Meet Bree Bellamy of Always Ready Athletics

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bree Bellamy.

Bree, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve played basketball my whole life. I was MVP of my school and eventually received two scholarships throughout my college career starting at Dixie University in Utah then transferring to Talladega college a HBCU in Alabama. Throughout my career, I tore my Acl in my left knee and Acl, Mcl, and meniscus in my right knee. Those obstacles I faced with knee injuries would slow me down and end my career college career, but not my career in basketball. I eventually became a coach in 2016 just three years after my last knee injury with no intentions in ever playing again. In the summer of 2017, I was picked up by a semi-pro team where I played one season and due to poor organization and management ended there. Due to my own self-training local parents wanted me to train their kids and thats when my business took off. I started with one kid then three, and then the numbers kept multiplying. I am now coaching at my alma mater which is a nationally ranked team and is adding to my resume and exposing me to some of the top talents in California. The opportunity is allowing me to achieve my future business and coaching goals.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I’ve had several obstacles in my business. I made a decision to coach some of the girls who I trained. They were playing for a travel ball team and I took over as the coach, but little did I know about the politics in aau basketball that would cause friction in my relationships with the parents. I’m very transparent to parents and vocal about how I will not allow those politics to affect my coaching. Those who deserve to play will play. Most coaches want whats best for their players and will coach them up when they’re doing good and bad. Unfortunately some parents believe that their child should not receive criticism and/or if they’re “paying” then their child should play when in reality I’m a winner and those who get the job done will play. Some of the decisions that I made as a winning coach and mentor who knows how to get to the next level and who was turning the program around was a reason why I would end up losing some trainees. After my first season coaching AAU ball, I had to make a business decision to no longer be involved in coaching off season sports. Not only did I lose trainees to the harsh reality of basketball and politics, but I also lost opportunities to work with other teams because they did not want to work with someone who was coaching another team due to conflict of interesting and potential recruiting.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
My business is a sports training company with a clothing line that represents athletic lifestyle and streetwear. I am the owner, primary trainer, and mentor. I specialize in overall skill development but my primary focuses are; footwork, basketball IQ, and playmaking. I’m most known for being one of few female trainers and coach who coach both male and female athletes. I’m most proud of my ability to take any kid at any level and being able to help them excel on skills that they had struggled with previously. I believe what sets me apart from others is the level at which players seen and continue to see me play as female who suffered major injuries. In an industry driven by males its a shock to people to see a woman in this industry who not only coaches but dedicates her time to player development. I also believe because I am a female trainer, I focus on areas that many males may miss. Many watch the WNBA and are bored, but those who claim to be bored are those who are watching the game from an entertainment and athletic viewpoint and not a true basketball mind or fan of the craft. There’s few differences in women’s basketball and men’s basketball. What separates women from men is women’s ability to be fundamentally sound and not rely on athleticism whereas men focus on their athleticism and speed.

If you notice the NBA changes their rules frequently to make the game more “entertaining” so you see a lot more ball handling, gather steps which some view as traveling, less physicality, etc. so imagine having a female trainer as a male athlete who is locked in on your fundamentals and footwork, but can help you excel on your athleticism and skill work? You then are creating the perfect prospect. I think another thing that helps me and sets me apart is that I learned from some basketball legends and pro’s, my college coach Laura Beeman who is the head coach at Hawaii taught me some key things that she taught to some of the greatest coaches in the game. Brian Crichlow who was also my coach and is a six time juco champion allows me to stop by some practices and has taught me how to run a system. My mentor Stan Delus who is the head varsity coach at my high school gives me great advice and keep me motivated. Lastly , another person I consider a mentor , Olin Simplis allows me to come down and help him and learn from his pro trainings . he’s trained some of today’s elite college, NBA, and WNBA players.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up and me now are not much different. I would say I was your typical jockette, but I literally talked to everybody and anybody from the Pokemon club to asb leaders. I was super outgoing and goofy just all-around fun to be around. I was also a hustler and as soon as I could get a job I wanted one. I liked to be independent and do things on my own without asking for help. It was hard to juggle basketball and work so I quit work and starting hustling candy at school in class and between class. Due to popularity, I’d be sold out before lunch. Honestly, the only thing I was interested in which could’ve been one of my downfalls was basketball. I literally ate, drank, slept basketball. I’d be in class thinking of the game last night or practice or what college team I wanted to place my bet on. After school, I went straight from my homework to the park and on nights of no school, we’d go to USC or CSULB and hoop. I come from a generation of self-motivated hoopers, so I knew if the next girl was at the gym an hour after practice, then I’d need somebody to crack the fire exit open for me at 24-hour fitness because I had no membership but that wouldn’t stop me.

Pricing:

• $35/skills session with Bree
• $45/skills session with strength and conditioning training with coach BT

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: instagram.com/ARTraining_
• Other: instagram.com/1nspiredculture

Image Credit:
Barrs, Royalhd Productions

Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.