Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Lark.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Amanda’s Response: My path into fitness wasn’t linear. I spent the better part of a decade working in oncology clinical research. I was surrounded by people battling for their lives and often saw firsthand how things like nutrition, sleep, and movement were underutilized in their care. That experience changed the way I viewed health—it made me passionate about prevention, resilience, and the small daily choices that help people live fully, not just avoid illness. I was a lifelong athlete—track and field, weightlifting—and fitness had always grounded me. Eventually, I decided to pursue my passion and became a NASM-certified personal trainer, combining my scientific background with movement education. I wanted to help women—especially those navigating burnout, stress, and uncertainty—reclaim their bodies, build strength, and feel confident in their skin.
We created Toolbox Fitness to be a space that blends science with heart. We train people for longevity, strength, and confidence—not just aesthetics. Our approach is evidence-based, individualized, and deeply rooted in empathy. Between us, we bring decades of experience, two very different but complementary backgrounds, and one shared mission: to help people take charge of their health in a way that’s sustainable and empowering.
Dan’s Response: My story is one of rediscovery. I grew up playing sports and found a love for powerlifting in high school. I coached, judged, and competed for over a decade. But after becoming a law enforcement officer, life caught up. Injuries, surgeries, and stress took their toll. At one point, I found myself overweight, burned out, and full of bad habits—even while I was teaching officer wellness.
That changed in 2015 when I was accepted to the FBI National Academy—a huge honor, but one that required serious physical preparation. I trained hard, changed my nutrition, and rebuilt my health. It reignited my passion for fitness and reminded me what it feels like to live fully in your body. After retiring from law enforcement, I became a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach. I haven’t looked back.
At Toolbox, I bring over 25 years of experience training for power, endurance, and overall wellness. I’ve worked with everyone from competitive athletes to everyday folks just trying to feel better. My passion is helping people realize it’s never too late to reclaim your health.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not smooth—but absolutely worth it! Like most small business owners, especially in the fitness space, there’s been a steep learning curve. We didn’t start Toolbox Fitness with a marketing degree or business background—we started it with a passion for helping people live better through movement, and then had to figure out the rest. One of the biggest challenges has been learning how to actually run a business—how to market our services, reach different generations, build a website, and create a brand that feels both professional and deeply personal. For example, learning how to speak to 20-somethings on Instagram is wildly different than building trust with 50-somethings through community outreach or word-of-mouth. We’ve had to experiment, evaluate, and adapt constantly. What’s helped the most is remembering that it’s okay not to have everything figured out on day one – we just need to be 1% better than yesterday. We’re committed to learning, evolving, and showing up consistently for the people we serve.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Amanda’s Response: At Toolbox Fitness, we work with everyday people who want to move better, feel stronger, and build long-term health habits—whether they’re brand new to strength training or getting back into it after years away. We offer one-on-one personal training both in-person and online, and specialize in creating personalized programs that are sustainable, not punishing. Our goal isn’t quick fixes—it’s giving clients the tools (hence, “Toolbox”) they need to feel strong and capable for life.
Personally, I work with a wide range of clients—women navigating hormonal shifts, people recovering from injuries, transplant recipients training for competitions, and total beginners just trying to feel better in their bodies. What I’m most proud of isn’t a business milestone—it’s my clients. Nothing brings me more joy than hearing someone correct their own form mid-rep, or watching someone go from unsure to confident in their movements. That kind of growth is powerful.
What sets me apart is the blend of science and empathy I bring to coaching. My background is in biology, and I spent years working as a Clinical Research Associate on oncology trials, which gave me a deep understanding of the human body—and the consequences of a healthcare system that often overlooks lifestyle. I also grew up running track and lifting, so movement has always been a constant in my life. That combination of technical knowledge, lived experience, and an absolute passion for education shapes how I train and connect with clients.
At the end of the day, I want people to leave each session not just stronger, but more in tune with their bodies and more equipped to take charge of their health—because when you understand your body, you can take better care of it.
Dan’s Response: I train people to be stronger both mentally and physically. I teach them that hard work results in the accomplishment of goals. I want the client to strive to be better every day, not just in the gym but in life. Take control of your environment and go to bed satisfied.
In the gym I consider myself to be a strength and power coach. I am very straight forward in my training and goal specific. I like quantitative results, this is why I like strength training because it can be measured. These results carry outside the gym in confidence, and self-esteem.
What sets us apart is our dedication to the client. I will not take more than 10 sessions a week. I don’t feel I can provide the type of service my client requires if I spread myself too thin. Although we do have to cover our overhead, the company was made with the idea of helping the clients, not seeing how much revenue we can make. I really want my clients to know they have a “Personal Trainer”. We don’t leave for the day until my client tells me they have had a full session and is satisfied.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Amanda’s Response: It’s hard to pinpoint just one moment, but when I think about my childhood, I remember the feeling more than anything specific—the rhythm of running cross country and track, lifting in the weight room during school, and spending hours moving my body just because I loved it. There was something incredibly freeing about pushing through the last 30 meters of a tough sprint workout, when my lungs felt like they were on fire and my legs were ready to give out. That kind of physical challenge lit a spark in me—it was painful, but it unlocked a mental strength I found fun and, honestly, a little addicting.
Back then, movement was about joy. I wasn’t chasing aesthetics or trying to undo stress. I was just a kid doing what felt good. As I got older, I lost touch with that a bit—like many of us do—and found myself exercising more for health, performance, or how I looked. But over time, I’ve reconnected with the joy of moving simply because I can. That mindset shift has made all the difference—not just in my training, but in how I coach others. Movement should be something that supports your life, not something you punish yourself with.
Dan’s Response: My favorite memories were loosely fitness related. I grew up with a love for water and nature. I spent most of my days catching turtles, swimming, riding bikes and working on the local farms. I was always involved in sports but certainly got the most joy out of just being outside. As a “grown up” one of my favorite things to do is go find alligators, so I guess I have not changed much.
Pricing:
- Please contact us via email for pricing! We work our clients and want to offer them something sustainable.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.toolboxfitnesstraining.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toolboxfitnesstraining/
