About Us
A Labor of Love
Miles & Muscles was founded in 2021 as the next step in our own fitness journeys. After years of weight gain from the stresses of parenting and work, and a generally sedentary lifestyle we both made the decision to do something differently. After hundreds of pounds of weight loss and crushing some goals that we never thought were possible we realized a passion for helping others who wanted a change but felt stuck like we had. Our personal focuses are on competitive events, but most of our clients are looking for simple ways to get started and make changes in their lives.
We live in the Siskiyou Mountains of Oregon and together raise our two children: Wyatt and Weston.
Kristen
225 Pounds is a number that will always stick with me. It's the number that changed my life. 225 Pounds and depressed with no way to lose the weight. At 225 I couldn't even do 5 jumping jacks. I was desperate and unhappy.
Knowing I had to make a change- I did. I turned to weights. 2 Pound dumbbells changed my life. On my bedroom floor I lifted while my kids napped. I copied every video I saw on how to lift. I started from the ground up. Along the way I experienced an eating disorder due to restricting myself from food. I ended up stuck.
After some professional help I walked into the gym for the first time. It was the people at my gym- the YMCA of Ashland- that brought out the passion and love for weights that I never knew I had. I met my mentor there and set a goal- to step on stage as a bikini competitor. Sixteen weeks of hard work and lots of doubts along the way I finally stepped on stage and took third place in numerous categories. My love for competing has grown ever since.
My passion for weights is undeniable and I credit lifting for saving my life and mental health. I want to help those who feel like they can't or if they are lost. My passion alone is contagious and I am here to help you learn to love lifting as much as I do.
Andrew
After working desk jobs in the outdoor industry for 15 years, I realized that I was no longer fit enough to enjoy the activities I loved. Skiing had become a chore, mountain biking was impossible, and even hiking was tough. I had tried to become a runner several times, but it never stuck. I finally set my sights on trying to run a half marathon (an impossible distance!) and started my first training run only able to jog 30 seconds at a time without stopping. Seven months later I crossed the finish line of my first race.
I lost 60 lbs. as part of my running pursuits, which included a road marathon and eventually led to mountain ultras (trail runs of more than 26.2 miles). During the pandemic I ran a 12-hour self-supported run to push the limits of my training. Then I followed up with 5 5oks and a 50-miler the next year! I attribute a lot of my success to hiring my own coach when I felt stuck and not progressing on my own. I am currently chasing down some huge goals for 2022 including my first last-man standing event!
I believe in cross-training for endurance athletes and regularly go alpine touring or mountain biking. As much as I am a runner to stay out of the gym, I do believe that strength training is a key aspect to reduce injury and improve speed. My favorite thing about coaching is to help others get over the humps that always set me back. I have been a member of the Woodlands Endurance Team and am currently an ambassador for Hammer Nutrition and Orange Mud.
I am the author of the blog Ultra Excuses and race director for Ultra Excuses races.