Our Story
Forge Your Strength, Ignite Your Valor
Look, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it - back in 2018, I was tired of seeing the same cookie-cutter gyms pop up everywhere. You know the type: all flash, no substance. Machines that do the work for you, trainers reading workouts off their phones, zero community vibe.
I'd spent 12 years coaching athletes and everyday people who just wanted to feel strong again. Started in my garage with some beat-up barbells and a dream that probably sounded crazy to most folks. But here's what I knew for sure - real strength isn't built on fancy equipment or Instagram-worthy selfies. It's forged through sweat, grit, and having people around you who actually give a damn about your progress.
We opened our doors on Commercial Drive because this neighborhood gets it. It's raw, authentic, and full of people who aren't afraid to work hard. That's exactly the energy we wanted to capture.
Here's the deal - we're not for everyone, and that's totally fine. If you're looking for a spa experience with cucumber water and purple machines, you won't find it here. But if you want a place where you'll actually get stronger, where coaches know your name and remember what you lifted last week, where the person next to you might just become your training partner... well, you're in the right spot.
Every program we run comes from real experience - stuff that's been tested on actual humans, not just copied from some certification manual. We mess up sometimes, learn from it, and get better. That's kinda the whole point, isn't it?
Opened our doors with just 8 members who believed in the vision. Started with the basics - barbells, plates, and a whole lot of heart.
Got our NCCP Olympic Weightlifting credentials. Now we could really teach the technical stuff properly.
Yeah, that year. Went online, did parking lot workouts, figured out how to keep our community together when everything was falling apart.
Doubled our space and brought on a registered dietitian. Turns out you can't out-train a bad diet - who knew?
Added legit athletic testing equipment. Force plates, velocity trackers - the nerdy stuff that actually helps you get better faster.
We're now home to over 300 members who show up, work hard, and lift each other up. Still feels surreal.
The folks who'll be in the trenches with you
Head Coach & Founder
Been lifting for 20 years, coaching for 12. Started this place because I got tired of seeing people waste time on programs that don't work. CSCS certified, Olympic Lifting Level 2. Outside the gym? Probably hiking or trying new ramen spots.
Strength & Conditioning Coach
Former college athlete who knows what it takes to push through plateaus. Specializes in getting people their first pull-up or teaching proper deadlift form. Masters in Kinesiology. Will definitely make you laugh between sets while secretly destroying you with volume work.
Olympic Weightlifting Coach
If it involves a barbell moving fast, Devon's your guy. Competed nationally in weightlifting for 8 years. Now he's obsessed with teaching perfect snatch technique and getting people to stop being scared of the jerk. Patient as hell with beginners, relentless with competitors.
Sports Nutritionist
Registered Dietitian who actually lifts and gets it. No crazy fad diets here - just science-backed nutrition that fits your life. She'll teach you how to fuel performance without losing your mind or your social life. PhD in Nutritional Sciences, common sense off the charts.
Personal Training Specialist
Started training here as a client three years ago, now he's on staff. Living proof that consistency beats everything. Works mostly with folks new to strength training and makes sure nobody feels intimidated. CPT certified with additional work in mobility and injury prevention.
Performance Coach
Handles all our athletic performance testing and programming for competitive athletes. Background in biomechanics means she sees movement patterns most people miss. If you want data-driven training that actually translates to real-world performance, she's got you covered.
Come check us out. First session's on us - no pressure, no sales pitch. Just good training and real people.
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