Lift with
Holly & Arryn
Strength & conditioning for playful people who love to lift"Your trainer's fav trainers"
Hi! We’re Holly & Arryn, your silly & supportive strength-coaching duo with 20+ years of combined experience.We help you train in a way that puts your humanity first & gives back more than it takes, without expecting you to "follow the program perfectly."Whether you train for sports performance, ambitious strength goals, &/or to support your mental health, we focus on smart, creative programming that helps you make progress AND enjoy the process.400+ fellow trainers and kettlebell enthusiasts have lifted with us & you can too…
RLY STRONG MUSCLES
RLY STRONG MUSCLES is our online group training program that’s challenging, yet adaptable, & always designed with your longevity in mind.It's for seasoned lifters who want thoughtful, top tier programming without having to write it themselves.
WHO IT'S FORYou:• Already have experience with kettlebell training, the powerlifts, and the basics of strength training. You're comfortable trying new-to-you moves independently.• Want to make steady strength gains and increase everyday resilience but you don’t want to write your own program (or you don't know how)• Are working on shedding your “all-or-nothing,” perfectionistic training mindset• Want thoughtful, non-bro-y coaches who use a social change and whole-person lens
WHAT YOU GETIn RLY STRONG MUSCLES you’ll get:• A progressive strength & conditioning program with new phases every 8-12 weeks using a mix of modalities (kettlebell, barbell, odd/old-timey lifts, etc.) delivered through the TrueCoach app• Choose: 3 or 5 days/week• The program is intentionally adaptable; you get three workout versions to choose from per day (a kettlebell-only "under 30 minutes" version, a longer kettlebell-only version, and a kettlebell + barbell version. See video below!) You can stick with the same version throughout each training cycle or mix and match if you need more flexibility day to day.• Multiple options for most exercises (pick what works for you) and rep/set ranges• Demo videos (made by us) + clear written instructions for every exercise• 1/month optional technique feedback• Auto-billing is monthly. Cancel anytime.
SLIDING SCALE PRICING!Financial accessibility of our program is important to us, so we offer a sliding scale at checkout. Please choose whichever tier you can sustain without causing financial hardship.*If you're not sure where you fall in terms of financial privilege, this article & infographic may help inform your decision.If you have class privilege, choosing a higher tier helps support us in offering the lower cost options for your fellow lifters and making high quality training more accessible! We also provide a few full scholarships at any given time, so reach out via our contact form if needed. ;)
CHECK OUT WHAT OUR CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY HERE: Reviews
1:1 PERSONAL TRAINING
Through online personal training, we’ve:• Coached people to achieve amazing feats of strength &/or endurance, like Iron Maiden, Sinister, and competing in BJJ, powerlifting, and strongman.• Prepped world-class BJJ & Strongman athletes for competitions and helped them rehab injuries.• Helped dozens of personal trainers obtain rigorous kettlebell, barbell, and bodyweight instructor certifications.
We especiallly love working with:• Fellow trainers who want to expand their skills so they can pass on their learnings to clients• Martial artists (or other athletes) needing a bespoke program that strengthens weaknesses and prepares them for competitions
WHAT YOU GET:STRUCTUREA custom-made program (based on your specific goals, schedule, other time/energy constraints, equipment availability, and preferences) that grows along with you.You’ll get a new training cycle every 6-12ish weeks via the TrueCoach app (with demo videos made by us & clear written instructions for every exercise.)
ACCOUNTABILITY & SUPPORTWe’ll be in your corner, checking in weekly about how your training is going and adjusting as needed. You’ll send us weekly notes and training videos in TrueCoach. In return, we’ll send you personalized videos talking you through our coaching insights and specific cues for you to apply moving forward. DM us between weekly check-ins with any questions or thoughts.
MEASURABLE PROGRESS TOWARD YOUR GOALSCheck out our reviews page!
About
OUR STORYWe met at a kettlebell certification in 2016, and coached together at a gym in Portland, OR for 1.5 years before starting our online strength coaching business in 2018.Back then, we specialized in preparing fellow trainers for kettlebell, barbell, and bodyweight instructor certifications. In 2020, we announced our de-affiliation with that certifying organization due to stark differences in our values and vision for the fitness industry and theirs.Since then, we have continued to coach fellow coaches and other folks who love to lift, but want to do it in a playful, balanced way that honors their humanity, first and foremost.
OUR PHILOSOPHYWe coach people who are serious about lifting but don’t take themselves too seriously.Instead of writing rigid programs
(as we learned to do earlier in our careers), we prefer to structure ours with elements of flexibility that encourage practicing bodily autonomy (ie. choosing what feels right each day from multiple options).That way, we can meet ourselves where we’re at each time we lift, no matter our energy level or time constraints. This makes training less of a slog, and more of a grounding ritual or fun hobby.We offer online group training via RLY STRONG MUSCLES, 1:1 Online Personal Training, DIY programs/ebooks, & in-person coaching in Richmond, VA.
PARTNERS IN BIZ & LIFEWe’re each other’s best training buddies, dessert sharing companions, and comfort-zone expanders. Our goals together are to travel often, share honestly, and support each other in growing into the fullest expressions of ourselves.Fun fact: We did a Filipino Martial Arts stick & knife fight instead of a first dance at our wedding! ;)
INDIVIDUAL BIOS & EXPERIENCE:HollyArryn
PODCASTS / INTERVIEWS / ARTICLESTraveling the World, Movement Practices, and Business - Holly & Christina Montalvo on The Confidence Project Podcast (2024)What Makes A Workout & Training While Traveling - Holly & Tiffany Longcor on the Tiffness Fitness Podcast (2024)You Think You Know But You Have NO Idea: Travel, Training, and Typhoid Fever - Holly & Jenna J (2024)A Thoughtful But Fun Talk About Lifting Weights - Garage Gym Life (2023)When You’re Badass But You’re Tired: The Convo We Almost Cancelled - Holly & Jenna J (2023)Watch Our Back Patio Gym Tour - Garage Gym Life (2023)Balancing Strength, Softness, & Silliness - Holly & Jenna Jozefowski on Tough Cookie Talks - (2022)Watch our interview on Deadlifts, Dogs, & Dad Jokes (2021)Holly chats Kettlebells, Coaching, & The Greater Good on The Essential Strength Podcast (2020)Dr. Emily Kiberd chats with us about Creating a Challenging and Sustainable Workout Routine on Thyroid Strong (2020)Cover Story Interview for Home Gym Quarterly Magazine - Garage Gym Life (2020)Our podcast interview on The Tools For Building Our Online Personal Training Business on What Works with Tara McMullin (2019)Read Arryn’s article, Simplify your Strength Programming Using Die-Rolled Variability (2018)
Contact
Why hello there!Ask us a question or share some thoughts, and we'll respond within 7 business days.Cheers,
H & A
Thank you
You'll hear back from us soon!
About Holly
Holly (she/her) is an ambitious, creative, multifaceted person. Aside from heavy kettlebell ballistics, she enjoys writing, photographing on film, and being genuinely curious.Holly never planned to be a coach, beginning life as an artsy, yet painfully shy, 2nd generation mixed-Filipino kid in woodsy Northern California. She is notably obsessed with pastries and used to make ice cream for a living (for real).The practice of becoming stronger has empowered her to keep questioning her own limits, and in turn, the narrow societal limitations imposed upon us all. Building strength helps her show up more authentically herself every day. Each time someone she is coaching breaks through a perceived limitation, she is deeply moved.^Photo credit: Ray Bidegan
EXPERIENCE:Trauma-Informed Weight Lifting Certified by TIWL (forthcoming)Conscious Marketing by Tristan Katz (2023)Advanced Self-Awareness For Social Justice by Dr. Tee Williams (2022)Self-Awareness For Social Justice by Dr. Tee Williams (2021)Fundamentals of Trauma-informed Weight Lifting by Trauma-Informed Weight Lifting & The Center for Trauma and Embodiment at JRI (2021)Reconciling Biomechanics With Pain Science by Dr. Greg Lehman (2021)Action & Allyship by Dr. Tee Williams (2020)Anti-Racism for Wellness Professionals (2020) & Diversity, Inclusion, & Equity 101 by Chrissy King (2020)DV8 Fitness Kettlebell Instructor (2020 & 2021)Foundations of Social Justice by Dr. Tee Williams (2019)StrongFirst Bodyweight Instructor (2018)StrongFirst Barbell Instructor (2017)Strong Endurance by StrongFirst (2017)StrongFirst Level 1 (2016) & Level 2 Kettlebell Instructor (2017)FMS Level 1 Certification (2016, 2018)Agatsu Kettlebell Instructor Level 1 (2015)NASM Certified Personal Trainer (2014 - Present)CPR / AED Certified (2014 - Present)
Assistant at StrongFirst Certifications / Courses:SFG1 (2017) & SFG2 (2018) in Philadelphia, PASFL in Seattle, WA (2018), Oakland, CA (2019), & Costa Rica (2019)SFG2 in San Diego, CA (2018)Kettlebell User Course, Portland, OR (2018)
ACCOLADES:2nd Place (light class) at Fear Her Fight United Powerlifting Meet (2020)Sinister (2018)Iron Maiden Challenge (2018)BA Visual Art, Bennington College, Bennington, VT (2012)
About Arryn
Arryn (he/him) hopes to be as strong as Holly one day! A few of his favorite things are dunking chocolate chip cookies in milk (and eating them too!), training in some sort of martial art, cooking with music blasting, using his handyperson skills, and drinking fancy coffee with his pinky out whilst reading a book. He also loves to nerd out on strength training stuff!He grew up a scrawny, video-gaming boy in Central Florida. He wasn’t athletic and only played sports his parents forced him to. In 2011, in his early 20s, he started training in martial arts (Jeet Kune Do & Filipino Martial Arts), and it was through that that he developed a strength training practice a year later.He started lifting weights in his garage with just a 16-kilo kettlebell and an instructional book. In 2015, after taking a kettlebell instructor certification, he began to coach others, working at a gym with folks in a 1:1 and group-class setting.^Photo Credit: Holly!
EXPERIENCE:Trauma-Informed Weight Lifting Certified by TIWL (forthcoming)
NCSF Certified Personal Trainer (2024)ISSA Tactical Conditioning Specialist (2023)Landmine University Certified Instructor (2022)Advanced Self-Awareness For Social Justice by Dr. Tee Williams (2022)Self-Awareness For Social Justice by Dr. Tee Williams (2021)Reconciling Biomechanics With Pain Science by Dr. Greg Lehman (2021)Re-framing Masculinity & Gym Culture by Fitness For All Bodies (2021)Foundations of Social Justice by Dr. Tee Williams (2020)DV8 Fitness Kettlebell Instructor (2020 & 2021)Second Wind by StrongFirst (2019)Functional Movement Screen Level 1 (2018)StrongFirst Bodyweight Instructor (2018)Strong Endurance by StrongFirst (2017)Movement Restoration by Brandon Hetzler (2017)Prehab / Rehab by Dr. Mark Cheng (2016)Clinical Athlete by Dr. Quinn Henoch (2016)StrongFirst Kettlebell Level 2 Instructor (2016)StrongFirst Barbell Instructor (2015, 2016, 2017)Building the Ultimate Back by Dr. Stuart McGill (2015)Plan Strong by StrongFirst (2015)StrongFirst Kettlebell Level 1 Instructor (2015)Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do Black Belt by Sifu Vito Gili - Inosanto Instructor (2014)Boxing Francaise (Savate) 2nd Blue Glove by Prof. Salem Assli (2013)
Assistant at StrongFirst Certifications / Courses:SFG1 in Portland, OR (2016) & San Francisco, CA (2016)SFG2 in Orlando, FL (2016), San Diego, CA (2018), & Philadelphia, PA (2018)SFL in Seattle, WA (2018), Oakland, CA (2019), & Costa Rica (2019)Kettlebell User Course, Portland, OR (2018)
ACCOLADES:Sinister (2018)
