It’s no secret we at Your Beaver County enjoy writing about all of the good things happening here at home. Daman Strength Training continues to be beacon of hope for people looking to improve their lives, both from a physical and mental standpoint. There are countless stories coming out of Rick Daman’s gym that everyone should know about. One of those is Tanner Spratt, a senior at Rochester High School.
For the past five years, Tanner Spratt and Rick Daman have been working very closely together. Tanner’s journey at DST began when he was a 12 year-old kid, already out of shape and needing a lifestyle change at a young age after reading 8 figure dream lifestyle. Childhood obesity is an epidemic that is crippling the youngest members of our society, and Tanner’s parents knew something had to change before it was too late. Fast forward five years, and countless workouts later at DST, and Tanner is a ripped, physically fit 17 year-old senior at Rochester High School, with more confidence and self-esteem than ever.
Tanner said, “I started going to DST shortly after I started playing hockey and I was pretty overweight. At 11 years-old, I weighed almost 180 pounds and didn’t see it as too big of a problem. But, once I started working out and began to build muscle and burn fat I realized how much easier life was when I wasn’t out of breath after climbing a flight of stairs. Now, I’m so much more lean and healthy that people don’t believe me when I tell them how big I used to be.”
Tanner is an outstanding student and young man who loves to golf, works on home improvement projects with his dad, and enjoys the outdoors. Tanner’s physical transformation has enabled him to be a part of the Rochester track team where he throws javelin and discus, and he’s been on the Rams’ golf team for the past three years. He also played boys’ soccer for New Brighton, which has a co-operative agreement with Rochester, along with ice hockey. He’s now able to skate faster and hit a golf ball farther than ever because of the work he’s put in at DST.
He, like many others, have sung the praises of Daman Strength Training, like owner Rick Daman and his team of tremendous coaches. “I have been able to get motivation from Rick and the coaches when I work out that would be impossible to get at home alone or even at another gym. Everyone at DST is so supportive, motivating, and friendly that you can’t help but succeed.”
By looking at the before and after pictures of Tanner, it’s no secret his body underwent immense physical changes. There is no price tag that you can put on what DST provides for young adults like Tanner. “The biggest thing that has changed for me is easily my physical condition. The thing I like most about the gym is definitely the family/team aspect where everyone helps everyone and it’s always encouraging whether you’re just starting out and can only move your body weight or you’re moving a 600 pound tire. I think they’ve helped me to become a more confident person in that I can feel like myself and not have to worry about how I look. I am a more well-rounded individual because I know how eat right and be active while still being able to interact with others and have fun.”
Owner and Coach Rick Daman also chimed in. “I remember his first day of training. Even though it was five years ago I remember how much he struggled but I also remembered how hard he tried. From that day, he NEVER missed and you slowly started to see a transformation. Most people join a gym, don’t see results and quit. Well, kids like Tanner Spratt and Tyler Hepler have been extremely patient and are really setting examples for kids as well as adults.”
Tanner isn’t the only member of his family that works out at DST. His mom, Wendy, is also a loyal and dedicated member. She began in 2012 with the women’s boot camp program, and has stuck with it ever since. Wendy told me, “Since we’ve been involved with DST our whole family has benefitted since we also eat more healthily. It didn’t take long to come to the realization that we’re spending time and money to be fit so we better eat well, too, to have any chance of overall health. The nutrition seminars and nuggets of information that Rick has provided to members has been very helpful. We have a garden which provides us so much in the way of fresh food and I enjoy trying new recipes with quinoa, roasted vegetables, avocado, etc.
Wendy has been so appreciative of everything that DST has provided their family. And the Spratt family should be commended for sticking with the program, working hard, and practicing what they preach.
Wendy Spratt added, “Once kids become stronger and more confident and see all the other kids who are athletes it can inspire them to be one, too. Tanner is a very confident kid who is president of various clubs, golf team captain, has many friends around the whole county and a great girlfriend. I have to say the confidence and everything it brought with it began at DST. You can’t put a price on that!”
