Meet Candace Zinn

Founder & Head Coach

Strength has the power to change far more than your body—it can change the way you see yourself.

That belief has guided Candace Zinn throughout her entire coaching career.

Long before Anchor of Iron officially opened its doors in 2019, Candace was already coaching clients and helping people discover what strength could do for their lives. While building a career in healthcare, she found herself drawn to a different kind of healing—one that happened when people became stronger, more confident, and realized they were capable of far more than they had ever imagined.

With more than two decades of experience in the medical field, Candace has served in a variety of roles including Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Medical Assistant (MA), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Certified Surgical Technologist (CST), Surgical First Assistant (SAC), and Orthopedic and cardiac surgical specialist. Working alongside surgeons and caring for patients throughout injury, surgery, and recovery gave her an extensive understanding of how the human body moves, heals, and adapts. More importantly, it taught her that every person deserves an individualized approach to reaching their goals.

While medicine taught her how the body works, coaching showed her what people are truly capable of when someone believes in them.

Candace discovered that many people weren’t struggling because they lacked motivation—they were struggling because they had never been given realistic guidance, individualized programming, or a supportive environment where they felt seen and understood. She knew there had to be a better way than cookie-cutter fitness programs and intimidating gym environments. Over the years, that vision continued to evolve. Candace explored different business concepts, names, and logos, searching for something that truly represented the kind of community she wanted to build. In 2019, that vision officially became Anchor of Iron—a name and brand that reflected years of coaching experience, medical knowledge, and an unwavering belief that strength should be accessible to everyone.

Anchor of Iron wasn’t built simply to be another gym. It was created to be a place where people feel welcomed, challenged, supported, and genuinely cared for. A place where relationships matter just as much as results. A place where coaches listen before they prescribe, understand before they judge, and build programs around the individual rather than forcing individuals into a program.

Candace’s coaching philosophy combines evidence-based strength training with years of medical experience to create programs that are both effective and sustainable. At Anchor of Iron, the focus extends far beyond aesthetics. Every program is designed to improve movement quality, build a resilient posterior chain, increase confidence, reduce injury risk, and create strength that carries over into everyday life. Whether someone is recovering from an injury, training for their first competition, returning to exercise after years away, or simply wanting to feel better, every client receives a plan tailored to their unique goals and circumstances.

As both a coach and competitive strength athlete, Candace believes that the best coaches should always remain students. She continually pursues advanced education, certifications, and hands-on experience while challenging herself through competition. She understands firsthand that progress is rarely linear and that growth often comes through setbacks, perseverance, and learning to trust the process.

One of the things Candace values most is building genuine relationships with the people she coaches. She believes strength is about far more than numbers on a barbell. The confidence earned in the gym carries into careers, families, relationships, and every challenge life presents.

Some of the most meaningful victories aren’t personal records—they’re watching someone walk a little taller, believe in themselves again, or accomplish something they once thought was impossible.

Today, Candace leads Anchor of Iron alongside an incredible coaching team that shares the same commitment to education, authenticity, and community. Together, they have created an environment where athletes of all experience levels—from complete beginners to competitive lifters—can pursue their goals in a supportive, welcoming atmosphere that celebrates progress over perfection.

For Candace, coaching has never been about creating the strongest people in the room.

It’s about helping people discover the strength that has been inside them all along.

Because when people become stronger physically, they often discover they become stronger everywhere else, too.

And that’s what Anchor of Iron has always been about.

Meet Holly Chinn

Coach

For Holly, coaching is about helping people discover they’re capable of far more than they ever believed possible. With nearly two decades of experience as a Registered Nurse in the Intensive Care Unit, Holly has dedicated her career to helping others through some of life’s most challenging moments. That same compassion, attention to detail, and commitment to helping people thrive naturally carried over into strength coaching. She understands that every person walks into the gym with a different story, different goals, and different obstacles—and she believes every athlete deserves a program designed specifically for them.

Holly’s passion for strength began long before she became a coach. After years of training, she found her home in powerlifting, where she developed a deep appreciation for technical mastery, disciplined programming, and the confidence that comes from becoming stronger one lift at a time. Her pursuit of knowledge has never stopped. She is a USA Powerlifting Club Coach and continues expanding her education through advanced strength coaching certifications, always striving to provide the highest level of coaching for every member she works with.

Outside of the gym, Holly enjoys continuing to challenge herself in new ways. Whether she’s learning to row on Alaska’s beautiful lakes, creating pottery, spending time outdoors, or relaxing with her husband—an accomplished Olympic weightlifter—she believes that a balanced life fuels long-term success. She values lifelong learning and approaches every new hobby with the same curiosity and dedication she brings to coaching.

And then there’s Care Bear.

Known around Anchor of Iron as the gym’s beloved rest coach, Care Bear has become an unofficial mascot and one of the first friendly faces members see when they walk through the door. Whether he’s supervising workouts, greeting new visitors, or happily accepting pets between sets, he reminds everyone that strength and community can absolutely go hand in hand.

Members know Holly for her calm confidence, genuine kindness, and unwavering support. She celebrates every victory—whether it’s a personal record, a first pull-up, or simply having the courage to walk through the gym doors for the first time. She believes the strongest communities are built through encouragement, education, and authentic relationships.

For Holly, strength isn’t measured only by the weight on the bar. It’s measured by the confidence you build, the resilience you develop, and the courage to keep showing up. She is proud to be part of the Anchor of Iron family and is passionate about helping every member discover just how strong they can become.

Meet Mollie Masters

Media & Operations Assistant

For Mollie, strength has never been measured by the challenges she has faced—it has been measured by her willingness to overcome them.

At just 13 years old, Mollie underwent major surgery to correct hip dysplasia. Living with both Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), physical activity had never been something she enjoyed, and the idea of strength training seemed far outside her comfort zone. Six months after surgery, her father encouraged her to give Anchor of Iron a chance. Skeptical but willing to try, she walked through the doors expecting another workout. Instead, she found a community that would completely change the way she viewed herself.

Training under Candace Zinn, Mollie quickly discovered that Anchor of Iron was unlike any gym she had ever experienced. Through individualized coaching, encouragement, and consistent hard work, she began building confidence in both her body and her abilities. What once felt impossible slowly became reality. In her first year of training, she went from weighing just 85 pounds to a healthy 100 pounds, proving to herself that meaningful change comes from patience, consistency, and trusting the process.

Only two years after beginning her strength journey, Mollie obtained a weight 105 pounds and built a 175-pound deadlift—milestones she once never imagined achieving. Rather than allowing her medical conditions to define her limitations, she chose to let them fuel her determination. Her journey serves as a reminder that while obstacles may shape your path, they do not have to determine your destination.

Meet Clint McElfresh

Co-Owner & Coach

For Clint, strength has never been about chasing trophies—it’s about embracing the process.

A diesel mechanic by trade, Clint has built his life around hard work, discipline, and craftsmanship. Whether he’s solving complex mechanical problems or putting in another training session, he believes that consistent effort over time is what creates lasting results. That same mindset carries into every aspect of his life and coaching: show up, put in the work, and trust the process.

Originally pursuing a degree in Strength and Conditioning, Clint’s professional path eventually led him into the diesel industry. While his career changed directions, his passion for coaching, lifting, and helping others become stronger never did. Strength sports have remained a constant throughout his life, and his commitment to improving himself continues to evolve year after year.

Over the years, Clint has built an impressive competitive résumé in strongman, earning multiple first-place finishes and consistently finding himself battling for the top of the podium at competitions across the country. While he is proud of those accomplishments, they are not what define his success. Ask Clint what he enjoys most, and he’ll tell you it’s the training itself. He believes the journey is far more rewarding than the destination, and that every workout is another opportunity to become stronger, more resilient, and more disciplined than the day before.

His strength is the result of years of unwavering consistency. Clint has developed a deadlift exceeding 700 pounds—a lift that members often stop what they’re doing just to watch. His deadlift is known for its smooth,

technically sound execution, proving that strength and precision go hand in hand. He also holds himself to high standards across every aspect of training, from strict push-ups and pull-ups to bench pressing over 315 pounds and building exceptional lower-body strength through years of disciplined squatting. Rather than chasing shortcuts or quick results, Clint has earned every pound on the bar through patience, discipline, and relentless consistency.

Training primarily through the Conjugate Method, Clint believes in building athletes from the ground up by developing true, functional strength. A cornerstone of his training philosophy—and Anchor of Iron’s coaching philosophy—is developing the posterior chain. He believes that a strong back, glutes, hamstrings, and core are the foundation for athletic performance, injury prevention, longevity, and everyday strength. Instead of focusing solely on aesthetics, Clint teaches clients to build bodies that are powerful, durable, and capable of handling whatever life throws at them.

Whether coaching a seasoned competitor or someone walking into a gym for the very first time, Clint emphasizes proper movement, exceptional technique, and building a strong foundation before chasing heavier weights. Every program is tailored to the individual because he understands that no two athletes—or life circumstances—are the same.

Never one to become complacent, Clint continues to expand his own athletic pursuits beyond the weight room. Alongside strongman and strength training, he has incorporated running and rucking into his routine, believing that becoming a well-rounded athlete means continually stepping outside of your comfort zone. With competitions, endurance events, and personal goals always on the horizon, he continues to challenge himself while leading by example for every member at Anchor of Iron.

Members know Clint for far more than his strength. His calm demeanor, dependable work ethic, and quick sense of humor make him someone people naturally gravitate toward. He has an incredible ability to make people laugh, build genuine relationships, and create an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome, regardless of their experience or fitness level. Whether he’s celebrating a new personal record, helping someone through their first deadlift, or simply checking in after a tough day, Clint reminds people that community is just as important as the workout itself.

To Clint, strength extends well beyond the gym. It’s found in showing up when motivation fades, choosing discipline over convenience, encouraging those around you, and never settling for yesterday’s version of yourself. He lives the values Anchor of Iron was built upon: hard work, humility, continuous growth, and building a community where people are challenged, supported, and empowered to become stronger in every area of life. For Clint, lifting weights has always been about more than moving iron—it’s about building stronger people.

While powerlifting has been her foundation, Holly believes growth happens when you’re willing to step outside your comfort zone. Recently, she embraced a brand-new challenge by competing in her very first Strongwoman competition, proving that learning never stops. Her willingness to try something unfamiliar reflects the same encouragement she gives every client: don’t be afraid to chase goals that scare you.

As a coach, Holly blends medical knowledge with practical strength training to create thoughtful, individualized programs. Her extensive healthcare background gives her a unique understanding of movement, recovery, injury considerations, and long-term health. Whether she’s coaching a first-time lifter, an experienced athlete, or someone rebuilding confidence after years away from fitness, Holly meets people where they are and helps them move forward safely and successfully.

At Anchor of Iron, Holly shares the team’s commitment to building strong, resilient athletes through intelligent training. Like the rest of the coaching staff, she believes in developing a strong posterior chain, prioritizing excellent movement quality, and creating strength that carries into everyday life—not just the gym. Her coaching focuses on building confidence alongside strength, helping clients understand not only what they’re doing, but why they’re doing it.

Here at Anchor of Iron, we pride ourselves in having one of the finest training facilities here in the Final Frontier.

With State of the Art equipment and coaches certified in PPSC and Westside Barbell training modalities; we offer, and provide, not only a great gym - but also a well educated, prowess friendly community.

Meet Candace Zinn

Founder & Head Coach

Strength has the power to change far more than your body—it can change the way you see yourself.

That belief has guided Candace Zinn throughout her entire coaching career.

Long before Anchor of Iron officially opened its doors in 2019, Candace was already coaching clients and helping people discover what strength could do for their lives. While building a career in healthcare, she found herself drawn to a different kind of healing—one that happened when people became stronger, more confident, and realized they were capable of far more than they had ever imagined.

With more than two decades of experience in the medical field, Candace has served in a variety of roles including Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Medical Assistant (MA), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Certified Surgical Technologist (CST), Surgical First Assistant (SAC), and Orthopedic and cardiac surgical specialist. Working alongside surgeons and caring for patients throughout injury, surgery, and recovery gave her an extensive understanding of how the human body moves, heals, and adapts. More importantly, it taught her that every person deserves an individualized approach to reaching their goals.

While medicine taught her how the body works, coaching showed her what people are truly capable of when someone believes in them.

Candace discovered that many people weren’t struggling because they lacked motivation—they were struggling because they had never been given realistic guidance, individualized programming, or a supportive environment where they felt seen and understood. She knew there had to be a better way than cookie-cutter fitness programs and intimidating gym environments.

Over the years, that vision continued to evolve. Candace explored different business concepts, names, and logos, searching for something that truly represented the kind of community she wanted to build. In 2019, that vision officially became Anchor of Iron—a name and brand that reflected years of coaching experience, medical knowledge, and an unwavering belief that strength should be accessible to everyone.