Meet the team
Daniel Yeadon,
Membership Consultant &
coach
Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist, CrossFit L1 Trainer, OPEX Level 1 Associate Coach
Dan started at Steel Beach Gym in 2011 as an intern training to be a fitness specialist. He worked with numerous adults on improving their nutrition and weight through personal and group training. He's taken his knowledge on training and applied it to his current role as a Membership Coordinator for Steel Beach Gym. Here, he works with individuals on getting them started at the gym and providing the best options.
His experience includes as BS. in Applied Health Fitness from Plymouth State University, three years of work in Physical Therapy, as well as being in the fitness industry since 2011.
What is your favorite thing about Steel Beach Gym?
It's mingling it up on the floor and smiling with all the members that come
and meeting new people that walk in the door and seeing them get fired up about starting
Dan is available for one on one adult personal training. Dan is also a coach in our adult group personal training program at Steel Beach Gym.
justin lawrencE, Coach
ISSA Certified Personal Trainer, Reiki L 1 & 2
Justin is a graduate of Western Connecticut with a Bachelors in science focused on health promotion and exercise science.
"In my career as a trainer, I have been granted many opportunities to work with individuals of all age groups. My experience has made me adaptable to all different body types and walks of life. My unique experience allows me to really tap into what will guarantee success to achieve goals. With my experience as a Youth Development Instructor for Physical Development, I learned to educate early childhood ages in the importance of physical fitness. In addition, my many years as a fitness instructor working with seniors has given me insight in the importance of physical fitness and how everyone should strive to be active their entire life. I look forward to the opportunity to help in any way as your trainer at Steel Beach Gym."
What is your favorite thing about Steel Beach Gym?:
The friendly staff!
Justin is available for one on one personal training. Justin is also a coach in our adult group personal training program. Additionally, Justin teaches the Wednesday morning Active Aging- Senior Fitness Class as well as a children's fitness class on Monday & Wednesday mornings.
Tegan McBride,
coach
Growing up, Tegan engaged in several sports including volleyball, basketball, rowing, and cross country. After rowing for the Washington College Division III Women’s Crew for two years and attending the 2019 NCAA’s Championship, Tegan found her passion for weight lifting. Because of this, she studied to become a Personal Trainer certified by the American Council on Exercise. While obtaining her Bachelors Degree from Washington College, she worked at The Village Gym in Delaware and the Aquafit Fitness Center in Maryland where she specialized in adult and functional fitness. After moving back to Connecticut, Tegan joined the Steel Beach family where she trains clients one-on-one and in small groups. Get to know some of her fun facts here!
~Tegan has traveled to several countries including Rwanda and Malta
~She has two cats that she will talk about all day if you let her
~Tegan has her motorcycle license and has owned two motorcycles
~She has gone scuba-diving and now plans on sky-diving with her 80-year old grandma
Tegan looks forward to meeting all the members and sharing her passion for fitness.
Jamie kingsley,
General Manager
Hobbies/ Interests:
the mountains, the ocean, my friends & family, live music, baseball, hockey and the gym.
Favorite Food:
Portuguese
What is the last song that you listened to?:
"Angela" - the Lumineers
Something about me that you may not know:
I have worked at Steel Beach Gym for over 20 years! I am a mother of 2.
I love power lifting and the sound of a blues guitar.
If you could visit anywhere in the world where would you go and why?
I would love to bring my children to Europe when they are older to visit parts of Italy and to see my mother's village in Portugal. The art, history, beauty, cuisine and personal heritage are all reasons that I would love to visit once again with my children.
If I were at the airport right now, I would hop on a flight out west and visit Yellowstone National Park with my family.
What is your favorite thing about Steel Beach Gym?
1. The energy.
Every day I am fortunate enough to walk into work to be greeted by the most wonderful members, many whom I've known since I was 16 years old when I first started working here! My colleagues are the best of the best people. I have had such a great opportunity to work with so many good people and knowledgeable professionals over the years. Our staff is truly a team and a little family. We support each other and encourage each other both personally, professionally and in the gym. We work daily to create that same atmosphere in our gym community with the members. The sense of camaraderie at Steel Beach Gym is real.
2. The size of the gym and how much we offer for our members.
With 3 floors of space we have been able to dedicate entire floors of space for functional movement, cardio and weight lifting. I think it's wonderful to have access to our 5,000 square foot ground floor for functional movement and power lifting and Olympic lifting. We also have a whole floor dedicated to cardio with over 70 pieces of cardio equipment. In addition, our main weight room is the heart of the gym. I love the energy on that floor and interacting with members during their lifts. We also have a women's only center and a private yoga & pilates studio along with access to our group exercise room. The gym is massive! It's never crowded and there is so much to get involved in. We offer kids programs, athletic development training, group exercise and dance classes, boxing and self defense, personal training, program writing, we have a barbell club where members can power lift and Olympic lift with the guidance of a coach, massage therapy, tanning, spray tanning and more and more everyday.
I am so thankful to work in such a positive environment where we truly practice what we preach so to speak which is, "We are here to help every member achieve a healthier lifestyle."
Christina lynch
Hobbies/ Interests:
Working out, skiing with my family, watching my kids play sports, going to the lake in the summer.
Favorite Food:
Good pizza!
What is the last song that you listened to?:
Lose Yourself - Eminem
Something about me that you may not know:
I can squat over 200 lbs, make killer eggplant parm and am a huge New Kids On The Block Fan!
If you could visit anywhere in the world where would you go and why?
Italy, because it's my heritage and of course the food!
What is your favorite thing about Steel Beach Gym?:
Steel Beach Gym is where I started my fitness journey! I had the opportunity of training with the most amazing coaches. I am so grateful for the knowledge they shared with me. I then was given the opportunity to teach Zumba here and fell in loves with being an instructor and helping people! In 2017 I was offered more of a full time position working in the office, helping with sales and the front desk. I love talking with members. I love all of the staff here and the energy that fills the gym!
Brandon Lirio,
Director of training
Brandon is a US Air Force veteran with Professional Qualifications as a bodybuilder with the PNBA and NGA.
A life-time natural bodybuilder, he strives to spread his passion of fitness through community outreach and education in the field. He is the director and head coach of Battleground Fitness, another pillar of fitness in Connecticut and around the world with clients in 17 separate countries on 4 continents. He has helped hundreds in their fitness journey and his contestants have a stellar track record for competitors in both bodybuilding and powerlifting, including dozens of national qualifications and pro card attainments, on top of those seeking to find their best form through his general fitness transformations.
Brandon is also the owner of Battleground Nutrition, one of the east coast's premier supplement superstores, including the location right here at Steel Beach!
Additionally, he himself has competed all over the world, most recently being awarded his third consecutive Mr. Natural Olympia title in Las Vegas in 2020, which added to his incredible pedigree of being named Mr. Universe...TWICE!
Currently finishing his Masters in Exercise Science and Sports Nutrition through AMU after having completed BA in Business Management through Southern Connecticut State University, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Brandon regularly writes fitness articles and training advice for multiple sources including the legendary Ironman Magazine. He also holds certifications as a "Master Trainer" with the ISSA as a Certified Fitness Trainer, Specialist in Sports Nutrition, Bodybuilding Specialist and Strength and Conditioning.
Ron Remeika,
Coach
Strength & Conditioning Coach
The reason I got into training, was because of my love for lifting when I was younger and the cast that I struggled so much without proper coaching and information. It's what helped make my life goal making it so others never have that problem.
13 years in the field, 10 years coaching lifters.
Education background:
BS in Exercise Science from SCSU
USAW1 Olympic Lifting Coach and referee
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS through NSCA)
Student taught exercise nutrition as an undergrad at SCSU
Guest speakers for exercise science/ strength conditioning courses at SCSU and CCSU
Main training focuses:
Powerlifting
Throwing/ power development
Sprints/ jumps
Outside of powerlifting and throwing, I've also worked with/ ran programs for:
Highschool lifting, NFL combine prep, Professional volleyball, Pro baseball, Pro hockey, and even Pro ultimate frisbee
Sport/ background
Highland Games (top end amateur) for 10 + years
Top 10 in New England last 5 years (2nd 2018 New Hampshire New England Championships)
I eat , sleep, and breath lifting. I'm researching, reading, and learning literally everyday. What I pride myself in is how all the info translates: meaning practical application, or quickly narrowing down what an athlete needs.
Dani Lirio,
Coach
Danielle's passion for health and fitness began with her first transformation in 2009 after losing 50lbs from exploring the local gym and learning more about nutrition. Danielle has continued that active lifestyle in various ways including fitness competitions, general strength work, and postpartum fitness after giving birth to twin boys in 2021.
She is an Elite Certified Personal Trainer through the ISSA, with a passion for helping people find hidden strengths and creating personalized lifestyle changes they can carry with them while working together and beyond.
Favorite food:
Peanut butter, always
Something about me that you may not know:
Outside of the USA I’ve visited three continents bringing to me a total of 26 countries. My favorites include Spain, Thailand, Amsterdam, Portugal, and Hungary.
What is your favorite thing about Steel Beach Gym:
I love and appreciate the dedication to providing an environment for a wide variety of goals to be addressed. The gym members, staff, and owners are respectful and motivating. It's the biggest gym family I have ever been part of !
SILVESTRO "SLY" MANENTE,
COACH
NASM CPT, Senior Fitness, MMA, Golf Fitness
Training for Warriors Level 1, CrossFit Level 1, Self Defense, Boxing
Sly is a retired U.S. Navy SeaBee. He retired from uniformed service in 2013,and with a passion for fitness and helping people began working full time in the fitness space training Close Protection and Security guards in hand to hand skills and management of aggressive behavior.
Education background:
BS in Management from Post University
Main training focuses:
Weight loss
Senior fitness
Functional fitness
Sport/ background
Highland Games Masters Competitor 5 year
Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Competitor
Spartan Race
Fitness Philosophy:
Train to and push your limit, never over. Eat clean, local, whole foods.
And work out hard so you’re not first to die in the Hunger Games!
coach tyler
I've always been very active with sports ever since I was younger. Track was my favorite.
I went to a few national meets in Texas, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. I competed in the pentathlon, long jump, triple jump, high jump, sprints, and a few throwing events.
I started weightlifting about three and a half years ago after being skinny my whole life.
I started with basically no knowledge and no idea what I was doing. After a couple years I got very serious about it and wanted to become a trainer, to help people that had been in a similar situation. I took the NASM CPT, and Nutrition Coach classes and got certified.
I like helping people reach their goals whether it be losing weight, gaining weight, building muscle, and overall general fitness. I know what it's like to start from ground zero and to build something form nothing.
My favorite movie is Interstellar. You have to watch it more than once to fully appreciate it.
Favorite places I've traveled to:
Marseilles, and Hawaii
Hobbies:
Lifting and Golf
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Coach Alex
I Grew up being a cheerleader up until senior year of high school. During my childhood I was bullied for being “too skinny” so I started going to the gym with my dad when I was 13. I learned more about lifting in my PE class in high school and from then on I loved lifting weights and seeing my body transform!
In 2017 I competed in my first NPC Bikini competition and placed top 3 for teens. I then got into powerlifting and have competed twice in USAPL, breaking teen CT state records in 2018 and 2019.
In 2020 I gave birth to my daughter and after that I realized how tough post-partum can be. That’s when my new passion for fitness started! I am now a NASM CPT, helping moms reach their goals when they feel impossible. I love teaching women the benefits of lifting and overall fitness
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