Transformations That Inspire: How ISI® Elite Training is Changing Lives Across Ironnation
At ISI® Elite Training, our mission is to build stronger, healthier communities through athletic-based training, and a support system that’s second to none. Our members’ stories are a testament to the power of consistency, community, and the transformative impact of our workouts. Here’s a look at some of the powerful transformations from across Ironnation, highlighting what makes ISI® more than just a gym—it’s a movement.
The Power of Community
The strength of our ISI® community is what sets us apart and drives our members to achieve more than they ever thought possible. The experiences of our members, like Holly Therrell from ISI® Indian Land, highlight how transformative this community can be. Holly initially joined with low expectations, but from her very first 5 a.m. session, she was hooked. She found "the community, support, encouragement, energy, motivation, and friendships" she needed to stay on track. As Holly shared, "The ISI® community is different than any other community I have ever been a part of, and I have this incredible community to thank for the progress I have made since starting." It’s the friends she’s made here that keep her coming back to the turf, cheering her on and holding her accountable.
Katie McClendon from ISI® Ballantyne echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the profound impact that ISI®'s community has had on her journey. "I’ve had more progress over the past 18 months with ISI® than I’ve had over the past three years, focusing on my health. I will forever be grateful for the community that ISI® has. These people have become my family," she says. Katie’s story illustrates how stepping into an ISI® facility is about more than just a workout—it's about finding a group of people who support and uplift you, no matter what stage of life you’re in.
These stories are just a glimpse into the power of our community. At ISI®, our strength-based workouts are the foundation, but it’s the connections made on the turf that truly transform lives. Our members don’t just gain strength; they gain a family, a network of people who inspire each other to keep pushing, keep growing, and keep showing up.
Overcoming Challenges, Inside and Out
We know that the journey to wellness is as much about mental and emotional strength as it is about physical fitness. Nichole Sanchez from ISI® Tega Cay and Joseph Howell from ISI® Lexington have both faced significant challenges in their lives, and their stories are testaments to the transformative power of commitment and community.
Nichole’s journey began with doubt. After her son left for bootcamp, she was inspired to step onto the ISI® Tega Cay turf. She initially questioned whether she could ever be successful in such a challenging environment. But she kept showing up—five days a week. Her persistence paid off, leading to not just weight loss but a complete overhaul of her health. “I made it official the following week. I had something to show my son and I got to hear him say, ‘I’m proud of you, good job!’” she shares. Over time, Nichole shed nearly 70 pounds, eliminated the need for multiple medications, and gained control over her severe tachycardia. For Nichole, her transformation wasn’t just about losing weight; it was about becoming the strong, healthy mother her children could be proud of. "My son, my Marine, will forever be my starting point. To make him proud of me."
Joseph’s story is equally inspiring. After struggling with high blood pressure, depression, and weight gain, he found himself at a crossroads. Despite his efforts, he wasn’t seeing the progress he needed on his own. That’s when he discovered ISI® Elite Training. “I was really close to giving up until I came across ISI® Elite Training in June 2023. I signed up for my first session and had a great experience,” Joseph recalls. From that moment, he knew he had found a place where he could thrive. With the encouragement of the ISI® coaches and community, Joseph has lost 45 pounds and reduced his body fat by around 12%. But more than that, he has gained the tools and confidence to continue his journey, both on and off the turf.
Nichole and Joseph’s experiences highlight the life-changing impact of ISI®’s holistic approach to fitness. Our strength-based workouts, combined with a supportive community and dedicated coaches, empower members to overcome their past challenges and transform their lives. At ISI®, it’s not just about the workouts—it’s about breaking free from limitations and achieving lasting wellness.
Mental Health and Rediscovery Through Fitness
At ISI®, we understand that true transformation goes beyond physical strength—it’s about nurturing mental health and rediscovering the joy in life. For many of our members, the gym becomes a sanctuary, a place where they can reconnect with themselves and find the support they need to thrive. The stories of Madeline Aliff from ISI® Roanoke and Brandon Glick from ISI® Myrtle Beach are powerful examples of this journey.
Madeline came to ISI® searching for something deeper than just a workout. She was looking to rediscover her confidence and happiness, which had become elusive over time. “Have you ever felt lost? Or unsure who you are anymore?” she asks, reflecting on the uncertainty she faced before joining ISI®. Though she wasn’t overweight or out of shape, she wasn’t seeing the growth she desired, both physically and mentally. The moment she stepped into ISI®, she felt something different—a sense of belonging and acceptance. “Immediately, ISI® showed me love, showed me I was worth it, and accepted me and all my quirks,” Madeline shares. Through the community and workouts, she began to see significant changes, not just in her body but in her outlook on life. ISI® became her safe haven, a place where she could dance, sing, cry, and sweat out the stresses of daily life. “My transformation is far more than the physical changes I have seen; it’s about the joy my life has received since starting.”
For Brandon, the transformation at ISI® was also deeply rooted in mental health. Having struggled with depression for years, he found in ISI® a refuge from the challenges that had weighed him down. “My transformation story may look different than most,” he explains. While many come to the gym to get healthy and feel better in their skin, for Brandon, the journey was about regaining his self-confidence and mental well-being. “ISI® has given me a family and a safe place to put my depression on the side for a little while.” The stress of life had taken its toll, but ISI® offered a path to rediscovery, helping Brandon find his authentic self and achieve goals he once thought unattainable. “I couldn’t be more grateful,” he says of the community that has supported him along the way.
Madeline and Brandon’s experiences underscore the importance of mental health in the fitness journey. At ISI®, we’re committed to creating an environment where our members can grow stronger in body and mind. Our strength-based workouts, combined with a supportive and accepting community, provide the foundation for members to rediscover their potential and find joy in the process. At ISI®, fitness is more than just a physical pursuit—it’s a pathway to a healthier, happier life.
Empowerment Through Fitness
Fitness is more than just a physical challenge—it’s a journey of empowerment, where individuals are inspired to push beyond their perceived limits and unlock their true potential. Eva Foss from ISI® Grovetown and Dylan Taylor from ISI® Cedar Park exemplify this transformative experience.
For Eva, the journey began with a desire to manage her menopause and improve her overall health. Through dedication and hard work, she lost 30 pounds and won first place in the November 2023 Member Challenge for fat loss. But the impact of her achievements went far beyond the physical. “This gave so much empowerment and made me want to enroll to become a Certified Personal Trainer and a Certified Nutrition Coach,” Eva shares. Her journey didn’t stop there—she continued to pursue her passion, working on a bodybuilding specialist certification. Eva credits the coaches and the supportive community at ISI® for inspiring her to push herself further. “I now feel I can do much more on the turf. I feel like a new trophy wife at 48 years old! The more I do in the gym, the more I want to accomplish!” ISI® empowered Eva to not only transform her body but also to redefine her goals and ambitions.
Dylan’s story is another powerful example of how ISI® empowers its members to achieve greatness. A former athlete, Dylan was looking for a gym that would challenge him while respecting the changes his body had undergone over the years. From the moment he joined ISI®, he knew he had found the right place. “ISI® allowed me to push myself, encourage others, and be encouraged in the process,” Dylan explains. In just six months, he lost 4% body fat and gained 7.5 pounds of skeletal muscle mass. More importantly, he felt stronger, more confident, and better equipped to keep up with his kids—one of his biggest motivators to stay in shape.
Eva and Dylan’s stories are a testament to the empowering environment at ISI®. Whether it’s embracing a new phase of life or reigniting a passion for fitness, ISI® provides the tools, support, and community that members need to achieve their personal best. Our mission is to empower every individual who steps onto the turf, helping them to discover their full potential and realize that the only limits are the ones they set for themselves.
Reclaiming Health and Vitality
It’s never too late to reclaim your health and rediscover the vitality that makes life fulfilling. The stories of Christopher Nesbitt from ISI® Evans and Jeff Oakie from ISI® Cornelius exemplify how committing to your well-being can lead to profound, life-changing results.
Christopher joined ISI® with a clear mission: to improve his health. He was battling poor sleep patterns, weight issues, high cholesterol, borderline high blood pressure, and pre-diabetes. Despite making small changes to his activity and diet over the years, he struggled with consistency, often prioritizing work over his health. However, once he committed to ISI®, everything began to change. "Since joining ISI, my sleep, blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol have all normalized," Christopher shares. His story is a powerful example of how prioritizing health and wellness at ISI® can lead to transformative outcomes, both physically and mentally.
Jeff's journey at ISI® Cornelius is equally inspiring. Reflecting on his experience, he shares, "I think that my story may be your story too. How does one put into words what it means to transform back into a functioning member of society?" Jeff had reached a point where his weight and overall health were affecting not just his own well-being, but also his family life. Since joining ISI®, he has traded almost seventy-five unwanted pounds for a new lease on life. The impact of his transformation goes beyond the physical; it has brought happiness to his wife and family and strengthened the friendships he’s made with the fantastic people and coaches on the turf.
Christopher and Jeff’s stories highlight the core of ISI®’s mission: to empower members to take control of their health and experience life to the fullest. Through small, consistent changes and a commitment to fitness, they’ve both achieved remarkable improvements in their well-being. Their transformations are a testament to the power of prioritizing health and the supportive community that makes ISI® a place where lives are changed for the better.
The ISI® Difference
The stories shared by our members across Ironnation paint a vivid picture of the transformative power of ISI® Elite Training. From forging unbreakable bonds within our community to overcoming personal challenges, and from rediscovering mental health to feeling empowered through fitness, these experiences reflect the heart and soul of what ISI® stands for.
At ISI®, we’re more than just a gym—we’re a community that lifts each other up, a sanctuary where members find strength in every sense of the word, and a place where lives are not only changed but transformed. Our strength-based workouts are designed to push you to your limits while providing the support and encouragement needed to surpass them. Our coaches and fellow members are there to celebrate every victory, big or small, and to keep you motivated on your journey.
Whether you’re stepping onto the turf for the first time or you’re a seasoned veteran, the ISI® experience is about more than just physical fitness. It’s about building a stronger, healthier, and more confident you—both inside and out. The success stories of Holly, Katie, Nichole, Joseph, Madeline, Brandon, Eva, Dylan, Christopher, and Jeff are powerful reminders of what’s possible when you commit to your health and well-being.
As we continue to grow and welcome new members into our community, we remain dedicated to our mission: to empower every individual who steps through our doors to discover their full potential and to live a life of strength, vitality, and purpose. This is the ISI® difference, and we’re proud to be a part of your journey.