Strong Leadership. Stronger Women.
Meet Your CoacheS
Meet the coach who leads with passion, purpose, and the belief that every woman has the power to become her strongest self.
Nicole Kirkendall
DPT, OCS, Dip. MDT, Cert DN, CF-L2, CSCS
As a Licensed Physical Therapist, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, CF Level 2 Trainer, and CF Kids certified Trainer Nicole built Iron Fortress Strength and Conditioning in order to provide a safe, supportive, and positive community for adolescent and adult females to build strength, confidence, and resilience through science-driven fitness programs.
Nicole graduated from Duke University with her Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2009. She became an Orthopedic Certified Specialist in 2010 and obtained her certification in McKenzie Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy in 2011. She completed the diploma program in MDT in 2014, becoming the 397th McKenzie Diplomat in the world. Nicole has completed many other post graduate courses and also holds certifications in Dry Needling and Blood Flow Restriction Training.
During her time teaching the anatomy lab at The University of Nevada, Reno, Nicole was introduced to CrossFit by her students and became a CrossFit Level 2 Trainer. She later obtained the Movement and Mobility, and CrossFit Kids Certifications. She most recently became a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA and has taken a special interest in adolescent and adult female strength and conditioning.
Leslie Niederriter
DPT
Leslie earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in 2010. She has completed extensive continuing education through the Institute of Clinical Excellence (ICE), becoming both an ICE Certified Master Clinician and ICE Certified Specialist in Older Adult Health and Fitness. She is also a Vestibular Rehabilitation Specialist, ASTYM provider, and is certified in Dry Needling.
With over 15 years of experience in outpatient orthopedics, Leslie recently founded Sustaining Grace Physiotherapy, a mobile physical therapy practice focused on making high-quality care more accessible by bringing treatment directly to clients in environments where they feel most comfortable.
Leslie joined Iron Fortress Strength and Conditioning as a member in January 2026, and we have since been very fortunate to have her join our coaching team. She is most notably an integral part of our Ageless Strength Class where she shares Nicole’s passion for helping women of all ages build strength, move with confidence, and discover what their bodies are capable of.
Brandi Owens
CPT
Helping others learn, grow, and reach their potential has been a passion throughout Brandi's 25 years as an educator, including 13 years at Gulf Shores High School. Throughout her career, she has enjoyed opportunities to lead, mentor, and encourage others both inside and outside the classroom. She has also coached cheerleading at GSHS and various youth sports teams. She holds a Master of Education in Mathematics Education and is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer.
Fitness has always been an important part of her life. As a high school athlete, she played softball and cheered, and her adult fitness journey began about 18 years ago with community P90X workouts. Since moving to Gulf Shores, she has continued to make fitness a priority through home workouts and local gyms.
What initially drew her to Iron Fortress was the owner's passion for women's health and fitness. She was equally impressed by the positive experiences shared by every woman she met who worked out there. Their enthusiasm spoke volumes about the supportive community and made her excited to become a part of it.
She enjoys a variety of training styles, especially strength training, and has developed an even greater appreciation for mobility and range of motion throughout her own fitness journey. Her goal as a coach is for every member to feel challenged, encouraged, and supported—not only in becoming physically stronger but also in building confidence and strength in other areas of life.
For her, fitness is about continuing to grow, challenging herself, and staying ready for whatever life brings. She hopes to inspire other women to discover their own strength and recognize that they are capable of far more than they may realize.
Strength in Every Woman. Power in Every Rep.
Stop waiting. Start becoming stronger. At Iron Fortress, we help women build real results through strength, confidence, and community. Book your free trial and start your journey today.
