Get To Know Us
Discover the heart behind Strive, a labor of love founded by Casey and Kirsten Stauffer.
As a family-run business, our mission is to build a community committed to enhancing health, fitness, and overall wellness. Our expertise as a personal trainer + former athlete and a physical therapist has inspired our cohesive approach to fitness that is founded on the importance of consistency, form, and anatomical principles.
Our growing family + growing business have helped drive our passion for health + wellness being a lifestyle and not just a hobby- join us today!
Casey Stauffer
Certified Personal Trainer : Co-Owner
My passion for health and wellness started like many of them do: a washed up athlete looking for new ways to move my body! I was introduced to training at a young age excelling on the football field and in the weight room. After college I started to experiment with different forms of exercise. Marathons, power lifting, athletic training, crossfit, you name it and I’ve tried it! After years of exploring with various forms of exercise, I decided to become certified as a personal trainer and share what I know with the world- or at least my Charleston community. After several years of private personal training Strive was born! The majority of our classes are built with a “hybrid” approach which combines strength training with high intensity or endurance training. I coach this way because it is personally what I enjoy and have seen results from. Along with being an avid weight lifter, I love running as well as doing high intensity exercise that leave nothing left in the tank. I don’t believe there is one form of exercise that is better than another or most optimal- I believe in hard work, consistency and movement that’s what gets results!
Kirsten Stauffer
Doctor of Physical Therapy : Co-Owner
Meet Kirsten Stauffer, a dedicated Doctor of Physical Therapy committed to seamlessly integrating physical therapy into your fitness journey. Graduating from The Ohio State University in 2019, Kirsten embarked on a transformative two-year journey, practicing her skills across the country in diverse physical therapy settings. Inspired by her own experiences, especially after becoming a mother, Kirsten is fervently passionate about prenatal and postpartum fitness, injury prevention, and rehabilitation. Her expertise extends from orthopedic assessments catering to fitness newcomers to seasoned athletes. Kirsten's mission is to empower clients from various populations to embrace a holistic approach to wellness, ensuring that physical therapy becomes an integral and enriching component of their fitness endeavors.
Chris Marino
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Even from a young age I understood the importance of exercise and physical activity. I grew up playing soccer at a high level, spending almost every day of the week on the field. This is where my passion for health and wellness started, and when I transitioned to college I discovered the importance of weight training. Receiving my undergraduate degree in Health and Exercise Science at Roanoke College was only the beginning of a lifelong quest for helping others achieve their goals.
I received my Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from MUSC in 2022 and became a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) this past summer. I blend both rehab and performance to help active people move better, feel better, and get back to doing what they love. My passion is working with anyone who is a motivated, active individual. Weight lifters, runners and competitive individuals/athletes truly bring me the most satisfaction, but helping anyone in pain reach their full potential is my calling in life.
Whether you’re dealing with a new injury or working your way back to full performance, I’ve got you covered—from day one of rehab to your full return to activity or sport 🏃♂️. If pain or discomfort is holding you back, I’d love to help.
We are excited to meet + train with you!
Overall our goal with Strive is to give you guys an incredible place to train, to create a community where people can push themselves to new limits and be a place where everyone feels welcome whether you have been training for 2 decades or 2 days!
Get in Touch
Reach out to us directly with any questions or inquiries!