A Girth Story
B.I.G. B.O.E. Strength LLC was started by two strength coaches and their better looking halves. The four have taken on this journey in order to help others achieve their goals.
B.I.G. B.O.E. Strength was dreamt up by two strength coaches with a passion for thick-necked sports. This business journey was then embarked upon by Jeff Appel and Jesse Strawser and their smarter, wiser, and more svelte halves - Laurie and Emily. The torch is now being held by Appel, continuing to strive to provide the best programming possible for those willing to earn some calluses.
“Best in Girth, Best on Earth” will never be a statement of who we believe we are, but rather a statement of who we aspire to be. We will never be satisfied. No matter what is accomplished, no matter what is achieved, the next challenge is just around the bend, or for us, just under the bent barbell. With B.I.G. B.O.E. Strength your goal has become our goal. Whether you are looking to compete in your first meet, become a national champion, or break a world record, we will supply you with the recipe to help get it done! B.I.G. B.O.E. is devoted to creating the strongest, girthiest athletes the world has ever seen. Whether you are a barbell athlete, a traditional athlete, a hero (military, police, firefighter, first responder) or a weekend warrior, we are here to make your life easier through our hard work. To complement our coaching, we also have the apparel to make that girth look good!
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Jeff appel
head honcho
Jeff Appel is the Head Honcho at B.I.G. B.O.E. Strength. Appel is currently a Strength and Conditioning Specialist at Langley Air Force Base.
Prior to Langley Appel served as the Director of Sports Performance at Fork Union Military Academy and the Director of Sports Performance Programming at Sports Reality.
Before Fork Union Appel spent over a decade working with college athletes, including a 9-year stint as Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at the University of Richmond. During his time with the Spiders, the football program won three CAA Championships, made four NCAA DI FCS Playoff appearances, and went on to win the National Championship in 2008. With Appel as their Strength and Conditioning Coach the field hockey program won two Atlantic 10 titles (2009 and 2011), and Men's Lacrosse won the 2014 Atlantic Sun title.
Leading to his time at Richmond, Appel coached at UNC-Charlotte, University of Idaho, Davidson College, the United States Air Force Academy and Washington State University. Appel has coached multiple athletes that have gone on to play in the NFL, MLB, NBA, and MLL.
A lover of all things strength and girth, Appel has competed in Weightlifting, Powerlifting and Strongman. Appel has won state titles in Weightlifting and Powerlifting, and qualified for Nationals in Powerlifting, Strongman and Master's Weightlifting. Appel is currently training for Supertotal as well as looking to compete in his first Highland Games, and possibly his first BBQ competition (all things girth!).
Appel is Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified with the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (SCCC) and is a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA) and USA Weightlifting Club Coach.
He gave up his major decision-making responsibilities when he married his wife Laurie in 2013. The couple have a beautiful little girl named Lilah, and an awesome little son named Sawyer.