Explosive Performance has become a factory where muscle can be found in bulk.

Pro, college, and high school athletes are taking their strength to new heights at the gym in downtown Tampa.

But the trainer pumping up these physical specimens is the opposite of a giant.

It's Nicole Gabriel, who weighs less than 100 pounds.

"Obviously, her stature is a little shorter than I imagined," Berkeley Prep High School junior Sam Bennett said.

"They laugh," Gabriel said.  "The look at me like, 'you're our trainer?'"

"I didn't really believe it until I went through that one class," Northside Christian High School junior Ian Hislop said.  "Then I was like, 'all right- this is real.'"

While Gabriel herself is small, her dreams have always been big.

She moved to Tampa five years ago with just enough cash to open her gym and faith in herself to succeed.

"I completely drained my savings account," Gabriel said.  "I risked everything.  For six months, I think I made $200."

Sometimes, one big break is all you need. 

Hunter Pence and Dominic Brown, who were with the Philadelphia Phillies at the time, came into Gabriel’s small gym one day.

They liked working with her and told all their friends. 

That jump started her track to what she has now this huge facility, which is regularly packed with elite athletes.

"Overnight, it was life changing," Gabriel said.  "And then from there (it took off).  I don't advertise.  Everything's word of mouth."

Pence and Brown have given her much credit in the press, and Gabriel’s list of clients has continuously grown.

It includes Astros pitcher and Jesuit High School graduate Lance McCullers, Jr. and former Ray Sean Rodriguez, who Gabriel has helped recover from a horrific car accident this winter.

"It meant a lot that they had that much faith in me to help him get ready to get back and play this season," Gabriel said.

Some high school athletes who train with Gabriel travel from as far as 90 minutes away three times a week during the offseason.

And they say that the three hour round trip is always worth their time.

"She's helped all of us get to where we want to be, and to where we're going to be," Central High School junior Matt Voda said.  "She's just the best."

Gabriel gets the highest praise from both the preps and the pros.

That is no small feat for the tiniest trainer in town.