WHO
A community of individuals giving their best.
GYB Strength is an open support network for those looking to empower, inspire, and give back through health and fitness.
WHAT
Community, events, personal training, activewear and a future location.
WHY
The world of health and fitness can often seem intimidating to those who need it the most. GYB Strength is fitness without fad, judgment, or segregation. It encourages each individual’s unique passion and provides useful tools to reach one’s goals.
WHERE
Birthplace: Monterey, California.
Next stop: The world.
THE TEAM
GILLIAN YOUNG BARKALOW
@gillianyoungfit
Creator. Visionary. Leader. Gym mom.
On a mission to empower others.
DALLAS BATTLE
@babydollbattle
Diversity & Inclusion Leader
Hybrid athlete. Tiny tank. The Active Life Immersion certified coach. Black grrl magic. L1 CF trainer. Aspiring beam of light. USA WL Sports Performance coach. Powered by Poptarts. Wild card.
In her words: I found fitness around 2015, fell wildly in love with the way CF builds real life superheroes, & never looked back. As a coach, I really enjoy helping people improve the way they move- from the lightbulb moments when we find the right cue that makes it click to assessment & programming increasing access to our bodies (flexibility, mobility, balance etc). Becoming an athlete restored so much of my own agency & it’s a pleasure to pay that gift forward as a trainer. To GYB- sometimes these are disciplines well known, but not always well practiced; & for me, it is about this lifetime process of practice that waters all areas with our investment of self.
KENNA GIBSON
@mckennarosegibson
Diversity & Inclusion Leader
Scottish - Indiginous (ᏣᎳᎩ). Queer. Empath. Sparkly autistic. Martial artist. Weight lifter. Swimmer. Skier. Survivor. Creator. Baker. Mover. Shaker.
In their words: ‘When I was a child I was told I would never be able to dance or run due to a muscle condition. I refused to accept this. I’ve always faced challenges from my own body or from society, but for me, these things are valuable gifts. I’ve forged a strong and capable body and mind through sweat, blood, tears, good hugs, and the support of an invaluable community. My body has taken many shapes and sizes from ballet dancer to taekwondo competitor to olympic weightlifter and pretty much everything in between and nothing is more powerful than the strength that exists from diversity both within yourself and in the world. GYB is a home for me where I can find fitness and wellness welcoming to everyone including neurodiverse folks and those with chronic illness and pain. The world of fitness has improved in recent years but we have a long way to go. Getting to help make a home for all people who want to give their best and celebrate the joy of movement is a dream come true for me.’
ROSIE LEEK
@fitandflexy_/
Strong. Strength Coach. Yoga Teacher. Lifts all the heavy things and spirits. Expert content creator.
JACOB DEMBAUGH
@spartakush25
Personal Trainer for the elite. Athlete. Entrepreneur.
Breaks mental and physical barriers like no other.
