Bua strives for ‘next level’ in business world
Posted on Friday, July 18, 2008
ROGERS - What Tony Bua lacked in size, he made up for in effort on the football field at the University of Arkansas.
From linebacker to a switch to safety, the 6-foot, 220-pound Bua recorded 408 tackles, marking him as the UA's all-time leading tackler. Coaches labeled him as one of the hardest working players and a leader for the Razorbacks from 2000-03.
Now he's hoping his tireless work ethic translates into success in the business world.
Tony Bua's Next Level Training, which opened in Rogers in March, was a dream of Bua's for several years. After he was drafted in the fifth round of the NFL draft in 2004, and subsequent signings, cuts and a stint with the Canadian Football League, reality began to sit in with the former Hog.
A year ago, he started work with his father's business, TKO Construction, in New Orleans as he had done many summers growing up. From there, he moved back to northwest Arkansas and began training a 65-year-old man. This man, who just so happened to own a garage door business, offered Bua a job. Two weeks later, happy with his 25-pound weight loss, healthier physique and Bua's work ethic as his employee, he drove Bua to an 8, 500- square-foot warehouse off Walnut Street in Rogers.
"He asked me if I could so something with it," Bua recalled. "And I said, ' You've got to be kidding me. ."
Bua took the offer, realized it was time to make his dream come true and put his construction background to use. Eighteen hours a day for four months, Bua worked in the rental warehouse. He gutted the building, wired it, put up new walls and installed showers.
Batting cages were built from scratch and an indoor basketball court was placed - all by Bua.
"That's how much I believed in my business," Bua said. "I know the product and I know my system works."
During that time, he was drafted by Team Arkansas in the 21 st round of the All American Football League in January. The league folded several months later.
"That was a blessing in disguise," Bua said. "I was running this place and the plan was to subsidize this with what money I made there. I don't know if I could take the time away from this place and expect it to succeed. This is my life, man. From 85 to 90 hours a week."
Bua trains about 80 athletes a week, ranging from collegiate players to junior high. Bua uses what he learned from his own workouts in high school and college to tutor kids in group sessions.
For example, attempting to build mental toughness, Bua has athletes bench press like normal. Afterward, Bua then has the athlete hold that bench press in front of their stomach while standing upright for 5 minutes.
"They look like they're doing the same stuff you see in normal workouts, but there are a few exercises mixed in that I specialize individually for them," Bua said.
Laura Beth Anderson is a regular at Bua's facility. The University of Central Arkansas basketball point guard trains with the guidance of Bua five days a week. The former Springdale Har-Ber star now starts for UCA and realized she needed some help when coaches handed her an offseason workout book before the summer.
"It's hard to motivate yourself and I needed someone to help me," Anderson said. "It was real hard to find a place with weights and a court close by and, plus, I like Tony. I like his intensity and he's always pushing me. "
Bua said he's having to overcome a football stereotype from those on the outside looking in. His facility, he said, specializes in sport training. Volleyball, baseball, basketball and football workouts are available. His fiancee and former Miami volleyball player, Ashley Youngs, works with volleyball players and is a trainer at the gym.
On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Fridays, Bua holds camps from 9 a.m. to noon for athletes of all ages. He focuses on speed, agility and coordination for two hours and then allows the kids to play dodgeball and kickball. The facility also has a lounge for customers with an XBox 360 and video games, a parent observation room, an indoor sprint track, and volleyball court.
"We don't do bigger, faster, stronger," Bua said. "We do a culmination of everything I've learned over the years and the kids love it because they see results fast."
Bua's days at Arkansas and his Razorback pride are apparent in the gym. Pictures of former Razorbacks Janerro Pargo, Ronnie Brewer, Felix Jones and Clint Stoerner line the walls. Signatures of former Hogs who visited the facility and new football coach Bobby Petrino can also be found on a white wall Bua built from scratch.
"I'm here from 6 a.m. until whenever," Bua said. "I live just around the corner. I even put my cell phone number on the door when I'm not here just in case someone needs me."
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