Dooley Noted: 10/29/2015
The Person: Marshall Roy
Profession: strength coach and owner of Rise gym outside Philadelphia, PA.
How I know him:
I had the honor of meeting Marshall while giving talks to the Tier 4 trainers at Equinox: Columbus Circle.
Marshall was one of the assistants at my initial Russian Kettlebell Challenge (RKC) instructor certification seminar in Sept 2012.
I got to learn from him again when he assisted the StrongFirst Barbell instructor certification at Catalyst SPORT in March 2015.
How he’s changed me:
Marshall is one of the most effective strength coaches I’ve met in my career. His empathy and patience both run deep to his core, for he wasn’t always big and strong.
In high school, Marshall was quite thin and lanky to match his tall frame. He has worked diligently and consistently over the years to pack on extensive muscle mass, through hours upon hours with the iron and planned nutrition.
Marshall has masterful coaching skills, but perhaps the most significance you gain from his tutelage is the psychological component he brings to the table. He has an impeccable way of bringing you from a lack of confidence to a quick assurance that you can accomplish the task in front of you.
Marshall is also incredibly brave. He had an amazing coaching job with a top-notch facility in NYC, but he wanted to open his own gym and run his own show. He gave up a sense of “security” to live out his dreams.
And his successful gym, Rise, has nothing but strength and fitness coming out of its walls.
Marshall, thank you for your non-stop inspiration. And if you readers are anywhere near Philly, make sure to contact Marshall and train with him at Rise.
His responses to a list of my questions:
Hobbies:
Charcoal grilling, bike riding
Book that changed you:
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Best website:
Spotify
Biggest mentor:
My wife, Felicia Ricci
Secret to success:
Define it yourself
Secret to happiness:
Love
Secret to fitness:
Think lifetime, act daily
Secret to wealth:
Solve problems for people
Best advice you’ve been given:
Han Solo: “Never tell me the odds.”
By definition, anything beyond mediocrity is improbable; the odds will never be in your favor. Screw the odds and go for it.
Your acronyms:
SFG, SFL
How you can be contacted for assessments/help:
marshall@risegym.com
Honor and acknowledge the people that change you.
As always, it’s your call.
– Dr. Kathy Dooley