and commitment to Hustle. I will continue to be a part of the Hustle family competing in college, and for life after that as well. ”
Brooke Franke
-Ole Miss, NCAA DI Hammer & Discus Thrower-
“I first started training with Hustle the summer before my senior year (June 2021). My personal bests the season prior were 98’ in discus and I had never even seen a hammer. My lifting maxes were 260lbs on squat, 335lbs on deadlifts and 115lbs on bench. Not only was I not on any college coaches radar, but I didn't understand how to get there.
When I first talked to Coach Tanya on the phone, she said “We build college level athletes”. I made the choice to sign up, and Coach Nathan began teaching me how to throw the hammer. At first I absolutely hated it; hammer is hard to learn because of the complexity of the technique which is why I didn’t believe him when he said it was going to be my best event. At this time I began really trying to find where I would be going to college. I asked Tanya and Nathan for help, and within a few weeks they were able to get in touch with some of my dream schools and get me in contact with the throws coaches. I cannot begin to explain how stressful the recruiting process is for an athlete, let alone going through it while in season and being expected to perform well at meets. Having coaches that are extremely knowledgeable about the process and willing to help made an insane difference for me. During the indoor season I ended up ranked at number 17 in the Nation for weight (the indoor version of hammer) and qualified for New Balance Indoor Nationals after only 4 months throwing the weight. Soon after Nationals, I threw 130’ in discus at my senior season opener for the high school outdoor season. Working with Coach Nathan made all the difference in my technique, and therefore the distance of my throw as proven by the 32’ PR. I continued working on hammer, and began getting attention from Coach John Smith at Ole Miss after Coach Nathan sent him a video of my throw. After being offered a spot on his team, I committed since Ole Miss is one of the top throws programs in the country. I quickly qualified for Nike Nationals in Eugene Oregon in both events under the championship division. I ended up placing 9th in hammer at nationals, and I was Nationally ranked at 14th. My personal bests by the end of the season were 132’ in discus and 156’ in hammer. My lifting maxes before leaving for college were 155 lbs on bench, 200 lbs on clean, 320 lbs on squat and 415 lbs on deadlift at 175 lbs bodyweight. You will not be able to find a club team better than Hustle if your goal is to become the best athlete possible, and continue your track career in college. The support, help, guidance and elite level of coaching given to me as a Hustle athlete was a defining factor in my success and my ability to continue my career at the collegiate level. I can say with full confidence Tanya is right. The coaches built me into a Division 1, college level athlete now competing in the SEC, and I couldn't have done it without Hustle.”
““We want to share a transformational experience we’ve had with our ten year old son, Zachary. Zachary is a child who reluctantly engages in any type of physical activity. He prefers mathematics, lego building and reading for hours upon end. We were fortunate enough to meet Tanya a few short weeks ago. Within this time, Zachary has developed confidence in himself, has core strength (he can hold a plank for over a minute), he’s developed balance and strength, is riding a scooter and yesterday, he finally was able to get on a bike. We cannot explain the gratitude we have for Tanya and the work she’s done so quickly with our son. The change is nothing short of amazing. Tanya is gifted at her craft and is able to change mindset, as well as the body. Tanya raises champions and her work has forever changed our family. Zachary now chooses to engage in family walks and scooter rides on Saturday afternoon. We look forward to the weeks to come and know that we are in the most capable hands with Tanya. If you want to strengthen your body, as well as your mind, Tanya is simply the best.”
-Rebecca Mercer”
Jayson Dupre
"From the time I started training with Coach Vassar to the end of my college athletic career I could tell I had improved tremendously as an athlete. I stayed the body type I needed to while gaining strength and muscle and still being able to get better as a track athlete. I not only got better as an athlete, I also became a better person outside of sports. I was doing better in school and trying harder; doing good at school meant the focus for track was mainly on being able to perform to the best of my ability.
All Coach Vassar’s athletes love her and know she cares about them beyond just being an athlete. Without her training style and personality, I know her athletes wouldn’t be nearly as happy or successful as they were or are now. Even now I still feel the impact Coach Vassar has made on my physical appearance, overall athletic ability, and my mentality throughout life. It was the best coaching experience I have had and I wouldn’t be the confident person I am today without her."
-Jayson Dupre, NCAA DI High & Triple Jumper
Jacqueline Palizzi
NCAA DI Hammer Thrower
"Sports have been my life for 18 years, but the past four have been amazing because of one person, Coach Vassar. Vassar’s lifting program changed my life. Not only was I at my peak strength, but I have achieved my top muscular body to date. She knows how to push me to my limit, without pushing me over the edge.
On the track, she increased my footwork ten fold, and I am at the top of my game. Her workouts are hard, but they prepare an athlete physically and mental for any competition that comes their way. There were days I left practice crying, but I knew she was doing everything because she cared deeply about me. If you want to be the best athlete possible, YOU NEED HER! Coach will always have a special place in my heart and even though I have graduated, her workouts and advice are instilled in me forever."