We had the good fortune of connecting with Chris Phillips and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chris, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I saw the services that my kids and my friends kids were getting in regards to sports performance training and injury rehab and felt with my experience in professional sports, I could offer a superior service. My goal was to offer a setting similar to what I had worked in at the NHL level. During the NHL lockout in 2005, a bunch of my colleagues and I spoke about life after hockey and opening this type of facility was a common theme. I moved back to SoCal in 2007 to work with the Los Angeles Avengers of the Arena Football League. When the league folded in 2009, I felt like this was my time to open. Thirteen years later, I have three facilities in Orange County.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve gotten this far in my career for a bunch of reasons. My answer is always, work hard, constantly learn, be great at what you do and then just have to be in the right place at the right time. I was offered an internship with a professional hockey team my junior year in college. Two seasons working 41 games a year of about 8 hours a game for no pay and only one college credit, but I loved it and learned a ton. The year I graduated, the Athletic Trainer left. I got his job!! Everything aligned. I continued to work hard and eight years later, I got another break and was hired as the Head Athletic Trainer for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in the NHL. There are always challenges to overcome, the big thing is to be persistent and always strive to be better. A few years ago, I was asked to help with US Figure Skating. By working at learning the sport and issues the skaters were having and spending time on helping them, it lead to working with seven Olympians and actually going to the 2022 Winter Olympics.

 

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This happens pretty often. Venice Beach on a Sunday afternoon is a go to and lunch at the Venice Whaler. In Orange County, I love hiking at Badlands Park and going for a drink at the Rooftop Lounge in Laguna.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many people to thank. I would start with my two main mentors Joel Rosenstein and Jim Ronai. I worked for both of them early on and their wisdom and knowledge still motivate me today. Compete’s staff and clients both past and present are really what makes Compete so special. Watching them help us grow, their dedication and hard work that has lead to their success is what makes every day so great.

Website: www.competeperformance.com

Instagram: CompeteSportsPerformanceandRehab

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