I've been a lifelong athlete. Played 3-4 sports each year ever since I was 3-years-old and began power and olympic lifting by the time I was 13-years-old. I fell in love with it. The technique, the heavy weight, the results, everything! I broke my high school weight lifting records and was known as "the super strong girl". I was fortunate enough to be able to continue my athletic and lifting career as a track and field athlete at the University of Portland. Here I was coached by some of the best humans in the world, who have vast knowledge and patience in developing not only my ability as a weight lifter, but becoming a better human as well. Between you and me I would always choose the weight room over the track any day (it was obvious to all my coaches too). My fitness journey with Annie also began at the University of Portland when we were both dabbling as interns in the weight room, correction: I was dabbling, Annie knew exactly why she was there. This was where I quickly discovered that I did not like writing programs for other people and where Annie, as you know, LOVES writing programs and she's one of the best in the industry. My respect and awe of her work ethic, humility, and drive were established then and have continued til this day. During that time she started creating the lifting program for the track team and thus initially became my coach almost 6 years ago (whoa!). After collegiate sports I took some time off from running and the gym -- burn out is real folks. Then when I heard that Annie was creating online lifting programs I immediately signed up. There is no other person that I trust who knows my lifting background, coaching style, and knowing who trained her made all the difference to me and my goals.

Fast forward after 2 years of being with her and I was the the most fit, had great body composition, and was super strong. Then Physician Assistant school came and I stuck with Annie through the grueling 2.5 years that PA school is. This is where my body changed due to the stressors of school and sitting in a chair for 12 hours a day 5 days a week for an entire year (that's not an exaggeration). 

"I trust her. I trust her knowledge. I trust her plan."

kelsey bestall

My hips changed, my tissues changed, everything became frustrating from a fitness standpoint. But I had Annie at my back, always supporting me as we both were trying to figure out balance and how to maintain a somewhat healthy lifestyle for me through school. My body would have suffered a lot more during PA school if I did not have her as my coach or if I had given up on training completely. She modified everything to make fitness manageable for me. I will always be grateful for that.

Fast forward again. Now I'm a working as a Surgical Physician Assistant. I spend long days on my feet. BUT I lift heavy 3+ days a week and am re-learning my body post PA school. I'll never be the D1 athlete again, I'll never be what I was before PA school, or during PA school, but having Annie in my corner and traversing my changing fitness and strength with me, makes these changes SO much easier. She knows how my body has felt over the past 6 years and has watched my results and motivations change. She knows what I used to be, where I am now, and continues to see potential in me. She is my peripheral fitness brain who I love collaborating with or sharing things I learn in the health industry with. I trust her. I trust her knowledge. I trust her plan. I definitely give my "medical seal of approval" for anyone who knows how to lift and wants a professional coach to help you along the way. She's the real deal and making big waves.