ASHLEY TRENTO

From Struggle to Strength

For most of her life, Ashley battled her weight and self-esteem. She tried diets, fell into binge eating, and used food to cope with her emotions. At her heaviest, she weighed 310 pounds and faced diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Deep down, she knew she had to make a change — not just for herself, but for her future.

When she became pregnant with her first son in 2016, Ashley realized she couldn’t keep up with him. That’s when she decided to take back control of her health. After medical clearances, she underwent gastric sleeve surgery and lost 100 pounds within a year. It was the start of something bigger — the beginning of a lifelong commitment to growth.

Resilience Through Loss

Life didn’t get easier. During her second pregnancy in 2020, Ashley battled hormonal imbalances, depression, and anxiety. Then, eight months pregnant, she lost her mother unexpectedly. Just three weeks later, she gave birth to her second son — stepping into motherhood again while navigating grief and postpartum depression.

Years later, just as she began to find balance, her father — her biggest supporter — was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. He passed away in February 2024. Losing both parents in such a short time could have broken her spirit, but Ashley made a different choice: she chose to fight.

Finding Her Fire in CrossFit

After years of progress and healing, Ashley hit a plateau. That’s when she found Golden Phoenix CrossFit in Nutley. From her first class, she felt at home. The coaches believed in her. The community supported her. And for the first time, fitness became more than a goal — it became a lifestyle.

Even through surgeries and setbacks, Ashley kept showing up. After skin removal surgery, she came back stronger than ever, worked with a nutrition coach, and rebuilt her strength from the ground up. By focusing on fueling her body — not restricting it — she doubled her calories, improved her lifts, and dropped the last 25 pounds standing between her and her goal.

This year, Ashley competed in the Vitruvian Games — something she never imagined possible when her journey began. She trained hard, stayed consistent, and gave it everything she had. The result? A stronger body, a sharper mind, and a heart full of pride.

A Role Model for Resilience

Today, Ashley has lost 165 pounds since her surgery — but her greatest transformation isn’t physical. It’s mental, emotional, and spiritual. Her two boys are her driving force — the reason she continues to push forward, no matter what life throws at her.

As one of our Hard Work Athletics Ambassadors, Ashley represents everything this brand stands for: grit, consistency, humility, and perseverance. Her story reminds us that it’s okay to struggle, it’s okay to start over — what matters most is that you keep putting in the work.

Follow Ashley on Instagram @ashleytrento