We had the good fortune of connecting with Hailey Barragan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hailey, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I grew up in a time where women wanted to shrink themselves to fit in and to be accepted. Everyone was constantly dieting, cutting out carbs, and wanting to lose weight to get as skinny as possible because that was the norm. As I got into the gym and lifting, I started to feel how empowering strength was. To be able to lift things without the help of anyone. To fuel my body for performance and to see what my body could do instead of just worrying about what it looked like. Lifting weights has changed my entire outlook on life and how I view myself and I’ve grown to be the most confident woman I’ve ever been. In a bigger body that takes up space in the weight room. I wanted to find a way to reach as many women as possible to help them find their strength and confidence through the gym and through lifting weights.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
After I had my son, I had gained about 60 lbs. I didn’t work out or take care of myself for years. I was finally fed up with how I felt and looked and decided to do something about it. I stepped foot in the gym for the first time at 27 years old and everything changed pretty quickly for me. I fell in love with the feeling of not only doing something good for my body but the confidence that came from lifting weights that I didn’t think was possible. I went through a pretty big weight loss transformation those first 1-2 years and lost about 55 lbs through diet and consistent strength training.

The gym really changed me as a person. The person I was before I had stepped foot in the gym was a very timid, self concious, depressed, and kind of just a shell of a person. I didn’t know where I wanted to go in my life and I didn’t have any hobbies.

I have confidence now. I love the person who I am. I have goals and I go for what I want. This transformation happend through showing up for myself at the gym every day and pushing past my mental barries I had set on myself. Each day I got a ltitle more confident and stronger.

The best thing a woman can do for herself is to become her strongest, most resilient self in my opinion. Knowing that you don’t need help to do anything physical is also a pretty cool perk if you ask me!

I created my online training platform Get strong with the mission to get a barbell in every woman’s hands. I want to help as many people as I can transform not only their bodies, but their minds. No matter their level of fitness- from beginner to advanced, I have programs and options available for all skill levels!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My perfect day would consist of going out for breakfast burritos at TOAST Kitchen, maybe picking up some donuts from Sidecar donuts, and then head to the gym for a squat or deadlift day! My favorite place to hike/ go on a trail walk is at the Shady canyon trail in Irvine so maybe we’d go do that in the afternoon and then go out for some dinner and drinks! I love Laguna beach so anyhwere over there, I’d be happy! I looooove tacos so I love trying out new taco spots as well!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
A huge shoutout to my son, Grayson. I was inspired to create my online training platform so I could reach and help as many people as possible online while still being able to be present in every day life for him! Also a big shoutout to my mentors and coaches who I have learned so much from a long the way: Hani Jazayrli and Dr. Katie Dabrowski!

Website: www.haileybarragan.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/haileybarragan

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@haileybarragan

Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hailey.barragan

Image Credits
@harry3oi for the powerlifting meet photos @capturedwithlovebyjanice and @fleo for the pink outfit photo

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