TUALATIN, Ore. — It wasn't easy for performance coach Dennis Dixon to get where he is today.
"I'm all about training the next generation. That's something that I didn't have when I was little. To show the gift of wisdom to the next generation means a lot to me," Dixon said.
Thanks to a lot of perseverance, he achieved his dreams — first, by playing for the University of Oregon, then going to the NFL.
"I was blessed to be a professional athlete in two sports, football and baseball, so I got drafted to the Atlanta Braves that year '07, and then, I got drafted in the fifth round to the Pittsburgh Steelers," said Dixon.
Dennis won two Super Bowl rings. Now, he's helping teens to train and go after their own goals, saying that includes them staying active during the summer.
"Just to stay busy — a lot of these athletes, a lot of these kids, aren't doing what they're doing right now as far as training, " said Dixon.
And spending some time away from screens.
"As adults, we have to find ways to out-influence social media and get people off their tablets, get them active for at least 30 to 60 minutes a day," Dixon said.
Teens training with Dennis say it's not just about staying active but getting ahead.
"I want to get faster, and I want to get stronger. I get to be competitive, and I get to compete with other people," said Ronak Cerwonka.
"I'm improving my strength and agility in both ways to get faster and stronger in general on the baseball field," said Grayson Allen.
And that's also about putting in the work now, so they'll be healthier.
"If you're not working, you're getting passed by people that are. You're getting worse than the people that are, and if you want to play as long as possible, you should always be working," said Keaton Stermur.
Dennis said by kids staying active during the summer, they'll be at their best.
"I try to unmake excuses. You don't need a gym. You don't need a lot of equipment. You just need the time opportunity and space to get things done," he concluded.