We recently connected with ASHLEIGH GASS and have shared our conversation below.

ASHLEIGH, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a time you helped a customer really get an amazing result through their work with you.

When I walked in to Move, I was 20+ lbs heavier and unable to raise my left arm due to muscle weakness and range of motion issues. My left shoulder, pec, and lat were battered by 35 radiation treatments and 7 surgeries. This in addition to chemo due to a stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis took its toll on my strength and contributed to my weight gain. After years of physical therapy at the hospital, the occupational therapist said, “You may have to accept the fact that it’s always going to be like this.” And so I took that as a challenge and found Move. I met Ash and was quickly assigned to personal trainer, Blythe, who is absolutely amazing! I now have full range of motion on my left side and, using a 15 lb db, can do 15 single arm dumbbell presses and 20 single arm dumbbell high pulls. Needless to say, I am improving – losing weight and rebuilding my strength. I am now cancer free and still on my fitness journey. I highly recommend Move!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Ash has a long professional track record in the Strength and Conditioning Industry. Her credentials and experience are extensive, which is great – however, it’s the coaching team at MOVE and the group success she’s most proud of.

She has a master’s degree in Human/Clinical Nutrition through The University of Bridgeport, is a Certified Sports Nutritionist through The International Society of Sports Nutrition (CISSN), in addition to being one of the few CSCSs in Florida (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist). After her masters degree she studied for and attained the CNS (Certified Nutrition Specialist) credential.

Ashleigh graduated from the University of Victoria, British Columbia, in 2003. Here, she earned a BSc, studying kinesiology, exercise physiology, and psychology. Ashleigh is also a graduate of the Canadian National Coaching Institute, having completed extensive sports science modules in the long-term physical preparation of the elite athlete.

Her resume is 2 feet long and packed full of real-world experience, dozens of CEU courses ranging from lower extremity training, shoulder prehab/rehab training and everything in between. She’s been coaching, training and studying for 24 years. Similar to one of her colleagues, known as “KneesOverToesGuy”, Ash also had to experience significant injuries & surgery over many years to really put missing pieces together.

Ash & and her business partner Jim now own and operate MOVE Gymnastics Inspired Strength Training. Classes and private training teach people body-weight strength training, flexibility, joint mobility, movement, and gymnastics strength training. She credits the growth of MOVE to very hard work and awesome team, to include head coach Jason Lapiana, Chris Kirchman, Blythe Zava, Jorge Reyes, Chase Cavalier and Ivana Paloma. Coaches deliver fundamentals beginner programs, class training, private training, and specialty programs on a regular basis. MOVE also covers the online space with custom training and nutrition programs.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Resiliency is developed and refined over time. I think a lot of people expect things to be easier than they are, be it training, following a sound nutrition plan, or building a business and a career.

At this point in my life I feel i’ve developed resilience physically, mentally, and in business. I’ve got a long way to go and am learning every minute of most days how much more work there is ahead.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Without question the formula for building a successful reputation is to BE excellent in your field, DO wonderful things with your clients and customer base and maintain high levels of integrity always. You’ve got to prove yourself and show up in this world every day. If you’re persistent and excellent, you’ll build a tremendous reputation.

Contact Info:

• Website: movegst.com
• Instagram: AshleighRGass
• Facebook: MOVE Gymnastics Inspired Strength Training
• Youtube: MOVE GST

Image Credits
Angela Conkel Photography.