Check Out Madeline Muller’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Madeline Muller.

Hi Madeline, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey into coaching started almost by accident. During my undergraduate years studying Biomedical Science, I was working at a local gym. Friends and classmates would ask me to write training programs for them, and I’d send over workouts in exchange for a few dollars on Venmo. At the time, I had no idea this small side hustle would spark a career — I just loved helping people feel stronger and more capable.

I thought I was on the path to medical school, but after graduation I spent a summer in Alaska working as a kayak guide. That experience shifted my perspective. I realized I wanted to be on the preventative side of health — helping people optimize their lifestyle and build strength, resilience, and confidence before they ever end up in a doctor’s office.

Around the same time, I met my life and business partner at the gym. He was studying Fitness & Wellness while I was finishing Biomedical Science, and we connected instantly through lifting and competing in strength sports. Over time, we realized how well our skills complemented each other and how much we wanted to build something together.

Fast forward to today, and we’ve been running R.A.T. Liftz full time for three years. What started as a few Venmo payments for workout programs has grown into a business we’re proud of — one that lets us combine our passion, science, and strength training to help others transform their lives.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has definitely had its peaks and valleys. One of the biggest challenges came when we moved from Flagstaff to Phoenix. In Flagstaff, we were part of a tight-knit gym community, and our business was growing quickly. We felt connected and supported. After graduating, we were ready for change and thought, “more people = more opportunity, right?” But the reality was very different.

In Phoenix, we struggled to find a gym that felt like home, and community became hard to come by in a sea of people. With most of our business being online, the lack of connection left us feeling unfulfilled and stagnant.

After about a year, we realized we needed to go back to what had always brought us joy: our clients and building community. We began hosting free workshops online and in person, partnered with another coaching business to run max-out events, and started a group class at a local gym. Slowly, we recreated that sense of belonging.

The experience taught us that growth isn’t just about numbers or geography — it’s about connection. When we lead with community, everything else falls into place.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My name is Maddy, and I’m a strength coach and personal trainer. I stumbled upon powerlifting while working at a gym in college and fell in love with the sport immediately. For the first time, I was encouraged to focus on what my body could do rather than how it looked — and that mindset shift has shaped my entire approach to coaching.

Today, I coach women who want to get stronger, age gracefully, and feel confident in their bodies. I also love mentoring other fitness coaches who are either stepping into powerlifting for the first time or who want to deepen their understanding of strength training so they can better serve their own clients. What sets me apart is my attention to detail. My clients are often surprised by the subtle things I notice in their lifting form — and it’s often those small adjustments that create the biggest improvements in movement quality and confidence.

Three years ago, my partner and I created R.A.T. Liftz, which stands for Resilience, Ambition, and Tact. We believe training is about far more than the physical. Strength training builds resilience against life’s challenges, fuels ambition to grow, and teaches the tact to approach problems with patience and precision.

What I’m most proud of is the community we’ve built through R.A.T. Liftz. Over the past three years, I’ve seen clients not only grow stronger in the gym, but also carry that strength into every part of their lives. Fitness is foundational — it’s the base from which people gain confidence, courage, and the belief that they can take on anything. That impact is what drives me every day.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Mentorship and networking have been huge in helping me grow as a coach and business owner. When it comes to finding a mentor, I’ve learned that alignment matters more than accolades. It’s not just about whether someone has achieved success — it’s about whether they embody the message they teach, and whether their approach resonates with the way you want to build your own path. Do your research, talk to their past clients, and make sure their values line up with yours.

As for networking, my best advice is to treat every connection as meaningful. You never know where your next breakthrough will come from — sometimes it’s a referral, other times it’s a single idea or introduction that shifts everything. Be curious, nurture relationships, and don’t underestimate the ripple effect of small conversations. For me, joining local networking groups and attending events consistently has been invaluable.

At the end of the day, mentorship and networking aren’t just about “getting ahead” — they’re about building genuine relationships that help you grow, while also giving you the chance to pour back into others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ratliftz.com/
• Instagram: madz.liftz