Three years ago, D1 SRQ owner and former professional soccer player Jeremy Milin chose Florida’s more laid-back lifestyle over the fast pace of the tri-state. Raised in Weehawken, New Jersey, Milin spent his childhood immersed in sports. This lifelong passion motivated him to open D1 SRQ, a training facility helping both athletes and everyday people reach their full fitness potential. “Sarasota has given us so much in the last three years,” he says. “If I were going to open a business, I wanted it to be here so my family and I could give back to the community we live in.”
What is your favorite thing about living in Sarasota? The community and the weather. The people here are just fantastic to be around. I love the community.
Is there anything that surprised you about Sarasota after moving here? The laid-back atmosphere. Coming from New Jersey and being in New York City commercial construction for 30 years, everything is so fast-paced. Everything has to be done yesterday. Coming here and everybody being so relaxed was definitely a transition to get used to.
What’s your favorite local spot in Sarasota? Marcello's. It’s phenomenal. I recommend it to everybody who asks.
What’s still on your Sarasota bucket list? I’d like to see more of the sights of Sarasota. I think when you live somewhere, you don’t always take the time to see everything. We haven't had a chance to really take in all the beauty of Sarasota and all the sights that we could see.
Outside of D1, what does a typical day look like? When I’m not in the gym, it’s all family. We like to go out to dinner, get out on a boat if we can and take the kids to sporting events. I’m just being a cheerleader for my kids.
What role did sports play in your life growing up? Sports played a huge role in my life. I played basketball, baseball, and soccer. They helped shape who I am today by giving me discipline, confidence, and helping me grow as a person.
When you were a kid, you dreamed of . . . Being a professional soccer player.
Was there a defining moment that pushed you toward coaching, fitness, or entrepreneurship? Not one specific moment. It goes back to my youth and always being around sports. I'm a licensed U.S. Soccer Federation coach, and I felt there had to be a way to provide affordable workouts for kids and adults. That's what motivated my wife and me to start this business.
What makes Sarasota's athletic community unique? Sarasota is underrated. There are incredible athletes here—some of the best in the country—and the community itself is fantastic.
What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you? I love nature. Our backyard backs up to a cattle ranch, and I love just sitting there staring at the cows and taking it all in. People probably wouldn't expect that.
If you could have dinner with one person? My grandmother.
What is the most spontaneous thing you've ever done? Moving my family to Florida. The decision to move shocked everybody.
If you could instantly become an expert in something, what would it be? Understanding people.
What are you most proud of? My children.
When people think of D1 SRQ, what do you hope they think of you as a leader? Inspiring.
If you could describe this chapter of your life in one sentence, what would it be? Incredibly challenging and extremely rewarding.
