Meet Birjinia Vasques of RepsUp Training in La Verne

Today we’d like to introduce you to Birjinia Vasques.

Birjinia, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
“BE WHO YOU NEEDED WHEN YOU WERE YOUNGER”

When I was born my father abandoned me and my 5 siblings leaving my mother to raise us alone. At the age of four my mother was arrested and deported to Mexico. My siblings and I were separated and placed in different foster homes. At the age of 9, I landed in the hands of my aunt (father’s sister) in the city of Ontario.

I started playing basketball in 8th grade and immediately fall in love with the game of basketball
I played at Chaffey High for four years. Mt. San Antonio Jr. College -won the school’s first State Championship
finished my playing career at Texas A&M Kingsville.

I begin to coach in 2004-2019 high school girls- high school boys
created a travel ball program- providing a safe and therapeutic environment for abused, abandoned and/or neglected boys-group home kids at Leroy Haynes family of programs.

In 2007 RepsUp Training was created.
The privilege to be in a position to help/guide/ mentor and ultimately make an impact in someone’s life is a huge responsibility that I take seriously. My clients have goals and dreams that they want to achieve and I am here to help them reach it.

I try my hardest to be the person I wish I had when I was younger. I love my clients I believe in my clients I encourage my clients and I push my clients to greatness their greatness.

Today RepsUp is year round open seven days a week, providing Skill Enhancement training; boys and girls eight years-pro players Monday – Friday 5-6pm in the city of La Verne. Private training/semi private/team training also available.

I am also the Head Coach for youth/high school girl teams for travel ball program called Edge Basketball. Year round travel program

Has it been a smooth road?
For a female entrepreneur (basketball Trainer) in a male dominated industry there’s been a lot of little things that has happened in my journey that has tested my morals, my beliefs , my strengths my desire and my faith. From no one giving me a chance to paying me less than what I am worth. But by far the hardest obstacle I had to face is not necessarily fitting in with the “basketball culture” my style and my approach is a little different. I do not have a shoe collection, not everything I wear is Jordan Nike. I worry more about making a long term connection with my players and parents so popularity isn’t my concern. My values as a coach is not always about winning and I do not lose sight of the better picture. Which is the long term effect that I will have in these young athletes life. I build strong/confident/coachable student-athletes. I make them believe in themselves and that to me is the most valuable lesson. But the most obvious challenge is being a woman, for an example. I have had a handful of fathers tell me– “I love what you do, better than most people I’ve gone too, and seen but I rather have my son be trained by a man.” there is nothing I can do about people with that mentality I’ve tried my hardest not to allow that energy to break me down, I’ve shifted the hurt and anger that has caused me and I’ve developed a thick skin in this business. Some men are intimidated by my passion, and work ethic. To this day it’s still hard to lower my passion and energy to make others feel comfortable and because I refuse too, I’ve lost some opportunities.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
RepsUp was established in 2007, I realize that are kids were lacking “skills” the quote, “one sizes fits all,” did not work in the skill enhancement portion. Kids were joining teams with no skills, and really nowhere locally to train that was affordable to everyone. I also witness an approach to teaching that I did not like! Kids like in the classroom have different learning styles, so I wanted to find a way where I may help more kids with different learning curves and try to reach all of them and give all them a fair chance. I came across impossible training by Micah Lancaster he created curriculum that fell under what I was looking for. I became a certified skill enhancement trainer.

At RepsUp we teach basketball principles, terminology, methodology, and concepts. The skill enhancement course that I provide outlines the foundation and formula of I’m Possible Training methods and detailed teaching points. We specialize in Skill Enhancement and game enhancement. I am known for my attention to detail, my passionate approach and holding kids accountable for their own success. I am mainly proud of the fact that I never gave up. This was a hard road, to develop a system that works for all kids all forms of body type level of athleticism. It took a lot of year of trial and error but now I am so happy and proud of my hard work and persistence.

I have developed an environment a culture where kids can come and learn without being judge. a place where it’s okay and encouraged to go through those ugly stages of learning., trial and error phase where they develop their own love and passion for the game. I hold my kids accountable for working hard and never giving up to pursue a better version of themselves.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Yes, I feel that our city is a great place to start a business like mine. There are a lot of kids in need of great role models. The local schools and rec centers are always willing to work with you for gym time which can be hard to get at times but if you plan a head, I’m sure they can help.

Pricing:

• Monthly group training $150 a month- 5 days a week
• Private/ semi private/ clinics/Camps
• Team Training (elementary, jr. high, high school) bootcamp style

Contact Info:

• Address: Calvary Baptist in
  2990 Damien ave La Verne, CA 91750
• Phone: 9097813896
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: repsup_coach_v

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