Our Mission & Staff

Forge Athletic exists to elevate athletes through elite instruction and cutting-edge performance training. We provide the highest level of one-on-one lessons in hitting, pitching, catching, and fielding. Paired with elite strength & conditioning, and human performance services. With the only full RunDNA 3D Gait lab in the Kansas City area, Velocity Based Training Tools for all athletes, HitTrax, Gait Timers and more, we deliver advanced movement analysis that drives better performance and reduces injury risk. Our mission is simple: help athletes develop physically, technically, and confidently so they can compete at their best.

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."

-Will Durant on Aristotle

David Bellis - Founder of API and Director of Strength & Conditioning

David is the Founder and Operator of Asset Performance Institute (API) and Strength Coach all within Forge Athletic. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and Combat Veteran who served over multiple deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan (2008-2012). Post military career, he earned both a Bachelors in Exercise Science, and a Bachelors in Marketing. Dave has turned his experiences and expertise to coaching and education.

David founded API to provide Elite level Human Performance that is No Fluff, Results Driven, and backed by science. With the dynamic world we live in, we need to focus on what really works, and less on what gets clicks. We ensure our athletes are receiving the best training for physical fitness, nutrition, sleep, and mental preparation so they can reach their full potential and dominate their field or arena.

Notable trainees and accomplishments:

Coached D1 Football Power Five level athletes, high school and collegiate track runners, and more
Coach to hundreds of youth, middle school, and high school athletes
Contractor and Coach for the United States Army Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) program
Helped to install first implementation of the H2F program for the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
The first Human Performance Coach in H2F program history to deploy TDY and train troops overseas (Estonia and Germany)
Implemented programs for the 2-506th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) – 550+ soldiers
Individualized one-on-one coaching for numerous infantry officers to prepare for, and ultimately pass, the Range Assessment and Selection Program. Officers are currently serving at 75th Ranger Regiment
Denver Police - Individualized training and consultation installed for an active officer
Fire and EMS in western KS (Newton and surrounding areas) - Individualized training and consultation
Former Special Forces (Green Berets), Apache helicopter pilots, and Rangers -Individualized training and consultation

David is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with National Strength and Conditioning Association.(NSCA).

Todd sears - Director of Hitting/Owner

Todd has established himself as one of the top hitting instructors in the area. He has a unique ability to break down the swing and help players become more efficient. His professional playing career has led him to work with, and learn from, some of the best hitting minds in baseball. This has allowed him to piece together a wide variety of concepts and drills, which are then tailored to each hitter. He has worked with and helped players of all ages and levels, and he can help you.

"My philosophy is simple! There is no right way to hit, but there are a lot of things that hitters need to do correctly to succeed! Simple and efficient hitting movements along with a simple mindset and approach can make hitting easier! Hitting is extremely hard, so give yourself the best chance to be successful"

Achievem

•12 seasons of combined MiLB and MLB experienceents:

•1994 Iowa Gatorade High School POY

•University of Nebraska -.382 career average 33 HR 191 RBI's

•Drafted in the 3rd round by the Rockies

Phone: 913-481-9446

Shawn Sedlacek - Director of Pitching/Owner

Shawn brings a wealth of professional experience and passion for player development to Forge Athletic. Drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 14th round out of Iowa State University in 1998, he went on to make his MLB debut with the Royals in 2002, where he posted a 3-5 record across 16 appearances (primarily as a starter).

Over his professional career (1998-2005), Shawn started more than 200 games, pitched over 1,000 innings in the minors and independents, and earned All-Star honors in the Northwest League (1998), Texas League (2000), and Northern League (2005). He was also named Royals Minor League Player of the Year in 2001 by Baseball America.

After retiring from playing, Shawn dedicated himself to coaching and mentoring young athletes in the Kansas City area. He has provided professional baseball instruction to thousands of pitchers through his lessons program, producing multiple draft picks, Division I players, and college standouts.

Achievements:

MLB Debut with Kansas City Royals (2002)

Royals Minor League Player of the Year (2001, Baseball America)

Multiple Minor League All-Star selections (1998, 2000, 2005)

Over 1,000 professional innings pitched

Helped develop 3 MLB draft picks and 10+ D1 players through instruction

Phone: 913-481-9446

Rick Croucher - Director of Player Dev. + Recruiting/Owner

Coming Soon.......

Will Vestal - Catching & Hitting Coach

Will is a dynamic and energetic coach that has a true players coach communication style. His personal playing experience extends through his years in high school ball at Olathe Northwest from 2014-2018, and continuing on to the next level to play at Missouri Valley College (2018-2021).

Post college career Will was the Director of Scouting at Prospect Select Baseball from 2022-2024 and has made the transition to coaching youth baseball for Complete Game Baseball Club, as well as impacting player development with his catching and hitting lessons.

His ability to get youth players to respond and implement what actually drives results is high-level.

Contact Coach Will at:

Phone: (913) 544-4450

Email: [email protected]

TESTIMONIALS

What others are saying!

"The man for the job"

"As a first responder, being in shape is very important. When I was stone walled by my own stubbornness, repeating the same workouts week after week with no signs of progress, I knew I needed a change. Dave was the man for the job! After hearing about his background, and what he was willing to offer through his program, I joined. The man knows what he is doing and won't let you down."

Jake O. - U.S. Navy Veteran and Denver Police Officer

"Leads by example. I couldn't have done it without the program"

"Coach Bellis is practiced expert at developing tailored programs for both groups and individuals. He brings legitimate experience as a tactical athlete himself and develops his athletes through teaching. Dave leads by example to create more informed and better trained tactical athletes. Personally, he took me from a pulled hamstring to a 36 minute 5 mile in six weeks."

B.M. - US Army Ranger,

1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment

"Highly recommend this"

"I was stuck with my weight loss and had tried a variety of options and nothing seemed to work. That’s when I decided to try Asset Performance Institute (API) app. API enhanced my workout options and provided tips to increase my strength and endurance. With the help of API, I was able to achieve my weight loss goals. Additionally, I am sleeping better, have more energy, enthusiasm, endurance, and cognitive ability since using API. It worked for me and helped me get on track with my fitness goals and I highly recommend it for others looking to achieve fitness related goals."

Kerry Steuart - President of MYKC and Owner of LiveBliss

"A true professional and all around great guy!"

"Coach Dave tailor made me an incredible training plan that resulted in shaving seven minutes from my 5-mile time and prepared me to be a top physical performer at Ranger Selection and Assessment. Dave is a true professional and all around great guy!"

Joe M. - 75th Ranger Regiment

"Committed to excellence in everything he does"

"I have known Dave for over 13 years, and I can sincerely say that he is one of the most dedicated dudes that I have ever met. Towards the beginning of our careers, under the tutelage of Dave, I went from only being able to do 6 dead hang pull-ups to winning a San Diego military pull-up competition at 27. Dave is committed to excellence in everything that he does. If you are looking to take your professional or personal fitness to the next level, then I would challenge you to take advantage of the knowledge Dave has put into his program.."