Lance Callahan aka “Big Lance” is a 300+ lb mass monster who has spent the past 25 years helping people become stronger—and he still loves every minute of it.

A survivor of extreme childhood trauma, Lance Callahan—now nearly 50—began bodybuilding at 18. As a child, he was a finalist on Star Search at age 11 before pursuing musical theater professionally from 18 to 23. He ultimately found his true calling: helping people become stronger.

A full-time personal trainer since 2001, Lance has conducted more than 50,000 training sessions with clients ranging in age from 16 to 89. Specializing in strength training, he enjoys helping everyone from complete beginners to advanced lifters achieve their goals.

Lance launched his career on Los Angeles’ Westside before moving to the Eastside in 2007, where he became the #1 trainer at the iconic Body Builders Gym in Silver Lake for the next 13 years. During that time, he trained clients including Plácido Domingo, Kumail Nanjiani, Teresa Strasser, Mark Grotjahn, David Wain, Baron Vaughn, Jeff Lewis, Pete Holmes, Bud Cort, Tensnake, Johnny Pierce, Gale Howard, Sean Adams, Mike O’Gorman, and many others. He also appeared on the Lifetime reality series Love Handles. When the gym closed during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Lance opened his own private training studio, where he continues to coach clients one-on-one.

In 2023 and 2024, Lance had the privilege of working with legendary film producer Lynda Obst during the final year of her life. Today, he also serves as the personal trainer for one of Hollywood’s brightest stars while continuing to coach a diverse clientele that includes healthcare professionals, law enforcement officers, artists, executives, students, retirees, and people from every walk of life.

Lance believes strength training has the power to improve nearly every aspect of life. In addition to his professional work, he donates one training session each week to a cancer survivor in remission and strives to be a kind, compassionate, and encouraging presence for everyone he meets.

His education includes studies at the Boston Conservatory, a B.A. in English from UCLA, certification through the American College of Sports Medicine, and certification from the Life Coach Institute of Orange County. Yet he believes his greatest education has come from 25 years of coaching thousands of people—and learning from every one of them.

Known for his powerful bench press, booming laugh, and record-setting 23-inch neck, Lance enjoys bodybuilding, singing, horror films, politics, and spending time with his shelter dog, Bud.

Most of all, Lance simply loves people—and loves making them stronger.