Chad Volant’s story is one of resilience, compassion and a willingness to help individuals overcome physical limitations and pain. From his collegiate football days at Alma College to the inception of StrengthRx, Volant’s path has been defined by a desire to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others.
In 2012, Volant took a bold step by opening a CrossFit gym in Northern Michigan. Little did he know that this venture would set him on a course to discover his true calling. As the years passed, Volant noticed a recurring issue among his clientele. Many of the people he worked with were struggling with lingering injuries from their past, injuries that were hindering their progress and causing them pain.
Volant saw an opportunity to provide a solution. Wanting to make a difference, he made a pivotal decision to go back to school and specialize in pain management. Armed with this new knowledge and expertise, Volant began prescribing specialized protocols for soft tissue pain and developing custom programming to address tendon and soft tissue issues.
However, it was a chance encounter with a group of clients suffering from traumatic brain injuries that truly transformed the trainer’s perspective. Witnessing the significant impact his coaching had on these individuals, many of whom could barely walk through the gym doors, served as a wake-up call. Volant realized that his purpose extended beyond training athletes; he had the potential to change lives in profound ways.
With this newfound purpose, Volant made the courageous decision to shift his focus away from working with athletes. He rebranded his CrossFit gym, which he eventually sold as it evolved into a functional fitness facility in 2019. In 2020, he took a bold step by opening a new brand in Traverse City, Michigan, and rebranded as StrengthRx, this time specializing in online coaching and personal training.
StrengthRx is not your average coaching service. It stands out for its holistic approach to fitness and pain management. Volant and his team believe in providing comprehensive support to their clients. In addition to fitness coaching, they offer education and nutrition guidance, ensuring that clients have all the tools they need to achieve success.
One of StrengthRx’s key differentiators is the TrueCoach software, a cutting-edge tool that delivers personalized fitness programs to clients remotely. This technology allows StrengthRx to reach individuals from all corners of the country, extending its reach and making its services accessible to everyone, regardless of location.
The transformation Volant has witnessed in his clients fundamentally has changed his life. Traditional physical therapy often focuses on regaining the ability to perform everyday activities but may fall short in preparing individuals to return to rigorous exercise routines. Insurance coverage for ongoing fitness support is limited, leaving a critical gap that StrengthRx is committed to filling. StrengthRx takes a proactive approach by implementing preventative measures to help clients avoid roadblocks in their fitness journeys. The brand maintains a hyper-focus on quality, capped class sizes at six people, and prioritizes individual attention.
What truly sets StrengthRx apart is its ability to customize. The company tailors its programs to meet the unique needs of each client, ensuring nobody is left behind. Whether it’s remote services or in-person sessions, Volant and his team are dedicated to adapting their approach to suit their clients. Their in-person services include body composition tests conducted every four weeks to track progress, nutrition consultations and joint flexibility assessments. The joint flexibility tests evaluate flexibility from ankles to shoulders, enabling the team to make necessary modifications and create custom programming that minimizes the risk of future obstacles.
Strength-balance testing, which assesses right-versus-left strength, and evaluation of six fundamental human movements further refine each client’s program. This detailed approach helps determine whether one-on-one sessions or small group workouts are the most suitable path forward.
Looking ahead, StrengthRx has ambitious plans. After navigating the challenges of remote services during the COVID-19 pandemic, the team officially opened its doors in May 2022. Its mission remains constant: to create a positive impact on individuals whose lives have been affected by physical restrictions, helping them regain a sense of normalcy and fulfillment.
To experience the StrengthRx difference firsthand, consider taking advantage of the free joint flexibility test — a comprehensive eight-point inspection that can be conducted remotely. If pain is detected during the assessment, immediate exercise modifications and a personalized write-up of the adjustments will be provided, all at no cost. To get started, simply reach out to Chad Volant and his team on Instagram via direct message with the keyword “Flexibility.”
