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

Hi Chester, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process for starting Faction Play was an accumulation of experiences over many years. This movement started from being a part of teams ranging from sports to corporate working environments. There was the athletic playing and training side, but the real movement for me was communication and leadership skills I developed during those years. For most of my life, I continuously found myself in leadership roles. From leading defenses to managing banks and their portfolios. I entered the health and wellness industry and over a few years accumulated a vast network full of CEO’s and business owners. Those experiences have cultivated this amazing journey.
While working in the corporate gym space I began rewriting all the rules through demonstration and providing excellent customer service. I knew there was something more than serving as an individual. God gave me a gift to attract and build with other leaders. I strive to foster an atmosphere where egos are left at the door and make room for fearless innovation, creativity and purpose. I made a decision to create a new platform just for that.

When we think about it, playgrounds are where many of us had unconsciously created no limits or rules. Playfulness and fun was once the purpose and over time, that had gone missing. This was how Faction Play was formed. I wanted a platform built for freedom and creativity at its highest form. Faction Play is a community where PLAY, love and purpose is encouraged.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I always knew there was more out there for me when I was working in the corporate space. Not to knock on anyone in that space, it didn’t fit me well. I felt like I was trying to put on a shoe that didn’t fit. So, I leaned in to where my passions were. I knew I loved health and wellness, working out, but I also really enjoy connecting with individuals and bringing out the best in them. The pattern I saw in so many people was that over the years, society has told them they’re not good enough and they’ve been boxed into these rules that have not allowed them to reach their full potential. I wanted to tap into that and unleash their truest self and help many gain their confidence back.

I worked extremely hard to get to where I am at and still not where I want to be yet. I had to work my way up and gain valuable experience to be able to do what I do. When I work with someone, I don’t simply run down a list of exercises and call it good. I tap into what the body is telling me. I notice the clients posture, how they walk, where do I see the body holding onto stress and I build the workout from there. I watch for the body’s responses as we are working through each exercise and make adjustments as needed. This isn’t something you learn in the exercise and physiology books. This is many years of experience and I love it. To see peoples eyes light up after they completed a hard exercise and a big sigh of accomplishment, the laughing and exploring of their own body and to see the confidence grow as we journey together through our sessions. It’s a great feeling and I know is in alignment to my purpose.

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?
We wouldn’t be here without the strong Faction Play team behind me.

CoFounder/Playmaker:
Shyrod Taylor
Creative Director:
Gabrielle Penaluna
Playmakers:
Jarett Spence
Chris Tecco
Justin Sorrell
LaDaruis Bascom
Mikial Onu
Darrence Griffin
One of my personal biggest inspirations – Ermias Joseph Asghedom (Nipsey Hussle) and The All Money in team!

Website: Www.thefactionplay.com

Instagram: Faction.play

Youtube: Factionplay Universe

Image Credits
Jasmyn Reneé Cassandra Willens Brenden Chambers

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