The Team

PowerStrength Training Systems was founded in June 2011. West Michigan was in desperate need of a place where athletes could commit to a program and know they were maximizing their potential and results. PowerStrength was formed with the sole purpose of providing a facility to create better people through physical performance and training. Through a proven training system, a track record of uncomparable success, and a strong reputation for quality care and service, PowerStrength has grown organically to multiple locations in the West Michigan area.

PowerStrength specializes in personal training and performance development for athletes of all sports and abilities. Starting at age 11, athletes who participate in a PowerStrength program are serious about improving their ability and are committed to the process of achieving their goals. Every session takes place in a small, private session where athletes work directly with a certified trainer that are experts in the PowerStrength training system.  

Meet The Team

 Mark Ehnis– Founder – CEO

Mark was born and raised in Ada, MI where he attended Forest Hills Northern High School and graduated from Cornerstone University. His passion for his hometown roots and for developing serious athletes led to the creation of PowerStrength Training Systems in 2011. 

For the last 15 years Mark has been working with athletes to enhance their overall athletic performance and lifestyle. He is known for his direct, blue-collar mentality and getting the most out of his clients and team. Mark has influenced thousands of West Michigan athletes of all ages, levels, and athletic backgrounds. Mark has many other diverse experiences that helped shape PowerStrength into what it is today. These include coaching high school football, leading high school strength and conditioning programs, serving as an adjunct college professor, consulting for college and high school athletic departments, speaking locally and nationally as an industry expert, and consulting for other fitness companies, gym owners, and personal trainers.

Between the times spent on the family farm, competing with his twin brother, and growing up as an active athlete- Mark compiled a passion for leading others to develop better experiences and memories through sports performance, personal training, and fitness. Mark is constantly pursuing success and discovering better ways to coach, educate, and build the best experience possible for his PowerStrength Team and members. 

In more recent years, Mark has directed his focus even more towards developing a first-class, industry-leading company and enhancing his team of all-star professionals at PowerStrength. He enjoys leading, inspiring, and mentoring others to guide them towards high-achievement and beyond. 

You can contact Mark through email at Mark@powerstrengthpro.com


Jackie Ehnis – Director of Adult Fitness

Jackie Ehnis, wife of PowerStrength founder Mark Ehnis, is a West Michigan native, graduating from Ravenna High School and earning her Bachelor’s Degree from Aquinas College. Jackie excelled on the basketball court as a high school and college athlete, earning a full scholarship to play basketball at Aquinas where she was honored as a two-time All American.

After college, Jackie followed her passion for training and became a Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.  She gained valuable experience personal training in the area before moving to San Diego, CA to work as a civilian contractor in the Navy. In this role,  Jackie provided fitness assessments, programming, and coaching to Senior Naval Officers.   

In 2014, Jackie received her Masters in Public Health, with an emphasis on behavior change and has since worked in multiple capacities in the Public Health field, including personal training, employee wellness, lifestyle coaching, and school health.

Jackie is passionate about helping adult clients reach their goals through individualized training programs and behavioral coaching. She is passionate about working with adult clients that are focused on fat loss, improving body composition and strength, and improving quality of life. Jackie provides large-and-small group training sessions and also offers one-on-one sessions for clients that want more personalized coaching to meet their fitness and lifestyle goals. She is currently a Certified Lifestyle Coach and is certified to administer the Functional Movement Screen.

You can contact Jackie through email at Jackie@powerstrengthpro.com


Skyler Davis – Director of Training and Programming, Lead Performance Specialist

Skyler is from Napoleon, Ohio and attended Hillsdale College with a focus on biochemistry and exercise science while playing football for 4 years. He first came to PowerStrength during one of his summers to perform an extensive internship and train with our college athlete group. 

In 2014, Skyler moved to Grand Rapids to begin at PowerStrength full-time. Since then, he developed within the team and now humbly serves as our Director of Programming and Training. He also coordinates our Internship Program and Nutrition Program. He is certified as a Certified Physical Preparation Specialist (CPPS), Precision Nutrition Level 1 Coach (PNL1), Certified Speed and Agility Coach (CSAC), and Certified Group Fitness Instructor (ACE GFI). While he recognizes certifications and letters have value, Skyler takes it as his mission to use self-directed learning to continuously bring the newest, most effective methods to all of our clients and coaches.

Skyler was never massively talented as an athlete but always prided himself on his work. Unfortunately, his athletic career was cut short by a serious hip and back injury. He now brings his attention to detail and work ethic to learning and coaching so that our clients always get the most out of the work they put in and they can control the controllables.

You can contact Skyler through e-mail at  Skyler@powerstrengthpro.com


Brian Paulsen – General Manager – Grand Rapids

Brian has a strong accountability to results and will do whatever he can to help others succeed. He is very passionate about helping all clients achieve whatever goals they may have, whether it is getting stronger and faster, reducing pain, losing body fat, or returning from injury.

Brian graduated from Chelsea High School where he lettered in Football, Basketball, and Baseball. Brian went on to play football at Albion College before graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology from Grand Valley State University. Brian began at PowerStrength through their internship process and earned a coaching position until he graduated. Since then, Brian has made a few stops as he went on to be a Sports Performance Coach for Georgetown University athletics, and in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens, prior to returning home to become a Lead Performance Specialist at PowerStrength.

Brian is certified through the NSCA as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), he is a Certified Physical Preparation Specialist (CPPS), along with being a certified Sports Performance Coach through USA Weightlifting (USAW) and Eleiko. Lastly, Brian is a certified Fascial Stretch Therapist (FST) through the Stretch to Win Institute.

You can contact Brian through e-mail at Brian@powerstrengthpro.com


Stephan Cress– General Manager – Kentwood

Stephan is from Grand Rapids, Michigan and attended Connecticut College. He graduated with a degree in biochemistry while playing water polo for 4 years. He was a 2-time All-American and a captain his senior year. He first came to PowerStrength during his Junior year of High School. He loved every moment and has been a part of PowerStrength ever since. He is certified as a Certified Physical Preparation Specialist (CPPS), Precision Nutrition Level 1 Coach (PNL1) and Certified Group Fitness Instructor (ACE GFI). Stephan loves working with a wide variety of clientele, consisting of youth, high school, college, and adults. He aims to connect with each person that he comes in contact with and leave them with a positive experience.

You can contact Steve through e-mail at steve@powerstrengthpro.com