MEET OUR PEOPLE
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.
COACH
lilli
I’m a passionate, purpose-led strength coach on a mission to transform how we think about health, movement, and longevity - especially for women. I believe in the power of lifestyle medicine to help us thrive, not just survive, across every stage of life.
I take a holistic approach to health and wellbeing, with a particular focus on the lifecycles of women and aligning training with the unique female physiology. For too long, women have been underrepresented in the gym. But the science is clear, building strength can help counteract many female-dominant health issues and build a functional foundation for life.
Let’s be real: aging is inevitable, but how we age is in our hands. The benefits are for everyone no matter when you start, it’s never too late!
My goal is to guide and support women in their strength building journey. To help women feel confident, capable, and empowered in the gym. Equipping them with the knowledge and tools to move safely, train smart, and build habits that last.