Today we’d like to introduce you to Siraj Saeed.
Hi Siraj, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Founder of TruBorn Strong, and I’ve been a strength coach for 10 years.
I started as an engineering student at Georgia State when I realized my passion for health, wellness and strength training. I changed my career trajectory and started my coaching journey. This came with an array of challenges, firstly being the child of immigrant parents who were not keen on the idea of leaving engineering and building a career in fitness. However, I was determined to prove to them that I could to find success in an industry that I am passionate about and having the opportunity to help others every day. I am diversified in many coaching modalities: boot camp, group training and one-one sessions. I am fortunate to have opened my own facility and launched a powerlifting team two years ago. Over the years I have seen the hard work and determination from my clients not only transform them physically but mentally as well. In the past, I have struggled with self-confidence issues regarding my body image and I wanted to create an atmosphere where everyone felt welcome and empowered. The community that we have built is beyond what I ever could have imagined and I can’t even accurately describe how proud I am of everyone that trains with us.
Starting out from humble beginnings and just four athletes, we have consistently grown our team and advanced our goals. Our mission is to become the strongest gym in Georgia.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not a smooth road. Choosing to leave the comfort of working for a large and established corporation to branch out on my own was terrifying. I needed to find a facility that I could train my athletes out of, without driving myself into massive amounts of debt. I am fortunate to have a few incredible advisors that have helped me every step of the way: my family first off, along with Wade Bradley, Bryan Sweatman, and Rob Meale.
I was able to get established at a small facility (Morris Wrestling) in Alpharetta in 2021, with only enough room for a few squat racks, but it was a start and Charlie Morris was willing to take a chance on what I envisioned for the powerlifting community. Since then we have relocated twice more to keep up with our growth, and have recently taken on an 8,000 sf facility at 5356 McGinnis Ferry Rd Suite 300, Alpharetta, GA 30005
Another challenge was establishing a brand new team within the powerlifting community. We were completely unknown, and going up against teams that have been established for many years. We have since placed in the Top 4 GA teams in 2021 and 2022 – looking to bring home first place this year in 2023!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about TruBorn Strong?
TruBorn Strong is a strength/fitness community for everyone, regardless of age or experience with strength training. We have athletes ranging from 8 – 67 years old. TruBorn offers personalized strength programming and coaching for individuals, whether your goal is to compete in powerlifting, get stronger for your high school/college sport, weight loss, or just stay strong and healthy for everyday life.
It doesn’t matter if you are a seasoned athlete, or if you have never picked up a weight in your life, you are welcome here. While of course, I am proud of the awards and titles that our team has accomplished over the past 2 years, I am most proud of the community that we have established. I love that our members speak so highly of the energy that lives in our gym, and how everyone is always rooting for one another. For example, we have a PR gong in the corner of the gym, and if someone gets a personal best on a lift and hits that gong, everyone in the facility stops what they are doing to cheer for the person who just hit a new goal. Nothing makes me happier than seeing our community not only getting in a great workout at the gym but smiling, laughing and having a great time while doing it. Anyone and everyone is welcome in the TruBorn family.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I am a “Paxican”: half Mexican, half Pakistani. Both of my parents immigrated here from their respective countries for new opportunities, so my sister and I are first-generation American. I am proud of my heritage, and my wife and I traveled to Pakistan last year to have a traditional Pakistani wedding.
My wife and I both ride motorcycles.
I played Rugby in high school, at Georgia State University, and for local Atlanta clubs. I also competed in a few competitive eating events in my early-20’s.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.trubornstrong.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trubornstrong/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trubornstrong
Image Credits
Powerlifting North America PoorGamer Official
