From Fear to Fuel: The MAP Strength Story: Meet Stephen Hole

At The Printing Network, we’re lucky to work with some inspiring businesses - and MAP Strength is one of them. Founded by someone who turned personal challenge into purpose, MAP Strength isn’t just about building muscle. It’s about breaking down barriers - especially the invisible ones.

In this edition of Then Network, we sat down with the founder, Stephen Hole, to hear the story behind the brand, the mission to make fitness spaces more inclusive, and how mindset and mental health are built into every rep, every session, and every win - big or small.

What’s the story behind MAP Strength - where did it all begin, and what sparked

the vision?

"I had been training for years in various gyms but had always suffered from what I like to

call ‘Gym Fear’, the anxiety of entering the gym space and all that this encompasses.

So initially I studied Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with a plan to help others overcome

this anxiety / fear of being in such spaces.

As time went on I qualified as a PT and then a strength and conditioning coach so that I

could combine my various skills with mental health alongside actually being with clients in

the gym space."

MAP Strength seems to go beyond just physical fitness - how did mental health

become such a core part of your brand?

"As I mentioned earlier I suffer from the very same fears as others, and even though I work

with clients and help them to work with these fears, I still have issues to this day on the

odd occasion.

Its a hard place to enter with so many marketed impressions of how you should look and

what you should wear, that many cant get on the journey to a better self through the fear of

not fitting in.

It's a crazy concept to think that people who want to change themselves for the better, get

fitter and feel happier often cant enter the place they need, in order to make these

changes."

Was there a personal turning point that shaped the way you approach both

physical and mental strength today?

"Having trained for strongman I suffered an injury that put pay to me competing and indeed

affected the whole way in which I trained. This resulted in a 6 foot 1 guy weighing 118kilos

lifting weights so light that the whole scenario didn’t fit for many. I became more and more

conscious of the odd sideward glance from guys in the gym, and this coupled with my own

body dysmorphia and general gym anxiety I just thought there has to be a better way.

I had support from home, but I knew I wasn’t the only one suffering in this way and

decided that I could use my own personal experiences along with the correct training to

help others."

How does MAP Strength support clients who are not only working on their fitness,

but also rebuilding confidence and mindset?

"I help my clients put everything into perspective and ensure that they train for themselves

through phone conversations, coffee meets and daily messages.

I also spend time to remind them how far they have come, the changes they have made,

the discipline they have shown. I am however a realist and understand that we all have lives to live outside of the gym which can affect our training, our attitude to training and our

mental health.

I coach my clients through the tough times with empathy as I fully understand what its like

to lose that spark, to feel defeated and then try and regain what you have lost.

It takes time, calmness and confidence and I try to give them this throughout our

conversations."

What challenges did you face starting MAP Strength, and how have those shaped

the brand’s identity today?

"Im very lucky in that my Mantra has worked from day one, I have had some insulting

comments online around the mental health side of my business however these were

mainly from the very same characters that would make you feel oppressed when in the

gym.

So they in essence helped me to confirm what I was trying to achieve."

How do you define success for MAP Strength - is it about physical results,

mental growth, or both?

"There are many ways I measure success and my client base surprise me often with stories

that then become my success story, if that makes sense.

I have won World Championships with some of my athletes, helped a 54 year old client

leave a private gym space and re-enter the commercial world with confidence and

successfully helped one of my female clients complete 2 full press-ups for the first time in

15 years. The latter has changed her mindset completely, instilling a great level of

confidence and an amazing can do attitude."

How do you blend mindset coaching into your training programs - and why do

you believe that matters?

"Every single program that is issued to a client contains a full set of notes for each session,

these are not just weight changes or exercise changes, they are confidence inspiring

notes, notes of praise, notes for guidance and often a reflection of what they have

achieved that week, that month or even that year.

I also continue to respond daily to my clients after each and every session, helping them

understand the achievements, making sure they don't worry if something didn’t quite work

and generally making sure that they don't beat themselves up if they have had a bad

session."

Can you share a moment where MAP Strength made a real difference in

someone’s life beyond just physical transformation?

"My most recent involves a gentleman that lost his leg through cancer, he has had an

horrendous time physically and of course this in turn has affected him mentally.

We have been working to together for only 3 months and his confidence has really come

to the fore both in and out of the gym space.I think it would be best to use his words for this answer:

“I know it's taken me a while, but I've just listened to your podcast.

The anxiety and feeling overwhelmed episode really hit home with me and has definitely

helped my little brain a bit.

So I know I say it a-lot but thank you.I feel like I've lost a bit of my mojo but that has helped

steer me back in the right direction""

What would you say to someone who feels intimidated by fitness spaces but is

drawn to what MAP Strength stands for?

"Get in touch, lets grab a coffee and have a chat, whether that be in person, on a video call

or over the phone.

There is no commitment, I don't use any form of sales pitch, and I know where you are and

how it feels."

Looking ahead, what’s next for MAP Strength? Any new goals, projects, or

directions you’re excited about?

"Dream goal would be to have my own gym that caters for us and by us I mean all those

that suffer from gym fear, gym anxiety and all the other horrendous mental conditions that

keep us from entering the space. This may come to fruition one day but for now I will

continue to offer my skills to those that need it, from gyms that I work from.

In reality I'm excited to see some of my home train clients develop over the coming months

as well as my athletes that will be competing in 3 major competitions in 2025."

MAP Strength is living proof that fitness isn’t one-size-fits-all - and that true strength comes from within. Whether it’s helping someone get back into the gym for the first time in years, or guiding an athlete to a world championship, the mission stays the same: Empower through empathy. Build confidence through coaching. And remind people they belong - exactly as they are.

We’re proud to support MAP Strength with their branding and print needs—and even prouder to share their story.

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Check out MAP Strength here.

Get in touch with Stephen: steve@mapstrength.com