My Story

Hi, I’m Sam Poindexter, PhD—a certified personal trainer, wellness coach, educator, and movement enthusiast who believes strength training should make your life bigger, not smaller.

I didn’t come to strength training to compete or perform. I came to it because I felt terrible—and needed a way to feel better and function in my everyday life. What started as a practical solution quickly became a deeper curiosity about why pain shows up and how movement can support long-term health and wellness instead of breaking us down.

After experiencing how much strength training improved how I felt and moved, I wanted to help others access that same sense of capability and confidence.

But years teaching group fitness and working one-on-one with clients, I began to see a clear pattern: many people weren’t unmotivated or inconsistent—they were stuck. They’d finished physical therapy or been told to “be careful,” but generic fitness programs didn’t meet their needs. Avoidance and endless modifications weren’t helping them move forward.

At the same time, I was navigating my own chronic back pain and recurring injuries. Like many people, I was told to stop doing the things that hurt. That never felt like a real answer. I didn’t want to quit moving—I wanted to understand how to keep going in a smarter, more sustainable way.

That experience became the foundation of Resilient Strength Coaching.

I also bring years of experience as an educator, including a PhD in Feminist Studies, which shapes how I coach. I care deeply about creating movement spaces where people feel respected, supported, and capable—regardless of age, size, ability, or background.

Through Resilient Strength Coaching, I offer in-person and virtual personal training, remote programming, and health & wellness coaching. I work best with people who are tired of extremes, skeptical of fitness trends, and ready for a smarter, more compassionate approach to strength.

My goal isn’t to make you “fit.” It’s to help you stay active, capable, and confident in a body that supports the life you actually want to live.

If that sounds like what you’ve been looking for, book your discovery call now!