Rhuben Williams

Rhuben has been working in the health & fitness industry for over 20 years, helping people improve their quality of life through movement & lifestyle change. Holding a degree in Integrative Biology from UC Berkeley combined with , 2x All American Honors in the Shot Put, Rhuben takes a "Keep is simple" approach to health and fitness focusing on getting his people results by training SMARTER....NOT HARDER!

Certifications

• Level 2 StrongFirst Kettlebell Instructor "BEAST TAMER"

• CrossFit Level 1 Trainer

• USAW Level 1 Sports Performance Coach

• CPR, AED, & First Aid, American Heart Association

ABOUT RHUBEN

I was born and raised in Los Angeles California where I played football and competed in track & field at Eagle Rock High school. I earned an athletic scholarship for track & field to The University of California at Berkeley graduating with a degree in Integrative Biology with an emphasis in Human Bio-dynamics. Once I graduated it was either continue on to medical school or pursue my dream of making a U.S. Olympic Team. Upon graduating, I had the opportunity to come to Athens Georgia to be coached by Coach Don Babbitt and train with Adam Nelson & Reese Hoffa. 

After graduation I worked through the summer to save money. At the end of October 2005 I sold all the furniture in my room, packed everything else in my 1995 Honda Civic and drove across the country to Athens Georgia to train. In 2009 I earned 10th place at the U.S Olympic Trials in the shot put & in 2009 I made the U.S. National Team to compete at the NACAC Championships earning a Gold Medal. I have lived here ever since working to serve the Athens community by helping people improve their  health & fitness through functional strength & conditioning to improve daily life.

When I am not in the gym, my favorite thing to do is spending time with my beautiful wife Megan, my daughter Camden, and our dog Daisy!

Lauren Sgro

Lauren first came to Strength & Strike as a yoga instructor to teach the “Strike & Stretch” classes. She ended doing way more than teaching yoga. After she fell in love with boxing and weight training (and the S&S crew) she decided to train to teach Strike classes. Both strength and strike classes have helped her feel stronger and more confident, and she aims to facilitate this in others as well. Outside of the gym you can find Lauren in her office at UGA, where she is a Ph.D. student in Physics. Her specific area of research is in Astronomy, so she will encourage you to reach for the stars!

Certifications:

• Tabata Certified (IFTA Fitness)

• 200hr YTT Certified (M3 Yoga)

• 500hr YTT - in progress (M3 Yoga)

Wes Gresham

Wes has been involved in the health and fitness industry for over 10 years. With a degree in Exercise and Sport Science from the University of Georgia, he has an extreme passion for helping clients reach their goals in an effective manner. From injury rehabilitation, sport specific training, weight loss programming, and coaching boxers and endurance athletes, Wes has a broad knowledge base for obtaining results and improving clients’ lifestyles each and every day. Taking the approach that “Any Goal without a plan is a Wish,” Wes helps lay the foundation for your success every step of the way. 

Certifications

• B.S. Exercise and Sport Science

• ACE Personal Training

• ACE Sports Conditioning Specialist

• American Red Cross CPR/AED

ABOUT WES

Born and raised in Georgia, I have been a Georgia Bulldawg fan my whole life. Upon attending UGA as state ranked Pole Vaulter, I was badly injured in a boating accident and was forced to undergo an extensive rehabilitation program where I found my interest in exercise science and sport rehab. After graduating college in 2010, I pursued a NAVY Special Operations Contract while I did personal training on the side. Two years later, I was declined entry into the NAVY SEAL program because of a medical issue, so I continued pursuing my passion with personal training and small group instruction. Now, as a father to incredible little boy, and a mentor to a high school small group through Athens Church, I continue to serve my Athens Community impacting lives through health and fitness.

Zach Gray

Zach is currently a volunteer assistant track and field coach at the University of Georgia.  Prior to moving to Athens in August, he spent two years working as a strength and conditioning coach at Burke Mountain Academy, a boarding school exclusively for Alpine ski racers.  Graduating in 2016, he received a degree in Exercise and Sport Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he also competed in the Javelin for the Tar Heels track and field team.  As an undergrad he interned with sport performance programs in the collegiate and private sectors.  Zach believes in being brilliant at the basics, and employs a holistic approach to training athletes and clients.

 Certifications

• NSCA Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist

• USAW Level 1 Sports Performance Coach

• CPR, AED, & First Aid, American Heart Association