Leigh Bodden, a 31-year-old former NFL cornerback, recently announced his plans to become a Retro Fitness franchisee, beginning with three locations in Washington D.C.
Bodden told Club Solutions that three was just the kick off, and he plans to open more once he gets his feet wet in the fitness industry. “People say to find something that you’ll really love,” said Bodden. “I’ve always been into fitness. Playing in the NFL, it’s been part of my life. Last year I was able to workout with my mom and aunts, and get them healthy and off some diabetes medication.”
It was the power of getting his family healthy that pushed him towards owning fitness clubs. Additionally, Bodden said he refused to end up like the majority of NFL players after they’ve completed their careers in the league.
According to a Sports Illustrated article, 70 percent of NFL players are broke 2-4 years after retiring. “You have to align yourself with the right people while you’re playing,” expressed Bodden. “I’ve gone through several agents and financial advisors. I was fortunate to find the right people while I was in the league, so now I can get on the fast track to being caught up in business.”
Michael Rattenni, the founder of Triumph Group Management (TGM), was one of those connections Bodden found while still playing in the NFL. “We have the same financial advisors,” explained Rattenni. “We became friends and then started discussing ideas. I’ve got 17 years in the fitness industry, so it was a good fit to help with the Retro Fitness locations.”
Rattenni owned a club in New York, which he sold to Planet Fitness as the franchise’s third location when it started. He then moved to personal training and started hosting personal training departments for clubs and franchises. Today, TGM can do everything from running front and back end operations, to personal training departments. The management group also has a hospitality side to its business, focused on hotels.
In his 8-year career, Bodden was best known for three interceptions and an 81-yard touchdown return against the New York Jets’ Mark Sanchez while playing for the New England Patriots. However, Bodden said, even in fulfilling a dream of playing in the NFL, he was completely removed from the outside world.
“You train all year,” explained Bodden. “People think it’s a 16-week season, but you are continually working on your body, your speed and your skills. You don’t get to see the business world, or learn about certain businesses, like the fitness industry. I plan on being hands on in the club, but my advisors will limit the mistakes I make in business.”
By Tyler Montgomery
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Rachel Zabonick-Chonko is the editor-in-chief of Club Solutions Magazine. She can be reached at rachel@peakemedia.com.
