Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris.
Hi Chris, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
The Story of Erin Mansour & Chris McNally: From Passion to Purpose with Stryke Fitness
We’re Erin Mansour and Chris McNally, a husband-and-wife team, and co-founders of *Stryke Fitness*, a movement that’s so much more than just a gym. It’s a lifestyle, a calling, and a community built on faith, fitness, and family. Our journey hasn’t been traditional—far from it—but it’s been authentic, purpose-driven, and deeply rewarding.
How It All Started
Stryke Fitness was born out of personal transformation. Years ago, we were both navigating life’s challenges while also chasing a deeper sense of meaning—physically, spiritually, and relationally.
What started as our own commitment to health and growth evolved into something we felt compelled to share.
Chris had always been drawn to movement, mindset, and motivating others. He was an All-American Wrestler in College and moved to charleston to Coach at the Citadel after he finished coaching we returned to the athletic arena as a Professional Mixed Martial Arts Fighter from 2006-2012. He retired and continued his fitness journey alongside his wife Erin.
Erin brought a fiery passion for empowering women, helping people heal from within, and turning pain into power. Together, we realized that our vision wasn’t just about reps and workouts—it was about helping people *come alive* in every area of their life.
We began hosting small group fitness classes that blended high-energy bodyweight training with intentional conversation around marriage, parenting, discipline, and purpose. It was raw. It was real. And people couldn’t get enough.
Building the Brand — With Heart
We didn’t set out to build a brand—we just wanted to serve. But as Stryke grew, we knew we had something special. We poured our soul into it: the coaching, the culture, the creativity behind the workouts. Our training methods incorporated elements like animal-style movement, cold plunges, saunas, and spiritual alignment. It wasn’t about just burning calories; it was about breaking generational cycles and building strong men, women, and families.
Stryke Fitness became our platform to help people *Stryke through the noise* of modern life—distractions, disconnection, discouragement—and reconnect to who they’re meant to be.
Enter Social Media — The Game Changer
We were late to the game when it came to social media. At first, we were hesitant to share. Our relationship, our struggles, our growth—it felt personal. But then we realized *that’s exactly what people needed to see.*
So we started creating raw, unfiltered content on Instagram under *Life with Chris and Erin*. We didn’t script it. We didn’t sugarcoat it. We just talked about real marriage, real conflict, real intimacy, real growth. Sometimes funny, sometimes fiery, always authentic.
That’s when everything changed.
Our videos started going viral—not because we were flashy, but because we were honest. Couples began messaging us from all over the world saying, “Thank you for being real. You helped us talk again. You saved our marriage.” Men started showing up saying, “I’ve never had another man show me how to lead like this.”
It was humbling. And it was confirmation that we were doing exactly what we were called to do.
Where We Are Now
Today, Stryke Fitness is not just a gym—it’s a brand, a coaching movement, and a mission. We run marriage retreats, intimacy courses, men’s and women’s development programs, and high-level coaching containers for couples who want to level up in love and life.
Social media has allowed us to reach thousands, even millions, with our message—but more than that, it’s helped us build a *community* of people who want to grow together.
We’ve learned that fitness isn’t just about the body. It’s about staying present in your marriage. Showing up for your kids. Telling the truth. Doing hard things. Being fully engaged.
And now we get to teach that—together.
If you’re reading this and wondering if your story matters—it does. We’re living proof that ordinary people with extraordinary purpose can change lives. You don’t need perfect. You just need *real*.
At Stryke Fitness, we say: **Fit. Focused. Fully Engaged.** That’s how we live. That’s what we teach. And that’s what we’ll keep sharing—with the world.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not a smooth ride. We have had to learn the ropes as they say of Entrepreneurship, Marriage and all of the things at the same time. Ironically creating the fitness program and the Brand was the easy part, its all the stuff they don’t tell you about that will test you and your marriage.
At one point we actually were brought onto Marriage Rescue with Jon Taffer to save our then, failing marriage due to the Business and the toll it was taking on us.
We have been in four different locations since 2015 and have just celebrated 10 years in business. We have learned alot and changed quite a bit over the years but the passion and Joy that Stryke brings is stronger than ever.
We have been obstrasized by our community for our Social media presence and for challenging the status quo and setting a standard of being healthy fit and strong vs. what the community prefers to swing towards.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
What is Stryke Fitness?
Stryke Fitness is more than a gym—it’s a movement.
Founded by husband-and-wife duo Chris McNally and Erin Mansour, Stryke is a high-impact, faith-driven, results-oriented coaching experience designed to transform the body, mind, and spirit.
At its core, Stryke Fitness exists to help people *Stryke through the noise*—the distractions, the excuses, the emotional weight, and the physical limitations that hold them back from becoming who they were created to be.
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The Stryke Method
Stryke Fitness combines raw, bodyweight-style training with deep personal development, relational coaching, and spiritual alignment.
Every session is designed to challenge your comfort zone while reconnecting you to what matters most—your purpose, your power, and your people.
Training with Stryke is built on four key pillars:
1. **Presence** – We don’t believe in mindless reps. Every session is an invitation to get present: in your body, your breath, and your purpose.
2. **Discipline** – No gimmicks. Just consistency, accountability, and real sweat equity. We train hard because we live hard—with integrity, grit, and grace.
3. **Movement Mastery** – From primal animal-style movement to breathwork, sauna therapy, cold plunges, and mobility drills—our training system honors the way the body was designed to move.
4. **Relational Fitness** – Our fitness doesn’t stop at the gym door. We teach men to lead better in their homes. We help women reclaim their strength and softness. We show couples how to fight *for* each other, not *with* each other.
Who We Serve
Stryke Fitness is for the man who’s tired of coasting… the woman who wants to come back to life… the couple ready to rebuild their connection. Whether you’re training with us in person or online, you’re stepping into a culture that calls you higher.
We work with:
* High-performing husbands and wives
* Busy parents ready to reclaim their vitality
* Couples wanting to increase intimacy and trust
* Individuals navigating spiritual or emotional plateaus
* Anyone hungry to break cycles and build legacy
Our Beliefs
Faith is foundational. “God is the source of our strength, and everything we do flows from that belief.”
Fitness is more than physical. “Your body is a tool—but your mindset, marriage, and emotional health matter just as much.”
Family is your first team. “How you lead at home matters more than how you look in the mirror.”
Freedom is earned. “We don’t hand out easy. We coach people to *earn* their breakthroughs—because that’s where real transformation lives.”
**Stryke Fitness — Fit. Focused. Fully Engaged.**
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
We take risks everday because we are going against the grain and doing things that very few will ever do in their lives.
We didn’t have the money to start our first studio but we did it.
We had no idea how to go viral and create content on Social media but we did it and continue to do it everyday.
Pricing:
- First Class is FREE
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.strykefitness.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strykefitness/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strykefitness
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@StrykeFitnessFightDance
