"I knew I wanted to return to where it all began... This was where my earliest opportunities were shaped, and I felt a responsibility to create those same doors for others."
Isaiah Valentine, a Raleigh County native and professional athlete, founded Next Level Training Center to ensure young athletes in southern West Virginia – especially those from low-income and rural communities – have access to professional coaching, mentorship, and opportunity. After graduating from Marshall University, where he still holds athletic records, Isaiah returned home to create the same doors for others that sports once opened for him. Next Level Training provides specialized development in speed, agility, strength, and recovery while teaching discipline, confidence, and leadership that extend far beyond athletics.
Isaiah’s vision is to break the cycle that keeps talented youth from competing for scholarships and higher education due to lack of resources, transportation, and guidance. Through community partnerships, mentorship, and scholarship support, Next Level Training is building a future where every athlete can pursue their potential, regardless of background. For Isaiah, this work is more than training; it’s about strengthening his community, inspiring the next generation, and proving that big dreams can start in small towns.