BUILDING CONNECTIONS THAT LAST A LIFETIME
MEET THE FOUNDER
Jenzel Nash
Basketball has been part of my life since the 5th grade. I'm a former Division I athlete at UTEP, where I won three conference championships and finished my senior year of high school as the leading scorer in the nation with 37.7 points per game. The game didn't just open doors for meit shaped my discipline, work ethic, and mindset. Growing up without many resources taught me the value of guidance, structure, and belief at an early age. Those experiences led me to become a trainer and co-found Different Breed Performance Training, with the goal of giving athletes the support and development I once needed. I earned both my bachelor's and master's degrees from UTEP, and I'm committed to using my experience on and off the court to help athletes grow not just as players, but as people.
Coach's coaching philosophy centers around holistic player development, focusing not only on technical skills but also on leadership, teamwork, and mental toughness. Her personalized approach ensures that each player receives individualized attention and tailored guidance to maximize their potential.
MEET OUR FOUNDER
Alexis Thornton
I am the co-founder of Different Breed Performance Training, where my mission is to help athletes move better, train smarter, and perform with confidence. My background as a competitive athlete, performance coach, and athletic training student allows me to bridge the gap between high-level performance and injury-aware training. I began my academic and athletic journey at Delaware State University before completing my degree at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). That experience, combined with years of hands-on coaching and training, shaped my approach to athlete developmentone that values discipline, movement quality, and long-term growth. I specialize in developing athletes through intentional programming that emphasizes strength, speed, movement quality, and injury prevention. Everything I do is rooted in purpose, discipline, and real-world experience. At Different Breed, my goal is to develop resilient athletes who are prepared to compete at a high level while building habits that carry beyond sport and into life.
OUR MISSION
Preparing Athletes on a Higher Level
Different Breed Performance Training was created to help athletes perform when the lights come on. Our mission is clear: preparing athletes at a higher level that brings out confident, intense play that separates them from the rest. We ensure our athletes are at their best through workouts designed to improve explosiveness, power, reaction time, speed, agility, and strength. Each athlete who joins the DB family is trained to be always preparedwith the focus on PERFORMING rather than just playing. Our trainers have competed and trained at the highest levels, including Division I colleges and professional leagues. We know what it takes to make it to the next level, have direct connections with college coaches, and understand what types of drills and preparation are required for success. We maintain small groups (maximum 10 athletes per session) to ensure personalized attention and meaningful development. At Different Breed, we strive to overcome the obstacles many gyms encounter. We don't just offer training sessionswe build lifetime connections with every athlete in a family-oriented environment.
OUR APPROACH
What Sets Different Breed Apart
Our trainers bring elite-level experience, proven methodologies, and unwavering commitment to athlete development.
Elite Credentials
Both founders are former D1 athletes with conference championships, professional playing experience, and advanced degrees from UTEP in Leadership Studies and Kinesiology.
Proven Results
Since 2020, we've trained 1000+ athletes with 150+ currently competing in college and pro programs all while maintaining our commitment to small group training.
Comprehensive Training
We offer both basketball skill development and performance training, ensuring athletes develop complete games from fundamentals to advanced techniques, strength to speed.
Lifetime Connections
We don't just train athletes for a seasonwe build relationships that last. Our family-oriented environment creates support systems that extend beyond the court.
