Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Marshall.
Hi Amanda, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m a mom to six amazing kids, ages 9 to 22. My husband served 25 years in the Air Force and Space Force before retiring in 2023. Throughout most of that time, I was a full-time stay-at-home mom and homeschooled my children through their elementary and junior high years.
For 17 of those years, my weight fluctuated between 180 and 255 pounds. I’d lose some weight, then have another baby, repeating the cycle every two or three years. After having my sixth child, my body was worn down. I had bulging discs in my S1, L5, and L4 vertebrae, severe diastasis recti, joint pain, constant fatigue, low confidence, and growing doubt about whether I could be the kind of mom I wanted to be — the kind who played, laughed, and lived fully alongside her children, not just sat on the sidelines.
I kept finding myself saying, “I’m too tired,” or “I’m too sore,” when my kids asked me to play. I hated that. I wanted to be in their memories, not just watching from the background.
Then one day, my husband’s cousin came over for a visit. She looked amazing — clearly losing weight and glowing with energy. I asked her what she was doing, and she simply said, “I’m treating myself right.”
That moment hit me hard.
I had poured everything into making sure my kids had the right foods, a great education, enriching experiences, and a stable home. But I had never stopped to consider how neglecting myself was not only setting a poor example, but also keeping me from living life with them — and one day, it might make me a burden they’d have to carry.
So I decided to change.
I began studying nutrition and slowly increased my activity. My husband introduced me to strength training, and I kept learning, applying, and adjusting as I went. The weight started coming off, and I was getting stronger.
We moved to Ohio in 2017, a year after our sixth child was born. By then, I had lost around 30–35 pounds. I kept going, and by 2019 I had dropped 80 pounds. While my husband was deployed, I hired a personal trainer and lost the last 30 pounds. When he came home, he was blown away. Over time, with consistency and physical therapy, even my back issues improved — and I haven’t had pain in years.
By 2019, I was hooked. I loved lifting weights, building muscle, and learning everything I could about fitness. People started asking how I did it — and if I could help them too.
In 2023, we launched Mars Hall Fitness, after my husband encouraged me to turn my passion into something that could help more women. I got certified and went to work.
Maybe it’s the mom and teacher in me, but I love coaching, teaching, and encouraging others. My absolute favorite is working with women who, like I once did, feel like it’s too late — but are still willing to try. When I give them a plan they can actually implement, and just a few weeks later they tell me the weight is dropping, their energy is rising, and they feel like themselves again… it’s like watching them come back to life.
They grow stronger. Their confidence returns. And often, their families follow suit.
In April and June of 2025, my husband and I stepped on stage together for two NPC bodybuilding competitions, competing in multiple divisions. We placed in almost every class we entered. For me, standing confidently under those stage lights was about far more than just fitness — it was the reward of years of persistence, healing, and belief in what’s possible. Coming from where I started, it was a moment of profound accomplishment.
I hope my story inspires more women to chase their highest potential — to see what happens when they don’t give up.
Today, I still homeschool my two youngest children. I coach clients in person at M3 a.k.a. the Monty Maybry Machine Shop in Centerville, Ohio, and I train women around the world using my custom-built Mars Hall Fitness App, which launched in March 2025. It allows me to create personalized fitness and nutrition plans that fit their lives — complete with calorie and macro targets, over 1,200 recipes, and 225+ guided lifts. Every program is fully customized, but flexible enough that clients can adapt it to their day-to-day lives.
Helping women take back their health and strength is one of the greatest joys of my life. I’m living proof that it’s never too late — and I love helping others discover that too.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not always, but I’ve been incredibly blessed with a strong support system.
My husband and children have been amazing in helping me take on new responsibilities so I can make time for both school and training. They’re always open to my new ideas — and even volunteer as test subjects when I want to try new methods. They’ve been willing, encouraging, and patient throughout it all.
My husband, especially, has made many sacrifices to support me. He’s taken on more at home to give me the space and time to launch the business and has been a true teammate — helping with administrative tasks and offering advice every step of the way. We really are a team in every sense.
The hardest parts have come in those moments when I’ve mismanaged my time and felt like I missed an opportunity to be present with my family. I’ve struggled with guilt knowing there were days when I wasn’t as available to my kids as I wanted to be. That was painful — but also a learning experience.
As I’ve gained more experience and confidence, I’ve set firm boundaries to protect our family time. I make sure I’m home and fully present for all the moments that matter most. We don’t miss anything now, and that balance is something I’m very intentional about protecting.
We’ve been impressed with Mars Hall Fitness, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Mars Hall Fitness is more than just a training business — it’s a mission rooted in purpose, transformation, and the belief that every woman has incredible value and potential.
We specialize in creating personalized, sustainable fitness and nutrition programs for women — especially those who feel like it might be “too late” or don’t know where to start. I coach clients in person at the Monty Maybry Machine Shop in Centerville, Ohio, and train women around the world through my custom-built Mars Hall Fitness App.
What sets us apart is our deeply individualized and holistic approach. Every plan is tailored to each woman’s goals, body, lifestyle, and preferences. Through the app, clients gain access to:
• Over 1,200 customizable recipes
• 225+ guided lifts and exercise demos
• Personalized calorie and macro targets
• Flexible training programs they can fit into real life, not just gym life
But beyond the tools and tracking, what truly drives this brand is my faith.
My strong belief in God as our Creator gives me a clear understanding of the unique worth and purpose of every person. That foundation shapes everything I do — from how I treat my clients, to how I design their plans, to how I support them on hard days. I see fitness and nutrition not just as physical disciplines, but as part of a whole-person approach that values the body, mind, and spirit.
We weren’t created to be exhausted, discouraged, or stuck in survival mode. We were made for abundant life — and that includes strength, energy, joy, and purpose. Helping women discover that truth and experience that kind of breakthrough is one of the greatest joys of my life.
What I’m most proud of brand-wise is that Mars Hall Fitness is born from my own transformation. I spent years feeling stuck in my body and out of touch with who I was. My journey back to strength wasn’t easy — but it taught me how powerful it is when a woman finally sees what she’s capable of. That’s what I hope to offer every woman I work with: not just hope — but a clear, doable path forward.
At Mars Hall Fitness, we believe:
• It’s never too late to get strong
• Fitness should fit your life — not the other way around
• Every woman is made with purpose, and taking care of her body honors that purpose
• When a woman regains her health, her confidence rises, and her family often follows
Whether you’re just starting, starting over, or chasing bigger goals, we’re here to help you build something strong — from the inside out
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Dayton is an old city with a deep and fascinating history.
As a city shaped by its river, its development was organic — even a little chaotic at times. You’ll find quirky layouts, one-way streets, and odd turns that can drive you a little crazy if you’re new. But that’s part of its charm. Dayton had to grow and adapt with the times, and in a way, I resonate with that. It may not be perfect, but its imperfections tell a story of survival and reinvention.
There was a time when the city clearly struggled. For decades, you could feel the slow decline — the wear and tear, the emptiness in once-bustling areas. But what I love is how Dayton didn’t give up. In recent years, it’s made such a strong comeback — cleaning up, restoring, and finding new life in old places. There’s such a rich supply of history here, along with hidden gems, creative dives, and neighborhoods full of character.
It’s a fun place to explore — and more than that, it feels like a place that’s fought for itself. There’s a gritty, tenacious spirit in Dayton — a story of resilience and rebuilding — and I’d like to think I carry that same spirit in my own life. Maybe that’s why I feel so connected to it.
Honestly, there’s nothing I really dislike about Dayton. Like any of us, the city has gone through hard times and needed some course correction. But when it matters, Dayton shows up for its people. It pulls together for the good of the community.
To me, that makes it a great city — not because it’s flawless, but because it’s real, and it keeps striving to become better.
Pricing:
- In Person Training: $60 per session
- App Starts at $50 monthly
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.marshallfitness.coach
- Instagram: @Mandy.M_222
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1YHKQszSA9/?mibextid=qi2Omg
- Youtube: @MarsHallFitness2025
