Today we’d like to introduce you to Lany Herman.
Hi Lany, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
So… I’m Lany. Born in Romania, raised in Brisbane, Australia, and now based in LA. It’s been a bit of a wild ride getting here, but every part of the journey has shaped who I am and how I coach today.
Sports were always my thing growing up. After high school, my parents were big on making sure I got a proper education, so I went to uni and earned a degree in Exercise Science. At the time, I didn’t exactly know where I was heading, I just knew I was passionate about training, sport, and health. I was that student who actually loved nerding out over human movement, functional anatomy, and physiology.
During my prac hours, I started working at a local gym and quickly realized how much impact a personal trainer could have. I felt drawn to that path.
Things really shifted when I moved to Toronto in 2015. That’s where I found boxing or maybe it found me. I trained hard, stepped into the ring for my first amateur fight (1–0, just saying), and something lit up in me. I wasn’t just boxing, I was building confidence, discipline, and a kind of mental grit I didn’t even know I had. At that point in my life, I was craving direction. Boxing became my north star. It gave me focus, purpose, and drive. Not long after, I became a PUMA trainer, and more doors started to open.
Fast forward, I moved to LA for a boutique boxing group fitness instructor gig just a couple months after my amateur fight. I I didn’t even know what the class experience was when I said yes, but I trusted the pull and jumped in.
Since then (2019), I’ve helped women train for their first fights, built national programming initiatives for a boxing franchise, mentored other trainers, worked with brands like PUMA, BoxRaw, and EVERLAST, and worn many (many) hats in the fitness world.
Now, I run my own personal training business, coach at Nike Run Studios in Santa Monica, and lean into my role as an athlete, content creator, and educator. I also travel internationally to teach boxing classes & workshops.
What I’ve learned after 14 years in this industry, across multiple countries, is this: my approach to training is holistic. Fitness isn’t just about how you look it’s about how you feel, how you live, and how you show up in the world.
When you love the way you train, it stops being a chore and becomes a lifestyle… You live better, train harder, and show up stronger.
my mission: help people fall in love with training the way I did, help everyday athletes unlock their full potential mind, body, and beyond.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not a smooth road but looking back, I’m actually grateful for the challenges. Without them, there’s no growth.
There’ve been plenty of struggles. Moments of uncertainty, challenges that tested me, and times I questioned everything. But I’ve learned that discomfort is part of the process. Every setback either taught me something I needed to know or pushed me to evolve into my next level.
I’ve had to trust that the path is working out, even when it doesn’t look like what I had planned. Sometimes the things that don’t happen are just redirections toward something better. I’ve learned to lean in and make moves through faith over fear. To keep going when nothing seems to be moving because usually, something big is around the corner if you just stay with it a little longer.
I’ve learned to have the hard conversations. To advocate for myself. To go back my values, to help guide me when things get messy and lastly, to always follow your “call.”
Every lesson, every challenge, has made me a better coach, athlete, and human. And I wouldn’t trade any of it for a smoother ride.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in boxing, specifically training the everyday athlete who’s hungry to grow, not just physically but mentally too. My coaching is for people who want more than just a workout. It’s about building confidence, sharpening mindset, and showing up stronger in every part of life.
I’m known for my technical skill, my coaching style, and the energy I bring into any space especially as a woman in a sport and industry that’s still very male-dominated. I’ve built a reputation for leading with passion, authenticity, and sharp technique, all while keeping my coaching style challenging and empowering.
What I’m most proud of? Honestly, the life I’ve created. People always ask, “What’s next?” And sure, I’ve got goals—running retreats, launching online programs, building out merch, continuing to grow my brand—but I’m also proud to say: I’m living the life I used to dream about. Coaching what I love in LA, surrounded by people who inspire me to level up, working with mentors, building community, living healthy, traveling, making impact.
This is the dream and I fought hard for it.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was that sporty cool girl with a competitive spirit – not much has changed lol. Always outside, always moving, always turning everything into a competition even family board games got real. I’ve always had this big need for movement and adventure whether it was through sports, dancing, or traveling the world. Fun fact, I’ve travelled to over 20 countries… wild.
Looking back, I think I was always wired to chase challenge and crave growth. It just took me a while to realize training and coaching would be the lane I’d pour that energy into. But yeah…growing up, I was that kid climbing trees, racing boys, choreographing dance routines, and chasing fun and adventure.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://trainedbylany.com
- Instagram: trainedbylany
Image Credits
Kristina Vasilenka
