Game Onward: From Field to Franchisee – Kylie Fitts
It is no surprise to anyone who knows him that Kylie Fitts owns an athletic training facility. He has the upbringing, the background, the family, the skill, and the passion to serve athletes and their families. D1 Training, with its core values and coaching style, is an ideal professional fit for Fitts. Plus, he was already familiar with the brand before exploring the franchise opportunity.
Fitts was introduced to D1 when he trained at D1 Scottsdale as a player for the Arizona Cardinals. But the journey that would bring him to his role as franchise owner of D1 Val Vista, in Gilbert, Arizona, began long ago, in California, at the age of 5, when he first took the field as a football player.
“I hated it at first,” Fitts said, laughing. “But as I got bigger, and better, my coaches and Dad helped me gain confidence and love the game.”
Growing up with two older brothers and a younger sister who all played sports, competition came naturally to Fitts. Add the fact that his dad played in the NFL, and could coach him from that perspective, it wasn’t long before he excelled at the game, and said, “It’s a lot more fun when you’re good at it.”
He was very good at it. The Chicago Bears picked Fitts in the 6th round of the NFL Draft in 2018. He’d later play for the Arizona Cardinals, the team he retired from. It was a retirement that shocked the league but added validation to the need for safety reform across the NFL regarding head injuries.
In an interview with Good Morning America, where Fitts appeared with his wife and twin daughters, he said that after 21 years of playing football, it was no longer safe for him to play the game. He had suffered numerous concussions, the last of which was the worst, and he had to put his health and his family first.
When considering the next chapter in his career, Fitts was pulled to serve athletes in the same way his dad and coaches had served him. “I knew I always felt called to a training facility, and like my dad, wanted to give that experience and opportunity to others.”
Having trained at D1 Scottsdale, Fitts was familiar with the brand and trusted the franchise model. “With a franchise, the business is ready to go,” he said. “I saved a lot of money and mistakes by going with D1.”
Fitts opened D1 Val Vista in August of 2023, and is hands-on in the business from running it, building a team, and even doing some 1:1 coaching with linebackers in the community.
“Coaching and character development is honestly the most important thing I see, definitely the most rewarding,” said Fitts. “Not everyone is going to be the next college or pro player, but the ability to see the shy, quiet kid become the life of the party, that’s the best reward.”
He tells the story of a young female athlete who began training as a founding member.
“She started with us on day one, very scared and timid, one of the few girls in the class. She stuck it out and just kept going, kept going, kept going, figuring out all the things she has never done in her life,” he said. “We had our testing week recently, and she went from not knowing anything to leading her age group in every area. Now, she is exploring all these different sports. She has strength and speed and athleticism, and the mentality to overcome through hard work and dedication. That’s what it’s all about.”
That’s a story that defines how special D1 Training is. When asked what else makes the D1 difference, Fitts said it all comes down to family.
“I’m a family man, and we are very focused on family. It’s cool for us to serve entire families. Parents come in the morning, kids at night. Establishing these habits for entire families in the community is rewarding to see.