After spending two years teaching and coaching in Kansas, Amalia decided to move to a warmer climate. Once in Austin, she spent the first few years outdoors, either riding her bike or running. Eventually, she found her way back into the gym and began strength training. After becoming a Texan, she ran a marathon, pedaled through a century ride, competed in amateur boxing matches, and lifted in several powerlifting meets before discovering Olympic-style weightlifting. A month before her 40th birthday, she competed in the 2011 National Weightlifting Championships, finishing in seventh place. In 2013, at the age of 42, she competed in the American Open Weightlifting Championships.
512.699.7732 | amalia@grassiron.com
While earning a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech, Pattie fell in love with endurance training and began competing in 5Ks. Once she graduated and moved to Austin, she decided to try her hand at longer distances, running a half-marathon before deciding to ride in the 1998 Tanqueray AIDS Ride (Austin-to-Houston-to-Dallas/575-miles). Shortly thereafter she suffered a shoulder injury and decided to focus most of her energy on strength training. Since that time, in addition to two marathons and countless century rides, she has competed in several powerlifting meets and bodybuilding shows.
Melanie isn’t afraid of a challenge! She’s competed in the Xterra World Championship Trail Half Marathon in Hawaii, The North Face Endurance Challenge Half marathon, and many other trail races. She’s currently training to compete in the Half Marathon Ironman Triathlon. She’s been an LMT since 2013 and specializes in sports massage/sports injuries, therapeutic and deep tissue massage as well as lymphatic drainage.
Erin loves being active and has done almost everything under the sun (literally); while earning a BS from the University of Oklahoma, she was a member of the rowing/crew team. After moving to the US Virgin Islands, she spent five years snorkeling, scuba diving, and free diving. And last but not least, she’s participated in muay thai, jiu-jitsu, weightlifting and gymnastics!
Although she played every sport imaginable as a kid, she ultimately ended up with a glove in one hand and a ball in the other. Kasandra played softball for Concordia University Austin while earning a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology. Since graduating from college, she’s focused all of her energy on being strong, fit, and healthy!
Brad’s competed in contact sports for most of his life; his introduction to pugilism started in junior high with Tae Kwon Do. He traded in his Gi for boxing gloves and trained at Lord’s Gym for many years. He’s currently training to compete in the Highland Games.
Alex started playing soccer in Guatemala when he was only 4 years old and he continued to play soccer competitively all through high school. After graduation, he shifted his emphasis to strength training and weightlifting. He’s currently training to compete in the sport of Olympic Weightlifting.
A competitive powerlifter (and quilter extraordinaire), Tina can squat 230, bench press 145, deadlift 290 pounds, and crunch numbers! She’s got both brains and brawn!