Jean-Jacques Barrett. Expert Coach and Champion Athlete

With over 17 years of coaching experience, Jean-Jacques “JJ” Barrett has dedicated his career to transforming athletes through natural, evidence-based methodologies. A seasoned competitor and 5x Pro Fitness Model Champion, JJ understands what it takes to achieve peak performance at every level.

I reached out to JJ in September 2022, having a solid base of training and nutrition knowledge. I knew that to progress in my journey of building muscle and taking on the lofty goal of competing as an athlete in my late 50s, I needed expertise and guidance from a coach with a wealth of knowledge and experience in the industry.

Since then, he has been my perfect coach-match. He has expertly guided me through several build processes, culminating in (so far) participating in three international competitions, including a Pro card win in my first show in Las Vegas. This has been no fluke.

At my next show, I will be 60 years old show, and JJ’s constant support and encouragement have been huge in helping me build confidence and forward & take on new challenges.

Belonging to the TSC team has also helped this Kiwi girl feel a great sense of belonging in the community. It all comes as a package. A fabulous coach and team are a double win for me, and it has been one of the wisest decisions I have made in my desire to build further muscle and gain continuing positive composition changes.

I have had the pleasure of working with JJ since 2015. JJ is a phenomenal coach who will push you to achieve your best physique without sacrificing your long-term health. He is always positive, empathetic, understanding, and kind but knows how to give you that extra push if need be to hit the desired target. He won’t always tell you what you want to hear as an athlete, but he will tell you what you need to hear in the nicest way possible. He is very committed to developing lifelong natural athletes, and it shows!

Our last prep together for CPA Ottawa 2022 was by far our best! The prep took a larger calorie deficit and more cardio than before, but the results spoke for themselves. Our result was a 20-pound weight loss transformation in 12 weeks, along with placing 4th in a strong wellness lineup. JJ did a fantastic job of listening to my feedback and helping me during the prep. I’m looking forward to seeing what magic we can create in 2023 as we take on another prep together! Thanks for everything, JJ!

I signed up to work with JJ in 2017 to improve my technique and performance in the gym and ultimately turn my body into one I loved the look of. I was drawn to JJ’s flashy Instagram showcasing incredible athletes, secretly hoping I would be good enough to be on his page one day. I had no idea what transformations I would undergo and what in-depth, holistic coaching I would receive. It was and continues to be more than I imagined and something I am so grateful for.

I started wanting to be a powerlifter and competed in a few competitions, which I loved. Now, I am focusing on bodybuilding. The funny thing is, I used to tell JJ that I wanted to look like a bikini model who could step on stage, but I never wanted to be on that stage. He and his beautiful wife politely encouraged me to step on stage throughout the years, never pushing me but having the belief in me while respecting my own decision not to compete. My desire has changed, and I cannot wait to compete again! JJ and the whole team of TSC have always supported me throughout the ups and downs of life, being a solid support. I see myself being a part of TSC for the long term: JJ continually does research and ensures he is educated on the latest and greatest while having protocols that aren’t fancy and sticking to what works. TSC focuses on the individual, providing tailored workouts to achieve the targeted muscle development to achieve my goal, always focusing on increasing strength. The nutrition programs I receive are specific to my body, and JJ is always willing to listen to how I feel, adjusting protocols as needed.

Throughout the years, JJ has shown kindness, compassion, authenticity and a genuine desire to provide his best for me to become my best.

A part of what I love so much about my fitness journey is that it is never-ending. I accomplish one milestone, one goal, and move on to the next. Each day is a new day, and I want to be better than I was yesterday, and to me, that is exciting. I love my body and myself at every stage in life. While it is not always easy to love me, I love that part too! With all of my being, I thank you, JJ.

I have been working with Jean Jacques for just a little over two years, and it has been a great experience! In this short time, I won an overall bodybuilding championship and successfully did a reverse diet while maintaining a lean physique and muscle mass. His approach to dieting gives you the flexibility to enjoy a variety of foods while maintaining your goals.

The training programs are intense and produce top-notch results! He is very knowledgeable, and it’s a pleasure to work with him. I look forward to working with him for many more years and absorbing as much knowledge as possible.

I have been working with JJ for 5 years, which has been an absolute privilege!

I started out as a fairly novice lifter, not really understanding how important proper form was. I have turned into a form stickler, which has shown up in my physique. Not only has my strength improved, but my composition is unrecognizable, and I am now confident in my abilities as an athlete.

Our work has improved so many aspects of my life in ways that I could have never imagined, and I am confident that the best has yet to come. Thank you, J, for seeing what I couldn’t yet see in myself and continuously pushing me to become the best athlete I can be. I am forever grateful!

I’ve been working with JJ since 2015. Over the years, I’ve done various fitness competitions and photo shoots, and I am still going strong. I know I would never have achieved the level of fitness and mindset I have at the age of 48 if it were not for this man.

JJ is the most genuine and kindhearted person I know. He listens to your needs and tailors his approach to ensure his client’s success. Even with my back issues, I can still achieve my goals because he knows how one should properly exercise. It’s clear that he only wants the best for his clients.

He is very good at what he does and is professional, non-judgmental, and encouraging. If you are a serious, committed person who is ready to do the hard work and needs a coach, look no further; JJ is your man.

Michelle MacDonald. Champion Coach and Wellness Expert

Michelle MacDonald has spent nearly two decades helping women of all ages transform their physiques and reclaim their confidence. A 4x Fitness Model Champion and graduate of the Natural Gourmet Institute NYC, Michelle blends elite coaching with personalized nutrition strategies.

Tulum Strength Club is a community of athletes supported by the most knowledgeable coaches in the industry.

I built strength I never thought possible and learned to fuel my body with nutrient-dense foods. TSC empowered me to feel strong, capable, and confident—not just as an athlete, but as a mother of five proving it’s never too late to chase your goals.

I have been working with Michelle since June 2017, and I’m in my fifties now.

For me, it’s been a real game-changer. I needed to take control of my inner dialogue and behaviour with food. I was your typical chronic dieter who struggled on the weekends and was searching for balance. I needed guidance.
After repeatedly struggling with binging during our first months working together, Michelle asked me:
“Nadine, are you ready to do the work necessary to get the desired results?” It was the biggest wake-up call of my life.

Am I ready to get out of my way?

Throughout the years, Michelle has adapted the strategy to each step of my development, progression, and goals.
I learned a lot about my body and my mind with her mentorship.

At 53 years old, I never felt better than I do now, and I’m still excited about ‘what’s next!’.

A few years into competing, I knew I needed a pro-level coach if I wanted to level up as an athlete. Getting the opportunity to work with Michelle was like finally working with a celebrity crush I have always admired. In the 10 months of working with her, I made more progress in my physique than ever before. This was also, without a doubt, the best build and prep season I ever had. I was able to step on stage at my first WBFF show and win two categories and my pro card. I can’t wait to keep being part of this incredible team!

I’ve been working with Michelle since February 2021.  I wanted to work with a coach who understood the older female athletes and could coach me naturally.  I’ve been an athlete my entire life, but as a woman in her late forties, I knew that I needed a coach to help me get through menopause and get the health and fitness I knew I could have.  I was starting to pack on body fat, but I didn’t know what to do.  Michelle helped me to understand what my body needed, and how to take care of myself

I also have an autoimmune disease that I manage through medication and lifestyle.  Switching to a macro-based approach to nutrition has helped me to understand how to nourish my body and overcome bad eating habits that were undermining my health goals.

I love bodybuilding and strength training.  It has been a very stressful couple of years, and having the gym and my nutrition has been a true saving grace.  But it’s not just the exercises and nutrition plan I’ve needed. It’s also been the mindset, coaching, and support Michelle gave me that have been invaluable.  She’s also so knowledgeable about menopause and knows where to send me for information.  So much misinformation is out there, and it can be a minefield.  Having a coach who specializes in this area and who is evidence-based helps me to know I am getting the information I need to make good choices.

I look forward to growing as an athlete, competing on the FMG stage, and seeing how far I can go.  Nothing can stop me from growing into the best version of myself!

Take the First Step to Transform Your Body