Coach Austin Owens is a U.S. Army Combat Veteran and highly decorated Infantryman whose military achievements include the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) with Valor, the Combat Infantry Badge, and Airborne wings. Today, he channels that same dedication into coaching with the Catch A Lift Fund, helping Veterans rebuild their strength, structure, and sense of purpose through fitness and community.

Drawing from his own recovery journey after his military service, Coach Owens focuses on practical, sustainable training that supports both physical and mental well-being. He holds a college degree that complements his hands-on experience, which includes working in a clinical physical therapy setting to support rehabilitation and return-to-function training. As a nationally ranked Strongman competitor, Coach Owens brings real-world elite strength expertise into the gym, perfectly balancing it with an emphasis on longevity, safety, and long-term performance.

Coach Owens is certified as an ISSA Tactical Conditioning Specialist, an ISSA Strength and Conditioning Coach, an ATA Adaptive Trainer, and is certified in Mental Health First Aid. He believes that fitness is an act of mutual accountability—a shared commitment that pushes both him and his athletes to show up fully, stay consistent, and lead by example.

Outside of coaching, Coach Owens is dedicated to his partner and their two energetic boys. True to his Strongman roots, his favorite training implements are the log press and Atlas stones. As a coach and a father, his greatest ongoing personal victory has been learning to manage his mental health by balancing a natural “push forward” mindset with the intentional practice of slowing down to stay present.