At age 15, Keith Hertling embraced Entrepreneurship and founded Popeye’s Gym along with 2 great friends. A local haven for focused athlete’s, police and fireman and lifeguards. It laid the foundation for his future leadership skills.
His first coaching job would be with the Special Olympics where he would also become the Area Director for 3 years before graduating Benedictine College in Atchison, KS with a degree in Special Ed and a minor in Theology where he also worked in Campus Ministry. A three time All-American in football and Academics, Keith was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 1994.
A Master’s degree in Counseling Education would benefit him throughout his career. He would coach football in HS and College and also became a leader in the fitness industry for 20 years. As owner and operator of Popeye’s Cardio Fitness Center in Topeka, KS his team won many awards for innovation and design and would trademark RYTHMETRICS, a circuit weight training program designed to music. He was a popular certified personal trainer and Life Coach.
In addition, Keith was a program coach for the American Diabetes Association and would lead teams in marathon races around the world. Today, Keith’s unique skill set is coaching franchisees and their managers for Jersey Mike’s Subs as well as mentoring the elite field team to cultivate a culture known as “A Sub Above.”