Client transformations
Real clients, real results
400+ transformations since 2017. Strength, body recomp, athletic performance, return-to-training. Featured here with permission. The clients did the work — I designed the program.
400+
Transformations since 2017
92%
Of 1:1 clients hit goals in 12 weeks
73%
Stay 6+ months after 12-week minimum
84
Currently active clients (1:1 + group)
Strength + powerlifting
From beginner to competitor
Sarah K., 31 — 0 → 1,000 lb total in 18 months
‘Started with Reuben as a complete beginner. Squat 65 → 245, bench 45 → 145, deadlift 95 → 315. Hit 1,000 total at my second sanctioned meet — 18 months from never having lifted a barbell. The patient form work in months 1-3 is what set everything up.’ — Austin, TX
Marcus T., 38 — 1,250 → 1,640 lb total
‘Plateaued at 1,250 with templated programming. Reuben rebuilt my approach. 12 months later: squat 525 (+85), bench 365 (+45), deadlift 615 (+80). The programming felt easier than what I’d been doing, and I PR’d more.’ — Dallas, TX
Aisha P., 27 — First powerlifting meet, 2nd in weight class
‘12-week meet prep with Reuben. Hit my opener 150 squat, 95 bench, 235 deadlift. Total 480 at 132 lb bodyweight (3.6x). 2nd place in 132 lb open class. Reuben’s peak prep was perfect.’ — Houston, TX
Damon S., 42 — Master’s class deadlift PR 565 lbs
‘Working with Reuben for 3 years. Deadlift went from 425 → 565. Master’s class state record at 42. He’s the only coach I’ve worked with who actually adjusts programming based on weekly feedback.’ — Phoenix, AZ
Body recomposition
Lose fat, gain muscle, sustain it
Janelle T., 34 — Lost 35 lbs, gained 12 lbs muscle
‘Postpartum and frustrated. 16-week body recomp protocol with Reuben + macro coaching. Lost 35 lbs of fat, gained 12 lbs of muscle. 22 months later still at goal weight. The macro coaching part was honestly more important than the training.’ — Brooklyn, NY
James K., 52 — Lost 90 lbs over 3 years
‘Pre-diabetic, miserable, sedentary. Started with Reuben’s self-paced program ($39), then group coaching ($185), then 1:1 (now). 3 years and 90 lbs later, no longer pre-diabetic. Slow + steady. Reuben understood I needed to build the habit before adding intensity.’ — Las Vegas, NV
Priya R., 29 — Lost 45 lbs, hit first marathon goal
‘Wanted to lose weight + run a marathon. Reuben designed a 12-month program that did both — slow body comp work + progressive run training. Lost 45 lbs and ran 4:08 at my first marathon. He’s a real coach.’ — Portland, OR
Robert C., 58 — Post-cancer recovery
‘After chemo I’d lost 30 lbs of muscle + 50% of strength. Reuben rebuilt me carefully over 18 months. Now I’m stronger than pre-cancer. The patience was extraordinary — he never rushed the recovery work.’ — Seattle, WA
Athletic performance
Endurance, sport, hybrid
Michael R., 45 — Sub-3-hour marathon at 45
‘Running 3:15 marathon at 38, plateaued. Reuben designed an 18-month strength + run hybrid program. Brought my marathon to 2:58 at age 45. The strength work was the unlock — added power without adding bulk.’ — Portland, OR
Sarah L., 31 — First Ironman in 12:14
‘Reuben designed a 16-week Ironman peaking program. Strength + bike + run + swim balance. Finished my first Ironman in 12:14. The travel programming for race week was perfect.’ — Austin, TX
Carlos M., 27 — D1 wrestling All-American
‘Worked with Reuben for 4 years through college wrestling. Off-season strength work + in-season maintenance. All-American twice. He coordinated with my coaches at school.’ — Tempe, AZ
Elena V., 33 — Hybrid athlete (marathon + powerlifting)
‘Wanted to run a sub-4-hour marathon AND deadlift 315. Reuben designed a 14-month dual periodization. Hit 3:52 marathon and 325 deadlift in same year. The two goals support each other when programmed right.’ — Denver, CO
Return to training
Post-injury, post-pregnancy, post-surgery
Mira P., 38 — Through both pregnancies + back to lifting
‘Trained through both pregnancies with Reuben. Diastasis recti rehab postpartum. Returned to lifting 12 weeks postpartum, fully back to pre-pregnancy strength at 8 months. He understands pregnant + postpartum bodies.’ — Denver, CO
David L., 47 — Post-back-surgery return to deadlifting
‘Back surgery in my 40s. Doctor said no more deadlifting. Reuben + my PT designed a 12-month return program. 18 months later I’m deadlifting 405. Form work in months 1-6 was extraordinary.’ — Austin, TX
Ana K., 29 — Post-knee-replacement squatting again
‘Knee replacement at 27. Reuben coordinated with my PT, designed a 9-month return-to-squatting program. Now squatting 185 lbs with no pain. He never rushed it.’ — Tucson, AZ
Lin H., 41 — Post-shoulder-surgery bench progression
‘Shoulder surgery at 40. 9-month rehab + return-to-bench protocol. Now benching more than pre-surgery. Reuben’s patience saved my training career.’ — Houston, TX
Long-term clients
What 2+ year clients say
“I’ve been with Reuben for 3 years. The reason I stay isn’t the programming (though it’s great). It’s the relationship. Weekly conversations have shaped my whole approach to training, nutrition, and even how I think about stress.”
DW
Devon W.
1:1 client 3 years · Strength + body comp
“Best part of working with Reuben is how he adjusts when life happens. I had a divorce, two cross-country moves, and a major job change in our 2 years. The training kept evolving with my life. No other coach I’ve worked with would do that.”
MS
Mira S.
1:1 client 2 years · Body recomp
“Reuben does what good coaches should do: he tells you the truth. Including when I needed to take a deload week, when I was overtraining, when my nutrition was the problem (not training). I trust him completely.”
AP
Aiden P.
1:1 client 4 years · Powerlifter
Transformation questions
What people ask
- Featured clients are real but not average. ~92% of 1:1 clients hit their stated 12-week goals. ~73% stay 6+ months. Significant transformations like featured ones typically take 12-24 months. Most clients see meaningful changes in 12-16 weeks.