The Former Marine

It was a calm morning in February 2023, and Derek Rogan was preparing his gym for the day. The Los Angeles sun streamed in through the large glass windows, illuminating the equipment and giving the gym an energizing glow. It had been a few months since Hollywood stars had started coming to the gym, and Derek had grown accustomed to the presence of famous figures. But he still focused on treating them like any other student, maintaining the discipline and focus that had made him the success he was.

As he was setting up the climbing ropes, the sound of the door opening caught his attention. He glanced toward the entrance and saw a tall, elegant figure walking through the door. It was Kendall Jenner, one of the most famous models in the world, known for her membership in the Kardashian-Jenner clan and for her success on international runways.

Derek, always calm and professional, walked up to the front desk to greet her. "Good morning," he said, extending his hand.

"I'm Derek Rogan. Can I help you?"

Kendall smiled, shaking his hand firmly but lightly, suggesting she was more comfortable in front of a camera than in a gym full of heavy equipment.

"Hi, Derek. I'm Kendall. I heard a lot about your gym from Hailey and Justin. They said it was the best place to train, so I decided to come check it out."

Derek smiled, nodding.

"Hailey and Justin are great. And you're in the right place. We focus on strength, endurance, and self-defense here. What are you looking for?"

Kendall seemed to think about it for a moment, adjusting the sports jacket she was wearing.

"I work out regularly to stay in shape for my shows and photo shoots, but what drew me here was the self-defense part. Hailey told me you teach real-life combat techniques. I thought it would be helpful to learn some more practical things, beyond the usual gym routines."

Derek gestured for her to follow him to the training area.

"We can do that. My philosophy is that everyone, no matter who they are, should know how to protect themselves. You never know when it might come in handy."

Kendall nodded, looking curious and enthusiastic.

"You're absolutely right. I've never really thought about it, but after talking to Hailey, I'm really interested."

Derek started the workout with a light warm-up session, leading Kendall through a series of dynamic stretches and muscle-activating exercises. She was naturally athletic, something he could tell by her posture and the way she followed instructions effortlessly. However, when they moved on to self-defense exercises, he noticed that while she was quick to learn, there was a certain hesitation.

"Let's start with something simple," Derek said as he stood in front of her, teaching her the basic technique for blocking and countering. "This isn't a movie. Here, the priority is efficiency and safety. Don't worry about looking elegant, worry about being efficient."

Kendall laughed, probably used to the idea of ​​being judged by her appearance.

"I think being efficient sounds a lot better than being elegant in this context," she replied, getting into a fighting stance as Derek demonstrated the moves.

As the session progressed, Kendall began to loosen up, growing more confident in her strikes and the techniques Derek was teaching her. He led her through basic self-defense moves blocks, counters, and how to get out of a grappling position. Derek's focus had always been on teaching his students to be practical, to defend themselves without unnecessary movements.

"You're catching on quickly," Derek commented after Kendall executed a sequence of blocks and counters. "It takes a lot of students longer to get this fluid."

Kendall smiled, visibly proud.

"It's harder than it looks, but I think I'm starting to like it. It makes me feel more confident knowing that I'm learning how to defend myself."

]Derek nodded, pleased.

"That's the goal. No matter how famous you are, everyone needs practical skills like these."

After a few weeks of regular training, Kendall had settled into a routine at Derek's gym. She was working out at least three times a week, dividing her time between work commitments and intensive training sessions. Whenever she showed up, Kendall was greeted with the same energy and seriousness that Derek treated all of his students. And to her surprise, she began to excel.

One sunny afternoon, after a particularly intense session, Kendall stopped for a drink of water while Derek set up the weights. He watched her with a slight smile on his face, amazed at how much she had improved in such a short time.

"I have to admit," Derek began, "you really put in the work. Not everyone could keep up with that pace."

Kendall leaned against the wall, taking a deep breath.

"I really like this. I think I found myself here in a way I didn't expect. I've always trained for my job, but this is different. I feel stronger and, honestly, more confident. From now on, I'll only be coming to your gym."

Derek smiled, surprised and grateful.

"I'm glad to hear that. You're always welcome here, Kendall. My philosophy is that no matter who you are, the important thing is to dedicate yourself and prepare for any situation. And you're doing just that."

She nodded, looking around, taking in the space that now seemed familiar to her.

"It's more than just a gym. The environment here, the way you teach... it's all very different from what I'm used to. I like the idea that I'm learning something real, that can make a difference."

Derek crossed his arms in agreement.

"That's the goal. And who knows, maybe soon you'll be showing off those self-defense techniques too."

Kendall laughed, throwing a towel over her shoulders.

"I don't know if I'm ready for a show, but I'm going to keep training."

The weeks went by, and Kendall's presence at the gym became a regular occurrence. She was dedicated, punctual, and brought with her an energy that only increased the popularity of the place. Soon, more and more people began to notice Derek's gym. Word of mouth among celebrities was already spreading, and it wouldn't be long before other Hollywood names followed in the footsteps of Kendall, Justin, Hailey, and Gal.

As much as Derek's focus was on maintaining the essence of the gym — discipline, technique, and real fitness — he knew that the success among celebrities was opening doors he never imagined. And even with his gym's new status, Derek remained the same: an instructor focused on teaching what he knew best, without losing the respect and humility that characterized him.

When Kendall left the gym that day, she turned and looked at Derek one last time before leaving. "Thank you for teaching me how to be really strong, Derek. I'm looking forward to the next workouts."

Derek smiled. "It's my pleasure. And know that the strength you have was already there, I just helped unlock it." Kendall smiled back and with that, she left the gym, leaving Derek with the certainty that his work was just beginning.