—Messenger photo by Britt Kudla miguel secor (top photo) stands at Secor Strength in Fort Dodge, where he trains local athletes. Secor is a 2008 Fort Dodge Senior High graduate.

Miguel Secor once thought being a Division I strength and conditioning coach was his ultimate dream.

Instead, his calling came much closer to home.

The 2008 Fort Dodge Senior High graduate owns and operates Secor Strength LLC, with a gym located between Rosedale Rapids Aquatic Center and Soldier Creek Winery on Paragon Ave.

After years of honing his craft at Iowa Central Community College — first as a volunteer, then later, a strength and conditioning coach — Secor decided to open his own facility in August of 2020. Gambling on himself has worked; Secor’s client list continues to grow, as kids and adults of all ages and skill levels from across the area are committing to his training programs.

“I was at kind of a crossroads two years ago; my wife (Allie) and I were trying to decide if we were going to pursue something (at the collegiate level) and move (away from Fort Dodge), or open a gym and see where that would take us,” Secor said. “We felt like there was a need for what we had to offer, so we took a chance and decided to create our own niche.

“It’s funny, because not very long ago, a good friend of mine asked if I had the opportunity to take a Div. I job tomorrow, would I go? I have a much different perspective now versus when we opened; this just feels right. I think what makes this special here is being able to make decisions and having the freedom to create on your own. You make what you want out of it as a ‘start-up business,’ so to speak. I want to be a part of changing Fort Dodge and the area for the better. That’s the goal now.”

Secor attended Luther College, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in exercise science. He then obtained his Master’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 2014.

“I had an internship in 2009 at William Penn (University), where my cousin was the head track coach,” Secor said. “I really gained an appreciation for working in the gym. I figured if it was something I wanted to do professionally, I needed to get more experience and learn as much as I could about the business.

“When I got to UNI, my friend (and fellow FDSH graduate) Matt Springer invited me to get involved and I was introduced to (strength and conditioning coaches) Jed Smith and Nick Davis. I spent two years there and learned a lot, thinking at that point I definitely wanted to be a strength coach at a college.”

Secor moved back to Fort Dodge and began working with Triton athletes after an internship at the University of Wyoming. He became Iowa Central’s volleyball, rugby and cheerleading S&C coach in 2015.

“To me, it’s never been just about sharing what I know or my passion for being in the weight room,” Secor said. “I feel like what we ‘specialize’ in first is building relationships and trust with the kids. I don’t care what ‘level’ you’re at as an athlete, or even if you’re not a ‘traditional’ athlete at all. We’ll work with you and establish a plan of action.”

Secor is currently working with students from Fort Dodge, Humboldt and Manson. That list keeps expanding, thanks to what he calls the “word of mouth” effect of students sharing their positive experiences with friends.

“Sometimes, it just takes one,” Secor said. “If the kids and parents like what they’re seeing and doing, and they start to see the results and believe in what we have to offer, the rest takes care of itself. Having (three-time Fort Dodge state wrestling champion and current University of Iowa wrestler) Drake (Ayala) go through that process here was a big deal for us.

“It’s really helped us build momentum.”

Ayala said he’ll “forever be thankful for everything (Secor) has done for me.”

“He’s dedicated to his athletes; he holds us to a high standard,” Ayala said.

Secor is cognizant of the delicate balance between complementing and overriding the schedule students follow in the weight rooms of their respective schools. He’s determined to make it all work.

“My only mission is to help better and develop these athletes,” Secor said. “I’m not ‘against’ anyone, or trying to undermine what schools are doing at all. I understand there is required weight-room time, where they’re building team camaraderie. I’m all for that.

“I respect the wishes of coaches and athletic directors, absolutely. I want to be supportive and do what’s best for the kids. And I have an open line of communication about that. It’s all about helping people become better versions of themselves.”

Secor and his wife currently work together, with Allie handling the financial and marketing side of the business. Alec Crimmins, a Fort Dodge Senior High graduate and current student at Iowa State University, is a spring intern as well, and will be there on a part-time basis this summer.

“Long-term, I’d like to have a number of strength coaches on board and work with as many area athletes and schools as possible,” Secor said. “But we’re not just here for middle school or high school students. I have kids from the age of 7 on up, but we also do personal training for folks well into their 60s. As we grow, we’re not going to limit ourselves or our ability to reach people who want to make a positive physical and mental difference in their lives.

“Our big dreams are here now.”