Today we’d like to introduce you to Dylan Storme Smith.
Hi Dylan Storme, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I am 25 year old Dylan Storme Smith. I was born and raised in a city called Cape Town in South Africa. I grew up playing soccer since I was eight years old with the hopes of making it professional; I wanted to better myself to compete at the highest level so I researched how to improve my abilities in soccer. Because of my passion for soccer and sports, I decided to study BSc Sports and Exercise Science. My initial dream of playing soccer professionally became less of a priority when I realized I enjoyed helping others achieve their fitness goals and better their athletic performance in sports. While studying, I took upon the role of a soccer coach at an organization in the city where my passion grew for helping the youth achieve success in their sport.
After completing my studies, this coaching experience led me to an internship in Soccer coaching in the United States. I grabbed the opportunity with both hands and told myself “let’s do this!” I told myself that although this wasn’t exactly within my degree, I couldn’t pass up a huge opportunity to gain working experience in a different environment and culture. I was willing to sacrifice studying further to see where this would take me. Here I am today, an immigrant who left home, completed an international internship, and single-handedly opened a business called ‘Storme Fitness’ where I offer a variety of services which include; 1on1 or group soccer sessions, 1on1 or group strength & conditioning sessions, online training and meal plans. This is how I imagined my life to be. I made my dreams into reality.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Achieving my dreams was definitely not a smooth road. Before even coming to the states, I went through a waiting period of over four months because of embassies being shut down in South Africa and a travel ban being issued on South Africa which prevented travel to the United States. I however found a loophole to narrow my waiting time. I traveled to Bucharest, Romania that accepted non-citizens to do my US visa. This was a long tedious process since I needed a Romanian visa to get into Romania. Before even attending my appointment at the US Consulate in Bucharest, I was required to quarantine for 10 days before I could go anywhere. After completing my quarantine period and having my US visa approved, adapting to the United States wasn’t easy at all. Upon arriving in the US, I went through a major culture shock. I felt very anxious and disorientated transitioning to a new environment filled with many different ethnicities, religions, beliefs, food and essentially way of life. It was extremely hard leaving family and friends, not knowing a single person and building your life from scratch. I told myself that this was part of the moving and growing process and things will get better.
We’ve been impressed with Storme Fitness, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Storme Fitness specializes in soccer-specific strength & conditioning, provides expert advice and mentorship to athletes to help them understand and enhance sports performance. Through our exercise and injury prevention programs, athletes achieve their optimal athletic performance in order to prepare for competition as well as return to training after injury. At Storme Fitness, we strive to help others achieve their fitness goals and improve their health and well-being. Storme Fitness services is the dream package for athletes because it covers the strength and conditioning as well as the skill sets required to succeed in the sport. With 4+ years of experience in focusing on an individual’s health and wellness, Storme Fitness looks forward to increasing the confidence, self-image, and quality of life for the individuals we work alongside with.
Any big plans?
It is said that the future is unpredictable. However, it doesn’t mean we cannot prepare and make plans for it. With a background rooted in sports science and 4+ years of experience in improving athletic performance and overall well-being of individuals and athletes, I aim to have multiple Storme Fitness facilities around the Bay and eventually all over California. In addition, knowing the tough circumstances in my hometown, I plan to create opportunities for people in South Africa to experience the culture and work life in the States. Most of all, I want to give back to my family who have done so much for me to get me where I am today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/StormeFitness
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storme_fitness/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanstormesmith/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@stormefitness?_t=8YxWVEkVViV&_r=1
