TYLER, Texas — The world has seen Whitehouse native and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes become a Super Bowl staple early in his career.
And it all started right here in East Texas. CBS19 headed over to the source -- APEC Training in Tyler -- to find out the real secret on how they've developed so many star athletes in this region and how they continue to do so.
After all, they call it BEAST Texas for a reason.
Looking at the talent around the region, past or present, and the pedigree is undeniable. APEC Training is the factory that so many of these athletes have gone through.
"We're really blessed to say we've been training Pat since the fourth grade. The guy who originally owned and founded the business, Bobby Stroupe, has been training Pat and his family for a long time," said Doug Leighton, general manager and performance coach at APEC Tyler.
APEC has seen the likes of Super Bowl MVPs, MLB Gold Gloves, a perfect game pitcher and Patrick Mahomes, of course.
"We have athletes from every sport. But we're not making a basketball kid shoot 80 percent from the three point line. We're making them more athletic so they can get more blocks, get more open and jump over the person blocking them, play better defense," Leighton said. "Everyone needs to know how to move and we help them be more athletic in their skin."
The APEC alumni who have made a name for themselves drape the walls, providing inspiration for the next generation of East Texas stars like Jacksonville high school baseball player Coen Devillier.
"Big guys like Minter and Tomlin that came here, Mahomes, household names. It's cool to know that's the goal (and) that's the standard. We want you to be one of those guys. That's really true for everyone here," Devillier said. "They want you to be one of these guys hanging around the workout places -- the big names. They know you have that in you, and they push you to become one of those guys."
But it isn't just for the top tier of athletes or even age restricted at all.
Everyone has a different goal, but the same mindset: working hard to achieve the results for their specific exercise desire.
Craig Langemeier, who trains at APEC, said the facility and its employees do a phenomenal job of helping everybody no matter what stage of what working out they are in.
"They'll guide you through exercises. If you have an injury, they will specifically give you alternative exercises to be able to do," Langemeier said. "It's a tremendous deal. If you're just trying to get in shape, they will help you get there."
So whether it be the next Patrick Mahomes, the next East Texas high school star or learning to be healthy, staying younger and fit, or just looking to simply stay active, they all come to the same place.
"I'm really blessed to have a team that loves helping people and a facility that can handle so many different demographics," Leighton said. "The design of this place and having a staff that cares about people. It makes it easy to talk about and grow this thing. We just love to help out whoever wants to come."