I drove around the block for about four weeks before I ever walked through the doors of a gym.

Across the years and the many gyms I've visited since, I haven't always felt welcome. I've felt intimidated, silly, like I was probably doing something wrong. I fell in love with exercise and strength training anyway - and even now, with over a decade of coaching behind me, the weights section can still make me feel that flicker of intimidation.

I've seen what training can do for someone's life, because I've lived it myself. It's carried me through grief, heartbreak, and mental health dips - a constant, even when everything else hasn't been. I know how messy life can get, and how much it matters to have somewhere you can walk into and feel comfortable, supported, and safe to move and learn.

I love watching people do things they never thought they could. Watching confidence grow. Watching friendships form between people whose paths might never have crossed otherwise. Once I started following a proper plan - instead of just throwing everything at it - that's when I really saw progress, and I wanted to build a space where everyone could feel that.

I believe training can be fun.
That it's for everyone.
That it's never too late to start, and there's no prerequisite to begin.
Progress isn't always linear - but it can still be constant.
You're allowed to enjoy the process, even while it takes time.
It's ok not to know what you're doing.
It's ok to ask for help.

That's what I want BUILT to be.

You're welcome here, as you are.