Lily Riley | Coach. Powerlifter. Cancer survivor. Relentless human.
THE EARLY DAYS
I’ve always been in sport. As a kid, I didn’t just run — I sprinted, swam, threw, jumped, and tackled my way through any challenge. I found myself in leadership roles early — not because I chased them, but because I naturally stepped up. Coaching started when I was 17, helping run a local girls' rugby team. That moment unlocked something in me — the ability to guide others, to lead with purpose, and to help people become stronger in every sense of the word.
In 2015, I took the leap and started coaching full-time. I was 19, hungry to make a difference, and obsessed with performance. But what started as a love for training evolved into something much deeper.
Then came 2020.
I was in the middle of a powerlifting prep when I was rushed to hospital — just hours after weigh-in. Intense pain, blood in my urine, and a gut feeling something was wrong. Within days, I was diagnosed with stage 2 kidney cancer. I spent nearly a month in hospital during COVID, had my left kidney and a 12cm tumour removed, and walked out physically drained, mentally shattered, and unsure of how to rebuild. But I did rebuild.
Slowly. Day by day. Setback by setback. I lost a lot during that time — strength, size, confidence — but I gained a whole new understanding of what strength really is. It’s not just about the barbell. It’s about resilience. Mindset. Choosing to show up, even when everything in you wants to quit.
That season rewired me.
Then came 2020.
I was in the middle of a powerlifting prep when I was rushed to hospital — just hours after weigh-in. Intense pain, blood in my urine, and a gut feeling something was wrong. Within days, I was diagnosed with stage 2 kidney cancer. I spent nearly a month in hospital during COVID, had my left kidney and a 12cm tumour removed, and walked out physically drained, mentally shattered, and unsure of how to rebuild. But I did rebuild.
Slowly. Day by day. Setback by setback. I lost a lot during that time — strength, size, confidence — but I gained a whole new understanding of what strength really is. It’s not just about the barbell. It’s about resilience. Mindset. Choosing to show up, even when everything in you wants to quit.
WHY WORK WITH ME?
I’ve spent over a decade building strength from the ground up, facing setbacks and pushing through to become one of the strongest women in the world.
I coach honestly and with understanding because I know what it’s like to grind through the hard times.
My approach is about building long-term strength and mental toughness — trusting the process and putting in the work.
You get a coach who will back you 100%, push you hard, and celebrate your progress.