Mission
Strictly Limitless is a dedication to the mindset of the relentless, those who sacrifice mediocracy for greatness. We simply aim to motivate and inspire, because to us there are no limits and there never will be. Stop Doubting Yourself.
Dorrian Gordon, the founder of Strictly Limitless is a long distance runner who competed in track and cross country from middle school to college and still trains everyday post collegiate. Dorrian became the first in his family to attend college due to a generous athletic scholarship from Saint Louis University. During his time at SLU he created a brand to pay homage to his running career and his road to college. College for him was a dream that he was able to accomplish due to the work he put in as a dedicated high school athlete, running 7-12 miles a day and up to 18 miles on his long runs towards the tail end of his 4 year career. He wanted his brand's mentality to symbolize his work ethic and the work ethic of his idols. The brand's name needed to be felt and understood with no explanation. It needed to encompass his will to be great and the lengths he was willing to take to get there. One day while brainstorming in his college dorm the phrase "Strictly Limitless" came to mind and he ran with it.
"To show people they can and ignite their will to do so. The brand that never doubted you." SL ©2024
The stop sign references throughout the brand are a dedication to one of the fiercest competitors the running world has ever known. Steve Prefontaine (January 25, 1951- May 30, 1975) was an American long-distance runner who set American records at every distance from 2,000 to 10,000 meters as well as being the first runner signed by Nike. He also competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics and was preparing for the 1976 Olympics with the Oregon Track Club at the time of his death in 1975. Pre's career influenced running culture and helped spark the 1970s running boom alongside prestigious long distance pioneers like Jim Ryun, Frank Shorter and Bill Rodgers.
Born in Coos Bay, Oregon, in 1951, Pre developed his passion for running and his hunger to be the best in the world at Marshfield High School. In 1965, when he started high school, he joined the Cross Country Team where he was coached by Walt McClure. After failing to qualify for the Oregon State Track Meet as a Sophomore, Pre vowed to never lose a high school race again and that is exactly what he did. Pre went undefeated in his final two years of high school. During his senior year, he set a national record when he ran 2 miles in 8:41.5. He quickly became well known throughout the running community and was heavily recruited by colleges across America. University of Oregon Track Coach and Nike co-founder, Bill Bowerman, sent Pre a letter saying that he was certain he would become the world’s greatest distance runner if he decided to run at Oregon. Pre chose U of O.
In a short amount of time following his decision to run for Oregon, Steve would become a national sensation and inspiration to countless runners. Fans chants of "Pre! Pre! Pre!" became a frequent feature at University of Oregon's famous Hayward Field. Fans also liked to wear T-shirts that read "LEGEND" or "GO PRE", and there was one instance where a group of fans jokingly put on shirts that read "STOP PRE", paying homage to Pre's dominance in the sport at that time. Prefontaine found humor in the shirts and, when offered, decided to wear one for his victory lap, making the shirt and the "STOP PRE" logo iconic in the world of running.
In a tragedy that shocked the world and countless fans, Pre died in an automobile accident at just 24 years old. He has been referred to by Phil Knight, Nike Co-Founder as the “soul of Nike.”
Steve was never one to doubt his ability and he gave his heart to running. His legend has influenced the essence of Strictly Limitless and our mantra "Stop Doubting Yourself." Long live Pre.
"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift" - Steve Prefontaine
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