EP38: Brian Doyle - From the Rugby Pitch to Inventor and Entrepreneur

Turning dirt to gold. That is what Brian Doyle, today's guest on my #MakeYourMark podcast is doing. As a professional rugby player, Brian was keenly aware of the physical struggles it took to endure to be successful for so many years. But it was a serious injury years ago that created that light bulb moment that is quickly becoming the go to exercise equipment for core training and recovery.   "Tearing my ACL was my first introduction to a real injury, and there's a whole mental aspect of that, but also the physical demands that you go through if you want to return to play. I was able to make it back in about 5 months, which is pretty quick for an ACL.  First you get the knee fixed, you do the repair, and then is the physical therapy. I became really tight with my physical therapist, and I had to spend time actually getting mobility back in my knee. While I was transitioning out of physical therapy into a more strength and conditioning program, I had this concept at the top of my head, and I really just wanted to build a tool that helped recreate all of these motions. This is how I ended up launching this product called Axius Core as I was transitioning out of the rugby world."   Brian has combined his keen understanding of the importance of maintaining balance in your core, increasing your endurance and stamina, and developing a product that is easy to use, transport, and get used to, along with a stellar support system to create Axius Core. Just a few minutes a day using it's wide variety of capabilities will lead to a dramatic improvement in your foundational strength and healthier joints.   "I think people are willing to spend money on things that are going to give them the outcome that they want, and that's our job as a brand to help you achieve your outcome.  We are going to do whatever we can within our power to make it as easy and convenient as possible for you as my customer to accomplish your goal."   Brian and I covered his switch from basketball to rugby, what brought him into the incredibly competitive world of exercise equipment, and how he hopes to have a product in the same league as Peloton and others, and I'm certain that Axius will get there. Make sure you listen to Brian's transition from athlete to entrepreneur!   "I was a decent student but I fell in love with rugby. I remember the first game I played I realized how incredibly difficult it was just to feel like you're doing anything, like I was so unfit! I remember looking at the other guys who were so impressive, how are they not so tired? So I wanted to see if I could do it. There are training elements that are necessary to play rugby well. You have to be strong, as there are contact and tackle situations, and just the fitness and the endurance required to be able to do both. There is running around like a soccer player, but having to be able to deliver contact like a football player.  It was a challenge, I started getting into the training, going to the gym, to make myself better; I think that was more the hook for me." "One of the cops I used to work out with all the time was a rugby player for Brockport College, he was very good. He said 'Oh, you're going to URI, you gotta play rugby!' and I answered 'I'm not gonna play rugby with you, are you nuts? It is not what I'm going to do at all!' So he started getting in my ear about it, then I ended up going to URI, and actually the first week I was there I received a package with rugby boots and an impassioned note basically saying 'Go to rugby practice now!'. I played basketball just for fun, but rugby got me hooked, and that was it!" Some Topics we talk about in this episode:   Introduction - 0:30 New York state (born and raised) - 1:09 Basketball background - 3:23 Basketball to Rugby transition - 4:27 First game experience - 8:30 The hook: Can I do it? - 9:38 Being part of a real team - 10:20 Culture of the game - 10:40 Still a new professional game - 15:20 After graduating, now what? -16:34 Receiving the first cap in Rugby - 18:30 First injury - 20:17 Launching the product-Axius Corp - 22:49 Building the product - 28:40 Opening up market possibilities - 31:20 Business development - 32:12 Helping people achieve their goals - 34:45 Creating different models of the product - 36:00 Explaining the "why?" instead of the "what?" - 40:35 Associate long-term health with Axius product - 42:00 Commercial Market - 43:50 Different outcomes - 45:00 Being an entrepreneur and rugby athlete - 49:26 Wrap-up and Takeaways - 53:03 How to get involved Be sure to connect with me on Social Media @MarkMoyerCoach and go to my website, www.markmoyer.com to get access to the tips and strategies that my coaching clients get directly. If you're looking for ways to Make Your Mark, send me an email [email protected] and I'll get you going right away.   If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave me a quick review on iTunes. Your reviews and ratings will help me reach more people with ways to make their mark in life, business and career!