About Us
Meet Your Coaches
Dan Stephenson & Tasha Whelan
About Us
Strength with purpose. Coaching with heart.
Tasha Whelan and Dan Stephenson are the founders of Ideal Strength, bringing decades of experience as performance coaches, mentors, and competitive athletes. Before launching Ideal Strength, both served as Senior Performance Coaches and Lead Mentors to more than 100 personal trainers at one of the nation’s largest health clubs in Seattle, WA.
Their mission is simple: to leave everyone they meet better than they found them—through education, inspiration, perspiration, and world-class coaching.
Together, they’ve coached professional athletes in Powerlifting, Strongman, and Bodybuilding, as well as competitive athletes across multiple sports including CrossFit. Beyond the gym, they’re sought-after educators in strength and conditioning and mental performance, known for blending technical precision with a deep understanding of human potential.
Our mission is to leave those we meet better than we found them; through education, inspiration, perspiration, and world-class coaching.
About Tasha
Tasha has been coaching since 2005 and is an International Elite Powerlifter, currently ranked #1 female powerlifter in Washington State and among the top 20 in the world. She holds multiple world records, including the deadlift world record in the lightweight Strongwoman division. When she’s not breaking records, she’s climbing them—literally—as an avid mountaineer and adventurer.
Her academic background reflects her curiosity and discipline. She studied Cultural Anthropology, Archaeology, and Dance at the University of Washington and Exercise Science and Athletic Training at Central Washington University.
Her professional certifications include:
- Pain-Free Performance Specialist Certified (PPSC)
- Certified Conditioning Coach
- Certified Mental Performance Coach
Tasha’s passion lies in helping others unlock their potential—physically and mentally—by strengthening both body and mindset.
About Dan
Dan has been coaching since 2007 and is a competitive powerlifter who has helped countless athletes and coaches reach new levels of performance, confidence, and physical resilience. His approach is built on the belief that great coaching blends science, simplicity, and connection.
He earned his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Eastern Washington University and continues to refine his craft through advanced certifications, including:
- Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach
- BioForce Certified Conditioning Coach
- Certified Physical Preparation Specialist (Level 2)
- Pain-Free Performance Specialist Certified (PPSC)
Dan is known for his ability to translate complex performance concepts into practical, actionable strategies that empower both athletes and trainers.
Beyond the Gym
Both Tasha and Dan have been a part of Dr. John Rusin’s Pain-Free Performance Specialist Team, serving as Master and Assistant Instructors traveling across the U.S. to educate coaches, trainers, and clinicians on effective, pain-free training systems.
Outside of coaching, they share a passion for adventure and culture—summiting Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, trekking to Machu Picchu via the Salkantay Trail, scaling the cliffs of Railey Beach in Thailand, and riding camels through Mexico’s deserts. Each journey deepens their belief that strength—like growth—comes from embracing challenge.
Our Philosophy
At Ideal Strength, we don’t just train bodies—we build resilient, capable humans. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete, a fitness professional, or someone ready to take ownership of your health, our goal is to help you discover what you’re truly capable of and give you the tools to get there—safely, sustainably, and confidently.
