Meet the Coaches!
-
Owner, Body Acceptance Coach and Powerlifting Coach.
My name is Christina Malone, I’m a powerlifting and body inclusivity coach who helps people feel at home with their bodies just the way they are and lean into building strength.
I was born big, and I’ve always been big. As a child, I experienced extreme bullying from my classmates, and unfortunately, from the adults as well the systems designed to protect us. As a result, I learned that my body was wrong, and that I wasn’t safe.
I love fitness and sports, but I was always “the fat kid” on the team, and had to justify to every coach that I was good enough, and better than my body
I spent years trying to change and punish my body for the ways I thought it was failing me because it never became small enough that I felt safe. By the end of college, signs started showing of early organ failure, and still, my body never really became small enough that I was safe from other people’s judgment
Powerlifting changed my life. It’s a sport where my body’s natural state, being big and being strong, was not seen as a bad thing, but rather, something to work with in a positive way. My mindset shifted from needing to prove I was good enough despite my big body to knowing I was always enough and so was my big body.
My passion is coaching others to become the strongest version of themselves. Whether that’s with my athletes as personal trainer and clients as a body acceptance coach, a combination of both, I can’t wait to work with you!
Education, Certification, and Experience
USAPL Oregon State Record Holder, Squat
8+ years experience as a competitive powerlifter
5+ years body acceptance coaching
2+ years powerlifting coaching
Co-creator of “Fat, Fit, Fab”
M.S. Health and Clinical Informatics
10+ years certified veterinary technician
-
Gym Head Coach, General Manager and co-owner
As a big/fat bodied person, I grew up feeling like I could never fit in, no matter what. I was always the “fat kid”, especially as I developed some extra chest tissue in puberty, despite playing sports and being active. I was never safe and constantly attacked by others because of my appearance. Like so many with these shared experiences, I struggled with body acceptance.
Ten years ago, I was introduced to powerlifting and strongman strength sports, and it changed my life, most specifically how I felt about moving my body. I finally developed a healthy relationship with myself, loving my big body, and a home in fitness.
In 2019, I began coaching and worked with clients who have these shared experiences of struggling with body image, no matter their body size. I sought out personal training certifications and combine that with my previous education in clinical counseling to create a unique coaching style that is trauma informed and focuses on the understanding that we are all at different stages in our body acceptance and fitness journeys and no two people are alike. Coaching with me is focused on meeting folks where they are and creating a safe environment for them to thrive and become their best selves.
“Remember, your body is amazing; it houses your power, spirit and strength. Your body is perfect just the way it is.”
Education, Certifications and records:
B.S., Psychology and Clinical Counseling
ISSA certified personal trainer
ISSA strength and conditioning
Sebastian Oreb, Strength systems international level 3
USAW certified Level 1 Olympic Coaching
USPA State Record Holder, Master 1 (squat, deadlift, bench press, and total)
USPA Master 1 state champion
Nationally Ranked Masters 1 Powerlifter.
-
Head Boxing Coach and Associate Powerlifting Coach
I grew up on the central coast of California and always felt despised for being in a fat body. PE always included running and it made every day of school a tough one. I was encouraged to throw shotput in high school and felt a small spark of joy tossing the metal (iron?) ball forward. But once that ended, I returned to feeling unworthy of putting myself in an athletic space.
Fast forward to 2017 and the opportunity to join Fat Girls Hiking at an inclusive boxing class. I wasn’t great that first lesson but I knew I needed more. I signed up for the gym that week and cried before each class. It was scary being the fattest person in the room and I felt like an imposter the entire time. But I couldn’t stop, the joy of pushing myself to punch things and improve my technique kept me returning for 5 years. Fat Fists of Fury was created and we brought in classes of all ranges of abilities to learn the fundamentals of boxing.
I started to branch into powerlifting because I wanted to see how strong I am and watch how strong I can become. But what has fueled this passion the most is introducing friends to boxing and powerlifting. The confidence that builds up over time and fun you can have are my highest priorities.
I’ve become an ISSA certified personal trainer and working alongside my favorite coaches and I bring this combined expertise as a boxing and powerlifting coach to All Bodies Strong. Coaching for me is all about seeing people step into their strength and find that same joy in movement.
Certifications & Experience
ISSA Certified Personal Trainer
USABoxing Certified Coach
SAFEsport Certified
Founder of “Fat Fists of Fury” boxing program
-
Associate Powerlifting and Olympic Coach
I am so excited to meet and coach all types of people. In my day job I work in Diversity and Inclusion for a large company. I am passionate about supporting all types of folks in my day job and in coaching.
I was born in Buffalo, NY and grew up in Yorktown, Virginia to a stay at home dad and pediatrician mom. I grew up being empowered as a career woman but not as a fat kid. Growing up in a medically focused home, my parents didn’t want me to experience the supposed health concerns and bullying as a bigger kid. I started dieting at around 11 years old and my relationship to movement became for the sole purpose of shrinking my body.
I was constantly aware of how my body was failing me and not how it could be celebrated and cared for. I played some sports but was really a band kid playing tuba in marching band into college until I found rugby. I wanted to play a team sport where I felt like I wasn't 10 years behind not having been on a travel team in youth like soccer or swimming and play my 5th year last semester since I had the time.
Fortunately for me, rugby is often such an inclusive sport for body size, sexuality, and gender identity and my body size suddenly became an asset. After a break for graduate school I moved to Washington, D.C. and ended up playing with a club team, NOVA, that had former and sometimes current Olympic athletes. It was also the first place I was fully out of the closet starting out.
I had picked up CrossFit during graduate school for my mental and physical health and I also lucked out there because it was a gym for older folks and always had 2 masters level coaches. I never realized how strong I was and how fun lifting heavy things could be!
I have been training with Crystal as a boxing coach and love learning true boxing techniques. I hope to bring joy to movement and help you on whatever journey you're on in boxing or powerlifting!Education, Certifications, and Experience
ISSA Certified Personal TrainerUSAW L1 Certified Coach
M.A. in Industrial Organizational Psychology and Human Resource Management
5+ year playing Rugby
-
Head Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Coach
From dreams of being an American Gladiator in the 90’s to earning a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2024, life has brought many twists and turns in between. I grew up playing a variety of sports, but having always been a heavier kid, I had to work extra hard to prove that I had the right to be on the field or court. Over the years, I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to make my body fit into an “acceptable” form - being strong was the one thing the made others see me as valid.
Over the years I was fortunate to encounter many amazing humas who helped me find a peace about who I am. In July of 2010 I took my first Muay Thai class and fell in love with it immediately. Soon after I gave Brazilian Jiu Jitsu a try and loved it just as much. Training in these disciplines gave me a sense of confidence I had never known and I discovered a new feeling of empowerment, both mentally and physically. I competed in Jiu Jitsu for many years and found success as an athlete and coach. I still face judgement in martial arts from some about my size, but for the most part my work ethic, physical
strength, and the workings of my nerdy brain keep the judges silent.
One of the greatest parts of learning Jiu Jitsu for me is being able to teach others and share my passion. Much of my early training was very ‘in-the-box’ and did not work well for anyone who did not have a specific body type. With the help of my teammates, I found a way to create a style of Jiu Jitsu that fit other bodies. I am very driven to make Jiu Jitsu accessible to anyone who wants to try it, while creating a safe and inclusive space where people get to show up and exist just as they are. I am trauma informed and bring this approach to all my classes and seminars.
B.S. Health & Human Kinetics
Trauma Informed Oregon Certificate
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Brown Belt (Technics Jiu Jitsu)
14+ years of training in Muay Thai
CPR/AED
-
Head Yoga Coach
I’m Kari, and I’ve been teaching yoga since 2017 and practicing since 2015. My journey with yoga began with frustration, but through patience and perseverance, I found my groove, which transformed my life. Now, I focus on guiding my students with personalized assistance, ensuring their success and comfort in every class. With extensive experience and a compassionate approach, I support new and seasoned practitioners in finding peace and balance through yoga. Whether new to yoga or returning, I’m here to help you discover its benefits.
Coach Koko
Certified Olympic Biscuit Catcher
Koko hails from the island of Maui and came with years of life experience. Koko got certified as a biscuit coach specializing in catching, sit and spin related tricks. Whether you need a spot on the bench or some deep constructive criticism on the Deadlift coach Koko is ready to be your hype dog and able to give you all the coaching, snuggles and side eye you need.