I was born in Vancouver, British Columbia to my British/West Indian parents. Growing up in Coquitlam I excelled in track and field and fell in love with soccer. My wife Suzan and I have 2 beautiful daughters, Tatiana and Kaia. I love them with all of my heart and they inspire me to be my best every single day.
My athletic abilities gave me the opportunity to attend University in the U.S. where I graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Education. My love for soccer has taken me around the world and given me many of the tools I use in my coaching today.
For 5 years, I had the opportunity to coach out of the Electronic Arts Fitness and Health Center and this experience helped me realize that going independent was the next step in my career. With the support of my family and friends, I’ve used the experiences from my education, travel, and life long love of sports to create STRIVE2B Athletics!
At the end of Footy Trials UK/Europe, I was talking to a beautiful woman from back home, who is now my wife. She really helped with my transition of coming back to Canada and looking for a new career. She was my new motivation and inspiration to living life. We now have two beautiful children Tatiana and Kaia.
Aligning your focus is easier when you have something driving you, and the best driving force is family.
I attended Bowling Green University because I craved a degree in Sports Management and their program was among the best in the country. Their footy team wasn’t bad either. Bowling Green was a great life experience where I performed well on the field and in the classroom. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education Degree (Sport Management) and finished with honours as well.
As far as a career goes, I was struggling on what I really wanted to do. I bounced in between working at Electronic Arts on the FIFA game and personal training/coaching. As time went on, I felt that personal training/coaching was the way to go as I love to help people and see the smile on their faces. This to me, is priceless.
Taking the skills I cultivated working in the business world and applying that focus and planning to my client’s training.
At Strive 2B we focus on cultivating a community. You achieve so much more with others than you can alone.
As a kid, I loved playing sports especially track and Field and of course soccer. I ran track for the Coquitlam Cheetahs and played soccer for Metro Ford and the Vancouver International Selects. I also played for the provincial team and was a part of various soccer academies, including Roman Tulis. This gave me the opportunity to participate in tournaments abroad, including Italy and Portugal, where I won the best international player award.
After high school, I received a Div 1 scholarship to Saint Francis University in Pennsylvania where I studied business for a year. On the soccer scene, I earned a spot on the NCAA Regional All American Team. After a year at Saint Francis, I transferred to Bowling Green. There I had success on their soccer team where I was a Team Captain for 2 years. My time at Bowling Green allowed me to obtain a Sports Management Degree and refuelled my passion for pursuing my Pro Football dreams. These dreams took me to the UK and eventually to my Grandparent’s home country of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, where I played for the National Team.
When it comes to heroes, my father is number 1 on my list. Without his love and support, I would not be the man I am today. Whether it was driving me to all the practices/training sessions, sending me to Italy/Portugal for footy, teaching me how to do laundry, cutting the grass, whatever it was, he always taught me to think proactively and give it my all. He instilled the importance of school in me. School was always number one in the Aldridge household. “Go to school to learn the golden rule” was a phrase I heard over and over again as a child.
My father loves sports , especially Football (Soccer), Track and Field, and Cricket. I wanted to follow in his footsteps, especially watching him play footy on Sunday mornings through the fall and cricket through the spring/summer. Waking up early Saturday morning before my game or track meet to watch footy together. Always wanted to be like dad!
One of the main reasons I received a soccer scholarship to the States because my father was so proactive. He was in the stands filming my games to send off to colleges and universities. He could have chosen to do nothing and send me to a local college/university, but he saw potential in his son. In his younger days, I know he did not get the opportunities but he worked hard and provided them for his family. For that, I am forever grateful.
“Son, it is hard out there, you tink life easy?” – My Hero, Dennis Aldridge
STRIVE 2B Athletics: More than just Fitness, it is Health, it is a Lifestyle, it is Community, we are one Family.