About Rugby Nation & The Founder Mike Alvarez

WHO RUNS RUGBY NATION?

Hi, my name is Mike Alvarez and I'm the Founder of Rugby Nation. Rugby Nation is now now at over 200,000 social media followers & 12,000 fans who've subscribed to our email list. I thought it was time to come on here and share with you my feelings about Rugby, why I started this brand seven years a go, what's new and what to expect going forward.

WHY I STARTED RUGBY NATION?

I was honestly going through a divorce at the time and in a moment of self discovery I turned to what made me happiest in life, the sport of rugby. I didn't know what I wanted to do at the time. All I knew is that I wanted to do all I could to grow the sport and be around friends who are as passionate about Rugby as I am.

WHY I LOVE THE SPORT OF RUGBY?

I live, eat, breathe and bleed rugby. I can't think of another team sport that requires so much of every single athlete including kicking, passing, defending, scoring, tackling and so much more for up to 80 minutes of bone-crushing action.

I also don't know of another team sport where the comradery between teammates, and opposing players is at its best. There's something about bleeding on the field of battle, where you put your body on the line to have your teammate's back, that can't be matched by other sports. It really is the most amazing feeling. I can meet a complete stranger in a completely different country than mine, and as soon as we both realize we have a history in playing rugby, there is an instant connection and mutual respect. Those who have played rugby know what I'm talking about. Those who haven't wish they knew.

MY REALIZATION FOR THE NEED FOR STRENGTH, SPEED, CONDITIONING TRAINING & NUTRITION COACHING IN THE SPORT OF RUGBY

I realized that the biggest challenge I faced when I played rugby is that I had a skills coach, but skills coaches aren't experts at training how to increase your strength, speed and conditioning. In my experience, when playing rugby, american football, and other sports, my skills coaches did the best they could in trying to teach me how to prepare my body to increase my strength & speed. How? I got a piece of paper asking for a monthly tally of my max bench press, squats, and cleans. I was also required to run a few miles a day. For nutrition, I was just told to stay away from soda. I don't want this to be you. I want you to have access to the beset trainers who will help you reach your goals and win. Strength & Conditioning, Power & Speed trainers are so highly specialized now that they are highly-sought-after all over the world.

THE PURPOSE OF RUGBY NATION

• -To grow the sport of rugby through athletic fitness training & nutrition.

• -To connect you with content made by professional rugby players, coaches & trainers.

• -To help you become the most athletic version of yourself so that you can win at rugby and life.

HOW DO WE DO THIS?

• -We have created a series of videos, workouts and programs to help you connect you to pro rugby players, trainers & nutritionists who will help you turn your body into the most athletic version of yourself.

• -These trainers teach you all they know in this online format to save you thousands of dollars from having to hire someone to train you in person. Instead of spending all that money, we keep our trainings at anywhere from $0.20 to $0.90 cents USD a day...and sometimes less. There is no better investment you can make to increase your body's strength & speed than our programs.

WHO IS ON THE TEAM CREATING CONTENT?

• -Todd Clever: AKA Rugby's Captain America, 3-time College All American, USA 7s and Captain XVs. The most Capped American Player ever (76). First American to play Super Rugby, North American Player of the Decade. Played professional Rugby in New Zealand, South Africa, Japan, England and America. Currently Director of Rugby in the MLR at Austin Herd.

• -Ryan Gallop: Performance Director at NAKOA and recently appointed Lead Performance Coach for Rugby Nation. Ryan’s extensive experience includes time as the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach for the U.S.A. Men’s National Sevens Team, years of success working with local high school athletes from all sports, and consistently trains many of the world’s top action sports athletes.

• -Carlin Isles: Carlin Isles is a former collegiate sprinter and football player who is now widely considered the “World’s Fastest Rugby Player”. Carlin plays for the U.S.A. Men’s National Sevens Rugby Team and will be realizing his childhood dream by representing his country this summer in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio.

WHERE CAN I FIND YOUR PROGRAMS?

Go to RugbyNation.com and then go to Training Programs.

WHAT IS RUGBY NATION WORKING ON?

• -Flash Sales: There will be many flash sales that will only last one hour. These will be incredible deals you won't want to let pass you by. Follow us on Instagram.com/RugbyNation and make sure to sign up for our email list by following the instructions below.

• -30 to 60 day group fitness challenges.

• -Rugby X, Rugby Body Bootcamp & Others: Our Power & Speed Programs are being completely rebuilt from the ground up by pro rugby players and trainers. These new versions will be available soon.

• -Giveaways: We will have many going forward. Currently we are giving away a free trip to San Diego to spend a day training with Pro Rugby Athlete Trainer Ryan Gallop and have dinner with him and Todd Clever. Every dollar you spend on our programs or apparel adds one additional entry into our giveaway. Go to our Blog to read more about it.

• -Rugby Nation Gear: This is already available by going to RugbyNation.com and clicking on Apparel or Gear.

ARE YOU A CURRENT OR FORMER PRO RUGBY PLAYER OR COACH?

We welcome applications from current and former pro rugby players & coaches who want to join our team by creating valuable content. If this is you, DM me through Instagram @RugbyNation for more info.

HOW DO YOU GET ON OUR EMAIL LIST?

Go here RugbyNation.com/programs and then go to The Rugby Nation Locker Room to join.

FUN MEMORIES ON MY JOURNEY TO GROWING RUGBY NATION

• -The last time some of my college teammates saw me was being hauled off of the rugby pitch in an ambulance :)

• -I remember interviewing Carlin Isles, Todd Clever & Ben Ryan at an HSBC World Series 7's tournament in Vegas years a go. ESPN was there interviewing athletes with a full staff & camera crew. I was there with a small tripod, an old iPhone and a fake microphone.

• -I remmeber how historic it was to be at the AllBlacks vs. USA 15's match in Chicago. I was the only one who stayed after all the press had alraedy gone and watched the entire AllBlacks team walk to the bus as a team in perfectly taylored suits. It was impressive to see such team unity and discipline. No one was wondering around individually or dressed however they wanted to, to stand out or be different from the rest. It was complete unity in every way.

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