Forge Yourself Into The Sword You Once Needed Drawn
From 410lb gamer to certified personal trainer, nutrition coach, and HEMA instructor – I’ll help you build unshakeable confidence, improve your HEMA performance, and transform your body while gaining the energy to train longer and recover faster.
My Story
At 28, I was over 410 pounds and slowly dying. I was the “funny fat guy” – the one people also knew for being able to eat and drink massive amounts. That was my entire identity. I hated exercise, hated watching what I ate, and had failed at weight loss so many times I’d given up hope.
Then came the lightning bolt that changed everything. My wife came out of the bathroom with a positive pregnancy test. In that instant, I was hit with overwhelming joy – and absolute terror. I realized I had to become not just the father my child deserved, but the husband my wife needed. That old Chuck – the one slowly killing himself – had to die.
I lost over 200 pounds and kept it off for 17+ years. But this wasn’t just about weight loss. I went back to school, became a personal trainer and nutrition coach, and discovered my life’s purpose: helping others find their own path to transformation. I felt like I’d been given a second chance at life, and I refused to waste it.
What sets me apart isn’t just my credentials – it’s that I’ve walked this path myself. I understand the frustrations, setbacks, and breakthroughs that come with real transformation because I’ve lived them. I’m still on my own journey every single day.
Combined with over 10 years of both personal training and nutrition coaching experience, this gives me something most coaches don’t have: the ability to meet you exactly where you are. I don’t just give you theory from a textbook – I give you proven strategies from someone who’s lived it, guided hundreds of others through it, and continues to apply these principles in my own life.
At 44, I’m in the best shape of my life. I found HEMA, which gave me a tangible reason to prioritize fitness, strength, and longevity. It taught me that transformation isn’t just about losing weight – it’s about forging yourself into the person you’re meant to become. That’s why I founded HEMA Strong: to help fellow practitioners cut through the fitness myths and build sustainable strength and unshakeable confidence, both in the ring and in life.
Chuck’s story was featured in “The Holy Sh!t Moment” by James Fell, highlighting the power of life-changing epiphanies.
Real Results from Real Fencers
Todd – Teacher & Busy Dad
“Working with Chuck gave me confidence I never thought possible. I went from never being athletic to feeling faster, more agile, and having better body awareness against larger opponents. The strength training Chuck designed specifically for HEMA movements changed everything.”
Results: Increased confidence in gym and HEMA, improved speed and agility, better tactical awareness
Carrie – Age 48, Partial Disability
“Everyone told me to do intervals because sparring for 30 seconds destroyed me. Chuck recommended zone 2 heart rate training instead. After just one month, I’m no longer running out of energy, my intensity is up, and I have complete control of my breathing during bouts.”
Results: Dramatically improved endurance, better breathing control, sustained energy throughout training
Sarah – Longsword & Smallsword Medalist
“As a competitive fencer who travels constantly, I needed a training approach that worked with my schedule. Chuck’s periodized strength and endurance program gave me a drastic tournament performance increase. I don’t get gassed during fights, have fewer injuries, and recover much faster after competitions.”
Results: Improved tournament performance, reduced injuries, faster recovery between competitions
Ready to write your own success story?
Ready to Forge Your Own Transformation?
Every HEMA practitioner’s journey is unique. Whether you want to build explosive power, improve flexibility, lose weight, or simply train longer without fatigue – I’ll help you find the right path forward.
I’ve been doing online personal training and nutrition coaching since 2014, and founded HEMA Strong in 2017 to specifically serve the HEMA community. Since 2021, I’ve worked as a subject matter expert on nutrition with global fitness brands including Anytime Fitness, Orangetheory, and Stronger U.
But here’s what really matters: I’ve been exactly where you are. The principles I teach haven’t just helped hundreds of clients – they’ve made tangible impacts on my own fencing performance, fitness levels, and body composition. Everything I offer is specifically optimized for HEMA practitioners, combining real-world transformation experience with proven strategies that I live by every single day.
Click the button below and I’ll personally review your goals to recommend whether 1:1 coaching, group training, or one of my HEMA-specific programs is the best fit for your situation.