meet the oddballs

“Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?” - Oddball

 
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Ryan J. Stills

National and World Champion Powerlifter.

USAPL/IPF Champion @ 90kg/105kg/120kg
4x IPF Master’s World Team Member

Vegan Athlete

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Melanie Schoepp

Partner, autism-mom, daughter, sister, friend, state champion powerlifter, personal trainer & now with partnership of her husband Ryan, a gym owner.

Melanie grew up being athletically involved but was far from being the “fit” girl. In fact, her journey started as a weight loss journey and was bound to the treadmill like many others, intimidated by strength training.

She began working the front desk of the fitness center at PLU where she attended college, eventually being promoted to manager of the fitness facilities on campus.

This position opened up many doors in the years to come- an internship with the strength coach, a position as an assistant athletic trainer at NCAA Division III University & finally graduating with a B.S. in Kinesiology with a concentration in Exercise Science and a minor in Sport Psychology.

She learned to transform not only her body- but her mind as well. The impact was so profound that she has dedicated the better part of the last decade to helping others find their way on their own fitness paths- and she has loved every minute of it.

The next leg of her journey has been making her “comeback” from back to back pregnancies. She and Ryan welcomed their first son in Feb. 2016 and their second son exactly a year later in 2017. Since becoming a mom, strength training has become an activity where she rediscovered herself and what she is capable of, outside of being a mom. She has surpassed stigmas of life after kids- being leaner, stronger and more confident in her body than before birthing her children.

She has worked with clients ranging from seasoned & beginning powerlifters, team sport athletes, surfers, runners, mothers, fathers & their children, chiropractors, 9 to 5ers and her personal favorite- those who have never stepped foot in a gym before. She prides herself on her ability to meet each of her clients where they are at and give them all the tools they need to be successful. Her clients become her family and she cares greatly about each one- as she understands how difficult, yet life-changing positive experiences in the fitness world can be.

 
 

JEN darling

Jen Darling brings over 15 years of professional experience into her coaching. Jen stepped into the industry as a group fitness instructor in 2010 & never stopped. A continuous student hungry to learn & evolving her coaching skills over the years.

Jen fell in love with the barbell in 2015 when she walked into her first CrossFit gym. After 6 years of CrossFit, she found herself wanting to learn more about Powerlifting. She competed in her first powerlifting meet 5 months after joining Ironside Training.  She was hooked as a coach & as an athlete. By 2022 she become a USPA Certified Powerlifting & Strength. Jen is also a NASM Certified Nutrition Coach & understands how to meet people where they are at when it comes to training for performance & strength. 

Jen is not only a coach, but an educator, a mentor & an advocate for an inclusive & diverse platform.  She coaches with her head & her heart, creating a safe & supportive environment for folks to discover their inner athlete. 


 
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SOPHIE KAPLAN

Sophie is a well rounded athlete with experience in endurance, strength, team and individual sports. She started her fitness journey as a runner in high school where she was a mere 100lbs. Not satisfied with her small frame, Sophie made lifting (and eating) a habit. She went on to play rugby at Western Oregon University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science. After graduation she began competing in CrossFit, where a coach urged her to try powerlifting. She was immediately hooked. Sophie currently holds the Oregon State squat and total record in her weight class, and competed at nationals in ’18 and ’19.

Sophie is now working towards her Doctorate in Chiropractic and Masters in Sports Medicine. 

She enjoys sharing her love of training, and has worked with a wide range of athletes. She especially enjoys working with people who feel intimidated by the gym, and giving them the knowledge to feel confident. Sophie believes that no goal is unattainable with hard work and consistency. 

 

Client Acknowledgement and Assumption of Risk, Full Release from Liability of Odd Barbell and any associated coaches or Independent Contractors:

By continuing past this prompt and completing the process of purchasing a membership of any length to ODD BARBELL you (the client) are acknowledging that there is inherent risk of physical injuries, but not limited to, heart attacks, muscle strains; pulls or tears; broken bones, shin splints, low back/knee/foot injuries and any other illness, soreness or injury however caused, occurring during or after clients participation of activity at Odd Barbell. The client further acknowledges that such risks include but are not limited to injurie cause by the negligence of an instructor or other person, defective or improper use of the equipment, over exertion of a client, slip and fall by a client, or any other health problem of client. You (the client) as assuming all risk and responsibly involved with participation in physical activity at Odd Barbell. Client affirms that they are in good physical condition and does not suffer from any disability or previous injury that would limit participation. The client acknowledges that participation will be physically and mentally challenging and the client agrees to seek competent medical advice regarding concerns or questions involved with the ability of the client to take part in ODD BARBELL activities. By selecting a membership option above and completing the payment process, the client asserts that he or she is capable of participation in the physical activities and assumes all risk and responsibility for exceeding his or her limitations.

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