Conley Wessel shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Conley, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me is bouncing between my two business ventures, TurfBlox and sports performance training. I’m fortunate that TurfBlox is a sports training tool so there is a lot of overlap. I use TurfBlox in some capacity in nearly every training session. So I am able to gather a lot of data and content in the process. My day typically starts with morning routine, followed by making breakfast, lunch and dropping my son at school. From there its off to my first sessions, the middle of the day is typically spent working on the business side of things. Then back to training from early afternoon to evening.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Conley Wessel, and I’m the creator of TurfBlox, a hand built, performance-driven training tool designed to help athletes develop stronger, more resilient lower limbs. TurfBlox was born not in a lab or factory, but in my garage, during a moment when I was trying to help a college athlete return to form after an injury. I didn’t set out to create a product, I was just trying to solve a real problem for a real person. When I couldn’t find what I needed, I started building it myself. That one idea, has now helped thousands of athletes, from youth sports to elite professionals.
What makes TurfBlox unique isn’t just the product, it’s the process. Every single set is hand-built by my son and I. We take pride in the craftsmanship, but even more so in the meaning behind it. It’s a way to bond, teach, and creating something we believe in. TurfBlox allows athletes to train specific joint angles, improve foot and ankle strength, and safely use cleats on the field, features that set it apart from any other slant board or platform.
Right now, we’re expanding with the TurfBlox Training Video Library, giving athletes and coaches access to curated drills that maximize performance and reduce injury risk. This is more than a brand — it’s a mission, and I’m grateful for every person who’s made it part of their journey.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
My grandfather has likely taught me the most about things in life like work. My grandfather was a hard worker and very charitable man. Growing up, he taught me to take pride in your work regardless of what type of work it is. Do a job the way you would expect someone to do it for you. He was also very big on honesty. So my concept of doing honest, hard work was heavily influnced by my late grandfather.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, more than once. In the early stages of developing TurfBlox, there were long nights in the garage filled with trial and error, and plenty of failed prototypes. I didn’t have a background in product design or manufacturing. I was just driven by a need to help an athlete solve a problem.
But what kept me going was the impact. Even just helping that first athlete see progress reminded me why I started. Then seeing other trainers and athletes adopt TurfBlox and seeing how it unlocked new sports and skill performance and rehab strategies gave me the motivation to push through. And building this alongside my son added a deeper meaning. Giving up would’ve meant giving up on the lessons we were learning together.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies in the sports performance world is the idea that all non-contact injuries are preventable. It’s a comforting narrative, but one that oversimplifies a complex reality. The truth is, athletes operate in unpredictable environments, split-second decisions, chaotic movement patterns, and high-speed collisions with the ground or other athletes. While we can absolutely reduce risk and build resilience through smart training, claiming full prevention isn’t just unrealistic it creates false expectations for athletes, coaches, and parents.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say I was honest, that I meant what I said and stood behind it. That I cared deeply, not just about the product or the work, but about the people I worked with and served. That I showed up consistently, stayed grounded, and treated others with respect, no matter their title or background. And most of all, I hope they say I always kept my word. In a world full of noise and shortcuts, I want my legacy to be built on integrity that people could trust me, believe in what I stood for, and feel better for having crossed paths with me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.turfblox.com
- Instagram: @Turfblox
- Facebook: @TurfBlox
- Youtube: @TurfBlox
Image Credits
Jared Spink
