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Hi! I’m Coach Kim!

After gaining over 60 pounds with my first child and getting pregnant again six months later, weight became a serious struggle for me. I had two babies who needed me constantly, and like most moms, I put myself at the very bottom of the list. To be honest, I wasn’t even on the list.

Fast forward ten years. Now I had four kids, and I was just… tired. Sick and tired of being sick and tired. I’d tried every fad diet, every quick fix. Sometimes it would work for a while, but I always ended up sabotaging myself. Eventually I started therapy and finally figured out why — I had it backwards. I thought taking care of myself was selfish. But I realized not taking care of myself meant not showing up the way I knew I could.

So, I went all in. I started working out six days a week, tracking my food, and doing the hard work internally too. I lost about 70 pounds and then found out I was pregnant with baby #5 at 39. This pregnancy was different. I kept going. I moved, I stayed consistent, I prioritized myself. And after he was born and I got the all-clear from my doctor, I picked right back up. I ended up losing 104 pounds.

And the best part? My kids were proud of me. I had the energy to play with them instead of just sitting and watching. I wasn’t just surviving anymore. I was living. It hasn’t been perfect. I’ve had setbacks, injuries, and plenty of hard days. But this has become a lifestyle, and I keep going so I can be the example they deserve. One day, I want to be the kind of grandma who’s out there keeping up — not sitting on the sidelines.

I stepped into coaching because I wanted to pay it forward. I know how overwhelming it feels to start, and how easy it is to give everything to everyone else while leaving nothing for yourself. But I also know how incredible it feels when you finally put yourself on the list. I joined this team not only to help others get there, but to keep myself accountable right alongside them.

What Clients Say About Me: “She gets where you’re coming from, and she’ll hold you accountable while still making you feel supported every step of the way.”

Fun Fact: Reese (Founder and CEO) is my daughter. I joined her very first challenge as a test subject… and had the BEST time. I couldn’t be prouder to be part of this team.

Hey! I’m Coach Connor!

I’ve been active for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I was constantly trying new sports and different types of movement — anything that got me moving, I loved. That mindset stuck with me as I got older. Whether I was competing, training, or just exploring new ways to stay fit, I realized how much my health and fitness played a role in my confidence, mental clarity, and overall success. Now, I’m committed to staying active and creating new experiences for the rest of my life — and helping others do the same.

The only thing I love more than being active myself is sharing that passion with other people. Coaching gives me a chance to do that in a way that’s meaningful. It’s not just about workouts — it’s about building belief in someone who doesn’t see their potential yet. Whether we’re focusing on form, mindset, or just showing up on a hard day, I want the people I work with to leave every session feeling stronger than when they walked in.

If I had to describe my coaching style, I’d say I bring a positive and encouraging energy into every session. I’m big on optimism, but I also stay realistic — I know real change takes time, and I don’t expect perfection. What I do expect is effort. And if you can show up and give me that, I’ll meet you where you’re at and help you build real momentum from the ground up.

To me, progress has very little to do with the scale. It’s about growing your confidence, your discipline, and your belief in yourself. It’s becoming the kind of person who follows through, in the gym and in life. I learned this firsthand during my last season running track and field. Our team sat down and calculated what would happen if each of us ran just 1% faster at our championship meet. That small shift ended up leading to multiple school records — and that experience reminded me that every little bit of effort adds up. I knew then that coaching, growth, and being part of a team like that was what I wanted for the rest of my life.

Outside of fitness, I’m just as passionate about music. I play the drums, trombone, and a handful of other brass instruments — and I love finding new ways to express myself creatively, whether that’s on a stage or in the gym.

What Clients Say About Me: “Connor makes you believe in yourself, even on days when you’re not sure you can. His energy is contagious, and his optimism is palpable.”

Fun Fact: I’m just as comfortable behind a drum set as I am leading a group workout.

Hi! I’m Coach Monica!

I was introduced to the gym at a young age by my mom, who was a bodybuilder both before I was born and when I was little. Growing up, I was always active, whether it was running around as a busy kid or cheering on the sidelines as part of my cheer team. By the time I started high school, I began going to the gym with the goal of losing weight.

At some point, I lost my way. I got caught up in living to please other people and drifted away from who I truly was. When I finally came back to the gym, it wasn’t about losing weight anymore. It was about learning to take care of myself, showing up for me, and rebuilding the version of myself I knew deep down was still there.

Around this time, I reconnected with Reese, a friend I had known since middle school. I was finally ready to prioritize my health, so I became her very first client at LiveOptimalLife. That decision changed everything. Through her guidance, I learned self-respect, self-love, and the discipline that comes from truly caring for my body. I also lost 40 pounds in the process and somewhere along the way, the gym became my safe place. It wasn’t just the place I went to work out — it was a place where I could clear my head, block out the noise of the world, and focus completely on working towards the best version of myself.

Now, I’ve gone from client to coach, and my mission is to help others find their way back to themselves the same way I did. I want to be the person who helps someone look in the mirror and finally see the version of themselves they’ve always envisioned. Because no one deserves to live a life they’re not proud of.

What Clients Say About Me: ““She gets what it’s like to feel stuck because she’s been there and she knows exactly how to help you move forward without ever making you feel less than.”

Fun Fact: I love singing and if you’re around me enough, you’ll see it!

Hey! I’m Reese Ladigo

Before the fancy titles, I was just someone who felt broken. For years, I battled unexplained fatigue, constant inflammation, and symptoms that were unexplainable. It took 12 years to finally get a chronic diagnosis, one that completely altered the future I thought I had. Many doctors told me my days of lifting weights and pushing myself were over. Bodybuilding? Out of the question. But I wasn’t ready to accept that.

I turned to fitness, nutrition, and functional health — not to get shredded, but to feel like me again. It wasn’t an overnight fix. It took years of trial, error, and frustration before I finally committed to learning everything I could about how the body works. Little by little, I reclaimed my energy, rebuilt my strength, and eventually stepped on that stage. But the real win wasn’t the trophy. It was gaining the confidence, clarity, and control over my health that I had been missing for so long… and realizing I could help other people do the same.

What Clients Say About Me: “Clients often tell me I’m the first coach
who’s ever really listened. I’ve realized that most people need more
mindset coaching than meal plans.”

Fun Fact: She’s an old soul. Her favorite artists include Billy Joel, Simon & Garfunkel, and Lionel Richie.