Darin Trout

My Story & Coaching Philosophy

Growing up, I was a multi-sport athlete — baseball, football, wrestling, basketball, and even a few years of track and field. But wrestling was always my main sport — the one that taught me the most about myself. It demanded grit, discipline, and a level of mental toughness I couldn’t find anywhere else.

What really shaped me, though, wasn’t just the sports I played — it was how coachable I was. I soaked in everything my coaches gave me, and because of that, they poured time and energy into helping me improve. My teammates noticed. They started coming to me for advice — how to get better, how to push through plateaus, how to stay locked in. That’s when I realized something important: I need to use my voice to build them up.

As an athlete, two core lessons stuck with me and continue to guide how I coach today:

Be athletic, not just specialized.

I learned that the goal isn't to become the best in one narrow category, but to be well-rounded — to be capable. Athleticism should serve your life, not define it. Whether it's lifting, sprinting, climbing, or moving with control and coordination — it all matters.

Outwork everyone in the room.

There’s no substitute for hard work. I learned early that effort beats talent when talent doesn’t show up. That mindset carries over to everything I do — and it’s something I aim to instill in the people I coach.

Today, my coaching philosophy is rooted in those two lessons. I don’t want to create the best powerlifter or the fastest runner — I want to help people become athletic humans. Strong, fast, mobile, coordinated — capable in all the ways that matter for real life. And I want them to work hard — to know that the effort they put in has real value, not just in the gym, but in how they show up in the world.

That’s my story — and it’s the foundation of everything I coach.

For years, my biggest enemy wasn’t someone else — it was myself. For those of you who don’t know my friend group from Illinois, I am the youngest of all my friends. Seeing them be more advanced in sports led to doubt that I was good enough or capable enough. That little 8-year-old voice was and is my biggest enemy.

My turning point came when I finally got tired of letting that version of me win. I stopped comparing myself to the people around me and committed to working harder than anyone in the room. I stepped into the CrossFit gym not knowing what to expect. But I found a coach who sees potential in me and gives me time and effort to improve in every class.

I coach because I believe fitness is bigger than just working out — it’s about building discipline, confidence, and a community that supports you. I’m passionate about serving people who think they ‘don’t have time’ or ‘can’t do it,’ because I’ve been there too.

My motivation is seeing someone surprise themselves with what they’re capable of and watching that strength spill over into the rest of their life.