About Battle Tested™ by EDGE™
Battle Tested™ by EDGE™
Forged in competition. Built for life.
At Battle Tested™ by EDGE™, we believe that authentic leadership doesn’t just show up on game day; it’s developed in the daily grind, the locker room, the classroom, and every challenge along the way. Our mission is simple: to build stronger athletes, better teammates, and courageous leaders who thrive both on and off the field.
Who We Are
Battle Tested™ by EDGE™ is a student-athlete leadership and character development company. We serve high school and college athletes, coaches, and athletic directors by providing tools and experiences that go beyond X’s and O’s. Founded on the principles in Where Leadership Begins®, our work blends real-world leadership science with the unique demands of sport.
What We Do
We help athletes discover who they are, how they lead, and the impact they have on others. Through innovative assessments, experiential training, and coaching, Battle Tested™ equips teams and athletic programs with the skills to succeed in competition and in life.
Our core offerings include:
​
-
Student-Athlete Leadership Assessment (SALA): A groundbreaking tool that reveals an athlete’s leadership roles and 20 essential character skills, giving teams a clear roadmap for growth.
​​
-
AthleteDISC & CoachDISC: Assessments that build self-awareness, improve communication, and strengthen relationships between athletes and coaches.
​​
-
Workshops & Team Experiences: Engaging, high-energy sessions designed to push athletes beyond their comfort zones, strengthen team identity, and develop true mental and physical toughness.
Why It Matters
Sports are one of the most powerful classrooms for life. The lessons learned in competition, accountability, courage, resilience, and humility are the same qualities that define outstanding leaders in business, family, and community. By investing in leadership now, we prepare student-athletes to succeed in the moments that matter most.
Our Impact
Battle-tested athletes and coaches walk away with:
-
Stronger relationships built on trust and accountability.
-
Greater resilience to handle pressure, adversity, and setbacks.
-
Clearer self-awareness of leadership roles and personal impact.
-
Confidence to lead courageously, on and off the field.
Built by EDGE™
​
Battle Tested™ is powered by EDGE™ – Where Leadership Begins®, a leadership development firm trusted by executives, educators, and teams across industries. With decades of experience in coaching, leadership, and performance development, EDGE™ brings a proven framework to the world of athletics.
Battle Tested™ by EDGE™: Where athletes become leaders. Where character wins. Where leadership begins.
ABOUT DAN FRESCHI & BLAKE WILLIAMS
About Dan Freschi
​
Dan Freschi is the president of Battle Tested™ by EDGE™ and EDGE™ – Where Leadership Begins®. A U.S. Army combat veteran, executive coach, and author of Where Leadership Begins, Dan has spent his career helping people discover their leadership potential and build the courage to live it out.
​
In 2021, Battle Tested™, originally founded by Blake Williams, was forced to shut down. Recognizing the tremendous value of the lessons and leadership development Blake had been delivering to student-athletes, Dan stepped in. In 2023, he acquired the Battle Tested™ brand and brought it under the EDGE™ umbrella, ensuring that its mission would not only continue but grow stronger as part of a broader leadership development ecosystem.
​
With decades of experience working with executives, coaches, and student-athletes, Dan knows that sports are one of the greatest classrooms for life. He revitalized Battle Tested to give athletes and teams the same leadership tools trusted by businesses and nonprofits nationwide.
​
Beyond his work with EDGE, Dan is a proud father of three, an adjunct professor at Carroll University, a longtime youth baseball coach, a Theta Chi fraternity brother, and an advocate for character-driven leadership in schools, athletics, and communities. His approach blends military discipline, real-world leadership science, and a deep belief that character wins, in and out of sports.
About Blake Williams
​
Blake Williams is the founder of Battle Tested™ and a key contributor to Battle Tested™ by EDGE™. Known by many as an overcomer, Blake has built his life and leadership on resilience, turning adversity into a platform for growth and inspiration.
​
In 2012, Blake founded Battle Tested™ as a non-profit organization dedicated to equipping high school and college athletes with the leadership, character, and team-building skills necessary to succeed in sports and life. Over the next decade, he worked with more than 40,000 student-athletes and coaches, helping them prepare for the battles they face on and off the field.
​
In 2021, Battle Tested™ was forced to close its doors. Two years later, recognizing the lasting impact of Blake’s vision, Dan Freschi and EDGE™ – Where Leadership Begins® acquired the brand to carry forward and expand its mission. Today, Blake continues to shape that mission as a valued contributor to Battle Tested™ by EDGE™.
​
Blake is the author of The Battle-Tested Teammate and co-author of Giant Killer. He has spoken to audiences across the country, sharing powerful stories that inspire courage, resilience, and action.
​
Beyond his professional work, Blake is a proud father of five, an endurance athlete, and an avid college football fan. His life reflects his passion for helping others bridge the gap between where they are and where they dream to be.