_{Meet Brandon Rothe:}

_{Coach and Personal Trainer at Ardent Fitness}

_{How long have you been coaching and what inspired you?}

I have been coaching for almost 3 years now. Initially I wanted to become a Physical Therapist, but after I got done with my 1st year of college, I decided to switch my career path to become a Coach. There was a Q&A hosted in one of my classes for Strength Conditioning Coaches at the time, and the coaches were talking about what they do for work and the lifestyle they adopt. Considering I was into sports at the time and lifting weights, I thought this would be the perfect job for me! 

_{What certifications do you hold, and how do they influence your coaching style?}

I have a certification as a NASM-CPT. With this certification, I do education credits that help me to continue learning. It prevents me from going stagnant in my craft and improves upon coach or program for somebody.

‍_{What’s your favorite part about being a coach at Ardent?}

My favorite part of being a coach is building a connection/relationship with the members! Many different people go to the gym and it’s cool to get to know them and what’s going on in their lives.

_{What do you enjoy doing outside of the gym?}‍

When I am outside the gym, I usually have 3 main hobbies I do. I like to play all sorts of video games (RPGs, Fighting, FPS, etc.) when I have free time. If I don't feel like playing video games, I usually play my guitars or listen to music. I used to do martial arts growing up and eventually will like to pick it back up again.

_{What’s your go-to exercise and why?}

My go-to exercise is the power Clean. I love moving heavy weights fast because it makes you feel pretty badass! It requires some learning and skill but once you’re able to do it you can reap a big stimulus from it that will help you get more explosive, stronger, and make more gains.

_{What’s one fitness or wellness tip you wish more people knew?}

Whenever you have to work out and you have been feeling sluggish or bad, put on your shoes. The hardest part of anyone's fitness journey is getting started. If your shoes are already on, you’re already halfway there.

_{How do you keep yourself motivated to stay active and healthy?}

I keep myself motivated by giving myself a new goal to work towards. For me I work best when I have something to work towards and have a plan mapped out to get there. _‍

_{What’s your specialty or focus as a coach?}

I specialize in Strength & Conditioning and all that encompasses it. Essentially, I like to analyze a sport and plan workouts to improve your athletic abilities for said sport. It gives me a wide tool set that allows me to cover all aspects of athletic performance._‍

_{What do you love most about the Ardent community?}

The Ardent community is so kind. I do believe that the community at Ardent welcomes anybody regardless of who they are and makes them feel welcomed. 

_{Any favorite client success story that has stuck with you?}

One of my most memorable client success stories is about a client, who came to me with a goal to gain muscle and get stronger. At first, the client struggled with learning the movements and was having confidence issues. But as we did more repetitions of each exercise, their confidence grew. Celebrating each milestone, hitting personal records, and noticing how their energy improved. It wasn’t just the physical transformation that inspired me but the mental shift I witnessed. Watching the client overcome self-doubt, build resilience, and start believing in himself reminded me why I became a coach. His journey reaffirmed my purpose and showed me how impactful my guidance can be.

_{Join Us at Ardent!}

‍Whether you're looking for strength gains, better athletic performance, or just a boost in confidence, Ardent Fitness can help. We are here to support and guide you every step of the way, from teaching you to power clean to cheering on your latest accomplishment.