wall of champion
Southside’s Wall of Champions was created to recognize and celebrate members who have achieved something remarkable in their fitness journey—whether it’s winning a competition, hitting a lifetime PR, overcoming a major obstacle, or reaching a personal milestone.
But it’s not just about performance. These are members who are great ambassadors for the gym - representing our core values, actively promoting the gym, and uplifting others. There are incredible athletes all across Alaska, but this wall is reserved for our people.
Our members.
Our champions.
Tipasa Faletagoai
After lifting at Planet Fitness for 9 years, members there encouraged me to try out competing in powerlifting. I was known for always maxing out all the machines and using up all the 45 plates. I took their advice and found that a competition was happening at Southside Strength and Fitness. I did not know what powerlifting was and came and checked it out for the first time in 2015. I fell in love with the sport and Southside Gym itself! After joining Southside in 2015, I started training for my first competition, beginning at a 495lb squat, 365 bench, and 495 deadlift. I then competed in 2016! I won my weight class after squatting 573, benching 407, and deadlifting 562 for a winning total of 1,543 lbs lifted! I have made lifelong friends here in Southside that train and grow alongside me in this journey! We hype members to go for the moon when lifting , as we give them the security of spotting the lifts and encouraging them to show up even when the mood is gone! In the 2024 Drug Tested State Championship, I squatted 705 lbs., benched 474 lbs., and deadlifted 639 lbs., with a monumental 1,819 lbs. lifted, winning overall for Masters and Open Division! I am sponsored by Parliament Chiropractic, and I am the health and wellness coordinator teaching elder seniors to lift at my job at Cook Inlet Housing Authority! I don't just lift weights; I lift people up in the gym, at work, and at church! I love what I have been able to accomplish in this gym and now hold over 23 state records in Alaska!
How do you embody our core values?
Everyone knows me in the gym to be the hype guy, the spotter, and the comedian who keeps folks accountable when they skip the gym! New members often stop by to ask for advice because I am approachable and easy to get to know. I give new members a heads-up on what to look out for when prepping for their first powerlifting meet!
Gwendolynn Gabbert
I’m a longtime gym-goer who wanted to refine my diet/exercise plan and start competing in the wellness division of bodybuilding. I love this sport, I love leg day, and I love Southside’s leg equipment and support. I’m also a registered nurse and mom to 3 daughters. I love to train my daughters and work out with them. I like that my daughters can walk into any gym and feel confident and comfortable using the equipment. I’m currently using the things I’ve learned from bodybuilding in furthering my education. Like knowing how to push through hardship to get the best growth.
How do you embody our core values?
Southside's core values are also some of my core values. Being positive and uplifting to the community, being strength-based and professional. I really appreciate that Southside's values match my own.
