Both Jamie Webster and Derek Decater had exceptional athletic careers at the high school and collegiate levels. Now adults, both Webster and Decater use their passion for sports to inspire and coach young athletes despite having faced adversity over the years.
Derek Decater, a graduate from Skyline High School in Sammamish, Washington, won freshman All American his first year playing collegiate baseball at University of Arizona, a D1 program. Nearly a 5th round draft pick for the MLB right out of high school, the athlete’s dreams seemed to be just an arm’s length away. In a tragic turn of events, Decater faced an unfortunate series of injuries after his sophomore year that put an end to his professional dreams. Simply put, Decater didn’t want to keep getting hurt, so he redirected.
The former star stepped away from baseball his senior year at Arizona and decided to pursue academic goals for his final year of college. Little did he know that every injury and setback was pushing him closer to his future career. After two shoulder injuries and stepping away from baseball, the athlete began physical therapy and was able to make a full recovery. With his body back to normal, Decater looked for a way to keep athletics in his life without baseball. His search led him to open his own gym that originally focused on training young athletes to make it to the next level. This was the perfect gig for Decater because he knew what it took from a physical standpoint for young athletes to play at the next level, and he was prepared to deliver that training. Decater added adult training and nutrition courses to help people lose weight and get in shape. Adults and youth alike have found success in Decater’s gym, from building confidence in their body to reaching D1 dreams.
Outside of his growing business, Decater is a husband, father, and realtor. He works hard to be a supportive father to his two sons, Jackson and Aidan, and provide for his family. The values instilled in him through baseball and strength training have led Decater to work hard as an adult and be a successful business owner and realtor.
When I sat down with Decater, we talked about the early days of his career. Originally, the gym was just for young athletes and training. But when that didn’t earn him enough money to pay the bills, he had to pivot. By expanding his program to train adults with functional fitness training and with proper nutrition, not only has he been able to help countless more people, but he has seen great success.
“It was a ‘gamble’ in the beginning,” explained the trainer. He had barely enough money to pay the bills, until people started showing up consistently because they loved his style of training. In an epic turn of events, his original crew told their friends and his business blossomed. Decater made it on the news and won multiple awards for his nuanced training style. What makes his gym different is the style of plyometric training offered and learning how the body works and how to train your body in the way it is best suited for you. Decater prides himself in being a teacher to others. He is approachable, down to earth and knows his stuff. He still continues to train adults and young athletes in his state-of-the-art gym located in Preston, WA.
Decater worked hard to get where he is and continues to help clients become best versions of themselves. There are many stories of people that Decater has helped achieve their dream bodies, get in shape, and stay healthy. He is proud of his clients and athletes and has a true passion for what he does. From nearly becoming a pro athlete to overcoming his injuries and becoming a successful gym owner, trainer, husband and father, Decater’s story is truly inspiring.
Jamie Webster grew up in New York with her mom, dad, and brother. Her parents worked in education and pushed her to be the best version of herself on the field and in the classroom. Webster grew up playing soccer and lacrosse and eventually became a force in both sports. Ultimately, Webster made the decision to pursue lacrosse collegiately at Virginia Tech. The D1 defender had a strong career until her senior year when a new coaching staff soured the sport for her. According to Webster, this is where her life “started going downhill.”
After graduating from VT, Webster pursued work both in and out of fitness and lacrosse training. Unfortunately, she faced a battle with addiction that challenged her unlike ever before. After a hard fight and thanks to her resilience, Webster overcame her addiction and started to get her life back on track. Even after her difficult senior year, lacrosse still meant something to Webster, and she found a job helping run Adrln Lacrosse program for a couple years.
But she still found it difficult to immerse herself in a sport that had been the source of so much joy, but also considerable pain.
Webster moved to Australia in search of a more typical career and a life outside of athletics. But even when she tried to run, lacrosse still followed.
“They love lax down there,” shared Webster about her time in Australia. After enough time had passed, she eventually realized that her passion was in sports and mentoring young athletes navigate complex athletic ecosystems.
Webster moved to Washington shortly after her revelation and started working at Irg Physical Therapy. Then, she started personal training, group training young athletes, and being the fitness coach for the Junior Kraken hockey team. She would also workout with Kam Chancaler and KJ Wright, and they developed a friendship in their training together that helped her build a strong client base. By all accounts, Webster was doing well for herself.
Then, last year, the unthinkable happened.
While coaching her Kraken team, Webster had a seizure on the ice, turning her upside down for a while. If that wasn’t terrifying enough, Webster had a second seizure not long after.
After living in fear and paranoia of having another seizure, Webster fought for her life back. She embraced the now and took the opportunity to train more people. She started training me and many other young athletes; she hasn’t had seizures since then and will hopefully will never get one again. Webster uses her story to help kids realize setbacks don’t define you; you can always come back stronger.
Webster and Decater both have inspiring stories. By overcoming hardship, they found ways to inspire others and create successful programs. These two coaches have informative and encouraging stories that everyone can take something away from. If you are looking to better yourself as an athlete or are in search of advice, you can contact Derek or Jamie through their websites.
