Anchor provides powerlifting coaching, programming, clinics, and group training for anyone who wants to get stronger
We have found that the strength we build in the gym complements what we are trying to build in the rest of our lives. The confidence we gain through something as simple as lifting heavy things has become our anchor, and is something we hope to instill in everyone looking to make positive changes in their lives.
Anchor started as a conversation between friends Holli and John
As friends chatting over coffee about what lifting had brought to our lives, before Anchor even existed, we knew we were onto something special. It was the first step towards what we now try to do with Anchor: facilitate progress in any way we can.
Our company was formed through a common love for the sport of powerlifting, and more generally for the process of building strength over time. It’s crazy to think that the body responds so well to the challenges we make it overcome and does so by building itself back stronger than it was before.
For us, the link between progress in powerlifting and growth in our individual mindsets was impossible to ignore. We came to love how building strength in body led to building strength of mind–and we had to break down exactly what led to those changes.
Between putting in the work, focusing on measurable progress, and finding the right community of people to share the journey, we found our anchor in life, and we will work ourselves to the bone to share that with the rest of the world.
Meet Our Coaches
Holli Mann
Coach / Co-founder
@lift_like_a_mann
Holli Mann is a USAPL certified Club level coach, competitive powerlifter, and co-founder of Anchor. Bench press is her best lift, and this gives hope to everyone else with super long arms.
She coaches numerous athletes, from beginner to elite, and her coaching mirrors what she sees as goals in life: to pursue your vision and communicate clearly along the way. She is laser focused on introducing women and girls to powerlifting, as well as how awesome a powerlifter’s diet can be.
John Fain
Coach / Co-founder
@runawayfain
John Fain is a USAPL certified Club level coach and competitive powerlifter, business owner, and dad. Some say he’s a deadlift specialist, but don’t tell him that.
His coaching focuses on the use of variations in movements to achieve longer-term goals for every lifter. Always training for his next competition, John coaches athletes, is co-founder of Anchor, and may or may not have a coffee addiction.
Tracy Cook
Coach / USAPL Referee
@tracyhcook
Tracy found her love of strength training 9 years ago and never looked back. She is a powerlifting and strength coach with a passion for helping women achieve their true potential.
She is a nationally competitive powerlifter and has been competing since 2015. She earned a spot on the 2020 USAPL Masters National Team based on her performance at 2019 USAPL Raw Nationals.
She spends her time giving back to the sport that she loves as a USAPL State Referee.
André Easter
Coach
@easterstrong
Andre’ Easter II is a USAPL certified club level coach, state referee, & competitive powerlifter (if you haven’t heard of him, you will soon). Being a former college cheerleader at NC State & a competitor, a friend introduced him to powerlifting in 2015 and he hasn’t looked back!
He has a coaching style that relies on open communication with objective feedback to get optimum results from himself his athletes. When he isn’t training, coaching, or working, you’ll find him raising two beautiful girls with his lovely wife!
Jovy Kim
Coach
@jovykim234
Jovy Kim is a USAPL Club level coach and former bodybuilder turned competitive powerlifter, but we don’t hold that against him. He is our conventional deadlift and accessory specialist with a penchant for punishing volume training.
Jovy coaches the men’s group, and his coaching style is very hands-on with a focus on finding what works for each individual athlete. He teaches class with a calm demeanor, but the guys in his class aren’t fooled- he’s not playing around when it comes to their progress. No matter what he says, ultimately Jovy just wants a bigger chest.
Our Philosophy
We start by building a strong base, increasing your tolerance for work, and pushing past your current limits. Then, we do it all over again, rolling with setbacks encountered along the way. We value giving and receiving criticism from a place of wanting to get better. Simply put, we are about moving forward with a plan and putting in the work over time.