Building Strength for Life - 2026 Spring Edition
- Mar 31
- 4 min read
In 2025, Liz Trujillo stepped into something she describes not as a business idea — but as a calling.
As the owner of Special Strong Greater Waco – Central Texas, Liz is building more than a fitness program. She’s building confidence, independence, and opportunity for individuals of all abilities right here in our community.
After moving to Waco, Liz quickly realized something: the need for inclusive, adaptive fitness was far greater than most people recognize. Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities often struggle to find spaces where they are truly welcomed — not just accommodated.
And Liz knew she wanted to change that.
A Leap of Faith Confirmed Over Coffee
Before launching Special Strong, Liz spent over 20 years in the hospitality industry. She owned a restaurant for a decade and served in hotel leadership roles. Her career was always centered around creating environments where people felt seen, welcomed, and cared for.
But there was a turning point.
After praying for clarity about her next step, Liz visited Bitty & Beau’s Coffee. When Angelo took her order, and she witnessed radical inclusion in action, something clicked. The shop’s mission — changing how people see those with disabilities — stirred something deep in her heart.
In that moment, she knew: Waco was exactly where she was meant to serve.
Peace replaced hesitation. And she took the leap.
More Than Exercise — It’s Life Change
At its core, Special Strong’s mission is simple but powerful:
To help individuals of all abilities grow stronger physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally.
This isn’t just about reps and routines. It’s about:
• Building confidence
• Increasing independence
• Strengthening emotional regulation
• Creating belonging
Liz wishes more people understood this truth: adaptive fitness is life-changing. Inclusion isn’t just about access to a gym. It’s about creating environments where individuals truly feel capable, valued, and empowered.
And when an athlete accomplishes something they once believed was impossible?
That’s the moment Liz knows she’s exactly where she belongs.
erving Families. Serving Waco.
Liz loves serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families — because they deserve a place where their loved one is celebrated.
She also works with adults in independent living communities like The Delaney in Waco, helping residents maintain strength and confidence. And she’s excited about expanding services to veterans, supporting both physical and mental wellness.
er bigger dream? To help make Waco a more inclusive city.
As Waco continues to grow, Liz hopes corporations and local businesses will open their doors to Special Strong athletes — individuals who are developing consistency, confidence, social skills, and independence through the program. These are workforce qualities. These are leadership qualities.
Inclusion doesn’t just bless the individual. It strengthens the entire community.
To Liz, “local” means relationships. It means knowing the families you serve. It means partnering with organizations. It means investing your heart into the community — not just operating within it.
Family, Inspiration & Staying Rooted
Liz lives in the Waco area, right in the middle of her family. Two of her adult children live in Dallas. Her daughter in Dripping Springs is also an entrepreneur — owner of Rain Water Coffee, a shop that brews coffee using rainwater, blending wellness and sustainability in a unique way. Another daughter is a nurse.
Her son is earning his bachelor’s in construction management while working as a journeyman electrician, with dreams of running his own company.
Watching her children build independent paths fuels Liz’s passion for helping her athletes build independence too.
When she’s not training athletes, you’ll likely find her staying active, exploring Waco’s trails, or grabbing a meal at Pignetti’s. She also enjoys the courtyard at EVEN Hotel Waco - University Area, where she hosts personal trainer interviews and occasionally sneaks in a staycation vibe.
And yes — she still uses GPS in Waco. A lot. She jokes about making wrong turns and even once calling a friend at Waco PD to admit she was lost… again.
But that chaos? It’s part of the charm.
he Power of Community
What Liz loves most about Waco is the openness of its people.
From early encouragement by local leaders like Lexy Reil in Economic Development, to collaboration with Baylor’s Center for Disability and Flourishing, to partnerships with UNIDOS at Waco PD, Mobilize Waco, Young Life Capernaum, Special Olympics, and Main Event hosting her Grand Opening — this city has rallied around the mission.
Local news outlets including Fox 44, Channel 10 KWTX, Telemundo, and Channel 6 have shared the story, amplifying a movement centered on inclusion, opportunity, and dignity.
That’s the beauty of Waco. When the mission is right, the community shows up.
Looking Ahead: Strength for Life
Liz’s dream is clear: expand Special Strong Greater Waco so that every individual with special needs has access to adaptive fitness and a community where they belong.
Her vision goes beyond the gym floor.
She wants to see inclusion lead to independence.
Confidence lead to employment.
Strength lead to contribution.
Because at Special Strong, they aren’t just building strength for workouts. They’re building strength for life. And in a city that values heart, grit, and community like Waco does — that kind of strength changes everything. 💛
At Special Strong, fitness is built around the individual. Through one-on-one adaptive private training, every exercise is customized to each person’s unique abilities and goals in a calm, supportive environment. Members also receive practical nutrition guidance to help create simple, sustainable habits that lead to real results, along with adaptive aquatics training for low-impact strength building.
New clients are encouraged to begin with the Stronger You Trial — a powerful first step that includes a private session with a certified adaptive trainer and a complimentary 26-page adaptive fitness and nutrition success guide. It’s an opportunity to experience personalized support, build confidence, and start seeing progress from day one.
At Special Strong, every movement builds confidence, every session creates progress, and every member truly matters.
We’d like to extend our sincere thanks to our amazing sponsor for their support in making content like this possible. Your partnership helps us continue to create valuable resources for our community, and we truly appreciate your commitment.
To learn more about our sponsor and the services they offer, please visit their website: https://www.meadowsbeef.com/
For more information or to get in touch, you can reach them at: 254-214-9955
Thank you again for your support!
Comments