Vision: Support people to enjoy life with a strong body & calm mind.
Erin Svare, Coach & Founder
Erin Svare got started in group fitness in 2002. In 2008, Erin received her Master’s Degree in Physical Education while pregnant with her first child. During recovery from a c-section, Erin experienced firsthand some of the gaps in Women’s Health, particularly during the postpartum phase and especially with returning to exercise. This led to pursuing courses in Women's Health from leaders around the world.
Erin is a Personal Trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine. Erin received her Yoga certification from Fluid Yoga in 2011 and returned for their 500 hour training in 2018. Erin makes weight training less intimidating for people at all levels. In October of 2024, Erin earned the StrongFirst Barbell Certification. In 2025, she completed a kettlebell training program with KBCU. She holds a variety of certifications in the Pre & Postnatal realm, including Pregnancy and Postpartum Athleticism. Erin is dedicated to continuing education and takes courses annually to stay current in health and fitness. In 2022, she completed courses with Dr. Stacy Sims; one on Menopause and another called “Women Are Not Small Men.” In June of 2026, Erin earned the SFG certification with Strong First. Erin is a Women’s Health Advocate who connects women to health providers and encourages women to be strong advocates for their health.
Erin's weekly clients range in age from teens to mid 80's and she wholeheartedly believes that it is never too late to begin strength training. She enjoys hiking, lifting weights and staying strong enough to keep up with her three children, husband and dog.
A modern approach
VISIONGuide people to enjoy life with a strong body and calm mind.
MISSION
Offer creative, functional strength training programs.
Create a strong community. Inspire people to become the strongest version of themselves.
Share Yoga classes to feed the soul. MOVEMENT
I love to move and I enjoy many different kinds of activity. I enjoy a beautiful hike and I often feel giddy when I take off on a bike ride. I feel powerful and strong when I lift weights and I find a peaceful balance when I practice yoga. Movement makes me feel complete.After birthing three babies and devoting a great deal of time to studying female athletes and the postpartum body, I have a unique outlook on working with women. I am passionate about helping women on their postpartum journey, through menopause and anything else you might be going through.
Kristen Kuhn, Coach
Kristen is a strength coach and personal trainer with a background in physical therapy—and a passion for helping people stay strong, capable, and active at every stage of life.
Before shifting into personal training, she worked as a physical therapist specializing in geriatrics. That experience deeply shaped how she works today. She focuses on functional strength, balance, and bone health, all of which are key to staying independent, preventing falls, and promoting long-term wellness. Kristen believes that movement is medicine, and she's passionate about guiding clients toward a more active, vibrant life at any age.
Kristen's training style is personalized, supportive, and grounded in clinical knowledge. Whether you're recovering from an injury, managing a chronic condition, or simply looking to feel more confident and capable in your body, she's here to help you move better and build strength that truly supports your day-to-day life. She believes in the importance of building strength inside the gym to allow you to do the things you love outside of the gym.
Outside of work, Kristen loves running, hiking, cooking, watching her kids' sporting events, and walking with her family and dog.
Katie Bryant, Coach
Katie Bryant is a Strength Coach at Lift & Breathe who believes strength training builds more than muscle—it builds confidence. She spent 13 years teaching kindergarten and third grade before stepping away from the classroom to raise her son. Her background in education shapes her coaching style: clear, supportive, and focused on steady progress.
Katie began her own strength journey at Lift & Breathe in October 2024 and quickly fell in love with the empowering impact of strength work. She earned her Personal Training certification in September 2025 and recently completed a Corrective Exercise Specialist certification, bringing a sharp eye for movement quality and long-term progress to every session. She’s excited to continue expanding her knowledge through additional coursework and certifications—especially to better serve people new to lifting and women during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Born in Colorado and raised in Maine, Katie greatly enjoys the outdoors—skiing, cycling, and running —as well as slowing down to read in the sunshine and spend time with her family. She loves helping people learn new skills, uncover their potential, and get strong for life.
Patty Michaelson,
Coach & Administrative Assistant
Patty Michaelson is our Administrative Assistant and substitute Strength Coach. She began going to a gym in her mid-40s and discovered a love of all things barbell.
In 2018, she earned her Strongfirst Lifting Barbell Instructor Certification. She then taught a class that focused solely on the deadlift, and with guidance and personalized programming, every student established new personal bests. In 2019 she earned her SFG1 – StrongFirst Kettlebell Instructor Certification and began teaching small group classes.
When her gym closed in 2020, Patty took a break from going to a gym, but when she found Lift and Breathe in 2024, her enthusiasm for lifting returned. She loves the workouts, the coaches and most especially the community of amazing people.
She wants everyone to feel comfortable coming to the gym and to help them discover their potential while they also work towards functional movement for health. Part of that is feeling comfortable with Kilo, so feel free to reach out to her with any questions.
When she is not at the gym, Patty volunteers at the Northeast Regional FoodBank, spends time in Vermont, and enjoys long walks, birding, crocheting, and traveling.
