Who We Are

Where Champions Are Built From the Inside Out
Powered by You Matter To Me Foundation – 501(c)(3)

High Demand Training Academy is a faith-based, community-driven athletic and life development program designed to train individuals, athletes and beyond to rise with discipline, confidence, purpose, and strength. More than performance, we focus on personal transformation.

Led by NFL veteran Rodney “Coach Rod” Smith, shaped by lifelong educator and scout Coach Patrick “Smitty” Smith, and supported by veteran medical professional Nurse Essie Smith (Rodney’s mother), High Demand represents a legacy of leadership, healing, and hope.

Together, this three-generation team brings over 75 years of experience in sports, education, healthcare, and mentorship creating a program that’s as personal as it is powerful.

We serve youth, families, and communities through:

• Group & Private Sports Training (Speed, footwork, strength, football & more)
• Fitness & Wellness Coaching (For athletes, adults, parents, and teams)
• Scout Readiness Track (Combine prep, film breakdown, recruiting mentorship)
• Mental Coaching, Conflict Resolution, and Leadership Development
• Faith-Based Mentorship for Life Beyond Sports

With over 30 years in nursing, Essie Smith brings unmatched compassion, credibility, and health education to the High Demand team. She helps ensure:

• Proper safety protocols for athletes
• Health screenings and nutrition support
• Education on diabetes, mental wellness, and self-care
• Family-first outreach for underserved communities

We don’t just build stronger bodies, we help build healthier lives.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit under You Matter To Me Foundation, we actively serve our community by:

• Offering scholarships for youth who can’t afford training
• Providing internship opportunities for high school & college students
• About High Demand Training Academy free pop-up clinics, fitness days, and wellness workshops
• Teaching families about nutrition, wellness, and mental health
• Partnering with churches, schools, and community leaders to bring hope, healing, and discipline to those who need it most

We train with purpose. We serve with love. We give with faith.

• Youth and student-athletes looking for direction, strength, and mentorship
• Serious athletes preparing for the next level
• Parents who want trusted leaders to guide their children
• Adults pursuing health, confidence, and community
• Schools, organizations, and churches seeking meaningful partnerships

Your support helps fund:

• Youth scholarships
• Medical & mental health outreach
• Equipment and facility needs
• Mentorship expansion and community events

All gifts are tax-deductible, and every dollar fuels transformation through faith, fitness, and purpose.

You’re not just donating to a program you’re investing in people.

Join the movement. Train with us. Partner with purpose.
📧 coachrod@highdemand.net