After years of pushing her body through intense workouts and rigid nutrition rules, Alexa thought slowing down would mean losing progress. Through GGS Coaching, she discovered something far more powerful: strength, confidence, and a healthier relationship with her body—built to last.

When “Healthy” Didn’t Feel Healthy Anymore

When Alexa joined Girls Gone Strong Coaching in her early 30s, she looked healthy by most external standards. She had always exercised regularly and eaten what she considered a “healthy” diet. But inside, things felt very different.

“I definitely had body image issues,” she says. “I’m naturally an hourglass/pear shape, and I wasn’t able to embrace that at the time. I was always striving for leaner legs, even though I was a healthy weight.”

Her workouts reflected that mindset. Alexa spent years doing high-intensity training, including frequent Orangetheory classes, believing that pushing harder was the only way to stay in shape. At the same time, her nutrition lacked structure. While she ate “healthy” foods, she struggled with portion control, cravings, and consistency.

Then came a major life shift. As Alexa began her fertility journey, she was diagnosed with PCOS. That diagnosis came with new recommendations: reduce high-intensity exercise, slow down, and focus on supporting her overall health.

“I immediately worried about how I would stay in shape doing what I thought was ‘easy’ exercise,” she says.

She wanted support—but had real hesitations. The investment felt significant, especially alongside fertility treatments, and she worried she wouldn’t be able to stay consistent during active treatment cycles. Still, Alexa knew she couldn’t keep doing what she’d always done.

A Coaching Experience That Met Her Where She Was

What ultimately drew Alexa to GGS Coaching was what wasn’t included: no restrictive meal plans, no one-size-fits-all rules, and no pressure to change her body.

“I had tried so many diets and intense programs designed to ‘fix’ my body,” she says. “This time, I wanted something sustainable, tailored to my needs, and supportive of what I was going through.”

Over the past two years in GGS Coaching, Alexa has worked with both Coach Ellysia and Coach Jen, and the coaching relationship has become a cornerstone of her experience.

“They both have such a deep level of knowledge about women’s health,” she says. “And they’ve been incredible cheerleaders.”

One of the biggest mindset shifts came early: learning that consistency doesn’t mean pushing hard every day.

“They taught me that rest is just as important as exercise,” Alexa explains. “That was huge for me.”

Nutrition was another turning point. Learning foundational skills—like prioritizing adequate protein in the morning and embracing dietary fats—dramatically changed how she felt day to day.

“The foundational nutrition skills changed my life. I feel fuller, have fewer cravings, and I finally understand how to nourish my body—especially during a nutritionally demanding season.”

In her second year, Alexa even began using a glucose monitor to deepen her understanding of how her body responds to food. Combined with the skills she learned in coaching, this helped support more regular cycles as someone living with PCOS.

Just as important, Alexa found safety in the GGS community.

“When I was diagnosed with PCOS, I felt comfortable sharing that here,” she says. “It was truly a soft place to land.”

Redefining Strength and Consistency

Within the first six months of coaching, Alexa experienced a result she never expected.

“I went down a pants size without killing myself at the gym. I was simply applying the nutrition skills, staying consistent with low-intesity exercise, and eating mindfully. I was stunned.”

But the most meaningful part wasn’t the physical change—it was that the changes lasted.

Now, more than two years in, Alexa has sustained her habits, built strength, and let go of the constant pressure to be smaller.

“I’ve learned that low-intensity exercise doesn’t mean easy,” she says. “These workouts are challenging and functional—and I’m stronger without hurting my back, neck, or shoulders. Even my chiropractor noticed the difference.”

For the first time, Alexa isn’t trying to change her body.

“I’m eating well, sleeping well, and moving in ways I truly enjoy. I’ve embraced my shape—including buying clothes designed for my figure—instead of always trying to shrink myself.”

That mindset shift has carried into other areas of her life, too. This year, Alexa left a high-stress job and transitioned to fully remote work.

“GGS taught me to live in alignment with my values,” she says. “I realized my long commute and toxic work environment weren’t serving me anymore. That change alone has reduced my stress and made it even easier to stay consistent with my health.”

Strength That Extends Beyond the Gym

Today, Alexa defines fitness very differently than she once did.

“Fitness isn’t a number on the scale or a specific body type,” she says. “It’s the ability to treat your body with respect, move in ways you love, and consistently practice healthy habits.”

She’s focused on continuing to get stronger, live intentionally, and stay aligned with her values as she moves through her 30s.

When asked what she’d tell another woman who’s considering GGS Coaching, her answer is simple:

“If you’re hesitating, just try it. Commit to yourself for one year. This program will pay dividends for the rest of your life.”

Alexa’s story is a powerful reminder that real progress doesn’t come from doing more—it comes from doing what actually supports you. Through GGS Coaching, she learned how to slow down, listen to her body, and build a version of health that truly lasts.

As a health and menopause coach, Jay thought she had all the answers. But it wasn’t until she joined GGS Coaching that she learned to quiet the noise, trust her body, and finally find peace in her own skin.

Searching for Answers

When she joined GGS Coaching, Jay described herself as “a badass career woman doing the perimenopause thing while providing for her family.” She was thriving professionally but struggling to feel at home in her body. Like so many women in midlife, she wanted to understand what was happening and how to take care of herself along the way.

She threw herself into learning. “I had done a whirlwind tour of independent study,” she says. “I got a health coach certification. Then I got a functional nutrition certification because I didn’t trust the nutrition information I was getting. Then I realized I was deep into perimenopause. So I did the GGS Menopause Certification. At the end of it, I found myself with so much information and completely unable to apply it to my own self.”

Despite all her training and expertise, Jay still felt frustrated and stuck.

“I knew so much, yet I couldn’t make any progress personally.”

“I had all this low belly fat and was really unhappy with that. I felt like I should be able to do it on my own, but I wasn’t making progress.”

Jay had reached a point where she didn’t need more information. What she needed was a clearer path forward.

“I thought maybe having a coach, someone to provide an outside perspective, would be helpful,” she says.

Finding Clarity in Coaching

When Jay joined GGS Coaching, it wasn’t out of hesitation but curiosity. After completing her GGS Menopause Certification, she wanted to experience what it felt like to be coached using the same inclusive, evidence-based approach she admired in her studies.

“I wanted to see how someone might apply it as my coach,” she says. “I love that GGS is body-positive, focused on habits and mindset, not restrictive plans. I wanted to experience that for myself.”

That approach turned out to be exactly what she needed. The emphasis on habits over quick fixes and compassion over restriction gave her room to breathe. “It felt supportive,” she says. “Like I was being held by the most amazing, strong group of women. Like there’s space to transform because someone believes in you even when you don’t believe in yourself.”

Letting Go and Learning to Listen

From the very beginning, Jay’s coach, Denise, offered the kind of grounded and practical support that Jay had been searching for. “I think the great thing about my coach is she’s just had some really practical observations for me,” Jay says. “When I came into the program, I was tracking everything: macros, exercise, sleep. If I could track it, I was doing it.”

Then Denise shared a gentle but powerful observation that would change everything:

“All this tracking isn’t working for you.”

It was the first time anyone had said that to Jay, and it landed in a way she didn’t expect.

“It was the first time I’d realized it wasn’t working for me,” she recalls. “I kept thinking, if I just track one more thing or eat more of a specific macro, I’ll figure it out. But it just wasn’t working.”

Letting go of all that tracking wasn’t easy, but it opened up a completely new way of relating to her body. “Moving away from the tracking made space for me to listen to my body and begin to trust what it was telling me,” Jay says. “That was a huge moment.”

For years, she had treated her body like a problem to solve. As Jay moved through the GGS Coaching program, she started to see it as something entirely different: a partner.

“The biggest change by far has been the way I feel about my body,” she says. “When I joined this program, I hated my body, and I had for a really long time. Every time I looked in the mirror, I was judging myself and wishing I looked different.”

But that began to shift as she went through the mindset lessons, journaled, and had honest conversations with her coach, Denise. “Now, I can look in the mirror and think, ‘Hey, that’s me, doing her thing.’ I’ve gone from self-loathing to self-acceptance, and it’s completely unexpected.”

What started as a goal to get stronger and lose body fat became something far deeper.

“It’s been all about the mindset and the way I think about my body,” she says.

“Now I see my body as a partner for the longevity journey I’m on rather than something I’m constantly fighting against. It feels so much better to be in alignment with myself rather than in opposition.”

From Coach to Client and Back Again

As both a coach and a client, Jay discovered that even experts need support.

“Coaches need coaches too. We can have all the knowledge in the world, but that doesn’t mean we can see our own blind spots.”

Experiencing coaching as a client reminded her that transformation doesn't come from information alone. It comes from connection, compassion, and perspective. “Having someone believe in you, challenge you kindly, and help you step back far enough to see what’s really going on is powerful,” she says.

The process hasn’t just changed how Jay shows up for herself. It has also reshaped how she’ll show up for others in her own coaching practice.

“This program has shown me what it feels like to be held in a supportive, judgment-free space,” she says. “And that’s something I want to bring to my clients too.”

Becoming Her Own Ally

These days, Jay’s goals are centered on strength, recovery, and confidence rather than control.

“Now that I’m not spending so much time hating on my body, there’s more space for me to work on getting stronger,” she says. “And as I get wiser, I’m realizing how much I crave downtime. Learning that it’s okay not to be in perpetual motion, that’s a big one.”

For Jay, meaningful change hasn’t occurred solely in her workouts and nutrition habits, but also in how she thinks about herself. “I came here to get stronger and lose body fat, but this has all been way more about mindset and the way I think about myself than the physical parts,” she says.

When asked what she would tell another woman considering GGS Coaching, Jay doesn’t hesitate:

“Do it. Sign up. Take the plunge. There's such an amazing, strong community of women waiting there to support you to hold the space to help you achieve your goals, and what you get out of it may not be what you were expecting. It may be something even way more amazing.

So don't waste any more time. Just sign up.”

Jay’s story is a reminder that lasting change doesn’t come from collecting more information. It comes from learning to trust yourself. By quieting the noise, listening to her body, and letting go of the need to control every detail, Jay discovered what peace and progress actually feel like.

Her body is no longer the enemy; it’s her partner. And in this new chapter of life, that same badass career woman is still showing up strong, now with more self-trust, compassion, and confidence than ever before.

For years, Emily believed being hard on herself was the key to staying motivated. Through GGS Coaching, she discovered that kindness and consistency, not criticism, were what truly helped her grow stronger, inside and out.

When Knowledge Isn’t Enough

Before joining GGS Coaching, Emily knew a lot about health and fitness. She had spent years reading, learning, and applying what she could. But no matter how much she knew, she couldn’t seem to make it stick.

“I was working a lot and didn’t feel like I was taking good care of myself,” she says. “I felt stressed out, overwhelmed, and really frustrated because, while I know a lot about health and fitness, it wasn’t implemented. I felt really disappointed and stuck with my energy, my body, and my overall progress.”

It was a familiar cycle: pushing hard, falling off track, and feeling defeated. Emily knew something had to change, but she didn’t want another short-term fix or rigid plan. She wanted support that would help her stay consistent and feel good long term.

That is what drew her to Girls Gone Strong Coaching, a year-long, habit-based program designed specifically for women. Its inclusive, body-positive approach felt like a breath of fresh air. “I wanted something that wasn’t a quick fix diet or challenge,” she says, “and I wanted it to be female-centered.”

A Coach Who “Gets It”

From the very beginning, Emily felt an immediate connection with her coach, Jen. “I’ve worked with Jen the entire time that I’ve been in the Girls Gone Strong Coaching program, and I feel like she really gets me,” Emily says. “She’s always offering on-point and practical guidance, and she’s really funny. I feel like we would be friends in real life.”

That mix of expertise and humor created a space where Emily could let her guard down. Jen helped her focus on building habits that fit her real life rather than chasing perfection. The coaching relationship felt supportive and steady, something Emily could rely on through the ups and downs of work, stress, and everyday life.

Over time, Jen’s consistency helped Emily find her own. Each check-in, reflection, and conversation helped her stay grounded in what mattered most: showing up for herself with compassion.

A Shift Toward Kindness and Consistency

Emily’s biggest transformation wasn’t about weight loss or physical strength. It was about how she spoke to herself.

“The biggest change I’ve noticed in myself since being in the Girls Gone Strong Coaching program is that I’m a lot kinder to myself, and I do a much better job of taking care of myself,” she says.

“Before, I was so critical and mean to myself. I thought that’s what really motivated me to take action. But actually, being kind and making incremental changes has made a huge difference for me. I just feel like I like myself overall so much more.”

That mindset shift changed everything. Instead of aiming for quick results, Emily began to focus on small, sustainable actions that made her feel strong and steady. Through Jen’s guidance and the GGS curriculum, she learned to connect her goals to her values, not just her appearance.

“Identifying my values and making health decisions that align with my values instead of what I think I should be doing has been a game-changer,” she says. “One of my values is nature, so now I spend a lot of my time focusing on outdoor activities, which creates so much enjoyment for me and energizes me.”

That connection between joy and movement made consistency easier than it had ever been before. The more time Emily spent outside, the more energized she felt, and the more naturally she wanted to keep showing up for herself. What once felt like a chore now felt like a lifestyle she genuinely enjoyed.

“My weekends now look a lot like my weekdays in terms of movement and nutrition choices,” she says. “That consistency has taken time to build, but it’s changed how I feel about myself and what’s possible.”

Letting Go of the “Last 10 Pounds”

One of Emily’s most powerful realizations came when she saw how much energy she had spent trying to lose the same “last 10 to 15 pounds.”

“I realized that I was always focused on losing the ‘last’ 10 to 15 pounds for almost my entire adult life, no matter how much I weighed or what I was doing in my life,” she says. Working with Coach Jen helped her realize losing weight wasn’t truly her top priority. Instead, she was more interested in what she could gain. “I wanted to focus on building strength and having consistent health habits so that I felt good most of the time.”

That shift allowed Emily to release the pressure of constant comparison and tune in to what truly mattered: feeling energized, confident, and at peace in her body.

Now, as Emily moves into perimenopause, her new priorities feel even more empowering.

“Letting go of the need to constantly be trying to lose the last 10 to 15 pounds and instead focusing on building muscle mass and strength feels authentic to me. It’s how I want to move into this next phase of life.”

Becoming Emily Again

After more than two years with GGS Coaching, Emily feels calm, capable, and centered. “I feel centered and at peace,” she says. “I feel more myself.”
Her journey hasn’t been about overhauling her life overnight. It has been about showing up consistently, learning from each season, and practicing self-compassion along the way.

“I’ve noticed that incremental change over time truly does move the needle,” she says. “Over the course of my time in GGS Coaching, I’ve become stronger, more confident, and more aligned with my values. It’s been life-changing for me.”

Now she is focused on continuing to build strength, manage stress, and live with balance and joy. “I want to be the healthiest version of myself and not take things so seriously,” she says. “I want to enjoy my life.”

When asked what she would tell another woman considering GGS Coaching, her answer is simple: “Say yes. Dive in. You will not regret your experience.”

Emily’s story reminds us that strength does not come from pushing harder or striving for perfection. It comes from compassion, consistency, and learning to treat yourself like someone worth caring for, because you are.

After years of chasing 12-week fitness plans, Katie was ready for something that would last. Through GGS Coaching, she found the tools, structure, and support to break the cycle, rebuild her confidence, and reconnect with herself.

When Short-Term Programs Weren’t Enough

Before joining GGS Coaching, Katie had spent years cycling through one structured fitness program after another. “I was just doing a few different programs,” she says. “Usually they were 12-week programs at a time and focused really strictly on my health and wellness goals through those 12 weeks.”

Those programs worked, until they didn’t. Each one brought quick results, followed by burnout and frustration. “When life got stressful, all of the gains from those programs flew out the window,” she explains.

By the fall of 2023, Katie was ready for something different. She wanted support that would help her navigate the ups and downs of real life, not another program that ended just as she was finding her rhythm. “I didn’t want to do another 12-week program that would get me short-term success but not give me the tools of where to go next,” she says.

Katie knew GGS Coaching was different from the short programs she had tried before. It was a full year of personalized coaching designed to create lasting results, not quick fixes. That was exactly what she was looking for. “I made the choice to enroll in Girls Gone Strong because I knew I needed something sustainable,” she says.

A Coaching Experience That Met Her Where She Was

Katie had followed Girls Gone Strong for years, long before she joined the program. In fact, one of her first Mother’s Day gifts was a GGS strength training guide. She trusted the philosophy and the women behind it, but taking the leap into coaching still felt intimidating.

“I was nervous about being judged,” she says, “and the cost weighed on me as I never have purchased something like this for myself before.”

But Katie also knew that if she wanted lasting change, she needed to invest in herself in a new way.

“From following the coaches, I knew it would be worth it and the investment in myself that I needed,” she says. “They talked about real-life things and that there are seasons in life, but they still lived and had balance.

I wanted to find that balance too.”

Learning the Tools for Lifelong Strength

From the start, Katie’s coach, Denise, focused on helping her build skills that would last far beyond the program itself.

“Denise has been amazing,” Katie says. “She has supported me as I sort through the tough questions of my why. She’s helped me reframe my thoughts, explore my self-sabotage, and recognize that my decisions are my choices. She reminds me to manage what I can and rebalance as life takes me.”

Rather than telling Katie what to do, Denise showed her how to think differently about her choices and use the same tools that GGS coaches rely on to create lasting change.

“She would hit those hard questions,” Katie says. “She reminded me where and why those thoughts or perceptions were coming from. She reminded me of my values and what direction I want to head versus what I see on social media.”

That practical, skills-based approach gave Katie what she had been missing in all those 12-week programs: a foundation she could keep building on.

“Having her hit those hard questions really helped me align my values and pave the path to my wellness journey.”

When asked about her “lightbulb moment,” the point when something truly clicked during GGS Coaching, Katie reflected on the many ways her perspective had changed.

“I realized that others and my emotions don’t control my mood, my thoughts, or my outcomes,” she says. “I can have emotions about a person or a situation, but I can sit with it and then let it go and move on to the person that I want to be.”

That awareness extended beyond relationships. It also shaped how she approached food and self-care too. “I can indulge but also get right back on track that same day,” she realized.

That shift in thinking marked a turning point. Katie no longer saw wellness as something she could gain or lose in a number of weeks, but as a set of lifelong skills, habits, awareness, and mindset that she could carry with her anywhere.

Even more, she began to see how her growth could ripple outward to others. During a group coaching call, she shared her “aha” moment about letting go of guilt and staying consistent.

“There were some women who had just started the program,” she says.

“Sharing my experience, I could tell they were in similar situations, and I could sense their excitement. That fueled my own excitement to keep pushing forward.”

In those moments of reflection and connection, Katie also found a special kind of support: one that held space for her as a whole person. “I could talk about my workouts,” she said, “but also life stressors that I am managing and how I am working through them to make progress in my overall wellness and life goals.”

Rediscovering Herself

As Katie reflects on her time in GGS Coaching, she can see just how much she’s grown, both inside and out. She’s developed strength and consistency, a calmer relationship with food, and a greater sense of balance in her daily life. However, the most meaningful change runs deeper than habits or routines.

“The most meaningful change for me has been my sense of identity and finding my values to live to,” she says.

“I feel like I found myself again. I’m no longer hiding from myself and it feels really good.”

That renewed self-connection has reshaped how she approaches every challenge. “I’ve realized how powerful my mind and body have become,” she says. “I’m confident to tackle any problem because no matter what, I know I will learn more about myself through the process. There is no failure, just a learning experience, and I can always keep on trying.”

Moving Forward With Confidence

Now, Katie is focused on continuing the habits and mindset that make her feel grounded and strong. “I want to keep on this journey,” she says. “Life is fluid, and I want to attack the challenges and see where they take me. Now I have the tools to support me to be the person I want to be, and I can adjust to challenges in my own way.”

When asked what she would tell another woman considering GGS Coaching, Katie doesn’t hesitate.

“Do it. Do it for you, no one else. Do it to get your best self each day.”

Katie’s story shows that lasting transformation doesn’t come from 12 weeks of willpower or a single program. It comes from learning the skills to adapt, to reflect, and to trust yourself through every season of life. Through GGS Coaching, Katie didn’t just find her strength: she learned how to keep it.