Youth training motivates Martin

SANDUSKY — An accomplished athlete himself, Brayden "Bray" Martin flipped his own personal playbook, preferring to now give rather than receive. And the hundreds of local students, who obtain both on- and off-the-field lessons from him, remain grateful for his commitment and dedication toward them. Through his company, Elite Performance Training and Rehabilitation, Martin — a 2019 Sandusky High School graduate who played on the school's football team — carved out a niche of training athletes by preparing them for not just games but life as well. "I want people to try and find their purpose and find something that makes them fulfilled and something that will allow them to give back to the community," Brayden said. "For me, I do that with Elite." Before creating his company about two years ago, since 2020, Brayden, a certified personal trainer, frequently provided free athletic performance classes. They're always structured around strength training, directly translating to athletic performance and injury protection. "Everything I teach, it helps them become more powerful and faster and stronger on the field," Brayden said. Brayden's company name plays into his training, which today primarily occurs at Tim Dorsey Fitness in Sandusky. "Elite represents the type of athlete I turn out," said Brayden, who balances this with a dual career in real estate. "No matter the age, a younger kid or a teenager, everyone comes in here to get the best workout," he said. "It's not patty-cake. Everything I do is a custom-tailored workout to help the individuals get stronger and have more range of motion and to feel elite." The results speak for themselves, Martin said. "I have athletes who I have trained since elementary school who are now playing a collegiate sport at the Division I and Division II levels," Brayden said. An inspiration to others Brayden does more than simply check in for an hour at a gym where he trains student-athletes. He checks out all his athletes on courts, mats and fields, representing their biggest cheerleader. For instance, this past fall, he spent much of his free time volunteering with Danbury's football program. He oversaw the strength and conditioning program for all players and also helped out as the middle school team's offensive coordinator. This coming season, he'll serve as the varsity team's quarterbacks coach. In 2025, Danbury's varsity squad put together a 7-4 record in the Northern 8, or eight-man, football league. The Lakers made the league's playoffs and appeared in a semifinal contest, which ranked as one of the best seasons in program history. Martin, who provided free strength training sessions to players, played a key role in the team's success, said Devin-James Pinkelton, Danbury's head middle school coach. "One of my favorite things about Brayden, his coaching style and mentorship is his age," Pinkelton said. Brayden is 24. "You don't find a lot of young adults who want to help the younger generation and, especially, spend as much time as he does, doing that in more ways than just one," Pinkelton said. "Honestly, he cares about all the kids, not just the ones in his hometown, and he shows that every day. He definitely is a role model to multiple communities." Among those who can attest: Braxden Martin, a senior at Perkins High School who's also Brayden's younger brother. Braxden — a three-sport star who helped the Pirates reach the championship game/match in football, wrestling and baseball since fall 2024 — credits his mindset to "big brother Bray." "Because he is my brother and my mentor, that is what makes him so meaningful to me," said a sweat-drenched Braxden after completing a workout on Wednesday night overseen by Brayden. "I look up to him a lot," Braxden said. "He truly cares about everyone and wants everyone to be their best every single day. He finds new ways to help people achieve that. He's done that for me." Talon Walton, Braxden's classmate and an acclaimed pitcher for the Pirates, agreed. Walton also took part in the same intensive class attended by 20 other area student-athletes. "Every single time I come to one of his classes, I get better," Walton said. "He will push you if he sees you slacking. He taught me that when you wake up, you take the harder path. If you choose the easier path, you won't get anywhere in life. Life is not a sprint. It's a marathon. To me, that means push yourself in this long journey so I can be my best version." Another person appreciative of Brayden's mentality would be Sandusky resident Amber Aaron, who watches her 8-year-old son, Linden, get trained by him. "My son's confidence has grown. He feels he's part of something, and that's because of Bray," Amber said. "He recognizes each individual," Amber added about Brayden. "It doesn't matter their age or ability or where they are from. He is helping so many kids from different school districts, and so many kids love that about him. He brings everyone together, uniting them to be better. He makes me and my son feel comfortable in this environment." Brayden expressed gratitude to each person for their trust in him. "I truly feel like God called me to help people," he said. What's his future? Brayden profusely thanked the people and places, including Catawba Island Club, allowing him to train student-athletes in various spaces. But he's got bigger ambitions for himself to not only continue strength-training sessions but expand them in his own location. "I've always wanted to open my own facility, and I'm hoping to do that soon," Brayden said. "I want it here in Sandusky by early next year so I can train my current athletes and help them achieve their dreams while bringing up the next generation." Brayden underscored how he develops workout programs suited for all skill levels. In fact, he encourages people to visit his company's Facebook page — just search for "Elite Performance Training and Rehabilitation" — to learn more. "I train younger kids, those in high school and college, and, yes, they come here for physical growth, but they also want mentorship," Bray said. "My athletes, they quickly learn they want to do things the hard way because that is the only way they will grow. They know they need to do the things outside of my class, like staying after practice, to make it to the next level." Even when Martin builds a new facility, he won't forget about his foundation, rooted in supporting community causes, cheering on children and providing direction for those who might need a push in the right direction. "I want people to know that the reason I'm in the position I am today is that I didn't chase greed," Brayden said. "I chased giving back and helping people, especially those younger than me," he added. "A lot of the athletes I train today, I started with them when they were in elementary school, and a lot of them were my brother's teammates. To see them grow and knowing you had a small part in that, that is the most fulfilling thing in the world to me." Brayden encourages people to give one of his classes a try. "Come with me, and I will help you find your purpose," Brayden said. "We will work together to find something that makes you feel fulfilled and that will allow you to give your time so you can give back to the community."