Lance Callahan has spent the past 25 years helping people become stronger—and he still loves every minute of it.

A survivor of extreme childhood trauma, Lance Callahan—now nearly 50—began bodybuilding at 18. As a child, he first stepped into the spotlight as a finalist on Star Search at age 11. He later pursued musical theater professionally from ages 18 to 23 before discovering his true calling: helping people become stronger.

Lance has been a full-time personal trainer since 2001. Over the course of his career, he has conducted more than 50,000 training sessions and worked with clients ranging in age from 16 to 89. Specializing in strength training, he enjoys helping everyone from complete beginners to advanced lifters reach their goals.

He launched his career on Los Angeles’ Westside, where he trained clients from 2001 to 2007. In 2007, he moved to the Eastside and became the #1 trainer at the iconic Body Builders Gym in Silver Lake, where he remained for the next 13 years. During that time, he worked with clients including Plácido Domingo, Kumail Nanjiani, Teresa Strasser, Mark Grotjahn, David Wain, Baron Vaughn, Mike O’Gorman, Jeff Lewis, Bud Cort, Gale Howard, Sean Adams, Pete Holmes, and many others. He also appeared on the short-lived Lifetime reality series Love Handles. When the gym closed during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Lance opened the next chapter of his career by training clients exclusively from his own private studio.

In 2023 and 2024, Lance had the privilege of working with legendary film producer Lynda Obst during the final year of her life. Today, he also serves as the personal trainer for one of Hollywood’s brightest stars, along with a diverse roster of clients from all walks of life—including healthcare professionals, law enforcement officers, artists, executives, students, retirees, and everyone in between.

Lance believes that strength training can improve nearly every aspect of a person’s life. Beyond his professional work, he donates one training session each week to a cancer survivor in remission. He strives to be a kind, compassionate, and encouraging presence for everyone he meets.

His education includes one semester at the Boston Conservatory, a B.A. in English from UCLA, certification through the American College of Sports Medicine, and certification from the Life Coach Institute of Orange County. But more than any credential, Lance believes that 25 years of coaching thousands of people—and learning from every one of them—is what has made him the trainer he is today.

Known for his powerful bench press, booming laugh, and record-setting 23-inch neck, Lance’s interests include bodybuilding, singing, horror films, politics, and spending time with his shelter dog, Bud.

Most of all, Lance simply loves people—and loves making them stronger.