OLD SCHOOL STRENGTH 

My name is Laura and I have been training at Old School Strength since it opened.  Several years back I can remember when I absolutely hated the gym and the discomfort I felt when going there.  It seemed so boring and repetitive to run on the treadmill or use cardio equipment.   I thought that I was too fat to be lifting weights.  I used to think if only I could lose some weight, then maybe I could start using the machines.  I was too embarrassed to exercise in front of other people and too practical to join a gym but not use the membership consistently.  Years of yo-yo dieting and emphasis on just cardio had only yielded excess fat. I was at an all-time low point in my life at 40 years old, full of self-hate, separated from my husband, depressed, recently turned down for a promotion at work and struggling with my self-confidence.   I knew I had to do something as I was becoming increasingly unhealthier and unhappier with my life and my body.  My health was starting to suffer.  My cholesterol was too high and I was taking medication to lower it. I didn’t sleep well.  It was harder and harder for me to keep up with my son and I was holding back on so many things that I thought I couldn’t do mentally and physically.  I decided to do something about it and reclaim my health. 

I began training with Todd in my living room with some light dumbbells.  When I first started it was exhausting and getting up at 5am to train several days a week before work is really tough.  Making it a habit was one of the most important things I have done to improve my health.  Pushing my mind and body in the morning starts my day in a way that helps me to show up differently and brings out my best.  I have slowly and consistently built up my strength and fitness level, made training my lifestyle, and lost close to 100 pounds.  As I got re-acquainted with what my body was capable of doing, I started to build back my self-image and confidence.

Now I sleep better and my cholesterol is normal (no more pills).  I have more energy than ever and at 46, I am in the best shape of my life.  The thrill of a personal best on a lift is amazing and feeling your strength is empowering.  I never thought I could be this strong.  My personal best lifts are 310 deadlift, 240 squat and 145 bench press.  Those are APA Powerlifting world records for my age and weight division. 

My son and I have zip lined in Costa Rica, hiked in Yosemite, kayaked in Pudget Sound, snorkeled in Hawaii and mountain biked in Moab.  I would never have been able to do those activities before fitness became part of my lifestyle. Todd introduced me to kettlebells in the very beginning of my fitness journey and they remain one of my passions.

My name is Donna Merritt, AKA "Water Warrior".  I am 60  years old, married now for 38 years.

I started training with Todd to help improve my performance in Slalom waterskiing.  My ability increased to the point that I moved up a division each year.  Well, my finish on the water was a 7 year DREAM come true.  I dreamed of one day being on the podium at US Championships . . .  and this year I was!  I placed 3rd in my class.  

Back in 2011 I decided to try Powerlifting.  I trained till my first meet in November, where I shockingly (to me) earned World Records in all my lifts.  I had such fun, I decided to do a second meet the following April, where I broke my own World Records in 2 of the 3 lifts.  I had my first (figure) show in May 2013 where I won 1st in my age division and 4th in Novice.  I walked off that stage feeling the same passion as the first time I tried a slalom ski course.

If I have any advice from my experience it's this: AGE is just a number!   Set that Goal or Dream and NEVER give up!  IT WILL HAPPEN!   My favorite quote:  "What the Mind Believes, the Body WILL Achieve!"   Positive Mindset!



My name is Lesley but I really go by, Buns. I work with special needs students at Cypress School in Petaluma.  I'm a competitive strength athlete. I've been a Powerlifter for about 3 years until this August when I competed in a Strongman competition for the first time. 

Growing up I tried soccer, softball and water polo. I wanted to do what my friends were doing but I was always the biggest girl on the team. I didn't think my body type should hold me back from being an athlete, so I had fun and learned a lot.  But at the end of the day I always felt like it didn't quite fit in. I would watch other big girls like Cheryl Haworth and Holley Mangold  in the Olympics and the big boys on World's Strongest Man like Bill Kazmaier and Magnus Magnusson.  I dreamt about being like those athletes.

Years later, in 2010, I started a weight loss journey with my first trainer, Abe Munayer.  I used to beg him to let me deadlift every day.  I loved the feeling of lifting heavy!  Then one day Todd told me about a powerlifting meet that he was going to compete in, and he said I should too. I laughed at first, but it made me think of the athletes I had admired growing up . . . so I went for it. I fell in love with the training! And lifting on a platform in front of an audience is the best feeling in the world. I had found my sport. I remember thinking, "Where have you been all my life?" These days I have gained a passion for all things strength and I'm excited for the future 

 I was recommended to meet with Todd at Old School Strength.  I was nervous to work with a male trainer; or with ANYONE who was paying THAT close attention to my “fat-ness”.  But after meeting him, he put me at ease immediately. 

Since working with Todd I have become the woman I am meant to be.  I am strong, (more) stubborn and I can stand up for myself because I know my worth. Yes, these are not physical things that I have gained, and that makes it even more worth it to me. I can see progress within myself, not just my body and that makes this whole difficult journey worth it.

Physically, my body has become more functional. Since I was six, I’ve never been able to stand or walk on my heels due to a shortened Achilles tendon. Now, I’m squatting with a 125lb bar on my back, keeping my heels flat on the floor!  Before I couldn’t walk up and down stairs or hike without getting winded- now I can walk for miles, I can bounce up and down stairs easily and I can get up off the ground without making a spectacle of myself.  I have physically been able to swim, bike, rock climb and emotionally been comfortable enough to wear tank tops, dresses and bathing suits. Most importantly I owe it to myself for finding something within that I love enough to put effort into.

More Success Stories 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------

More testimonials