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Dramatically Faster: How Emersyn Braman Took Her Game to Another Level
Emersyn Braman started training at PowerStrength a couple of years before she ever needed to think about playing soccer in college.
Her sister Avary had already been training for about a year when Emersyn’s dad decided it was time for her to get started too.
She’d go on to earn All-State honors all four years of high school, and she’s now headed to play soccer at Calvin University — following her sister onto the same roster.
FOLLOWING HER SISTER’S LEAD
The decision started with her dad noticing what training had done for Avery.
“My sister was doing it before me, and my dad just felt like it was a good time for me to get started and get involved,” Emersyn said, “especially because high school sports is a lot heavier with doing club and doing high school, and just getting you ready for the different age groups within high school.”
She trained through the Summer alongside her club practices before her Junior season of high school with the added strength and speed behind her.
THE SPEED SHE COULD SEE
The first result appeared almost immediately and was impossible to miss.
“I saw that I got dramatically faster. That was one of my big things,” she said. “I could see it on the field when I would make sprints down the field — I was just a lot faster.”
STRENGTH AND CONFIDENCE ON THE FIELD
Speed was only part of it. The strength gains changed how she competed for the ball.
“It made me a lot better. With the speed, it made me faster. But then also with strength — when I’m going into tackles, I felt stronger and more confident,” she said. “I feel like I’m strong and I can actually do it, go into tackles, and feel confident with the ball — and not getting pushed off as much.”
STAYING HEALTHY
Ask Emersyn about the mental side of training, and she brings up something most athletes don’t mention first: staying off the injury list.
“That’s grown just in confidence. But then also just knowing that I lift weights, so I can do more and feel more confident that I’m not getting injured easily,” she said. “Especially with changing direction, sometimes you’re worried about your ACL — but I do a bunch of stuff at PowerStrength that helps me prepare for that and not get injured as easily.”
She’s never had a real injury, and she credits the training directly.
WHAT MAKES POWERSTRENGTH DIFFERENT
Emersyn attributes a lot of her results to how focused every session is.
“At PowerStrength, the trainers really make sure you take it seriously and use your time well,” she said. “Within the hour, you do a lot of stuff, and it really pays off.”
Asked what actually makes the results happen, her answer was simple: “I’d just say being disciplined — knowing that I’m there to lift weights and get better at my sport.”
COACHES AND COMMUNITY
Emersyn says the personal attention from her coaches has been constant throughout her time at PowerStrength.
“Every single trainer has really poured in and cared for me,” she said. “It’s very specific to your sport, and they make it specific to you personally as well.”
She also points to the other athletes training alongside her.
“I really enjoy having people here who work out with you,” she said. “Everyone’s there for the same reason — wanting to get better — and it’s really helpful to have those people pushing me harder.”
CALVIN BOUND
Emersyn is now set to play soccer at Calvin University, where her sister Avery already plays.
She looked at a few other options — schools in Chicago, a couple more in Grand Rapids — but Calvin was always the answer.
“I kind of always knew in the back of my head that’s where I wanted to go,” she said.
As for the role PowerStrength played in elevating her level of play, she doesn’t hesitate: “I think a lot of it did. Just being confident that I’m strong and I can do it, and have that confidence with the ball on my feet.”
ADVICE TO THE NEXT ATHLETE
For any athlete considering PowerStrength, Emersyn keeps her advice simple.
“I would tell them that it’s really helpful, and it’ll really get you in shape for your sport, and it’ll just really push you to the next level.”
Emersyn is proof of what happens when a good decision turns into years of consistent work.
WANT TO SEE BIG RESULTS?
3rd–12th grade athletes of all sports and ability levels can sign up at PowerStrength at any time throughout the year while spots remain. Choose the PowerStrength location most convenient for you — Alpine, Kentwood, Jenison, Plainfield, Holland, or Byron Center.
Visit powerstrengthpro.com/athlete/contact/ to learn more or click below to schedule your assessment and get started.