Coach Spotlight: Brittany Snyder

Coach: Brittany Snyder

What do your parents or spouse call you when you are in trouble?

Never happened. Prove me wrong. 

Do you have any embarrassing nicknames? What are they?

The training officers in my fire academy called me “Moose” back when I was a cadet. I was secretly proud of it. 

What actor or actress would you like to play you in a movie?

Blake Lively, but only if she’s willing to add a little muscle mass for the role. I want to be represented in all of my 167 pound glory!

How long have you been coaching?

Two and a half years. I got my foot in the door with Crossfit group classes, then fell in love with the barbell lifts shortly thereafter.

Have you had other careers, or currently work in another field? What are they?

I’ve worked in the fire service professionally for over 15 years. My current rank is as a Fire Captain, and I’ve had my Paramedic license for over 10 years. 

Who’s your favorite BLOC client? (JK, don’t answer that.)

The ones who sport the hottest leggings!!

Who’s your least favorite BLOC client? (JK, again.)

The ones who forget to wear pants all together…

If you could time travel back to when you first started coaching, what advice would you give yourself?

Hunker down, girl. Quality coaches are not made overnight. You’re going to find the right mentors and amazing opportunities, but much like strength, becoming a respectable coach is a long term journey. Enjoy the process. Take good notes.

What are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not working or training?

Karaoke! Any time. Any place. Especially is Coach CJ Gotcher is there. 

What is your favorite lift?

Deadlift

Where do you live?

Santa Fe, NM

What is your favorite animal print?

Hey, I’m all for whatever print is gonna make my quads look jacked. 

How long have you been training?

6.5 years. My only regret in life is not getting under the barbell sooner. 

What is the most embarrassing moment from any dark days of “lifting” that you may have had?

Well, I haven’t shat myself under the bar yet, but I do pee all over the gym floor when I’m under a heavy squat or dead (so, often). 

What do you love about training? 

I love to grind under a heavy rep. I like knowing that I did everything I could to make that lift successful. I love those times when I have to dig deep and get gritty. It offers me perspective and makes the other “hard” things in life suddenly not seem so hard. 

What do you love about coaching? 

Strength has changed my life, making me a more capable and empowered person, and I like helping guide others through that same process. 

What lifting achievement are you most proud of?

My first powerlifting meet. I had just put myself through LP, never been to a powerlifting meet, never had a barbell coach, and didn’t know anyone at the meet. The Barbell Logic episode on prepping for your first meet was huge in helping me prepare. Looking back I did a pretty damn good job for being so inexperienced. I even managed some PRs!

Would you rather magically increase each of your PRs by 20%, or magically increase one of your lifts by 100%?

Magically increase one of my lifts by 100% 

Would you rather not have to eat food and have your ideal body composition, or get to eat 6,000 calories per day and have your ideal body composition?

Get to eat 6,000 calories per day and have my ideal body composition.

How many lifting-related shirts do you own? 

21-30

What or who gets you to train when your motivation is really low?

My coach (Matt Reynolds)! Knowing I’ve got to answer to someone gets me in the gym even when I don’t feel like it.

Pre-workout of choice

I’ll take down an entire pot of black coffee. Dare me.

What are some of your go-to lifting songs?

I love crankin the Loverboy Pandora station! Throw in a little Whitesnake, a little Motley Crue and I’m destined for a pretty “f*ck yeah” lifting session. 

What is the most embarrassing song you like?

When no one’s around?…”Work B**tch” by Britney Spears. Because she’s not wrong. 

What are some of your lifting-related goals for this year? 

I want to continue to drive up my hook grip on my heavy deads. I’m gunning for a new 1RM this year and ideally I’d like to hook grip that baby off the ground when it happens. 

Do you plan on competing in a meet this year? If so, what are your goals?

Dude. I’ve got a Costume/Deadlift comp coming up at Halloween. Send me your awesome costume ideas!!

1st place in her weight class with a 330 deadlift, dressed as Rosie the Riveter.

What have you learned about yourself from barbell training?

I’m not the fastest or the strongest athlete, but I can probably out-grit my competition.  

Do you have a role model? Who is it and why?

Coach Bill Hannon! That guy knows everything about everything. Is this a cheap attempt to get on his good side as his intern? Totally. Will he take the bait? Firm no 🙂

Dead or alive, who would you love to lift with?

The entire cast of FRIENDS. Mostly because I’ve been dying to see a FRIENDS cast reunion. #twobirdsonestone 

If BLOC made a yearbook, which do you think you’d most likely win?

Most likely to organize the after-party!

How much do you love to eat? 1 – It’s a chore … 5 – What are we eating next???

5

What’s your favorite meal? Please use as much detail as possible.

Pan seared ahi tuna steaks, coated in sesame oil and sesame seeds, then served with a wasabi & rice vinegar aoli. Good macros on that sucker too!

What was your favorite childhood TV show?

Muppet Babies. Miss Piggy is an original #bosslady.

What is a movie that you have watched over and over and over again?

The Departed. That cast!

Tell us your best dad joke. 

Hmm… I had some unemployment jokes but none of them really work.

What advice do you have for a new lifter? Or a lifter who’s been doing this a while? 

New lifter: We’ve all been in your shoes (and hopefully those shoes are proper lifters). No one is judging, we’re just happy you’re on this path because getting strong MATTERS 🙂

Anything else you would like to share with your BLOC brethren and sistren? 

Maybe a beer and some brisket!