I’m Arvind Ashok, a strength and conditioning coach with over 13 years of experience helping thousands of people get stronger, move better, and feel their best. As India’s first StrongFirst Elite Instructor and co-founder of The Quad, I’ve coached over 5,000 clients and mentored fitness professionals to refine their craft.
My approach blends science-backed training, real-world experience, and a deep understanding of human movement. I break down complex fitness principles into practical, actionable insights—helping overthinkers, beginners, and seasoned athletes make consistent progress.
Beyond fitness, I explore the intersection of health, productivity, and mental clarity, applying lessons from strength training to life and business.
Here’s my backstory
I was skinny and weak as a kid. I loved to play sport, was decent at it. But strength and endurance were not things I had.
Then I went to college and got grossly out of shape.
After college, joined a regular commercial gym with fancy machines and a diet to boot. Diligent and at least 80% compliance on both for a year resulted in absolutely nothing except a good-natured insult from my doctor.
Then I went to grad school in Indiana (Go Hoosiers!).
Moved to NorCal, and with nothing much to do, started with yoga.
Then I stumbled on to running, with Team Asha. And went from being unable to run 500 metres to running a half-marathon at a 10-minute mile pace.
Moved to San Francisco, and discovered CrossFit. Embarrassed myself at the first place, and then went to Kelly Starrett’s SFCF. Went from literally being the last in class to the middle. One of the best experiences of my life - truly life-changing. That’s where I fell in love with fitness.
Spent the next few years researching, experimenting, playing, and just deep-diving into fitness and nutrition.
Discovered strength training along the way. Found fitness and nutrition were not as convoluted as it was being made out to be, and I shared my minimal knowledge with friends and saw that they saw huge changes.
Met Raj, my co-founder at The Quad.
Took the plunge to relocate from San Fran to Madras, and founded The Quad.
2011-now, and 1000s of students later, here I am.
