Build Stronger,
Faster, More
Resilient Athletes.
Safely.
Your athlete is working hard. We make sure that work actually builds something — stronger foundations, fewer injuries, real confidence.
No pressure. Just clarity on what your athlete needs next.
What's Actually Holding
Your Athlete Back?
You're watching them work hard. Something keeps getting in the way. You're not looking for more effort — you're looking for answers.
Ages 10–13 · Junior Grit
Never Built
- Growing pains and early overuse injuries
- Weak coordination and balance
- Poor movement patterns forming early
- Confidence hasn't had a chance to form
Ages 14–22 · Elite Grit
the Ceiling
- Plateaus in speed, strength, explosiveness
- Recurring injuries interrupting progress
- Fatigue and inconsistent performance
- Confidence quietly shrinking
Ages 35–65 · Life Grit
Pain
- Joint pain limiting daily life
- Stiffness that never fully goes away
- Strength that once came easily, now gone
- Planning life around limitations
When the root causes go unaddressed, athletes plateau, get re-injured, and start to wonder if they're just not built for this. We've seen it thousands of times. And we've seen the opposite — what happens when someone finally gets a real plan.
Why Families Trust Gritworks
We know what it's like to watch an athlete struggle and not know why. Over the past two decades, we've walked alongside thousands of families who felt exactly the same way.
Here I Come.
The GRIT Development System™
A long-term, data-driven athlete development system aligned with how athletes actually grow — physically, mentally, and with real confidence. Five pillars. One athlete. Every plan built around all five.
System
How It Works
No pressure. Just clarity on what your athlete needs next.
Built for Every Athlete
What Families
Are Saying
Stephen and Michael have built a facility and invested in staff that deliver so much more than physical output. They build confidence in these kids — goal after goal.
The facility is top notch, and the coaches are incredibly knowledgeable. They create a supportive environment where every athlete feels safe to push their limits.
Best training around. Fantastic atmosphere, great coaching staff — exactly who you want your kids learning from. People who care greatly about kids.
The assessment finds the real strengths and weaknesses in your child. They genuinely work on the mental game — honestly more important than the physical.
It really helped me with my speed and form for football season. The trainers are super supportive — and funny. It’s great.
Michael pushed me hard and to my limit. I definitely saw the benefits once I started playing volleyball again. Can’t wait to work with them again.
The Coach Is
the Program.
Every coach at Gritworks is here for one reason: to help athletes get better in ways that last. Experts in movement, strength, speed, and long-term development — and they genuinely care about every athlete they work with.
Train With Us
Purpose-built performance facilities in Bellingham and Burlington, Washington.
Ready to Find Out What
Your Athlete Actually Needs?
Schedule a free conversation with a Gritworks coach. We'll listen, assess the situation, and tell you exactly what the right next step is.
No pressure. Just clarity on what your athlete needs next.
Build the Athlete
Before the Sport
Demands It.
Before specialization. Before pressure. Before bad habits set in. Junior Grit is where 10–13 year-olds learn how to move, listen to their body, and push themselves — safely.
Built for kids who play hard — and need to keep playing for the next ten years.
Your Child Shouldn't
Get Hurt Just Playing
the Sport They Love.
Young athletes are growing fast — and most are training or competing without the foundational strength, coordination, and movement skills their bodies actually need right now.
- Growing pains that linger — early overuse injuries no one addresses
- Weak movement foundations creating problems that compound later
- Low confidence that doesn't match their actual potential
- No clear developmental plan — just more reps of the wrong things
Build strong. Move smart. Stay in the game.
Here's What Changes.
Coordination & Control
Improved body control and stronger, more efficient movement that carries into every sport they play.
Real, Earned Confidence
Confidence that comes from competence — and a kid who looks forward to training instead of dreading it.
Built to Last
Reduced injury risk now and long-term, with age-appropriate progression at every step.
From Junior Grit
Athletes & Families.
My son has come out of his shell completely. He looks forward to every session. The growth in his confidence and physical ability has been remarkable.
In just one month we saw our 10-year-old's energy, endurance, and motivation exceeding those of his peers. We didn't think results could come that fast.
Our twin boys have grown in both athletic ability and character. Every coach knows them personally and pushes them to develop their specific strengths.
Common Questions.
Is Junior Grit safe for my 10-year-old? +
My kid plays one sport. Should they specialize? +
How big are the groups? +
How do I get started? +
Train Smarter.
Perform Stronger.
Play Longer.
Break plateaus, prevent injuries, and build the durable speed and power that actually shows up in competition.
High school · club · college · pro track — the window between 14 and 22 is when ceilings get set, or get capped.
Why Hard-Working
Athletes Still Get Stuck.
At this level, effort is everywhere. Every athlete is working hard. But hard work without structure doesn't build the elite athlete — it burns them out.
- Speed and explosiveness plateaued despite consistent work
- Recurring injuries interrupting progress every season
- Fatigue and inconsistency — great one game, invisible the next
- Confidence quietly shrinking with every setback
This Is What
the Work
Looks Like.
No highlight reel. No filters. Just the standard.
Every second here was earned — speed off the line, power through contact, and the durability to come back and do it again tomorrow. This is what happens when raw effort finally meets a real plan.
Hard work doesn't just beat talent here.
It builds it.
Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.
Here's What Changes.
Sport-Specific Power
Faster acceleration, a higher vertical, and explosive strength that shows up in games — not just in the gym.
Fewer Setbacks
Less fatigue and fewer injuries, season after season, so progress never gets reset to zero.
Confidence That Holds
Consistent confidence under pressure and a longer, more sustainable athletic career.
From Elite Grit
Athletes & Families.
After only a few weeks, my son's coach asked what he'd been doing to get so much faster and stronger. He's also making better choices about nutrition and sleep.
David and Michael work closely with my kids around injuries so they stay active safely. My daughter has grown so much in confidence throughout her time at Gritworks.
Stephen and Michael built a team that delivers so much more than physical output. They build confidence in kids. Our son has set goal after goal — and been proud of every result.
Common Questions.
I'm in-season. Can I still train here? +
What sports do you specialize in? +
I want to play in college. Can you help me get there? +
How do I start? +
Move Better.
Feel Stronger.
Live Fully.
Life Grit helps adults 35–65 rebuild mobility, restore strength, and move with confidence — so pain stops running your days.
Pain isn’t aging. It’s imbalance. And imbalance can be fixed.
"Pain Isn't Aging.
It's Imbalance.
And Imbalance
Can Be Fixed."
Strong enough for the life you actually want to live.
Here's What Changes.
Less Pain
Improved mobility and range of motion — and a real understanding of why the pain was there in the first place.
Rebuilt Strength
Restored strength and physical confidence, with a body you can rely on again for the things you love.
Lasting Energy
More energy for what matters and a long-term, sustainable active lifestyle — not a quick fix.
A Clear Path,
Coached Every Step.
Assess
A full movement and strength screen to find the real source of pain and limitation — not just where it hurts.
Personalize
A plan built for your body, your history, and your goals — progressing at the right pace, never rushed.
Coach & Track
Coach-led sessions and quarterly retesting so you feel — and can measure — the difference.
Common Questions.
Do I need to be in shape to start? +
I have an old injury. Can you work around it? +
How often would I train? +
I've never really lifted before. Is that okay? +
The GRIT
Comprehensive
Assessment.
A 75–120 minute deep-dive that shows you exactly where your athlete is, what’s holding them back, and what to do next. Most families call it a turning point.
Recommended during your free consultation — it’s where clarity begins.
Clarity Before You
Invest Another Season.
Parents who want clarity before investing more time and money. Athletes who want to understand their own body. Adults who are done managing pain and ready to fix it.
You leave with a plan — not another guess.
Everything in One Session.
- Goal setting and full athlete history review
- Movement screen — mobility, mechanics, joint health
- Athletic warm-up evaluation
- Age-appropriate performance testing
- Video capture and review — you see what we see
- GRIT Habit Review — sleep, nutrition, mindset
- LTAD education for parents
- Assessment guide booklet to take home
- I AM GRIT shirt
- Personalized next-steps training roadmap
Before Gritworks, I was just hoping she'd be okay. After the assessment, I finally understood what was actually happening — and what we could do about it.
A Clear Path From
Where You Are to
Where You’re Going.
We don’t skip steps. We start by understanding the person, build a plan that fits, and coach every rep of the journey.
We don’t hand out workouts. We build athletes.
The 5 Pillars.
Movement Mastery
Mechanics are the foundation of everything.
Strength & Power
Physical resilience prevents injury.
Speed & Skill
Athleticism that shows up in games.
Mindset & Identity
Confidence, focus, emotional control.
Habits & Lifestyle
Sleep, nutrition, recovery, leadership.
Every Athlete
Deserves a Real Plan.
Gritworks was built for the families who were doing everything right — and still watching their athlete struggle. We built a system that actually fixes the problem.
Talented athletes were working harder than ever. Families were investing real time and money. And too many athletes were still plateauing, getting injured, or quietly losing confidence in themselves. Not because they weren't trying. Because the training they were getting wasn't built for them.
The athletes weren't
the problem.
The system was.
Born in Bellingham.
Built for the Long Game.
Gritworks Athletics was built by co-owners Stephen Anderson and Michael Tetteh on a clear standard: training should be intentional, coach-led, and built for the long game. Together they developed the GRIT Development System™ — a structured methodology built on LTAD principles, individualized planning, and consistent coach-guided progression.
Today, Gritworks operates two performance training facilities — in Bellingham and Burlington — and has worked with thousands of athletes and families across Whatcom County.
We Are Not a Gym.
We Are an Athlete
Development System.
- Every athlete assessed first — never assumed
- Every plan built for the individual, not pulled from a template
- Every coach trained to see the whole athlete — physically, mentally, and in terms of habit
- Every result tracked, retested, and adjusted quarterly
Meet the Coaches
Behind the System.
Every coach at Gritworks is here for one reason: to help athletes get better in ways that last. Experts in movement, strength, speed, and long-term development — and they genuinely care about every athlete they work with.
The Architects
of the System.
From an early age athletics have played a major role in Steve’s life. He participated in several sports growing up, including baseball and basketball, and became an avid golfer.
After suffering a few major injuries in high school, Steve knew playing sports competitively would not be an option. Following his high school graduation, Steve was then given the opportunity to coach the freshman baseball team at Cheney Washington High School in Spokane, WA. This was his first taste of working with youth and he quickly fell in love with it. He decided to attend Eastern Washington University to study Exercise Science.
After graduating in 2013 he moved back to Bellingham, WA and was able to work with Sehome High School as a Strength Coach for the summer. He continued to coach basketball and baseball while working in gyms of all kinds. He gained valuable knowledge and learned a variety of techniques and methods from other trainers, business owners, and coaches that ultimately helped him to refine his personal philosophy.
The experience he gained, as well as his love for sports, prompted him to start Gritworks Athletics.
“This town has such potential and I want to be here to help kids of all ages reach their full potential.” -Steve
EDUCATION / CERTIFICATIONS
- BS, Exercise Science — Eastern Washington University
- Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) — NSCA
- Functional Movement Screen (FMS) — Functional Movement Systems / Gray Cook
Michael Tetteh, former Seattle Sounders FC left back (2011-2013), Generation Adidas and Division 1 athlete and Gritworks Athletics partner and coach. Born in Ghana, Michael’s soccer career began on a dirt field. In his youth he played for the Right to Dream Academy in Ghana before moving to California for high school.
He attended the University of California, Santa Barbara where he played Division 1 soccer for the Gauchos. Michael’s professional career began when he signed a Generation Adidas contract with Major League Soccer and then was drafted by the Seattle Sounders in 2011, where he successfully played for two years.
At the Sounders, he was considered to be one of the rising stars, but he suffered a series of hamstring injuries that persistently sidelined him. Still in his early twenties, Michael felt called to give up soccer to pursue his purpose, including athletic performance coaching, leadership, public speaking, and publishing.
Michael is a Certified John C. Maxwell Speaker, who leads businesses to set smart goals and overcome tremendous odds. His recently published a book, “Giftocracy: Awakening the Seeds of Greatness.”
EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE / CERTIFICATIONS
- 3 years — Sociology — University of California, Santa Barbara
- Former Professional Soccer Player — Seattle Sounders FC
- Former Generation Adidas Player
- Division 1 Soccer Player — University of California, Santa Barbara
- Certified Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) — IYCA
- Functional Movement Screen (FMS) — Functional Movement Systems / Gray Cook
- Certified Speed & Agility Coach (CSAC) — NSPA
- Certified Personal Trainer (ISSA)
Coaching Team
I am passionate about cultivating excellence, I dedicate my life to empowering young athletes. With a focus on strength and conditioning, I strive to foster the best versions of themselves. My mission extends beyond the weight room, aiming to create a positive experience that instills lifelong discipline and values, transcending the realms of both sport and personal growth.
David worked as an associate strength coach assisting with all D1 teams at WSU. Oversaw direct exercise regiments for crimson girls and cheer and assist the head performance coach for both men’s and women’s basketball. Interned for the University of Kentucky as a sports performance intern gaining valuable experience.
David is certified as a strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Is USAW Level 1 Coach and FMS certified.
David attained his masters degree in Kinesiology from Washington State in 2022.
I am passionate about helping athletes reach their full potential. From an early age I realized the role sports performance can play for success on the field and it quickly became a passion I wanted to share with others.
Jared played Five years of Division Two Lacrosse at Quincy University where he was also a Four year captain. Jared also worked as a Graduate Assistant Strength Coach at Quincy where he programmed for Women’s lacrosse, Wrestling, Men’s volleyball and Sprint Football while also assisting with all other teams. He also Interned at Duke University where he worked with all of their Olympic Sports.
From a young age, sports and visual arts have shaped Casey’s life. Growing up in Carlsbad, California, she played a variety of sports but found her passion in soccer, committing to the goalkeeper position by junior high. Her love for athletics naturally extended into coaching, starting with summer soccer camps and volunteer roles.
Casey earned a full athletic scholarship to McNeese State University, where she competed as a goalkeeper on the NCAA Division I soccer team and graduated with a Bachelor’s in Visual Art. Her dedication to both art and soccer led her to coach soccer-specific programs throughout college and graduate school. In 2015, she earned her Masters of Fine Art from the prestigious New York Academy of Art. Following this achievement, Casey returned to McNeese State as a Visiting Lecturer while continuing to coach high school soccer and serving as goalkeeper coach for Calcasieu Soccer Club.
Despite building a thriving career in Louisiana, Casey’s family had moved to Bellingham, Washington, and the outdoors there drew her back. There, she served as the goalkeeper coach for Whatcom Community College’s women’s soccer team and found her passion for sports performance training. Over the past five years, she has gained extensive experience coaching personal and small group sessions focused on athletic development.
Casey believes sports have the power to positively shape young lives, and she’s committed to helping every athlete reach their full potential. As a wife and mother of two daughters, Casey strives to raise her children with the same values and lessons learned from her athletic career.
From a young age, Drew has been driven by a deep desire for people to feel known, cared for, and empowered to achieve great and wonderful goals in life. He began this journey playing competitive soccer as a center midfielder and center back, but quickly fell in love with other sports such as cross country, swimming, and volleyball. Playing such sports instilled in him a deep appreciation for leadership and teamwork, leading him to value those willing to humble themselves for the needs of others. In his undergraduate studies, Drew studied the field of Recreation where he learned the workings and implementation of concepts and theories surrounding community and therapeutic recreation which continued his understanding of how to motivate and develop leadership skills in unique individuals. After graduation, he continued his journey, working as the WyldLife Coordinator for the ministry of Young Life where he facilitated the development of their middle school program. Here he found purpose being present, supporting, and encouraging young people as they navigate the difficult period of adolescence.
Now, he continues to live out this purpose in fitness as an Athletic Performance Coach at Gritworks where he completed his internship and was later hired as the Junior Grit Manager. He continued his education, gaining his Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach certifications to support this new venture into fitness and athletics. Here, his goal remains the same: that every athlete knows they are valued beyond measure, empowered, supported, confident, and loved, and that they are encouraged to extend the same support to their peers.
If you are ever walking around Bellingham, you will likely find Drew frequently going on outings with treasured friends, playing pick-up soccer, and training for the next marathon. Feel free to always say hello because he cannot wait to know you.
Train With Us.
Purpose-built performance facilities in Bellingham and Burlington, Washington — designed around how athletes actually train.
What Families Are Saying.
Real stories from real families — before Gritworks, what they found, and where their athletes are now.
"I could have never imagined the transformation. Hazel was mentally at rock bottom after her ACL repair. Now I can’t imagine putting her back on the court without Gritworks."
"My son has come out of his shell completely. The growth in his confidence and physical ability has been remarkable. He looks forward to every single session."
"Stephen and Michael built a team that delivers so much more than physical output. They build confidence in kids. Our son has set goal after goal — and been proud of every result."
"As a former Division I athlete, I can confidently say this training is extremely valuable and developmentally appropriate. I wish I’d had this at their age."
"After just a few weeks at Gritworks, my son’s coach asked what he had been doing to get so much faster and stronger."
"Both of my children dealt with sports injuries, but Gritworks adjusted their training so they could stay active safely. Their confidence has grown tremendously."
Develop the Next
Generation of Coaches.
The Gritworks Sport Performance Internship is a highly structured quarterly program for aspiring coaches who want to learn how elite athlete development actually works. 12 weeks. Every season. Real coaching reps from day one.
- Warm-up coaching — foam rolling, mobility, activation, plyometrics, speed/COD
- Strength training instruction — power, fundamental strength, motor control
- Conditioning — running, biking, slide boarding, energy system development
- Program design aligned with LTAD
- Communication, leadership, and athlete connection
- Currently enrolled undergrad or Bachelor's degree held
- Minimum 15–20 hours per week
- Complete online application
Clarity Starts
With a Conversation.
Sit down with a Gritworks coach who has actually done this — at the collegiate and professional level. Twenty minutes, zero pressure, and a clear answer on exactly what your athlete needs next.
No commitment. No sales pitch. Just a real plan from people who coach for a living.
Twenty Minutes That
Change the Plan.
- Your athlete's sport, goals, and history
- Current challenges and any injury history
- Where they are now — and where they want to be
- The right next step forward, mapped out clearly
- Your athlete's sport and season timeline
- Any recurring pain or injury history
- The biggest goal for the next 3–6 months
Parents come to us for clarity, structure, and confidence.
Let's Get
Started.
Pick a time that works and you're set. We'll confirm by phone or email and send everything you need before the call.
Let's Talk About What
Your Athlete Needs Next.
No pressure. Just clarity.
We'd Love to
Hear From You.
Whether you're ready to book, have questions about a program, or want to know which facility is right for your athlete — we're here.
Fastest path to clarity.
- Bellingham — 4600 Guide Meridian, Suite 108, Bellingham, WA 98226 · 360-656-5178 · infobellingham@gritworksathletics.com
- Burlington — 527 N Hill Blvd, Burlington, WA 98233 · 360-899-4581 · infoburlington@gritworksathletics.com
- Hours — Mon–Fri 12:30–8:30pm · Sat 9am–4pm · Sun closed
Your Kid Needs
More Than a
Trophy.
They need identity. Purpose. Grit forged in something deeper than a scoreboard. I AM GRIT is the movement that gives you the tools to build it.
Sports Don't
Build Character.
You Do.
We live in a culture that's turned youth sports into a performance machine. Your kid is being measured, ranked, and evaluated before they're old enough to know who they are. And the pressure isn't just on them — it's on you.
- You wonder if you're pushing too hard — or not hard enough
- Your child defines their worth by whether they won or lost
- You feel like you're raising an athlete, not a person
- The scoreboard is loud, but identity is silent
- You want to raise resilience — but no one taught you how
My son looked at me after his worst game and said, "Dad, do you love me — or do you love watching me play?" I didn't have an answer.
— A Parent · I AM GRIT, Episode 1
Former pro athlete (MLS). Co-owner, Gritworks Athletics. Father. Builder of purpose-driven leaders.
Co-owner Gritworks Athletics, father, exercise scientist, raising up purpose driven coaches.
We Built
I AM GRIT
For You.
We've coached thousands of athletes. We've sat with parents in parking lots after hard losses. We've watched kids shrink under pressure they never asked for. And we knew the world needed more than another training program.
It needed a framework. A language. A declaration that reminds every parent, athlete, and coach: you were made for more than this moment.
Seven Declarations.
One Identity.
These aren't affirmations — they're assignments. Say them. Live them. Teach them. Watch the culture shift.
Made.
I was created with purpose, potential, and power. My worth was settled before I ever stepped on the field.
the Grind.
My resilience burns brightest when I'm tested most. The grind isn't punishment — it's where I'm forged.
Not Perfection.
My worth is defined by growth, not wins. I chase who I'm becoming, not a flawless scoreboard.
the Storm.
Adversity may shake me, but it will never break me. I'm built to stand when everything pushes me to fall.
Community.
I rise higher by lifting others. My strength was never meant to be carried alone.
Fear.
Challenges don't define me — they reveal me. I move toward what scares me because that's where I grow.
Motion.
My actions today echo for generations. I'm not just building a season — I'm building a legacy.
The I AM GRIT
Collection.
Every product is a declaration. Not merchandise — armor for the journey.
Unlocking your gift through Guts, Resilience, Initiative, and Tenacity. The manifesto in full.
Coming Soon
12 months of guided reflection, grit reviews, and daily declarations. Your journey, documented.
Coming Soon
All seven declarations on one bold print. Hang the creed where your athlete sees it every single day.
Coming Soon
Carry the creed. The I AM GRIT lanyard and badge set — a declaration you wear, every day, everywhere.
Coming Soon
Real Talk.
Real Parents.
Real Grit.
Hosted by Michael Tetteh and Stephen Anderson, each episode goes inside the stories that don't make the highlight reel — the hard seasons, the identity battles, the moments that forge character in families. Every episode closes with a creed declaration. Say it with us.
This Is What
Changed.
I used to scream from the bleachers. Now I ask my son one question after every game: what did you learn about yourself today? I AM GRIT changed how I parent.
My daughter was ready to quit her sport. After we listened to the first two episodes together, she said she wanted to keep going — not for the team, but for herself.
I've coached 14 years and never had language for what I was trying to build in my players. The G.R.I.T. framework gave my locker room the vocabulary it needed.
Declare It.
Live It.
Build It.
You were made for more than a trophy shelf. Your family was built for something that lasts. Step into the movement — and declare it.
Believe It · Become It · Declare It
Join the Movement
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Is Your Athlete's
Body at Risk for
the Next Injury?
Most athletes train hard but move inefficiently — and small movement flaws lead to big problems over time. This quick screener flags early warning signs of overuse, imbalance, or fatigue before they turn into injuries.
✅ Under 2 minutes · ✅ No equipment · ✅ Junior, Elite & Life tracks
Who Are We
Screening Today?
—
What We'd Want to Look At
Don't Wait for the Next Injury.
Schedule your free consultation and learn how our 3-Step System — Assess, Personalize, Coach & Track — identifies and corrects these risks before they sideline your athlete.
Schedule Your Free Consultation →This screener is an educational tool, not a medical diagnosis. For peace of mind, book a professional assessment.