Testimonials

I Have always enjoyed helping people reach their goals. I find it very rewarding to watch my clients grow, not only Physically but mentally as well. Over the years I have watched Confidence grow in so many of my clients. This confidence overflows into other aspects of life, they begin to prosper at work, at home, and in relationships.

Below are some words from a few of my most recent clients;

“Lifting has always been a serious hobby. Moving forward, it became an interest to compete in the future. I know I’m not there yet, but if trained under right guidance and especially with a good friend, I can be taken there. Ash has been a good mentor in ways to dial in all the extra work in and outside of the gym. In this sport, learning your body is one of the biggest priority. I progressed more by her approach to rest and recovery. Optimal training and education is changing and having a good teacher has made all the difference.”

—Tim

“ I started training with Ashley after going with a few people who just didn’t seem interested in your progress or wasn’t able to give you options with dieting or training. Sometimes workouts were never texted to you, they never got back to you if you had questions, and didn’t have solutions in regards to dieting if you worked in a ER or EMS setting. Ashley has answers to all of these. She emails you your programs ahead of time. her food list is huge, and she gives you ideas on what to do if your work doesn’t allow you that every two hrs window to eat. She always answers either by text or by call no matter how dumb your question may be lol. She sends recipes for meals. She constantly changes up your workouts. So you never are bored there. I’ve only been with her a month and have lost one belt notch on my belt. Looking forward to the continued progress!”

—Dave

“I worked with ashley for my goal to build more muscle then be able to slim back down. I was re taught the basic movements along with the importance of vitamins and food as fuel/timely eating. She was able to help me better understand my body and what it need’s specifically.”

—Megan

“As many know, my story is no secret. I started a year ago at 250 lbs I had lost a few pounds on my own, prior to Ash I believe my weight prior was above 255-260. I had no idea what I was doing, I was trying it my way, not getting the results I needed to pursue my dream of being a Police Officer. I met my best friend and coach Ashley, through my job. She was doing Paramedic ride alongs on good ole Lifecare 21, we built a friendship from those calls that translated into the gym.

With Ash, I have lost 93 lbs. yes, yes y’all read that correctly. 93 POUNDS!!! And I am swearing in for Cleveland Police next Wednesday. Our original plan was to get me to pass a PT test to get in to the academy, we have since surpassed that. I weigh in at 167lbs and am in the best shape I’ve ever been in! I am a mom, girlfriend, friend and GYM RAT. With Ashley’s help I am headed into competition moving forward in 2023.

For those that are wondering if they should, YES, the answer is YES! I am living proof that, it is possible!!

I suffer from PCOS and was told it would be extremely hard for me to lose the weight. And yes it was but with the structure and guidance and nutrition that Ash guided me with and through, not to mention being my mental health counselor as well. I continue to surpass what others said was impossible.

I am strong, I am agile, I am fit, I am ME. With Ash as my coach and friend I’m headed for every trophy and competition moving forward!! I can’t wait to see what 2023 holds for us and for y’all!!”

—Theresa

“I started training with Ashley during a period of my life that was full of stress and chaos. I had very little energy and I was having a hard time enjoying my workouts. I can easily say she helped me find the calm and the balance I needed both in and out of the gym. While training with Ashley, I saw my strength/endurance levels increase every week. She gave me fun HIIT workouts and strength exercises tailored to my experience level in the gym. I also noticed my body shape change through weekly progress photos which really improved my confidence and self image. She assisted me in my eating habits and helped me find foods that were enjoyable, healthful and sustainable for my daily activity level. Through my training and check in’s with Ashley, I found personal growth physically, mentally, and emotionally. Balancing my crazy life became easier with Ashley coaching me!”

—Marissa

“ I started working with Ashley as my lifting and nutrition coach a few months ago, she came highly recommended by a mutual coworker who is also a coach. We also had several other mutual coworkers that told me they thought she would be an awesome fit for me and my goals.

I’ve worked with other coaches. I’ve done CrossFit. I’ve tracked macros before. I thought I did everything right and for some reason just couldn’t put on the muscle or weight. Those things all seemed to work for others after all.

“I just can’t gain weight”

“I have a hard time putting on muscle”

“I eat sooo much but can’t gain anything, this is impossible”

All things I said, and all wrong. I needed some guidance and direction and more education. Ashley has done an awesome thing for me not only helping me physically in the gym but also mentally and helping me overcome some very unhealthy eating habits (or lack of eating habits). I was severely under eating. We have slowly gotten me on track to a much healthier amount of food and it is showing in both my physique and my capabilities on the job.

The functional fitness improvements I’ve noticed have been huge. My confidence in my self and my better skill at many aspects of work have grown vastly. For the first time ever, I’ve gotten comments from coworkers noticing I’ve put on muscle.

She pushes me and helps me to be better, but she meets me where I’m at. She has helped me grow and change habits little at a time that have made it very doable, sustainable, and isn’t so much at once that it’s overwhelming and discouraging.

I absolutely love having her in my corner.”

—Becca

“I sought out help from Ashley Howells after watching a few people I know, transform into people I could barely recognize, physically and mentally. Ashley taught me the importance of needing to eat multiple times a day to fuel my body. Within a week I noticed that my scrubs were fitting me different and I was more comfortable wearing them to work. After a few days, I felt less bloated and started to have more energy. I was so scared to go to the gym in the beginning but within a few weeks I was feeling more comfortable and was in a routine that made me feel more confident. I struggle with depression and anxiety and felt a weight off of my shoulders when I committed to the plan. I was unable to fully commit due to juggling an incredibly busy life with four kids, a full time job, and a fiancé who has a different work schedule than me. Ashley cheered me on even when I was only giving it 50%, explaining to me that change won’t happen over night. She checked in with me weekly and was always willing to help me when I had questions.”

—Sam

“My husband hired Ashley after I had lower left leg amputation because we felt If be able to get back on track with weight loss and muscle building after 14 surgeries got me desperately out of shape. Her meal plan was incredible- detailed and easy to follow. I get caught up in time management so I’d cook and measure for a five day period, which be prepared- takes up a LOT of space in the fridge. However, it kept me largely on track with meals. My downfall was not being able to eat all five meals a day because my metabolism had gone so dormant that I was overly full. I also would forget meals, so I would run a stop watch and eat every 2.5-3 hours.

The exercise plan was laid out well with easy to follow instructions & images. I was able to do many of the exercises, and ones I could not do because of health issues, Ashley modified so I could get in an alternative exercise. Again, any failures were mine due to health challenges with the prosthetic, plus I was renovating a house alone and moving while taking care of a business and two kids!

Ashley worked with me weekly to overcome the stress and anxiety I was having over the move and over not following the plan exactly. She became a friend and coach, counselor and cheerleader. She helped me change my mental outlook and overcome the negative effect my own body dysmorphia and mental attitude were having on my progress.

I feel she is a great coach and although I took a break until I get my new prosthetic (end of January), I will be hiring her again to pick up where I left off. She seems to truly care about her clients and does not make you feel bad about your starting point, your challenges, or slow progress. She is tough and doesn’t accept excuses, but also is not a “mean girl” so I did not feel berated or put down when we’d address any shortfalls.

I know I’m a mess, I know I have serious challenges that make me a more difficult client, but Ashley never once made me feel that way. I strongly recommend her to anyone looking for weight loss and muscle mass improvement with the desire for strong but sturdy encouragement. She won’t give you lip service, she’s honest, and she wants to see you succeed! Best traits for a trainer (I’ve had 4 in my life).

Jen Clark

Age 50

Amputee

RA & FM sufferer

Moderate to average physicality

Very familiar with weights/weight lifting/machine lifting and work-outs”

—Jen