MEET OUR PEOPLE

The Resistance founder Janine Couchman standing in the doorway, smiling, wearing a light pink T-shirt and mint green leggings, with a smart watch on her wrist, inside a room with wooden and modern decor, and a plant on a wooden table.

FOUNDER | COACH | CHAMPION OF WOMEN’S STRENGTH

janine couchman

Janine is the heart and backbone of The Resistance. She has coached women through all stages of life - beginners, returners, movers, shakers, doubters, and the late-night Googlers quietly wondering if their knees are supposed to do that.

She understands midlife deeply. Hormones. Injuries. Energy dips. That sense of not quite recognising yourself anymore. She also understands confidence rebuilds, and just how powerful they can be.

Janine holds a Masters in Educational Psychology, which sits at the core of how she coaches. This psychological foundation, combined with postgraduate study in exercise, menopause, plant-based nutrition and epigenetics, shapes a coaching approach that supports both the body and the mind.

Her work is thoughtful, evidence-based and deeply human, with a strong focus on helping women create meaningful, lasting change rather than chasing short-term results.

Based in Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay, she’s a proud mum of three, loves good food and meaningful conversations, and is often training for her next personal challenge, because she genuinely believes strength is for life, not just the gym.

There’s no drill-sergeant energy here. No gym-bro nonsense. Just a coach who genuinely wants women to feel strong, capable and confident.

The Resistance coach and personal trainer Lilli Woodham smiling in workout attire, kneeling on a black exercise bench, holding a dumbbell in her right hand, in a home gym with black dumbbell rack and mirror reflection.

COACH | AGENT OF WOMEN’S STRENGTH

lilli

Lilli is a passionate, purpose-led strength coach on a mission to transform how women think about health, movement, and longevity. With over 8 years strength training experience, she’s been shocked by the underrepresentation of women in the weights section of the gym, despite knowing that strength training can counteract many health issues that disproportionately affect woman and builds a functional foundation for life. 

With a background in healthcare, Lilli has witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of poor habits and a sedentary lifestyle. Frustrated by the lack of holistic support to manage many preventable health conditions, she became determined to make a difference and earned her qualifications as a personal trainer. Now, Lilli’s mission is to guide and empower women on their strength-building journey, helping them feel confident, capable, and empowered in the gym.

Through her coaching, Lilli equips women with the knowledge and tools to move safely, train smart, and build habits that last. Her approach focuses on understanding the unique lifecycles of women and aligning training with female physiology at every stage of life.