Shirlee and Gio are a powerlifting power couple who own and operate the gym Hybrid Barbell in Youngstown, Ohio. In this episode we talk about the importance of prioritizing your health and getting stronger, what everyone can gain from powerlifting, and how to get started if you're a beginner. BONUS: They give us all the juicy details of how they got together!

You can follow them on Instagram at @shirleesimon and @gpags42-- and check out Hybrid Barbell at @hybridbarbell.

Learn more about Fire + Voice at www.fireandvoice.life or on Instagram at @fireandvoice.

Shirlee was born in Youngstown, Ohio. She earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance from the State University of New York at Buffalo, and is trained in all styles of dance with a concentration in Ballet, Jazz, and Modern. In 2008, Shirlee moved to New York City where she pursued teaching, choreography, and performance. After settling down from auditioning and performing, Shirlee decided to take her love and knowledge of movement and the body to a new level. She became an American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) certified personal trainer. Shirlee has since, trained for private and corporate gym facilities and companies throughout Manhattan. She is well-versed in nutrition, general fitness, and powerlifting.  Shirlee and her fiancé, Giovanni, moved back to her hometown to open Hybrid Barbell in 2016.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Giovanni grew up playing football, basketball, and running track. He went on to play college football and rugby while earning his Bachelors Degree. Giovanni relocated to New York City in 2011 in order to pursue rugby. Earning a spot on the U.S. Tomahawk elite player roster (rugby league), and eventually playing at the professional level in Queensland, Australia. After rugby Giovanni took up boxing, becoming a member of the New York Athletic Club (NYAC) boxing team, where he competed in the New York Golden Gloves and New York Metropolitan tournaments. Upon finishing his athletic career Giovanni would take his acquired knowledge of performance based training and weightlifting to earn his International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) certification, as a personal trainer. Giovanni has since trained in both corporate and private gym facilities throughout Manhattan. Giovanni and his fiancé, Shirlee, decided to use their knowledge, experience, and love for training to open Hybrid Barbell.