In January 2016 I started working with Darren with a goal to win provincials after not competing for 13 years at the age of 40. If you are looking for a coach to bring you to the next level, this is your man. Male or female, bikini, physique, bodybuilding it doesn’t matter.
Weekly posing practice, as done on stage. Tweaking each pose to work for you. With his stoic nature and calm presence, I never felt pressure from him – just an expectation of commitment to the plan. He guided me into the best shape of my life at the age of 40 and not only to my goal of winning Provincials as Masters overall and Heavy weight open and overall, but we also took it to National with a physique that was undeniable, and I won my IFBB Pro Card by placing first in the Heavyweight Masters line up and Masters Overall, but also first in the open Light-Heavyweight line up and second Overall in the open division.
I did the work, but without Darren’s knowledge, support and guidance I would never have been in that kind of condition. Since then we’ve taken a close second place at my first pro show (Van Pro – July 2018) and just missing an Olympia qualification in the Classic Physique Division.
Darren has always gone over and above. From industry questions I have, to help with sponsors, he has been around the block and has a wealth of knowledge to share.
I feel privileged to be able to get coached by him and call him a friend. If you’re on the face as to whom to work with or if you want to work with a coach, you can’t go wrong with Team Custom Built Training.
Pieter van der Linde
IFBB Pro Classic Physique