About · Inside the Grind

The Beginning

Why We Built This.

Inside the Grind was founded in 2025 with a clear mission — to give athletes a platform that finally puts them in control. We saw athletes pouring everything into their craft while others profited from their stories.

Traditional NIL deals required brand deals, agents, and gatekeepers. Social media platforms took the lion's share of revenue and dictated what content got seen. Athletes deserved better.

So we built a platform where the journey is the product — where journals, live streams, and authentic moments become a sustainable income stream, owned and controlled by the athlete.

Our promise: athletes always keep 80% of every dollar earned. No exceptions. No fine print.

What We Stand For

Our Core Values.

Three principles that guide every decision we make — from product design to partnerships.

01

Athletes First.

Every feature, every policy, every partnership is built to serve the athlete. If it doesn't help athletes win, it doesn't ship.

02

Authentic Stories.

Real journeys, raw moments, honest training days. We don't filter the grind — we celebrate it. The behind-the-scenes is the value.

03

Fair Economics.

80% to the athlete. Always. Transparent payouts, no hidden fees, no surprise deductions. The grind belongs to the grinder.

The People Behind ITG

Meet The Team.

A team of builders, athletes, and storytellers united by one mission — putting power back in the hands of those doing the work.

Driving the Vision

Leadership

Christopher Barrett Sr

Founder & CEO

Former USC Football National Champion turned coach, mentor, and entrepreneur, Chris Barrett has dedicated his life to helping athletes grow both on and off the field. A 2x National Champion and 4x Pac-10 Champion at USC Trojans football, Barrett went on to build a reputation as a respected coach, educator, and leader in Arizona athletics. From coaching high school football to mentoring athletes through life, Chris has always believed that every athlete has a story bigger than the scoreboard. That vision led him to create ITG (Inside The Grind) — a platform built to give athletes an authentic space to share their journey, build their brand, connect with fans, and monetize their content in a real way. Known for his passion, energy, and commitment to helping the next generation, Barrett continues to bridge the gap between sports, mentorship, branding, and opportunity for athletes across all levels.

Jason Thomas

Co-Founder & COO

Former JUCO and D1 football athlete at Northern Arizona University who knows the athlete grind firsthand. Built on sacrifice, discipline, and hard work. With a background in sales and marketing Jason has a passion for helping athletes tell their story.

Guiding the Mission

Advisory Board