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Jenn Partridge

President, Strength Apparel

I wasn't always an athlete. But I'm proud to say I am now. A healthy, natural, strong one.

I have been a middle school Language Arts teacher in South Florida for the past eight years, and yes, the rumors are true - we are not paid very well. In order to have just a bit of spending money in my pocket, in this economy, I was forced to take a part time job at a donut shop, where my lack of self control got me in trouble. But in the spring of 2008, I made a life change after seeing pictures of myself with friends at Fort Laudrerdale beach. I was mortified. I knew I needed to do something more positive about my health, so I did two things. First I joined a martial arts studio and then I joined a gym. In the beginning I kept to just the cardio machines, but then I found something incredible on the internet. While searching for information about eating properly, I came across a weight training site filled with photos of female competitors. Their stength and beauty were awe inspiring and I wanted to know more.

I spent hours researching diets and workout plans and tried them out on my own, but soon realized that I needed help, so I found a trainer recommended by my martial arts instructor, who helped me train, eat clean, and prep for two NPC competitions. Those shows helped me realize that I was still a baby in the sport and I started training even harder to build more lean muscle. In August of 2011, I entered an NGA figure show and came home with two second place trophies - and a huge sense of accomplishment.

Now I live in the gym, eat clean all year round (as best I can,) and have earned my ISSA trainer certification, as well my black belt in Jeet Kune Do, and now I've built Strength Apparel with one of my best friends.

I hope my story exemplifies that no matter how you feel, how you eat, or how you look, YOU can always change it. You can read my blog and participate in our forum section to hear more about my continuing journey. I am always here to listen and help in any aspect of your own personal fitness journey.

And, oh, by the way, we make really cool tshirts to wear while you train!

Cliff Commanday

COO/Lead designer, Strength Apparel

I'm an artist, a designer, a teacher, and a geek. After spending so many years in front of a computer screen is it any surprise I used to be fat, too? But now I'm a 50lbs lighter geek with a black belt in Jeet Kune Do. I am lucky to have some very knowledgeable friends like Jenn who helped me lose those fifty pounds for my black belt test this past year. My journey towards my belt was a long one, about ten years, filled with a few injuries that sidelined my training a few times, and fueled all the tired excuses that led me to keep gaining back any weight I would lose along the way. I never lost it properly. I never knew enough about nutrition to make the real life changes that were needed. Jenn continually gave me nutrition advice, encouragement, and the kick in the butte when I needed it.

I used to also be a teacher, teaching all forms of art to every age level there is, so Jenn and I got along from the beginning. But I never would have guessed how much our friendship would better my life. Now I eat clean all year round, love to exercise and train, and am ready for Jenn to start kicking me into gear as I venture towards competitions myself.

If I may, allow me to proudly and blatantly self-promote Essential Marketing & Design. And, oh, by the way, we make really cool tshirts to wear while you train!