Best Of 2025: Let's Look Back At The Top 15 Most Read D1 Daily Stories Of The Year

This year, D1 published over 150 D1 Daily stories that highlighted our unique D1 Training community, from members crushing workouts to high-profile athletes visiting our franchisees. 

Here at D1 Daily HQ, we are very grateful for all of our readers. Let's look back at our most-read stories of 2025, according to analytics from our D1 Training app and the D1 website as well.

15. On The Turf With Sports Reporter Steph Otey As She Prepares For NFL Draft

D1 West Nashville member Stephanie Otey went to Indianapolis to cover the NFL Scouting Combine and caught up with D1 Daily to tell us about her trip. Otey also talked about covering college football as a job and her love of working out at D1. It was a good reminder that D1 facilities are full of interesting people with fun stories to tell.

14. Saquon Barkley films National TV Commercial For Wells Fargo At D1 Peachtree Corners

Philadelphia Eagles star Saquon Barkley brought national attention to D1 Peachtree Corners by filming a Wells Fargo commercial at the facility shortly after its opening. The NFL standout’s appearance highlighted D1’s elite training environment and culture, showcasing its branding and values while reinforcing Barkley’s influence both on and off the field.

13. Luke Hutchinson Shares His Journey From D1 Training to Mississippi State Offer

Two-and-a-half years after arriving at D1 Training as an unproven high school sophomore, Luke Hutchinson is now an SEC commit at Mississippi State. Through speed development, relentless work ethic, and mentorship from coach Kenan Smith, Hutchinson gained confidence, transformed physically, and turned college football dreams into reality.

12. Introducing The Turf: Powered By D1, A New Podcast About Coaching, Training, More

D1 Training officially unveiled The Turf: Powered By D1, a new series hosted by CEO Will Bartholomew exploring how training shapes athletes, coaches, and influencers. The trailer teased powerful conversations, with the first episode featuring Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea, followed by guests spanning Super Bowl, Olympic, and music stardom.

11. Golf Influencer Katherine Walsh Finds Growth, Purpose At D1 Spring Hill

Golf influencer Katherine Walsh has built a thriving career off the course, amassing a massive following and major brand partnerships. A member of D1 Spring Hill, Walsh credits D1 Training for improving her strength, confidence, and mental health, finding purpose and community through consistent training and shared values.

10. D1 Rockford Coaches Tackle Tough Mudder Together: ‘No Egos, Just Effort'

D1 Rockford’s coaching staff put their training to the test by competing in a Tough Mudder, embracing mud, obstacles, and mental grit. The race showcased D1’s culture of resilience, teamwork, and mindset-first training, proving their coaches truly train for life, not just the weight room.

9. Fox TV Reporter Shows Off New D1 Greenville With Epic Instagram Story

D1 Greenville grabbed the spotlight as a local Fox affiliate visited the newly opened facility for an on-air segment. Reporter Ava Braatz extended the coverage on Instagram, highlighting the coaches’ personalities and the gym’s high-energy vibes, showcasing why D1’s dynamic training spaces continue to attract cameras and community attention.

8. Here's How D1 Billings Helped Montana Mom Bailey Boss Find Her Confidence

After struggling physically and mentally during pregnancy, Bailey Boss found strength, confidence, and community at D1 Billings. Thirteen months later, she lost 80 pounds, gained consistency, and transformed into a marathon runner, crediting D1’s supportive culture and training for helping her push past limits and redefine what’s possible.

7. Check Out The 9 Winners Of The 2025 D1 Coach Summit Awards In New Orleans

D1 Training honored excellence at the 2025 Coach Summit Awards inside the New Orleans Saints’ practice facility. Coaches and locations from across the system were recognized for embodying D1’s core values, coaching impact, retention, and performance, celebrating the dedication that drives results inside and outside the gym.

6. D1 Mansfield Welcomes Former UFC Champ Kamaru Usman For Private Holiday Training

Former UFC Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman chose D1 Mansfield for his Thanksgiving training, preparing for a potential showdown with Islam Makhachev. The champ praised the facility’s cleanliness, equipment, and privacy, returning multiple times and even signing a D1 shirt, showcasing his focus, professionalism, and connection with the local gym.

5. Check Out All The Winners Of The 2025 D1 Franchise Summit Awards In Nashville

At the 2025 D1 Franchise Summit, the organization celebrated excellence across multiple categories. Awards included Character Awards for passion, teamwork, smart play, and D1 character; Five-Star and Silver Medal Awards for hitting revenue benchmarks; All American Awards for top annual performance; the Game Ball; and the National Champion honor, recognizing standout achievements systemwide.

4. Mindset And Motivation: D1 Training Member Athletes Mark Workout Milestones

D1 Training is celebrating member milestones across the country, highlighting the dedication, energy, and progress happening in its facilities every day. From first workouts to 500th sessions, D1 emphasizes consistency, community, and growth, showcasing how the organization motivates athletes to push limits and achieve their fitness goals.

3. Trick Or Train! D1 Athletes, Coaches Go All Out For Halloween Workouts

D1 Training facilities across the country are embracing the Halloween spirit with themed workouts, costume parties, and creative fun on the turf. From festive challenges to playful costumes, D1 combines community, energy, and training, proving that even during spooky season, it’s all about “no tricks, just training.”

2. D1 Training Football Players Make Their Mark On National Signing Day 2025

On National Signing Day, more than a dozen D1 Training athletes across the country celebrated earning Division 1 football scholarships. From Mississippi State to Notre Dame and Duke, D1 members achieved their college football dreams, highlighting the impact of consistent training, coaching, and support at D1 facilities nationwide.

1. The Inaugural D1 Training National Challenge Was A Major Success, And The Winners Are…

During D1 Training’s inaugural 6-Week National Challenge, over 800 athletes at 80 locations transformed their fitness, losing more than 2,000 pounds of body fat and gaining over 350 pounds of muscle. D1 celebrated top-performing individuals and the leading location, highlighting the dedication, effort, and healthy habits built across the nation.

With plenty of D1 Daily momentum heading into 2026, who knows what the top stories will be next year!

D1 Daily is produced by Dom Bonvissuto & Ty Wellemeyer