An interview with Summit speakers Christina Malone (she/her) & William Lay (he/him)
We recently sat down with gym owners, coaches, and long-time athletes Christina Malone and William Lay to preview their 2025 FitPro Summit session:
“Fat Forward: Lifting, Leading, and Liberating in the Fitness Industry.”
Together, Christina and Will are reshaping what strength training looks like—by centering the experiences of people in larger bodies and helping coaches better serve clients who don’t fit the industry mold.
▶️ Watch the full video interview here:
What Their Session Is All About
Their session will explore what it means to coach clients in larger bodies with intention and skill—whether or not you share their lived experience. It includes:
- Demonstrations of what movement can look like in bigger bodies
- Tips for adapting strength training without condescension or fear
- Real-life examples of how to coach confidently and compassionately
- Tools for breaking gym culture norms and supporting true autonomy
“We want fit pros to walk away with a toolkit,” Will explains. “Something they can reach for when they don’t have the lived experience—but still want to do right by their clients.”
Why This Matters in Your Coaching
Too many people stay out of gyms because of past harm, shame, or lack of representation. Christina and Will have built a community around rewriting that narrative—and now they’re sharing what they’ve learned with the Summit audience.
“The best thing we can do is help coaches reduce harm,” Christina says. “We’re not asking you to be perfect—we’re asking you to be open, to ask questions, and to get better.”
Session Takeaways
Fit pros will walk away from this session knowing…
- How to coach larger-bodied clients with more confidence and clarity
- How to offer movement options that feel empowering and accessible
- What inclusive strength training actually looks like in practice
- How to build trust when you don’t share your client’s lived experience
- Why it’s time to ditch gatekeeping and share what works
This session is for anyone who wants to coach more people, more inclusively—with less fear and more freedom.
🎟️ Want to hear more?
Join us at the 2025 BPFA FitPro Summit to attend their full session live:
