Tucson Strength Staff

Meet the Team that Keeps Tucson Strength Running

Danny

Sawaya

Owner / Founder

Danny founded Tucson Strength in 2010 as a small kettlebell training group at community park.  He has spent over 25 years in the fitness industry with a B.S in Nutritional Sciences and a few years of post graduate work in Nutritional Sciences.  He has had an active athletic career in powerlifting, triathlon training, and now Brazillian JiuJitsu. He is currently the Arizona State Chair and Meet Director or USPA Powerlifting. in 2020 he retired from taking on new personal training clients to focus on running Tucson Strength.

Selma

Sawaya

Co-Owner

Selma is the one of the driving forces behind the scenes at Tucson Strength. She keeps the back end of the business running smoothly. She runs all the accounting, bookkeeping, payroll, and employee benefits of the gym.  You will see her run the front desk a couple mornings a week as well as make sure the powerlifting meet days run smoothly at the front. Most importantly she keeps Danny in check which is a full time job in and of itself.

Danny

Sawaya

Owner / Founder

Photo of Danny Sawaya. Owner and Personal trainer at Tucson Strength gym and weight room.

Danny has been in the fitness and nutrition field for 20 years. He graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in Nutritional Sciences then spent a few years studying, teaching, and researching metabolism and physiology. He then went on to become a personal trainer to put his knowledge to use. Danny specializes in coaching the sport of powerlifting, corrective exercise, and kettlebell training. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, ne repudiare definitionem his.

Selma

Sawaya

Co-Owner

Selma Sawaya Tucson Strength Co-Owner. Back-end operations at Tucson Strength Gym

Selma is the one of the driving forces behind the scenes at Tucson Strength. She keeps the back end of the business running smoothly. She runs all the accounting, bookkeeping, payroll, and employee benefits of the gym.  You will see her run the front desk a couple mornings a week as well as make sure the powerlifting meet days run smoothly at the front. Most importantly she keeps Danny in check which is a full time job in and of itself.

Becky

Myrick

Operations Manager

Becky joined Tucson Strength as a member in 2015, first in one-on-one barbell training, then discovering kettlebells. In 2018 she joined the staff as an instructor and administrative help, gradually assuming the role of Operations Manager, making sure we have solid systems set up for our members. She also puts together our amazing newsletter every month.
Becky leads an active life training kettlebells in the gym, biking to work, playing in her backyard with her chickens, and occasionally boondocking all around Arizona.

Christian

Kruszewski

Personal Trainer

Christian has been a strength coach for over 5 years at Tucson Strength, offering his services in one-on-one training, group coaching, and programming services.
 Christian specializes in teaching clients to progress their training and nutrition to become bigger, stronger, and injury free to reach any goal.
Christian’s training background includes hypertrophy, powerlifting, kettlebell training,  physique training, and endurance sports/mountain biking. Christian earned his degree in Nutritional Sciences for the University of Arizona and holds the NSCA PT Certification.

Becky

Myrick

Operations Manager

Becky joined Tucson Strength as a member in 2015, first in one-on-one barbell training, then discovering kettlebells. In 2018 she joined the staff as an instructor and administrative help, gradually assuming the role of Operations Manager, making sure we have solid systems set up for our members. She also puts together our amazing newsletter every month.
Becky leads an active life training kettlebells in the gym, biking to work, playing in her backyard with her chickens, and occasionally boondocking all around Arizona.

Christian

Kruszewski

Personal Trainer

Christian Kruszewski-Tucson Strength Personal Trainer and Group Coach. Strength training and nutrition coach at Tucson Strength Gym.
Christian has been a strength coach for over 5 years at Tucson Strength, offering his services in one-on-one training, group coaching, and programming services.
 Christian specializes in teaching clients to progress their training and nutrition to become bigger, stronger, and injury free to reach any goal.
Christian’s training background includes hypertrophy, powerlifting, kettlebell training,  physique training, and endurance sports/mountain biking. Christian earned his degree in Nutritional Sciences for the University of Arizona and holds the NSCA PT Certification.

Steve

Callahan

Personal Trainer

Steve started as a trainer over 10 years ago. Steve holds the Original Strength Level 1 Certification, NSCA-CPT, and is a Concept 2 Certified instructor. He has a strong passion for learning and teaching everything health and fitness, from teaching the fundamentals to advanced concepts of of kettlebell training as well as teach the fundamentals of powerlifting. You will also see that he loves dancing as a day doesn’t go by without having him dancing in the gym.

Mike

Moran

Personal Trainer

Mike is a student of strength and this drove him to help others find their path. He specializes in movement and strength training using various modalities like crawling, rolling patterns, kettlebells, bodyweight training, barbells, etc. His goal is to help people unlock their bodies so they can move with freedom, strength, and have a life that is enjoyable. Mike holds the ISSA CPT Certification and was appointed to Southwest Instructor for Original Strength under Tim Anderson.  When Mike isn’t in the gym he trains at Sonoran Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and spends time with his wife and kids.

Steve

Callahan

Personal Trainer

Image of Steve Callahan-Personal Trainer and Group Coach at Tucson Strength Gym. Certified fitness coach specializing in kettlebell training and powerlifting.

Steve started as a trainer over 10 years ago. Steve holds the Original Strength Level 1 Certification, NSCA-CPT, and is a Concept 2 Certified instructor. He has a strong passion for learning and teaching everything health and fitness, from teaching the fundamentals to advanced concepts of of kettlebell training as well as teach the fundamentals of powerlifting. You will also see that he loves dancing as a day doesn’t go by without having him dancing in the gym.

Mike

Moran

Personal Trainer

Photo of Mike Moran-Tucson Strength Gym Personal Trainer specializes in movement and strength training.

Mike is a student of strength and this drove him to help others find their path. He specializes in movement and strength training using various modalities like crawling, rolling patterns, kettlebells, bodyweight training, barbells, etc. His goal is to help people unlock their bodies so they can move with freedom, strength, and have a life that is enjoyable. Mike is certified through ISSA and was appointed as the Southwest Intstructor for Original Srenght under Tim Anderson. When Mike isn’t in the gym he trains at Sonoran Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and spends time with his wife and kids.

Jessica

Vanasselberg

Personal Trainer / Stretch Therapist

Jessica has an extensive and impressive background in the sport of powerlifting. She has been involved in the sport since the early 90s and won the 1996 National Championship and best women’s lifter. She currently holds the Arizona State,National, and World Records for the USPA womens Masters divisions. Jessica trains clients of all backgrounds, from the beginner to advanced powerlifter. She also offers Fascial Stretch Therapy and is an amazing therapist.

Greta

Eastburn

Personal Trainer

Greta’s is a seasoned trainer that specializes in working with clients of all backgrounds. She works with beginners to advanced trainees. She is also has a strong focus in Nutritional Coaching.  She earned her bachelor’s in Nutrition and Communication from Arizona State University. Right after graduation she applied herself to earning her personal training certification with the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Greta is also a Precision Nutrition Level 1 Nutrition Coach. In her personal life Greta is also competitive powerlifter. 

Jessica

Vanasselberg

Personal Trainer / Stretch Therapist

Image of Jessica Vanasselberg-Strength Coach and Stretch Therapist at Tucson Strength Gym. Specialize in Powerlifting and Fascial Stretch Therapy.

Jessica has an extensive and impressive background in the sport of powerlifting. She has been involved in the sport since the early 90s and won the 1996 National Championship and best women’s lifter. She currently holds the Arizona State,National, and World Records for the USPA womens Masters divisions. Jessica trains clients of all backgrounds, from the beginner to advanced powerlifter. She also offers Fascial Stretch Therapy and is an amazing therapist.

Greta

Eastburn

Personal Trainer

Image of Greta Eastburn, a seasoned personal trainer and group coach at Tucson Strength Gym, specializing in Precision Nutrition coaching.

Greta’s is a seasoned trainer that specializes in working with clients of all backgrounds. She works with beginners to advanced trainees. She is also has a strong focus in Nutritional Coaching.  She earned her bachelor’s in Nutrition and Communication from Arizona State University. Right after graduation she applied herself to earning her personal training certification with the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Greta is also a Precision Nutrition Level 1 Nutrition Coach. In her personal life Greta is also competitive powerlifter. 

Joe

Pettit

Personal Trainer

Joe has been on the Tucson Strength team for the over 2 years. He has a background in athletics, namely basketball and golf. Growing up, exercise was a tool for Joe to improve the sport he was playing at the time as well as an escape from everyday life. Jump to today and Joe specializes in dynamic and explosive strength training, teaching his clients how to properly jump, decelerate, sprint, and move their bodies efficiently through space. Joe’s training style and mindset are geared towards those who truly want to improve. He works with clients of all backgrounds.

Anthony

Shufelt

Personal Trainer

Anthony kicked off his career in health and fitness when he traveled to Thailand in 2016 to earn his yoga certification. Over the next five years he practiced and taught yoga at numerous studios and gyms in Massachusetts. He traveled the world attending workshops and festivals with the highlight being the opportunity to teach at a retreat in Bali, Indonesia. Anthony specializes in bodyweight and calisthenics training. If you haven’t visited his instagram page you should see all the amazing things he has trained his body to do. Anthony holds a personal training certification, a specialty certification in Functional Range Conditioning

Joe

Pettit

Personal Trainer

Photo of Joe Pettit, personal trainer at Tucson Strength Gym specializing in dynamic and explosive strength training.

Joe has been on the Tucson Strength team for the over 2 years. He has a background in athletics, namely basketball and golf. Growing up, exercise was a tool for Joe to improve the sport he was playing at the time as well as an escape from everyday life. Jump to today and Joe specializes in dynamic and explosive strength training, teaching his clients how to properly jump, decelerate, sprint, and move their bodies efficiently through space. Joe’s training style and mindset are geared towards those who truly want to improve. He works with clients of all backgrounds.

Anthony

Shufelt

Personal Trainer

Anthony Shufelt-Tucson Strength Gym Mobility Specialist and Movement Coach specializing in calisthenics and bodyweight training.

Anthony kicked off his career in health and fitness when he traveled to Thailand in 2016 to earn his yoga certification. Over the next five years he practiced and taught yoga at numerous studios and gyms in Massachusetts. He traveled the world attending workshops and festivals with the highlight being the opportunity to teach at a retreat in Bali, Indonesia. Anthony specializes in bodyweight and calisthenics training. If you haven’t visited his instagram page you should see all the amazing things he has trained his body to do. Anthony holds a personal training certification, a specialty certification in Functional Range Conditioning

Aracely

Favela

Group Coach

Aracely started at Tucson Strength as one of our first members back in 2010. After a few years of following our system she took the leap to become a kettlebell Instructor and passed her SFG level 1 in 2014. Aracely teaches our kettlebell and conditioning classes and she always has something special in store for the students in her class. She knows how to push them and come up with some creative programs. When not in the gym she is always taking on new adventures.

Rufe

Bynum

Olympic Weightlifting Coach

Rufe has been involoved in weightlifting since 2011. He has been a multiple time Arizona State Champion; a competitor at the USAW National Championships and American Open Finals since 2015. Rufe started coaching weightlifting in 2015 because he fell in love with the sport and enjoys being apart of a great community. He has coached hundreds of athletes at the local and national level and  was formerly the vice president of the Arizona Weightlifting Federation.

Aracely

Favela

Group Coach

Image of Aracely Favela, Tucson Strength Gym Group Coach specializing in kettlebell and conditioning training.
Aracely started at Tucson Strength as one of our first members back in 2010. After a few years of following our system she took the leap to become a kettlebell Instructor and passed her SFG level 1 in 2014. Aracely teaches our kettlebell and conditioning classes and she always has something special in store for the students in her class. She knows how to push them and come up with some creative programs. When not in the gym she is always taking on new adventures.

Rufe

Bynum

Olympic Weightlifting Coach

Photo of Rufe Bynum, Tucson Strength Gym Weightlifting Coach.

Rufe has been involoved in weightlifting since 2011. He has been a multiple time Arizona State Champion; a competitor at the USAW National Championships and American Open Finals since 2015. Rufe started coaching weightlifting in 2015 because he fell in love with the sport and enjoys being apart of a great community. He has coached hundreds of athletes at the local and national level and  was formerly the vice president of the Arizona Weightlifting Federation.

Ben

Busarow

Personal Trainer

Ben has a passion for fitness and strength training. Personally he is a competitive olympic weightlifter and competes at local and regional events. Ben likes working with clients with all backgrounds and can assist them in learning the fundamentals of strength training as well as help athletes improve their technique in the sport of Olympic Weightlifting. Ben holds certifications in Original Strength and Pain Free Performance Training.

Taylor

Kron

Personal Trainer

Taylor has been involved in strength training since he was 14. He is from Iowa and has his bachelor’s degree in Sport Physiology. He has worked in both the personal training and physical therapy domain for the past 6 years. He specializes in hypertrophy and strength training and has a passion for teaching people how to make the best use of their time inside and outside of the gym to attain their fitness goals. Taylor understands the importance of developing a solid offseason strength training plan for athletes.

Ben

Busarow

Personal Trainer

Image of Ben Busarow, Tucson Strength Personal Trainer. Certified original strength and pain-free performance training coach.

Ben has a passion for fitness and strength training. Personally he is a competitive olympic weightlifter and competes at local and regional events. Ben likes working with clients with all backgrounds and can assist them in learning the fundamentals of strength training as well as help athletes improve their technique in the sport of Olympic Weightlifting. Ben holds certifications in Original Strength and Pain Free Performance Training.

Taylor

Kron

Personal Trainer

Taylor has been involved in strength training since he was 14. He is from Iowa and has his bachelor’s degree in Sport Physiology. He has worked in both the personal training and physical therapy domain for the past 6 years. He specializes in hypertrophy and strength training and has a passion for teaching people how to make the best use of their time inside and outside of the gym to attain their fitness goals. Taylor understands the importance of developing a solid offseason strength training plan for athletes.

Wes

Bantilan

Front Desk

Wes has been a member of Tucson Strength since 2021. We loved him so much we asked him to work for us. He works full time as a teacher for special needs students. He also helps us at the front desk during his time off. He is a very accomplished powerlifter. When he is not in the gym he is lifting heavy weights or traveling  to as a spotter and loader at Powerlifting meets around the Southwest. He is always there to add a helping hand or to hype you up at the gym if you are going for a big lift.

Caitlin

Klingberg

Front Desk

Caitlin started as a member with us in 2019. Her journey in fitness has been inspiring. Starting out to just get into shape and then transforming into an amazing powerlifter that holds State Records in the USPA Federation. Caitlin works our front desk and also helps members in the gym with any questions they may have on lifting . 

Wes

Bantilan

Front Desk

Photo of Wes Bantilan, Tucson Strength Front Desk Staff, and an accomplished powerlifter.

Wes has been a member of Tucson Strength since 2021. We loved him so much we asked him to work for us. He works full time as a teacher for special needs students. He also helps us at the front desk during his time off. He is a very accomplished powerlifter. When he is not in the gym he is lifting heavy weights or traveling  to as a spotter and loader at Powerlifting meets around the Southwest. He is always there to add a helping hand or to hype you up at the gym if you are going for a big lift.

Caitlin

Klingberg

Front Desk

Image of Caitlin Klingberg, Front Desk staff at Tucson Strength Gym & Weight Room and a seasoned powerlifter.

Caitlin started as a member with us in 2019. Her journey in fitness has been inspiring. Starting out to just get into shape and then transforming into an amazing powerlifter that holds State Records in the USPA Federation. Caitlin works our front desk and also helps members in the gym with any questions they may have on lifting . 

Kael

Giardini

Front Desk

Kael has been around Tucson Strength Since he was 10 years old. Kael now helps us run our front desk. You will see him around all the time making sure the desk and gym are running smoothly.  Kael does just about anything the gym needs to keep in running smoothly including many of our maintenance and equipment issues.

Ixchell

Cazares

Front Desk

Ixchell Cazares started with us in 2023. She came to us from Yuma,AZ where she previously worked at 4th Ave Gym. Sh is currently going to The University of Arizona for Nursing. In her free time She is usually hanging out with her sister or in the gym!

Kael

Giardine

Front Desk

Image of Kael Giardine, Front desk staff at Tucson Strength Gym responsible for gym maintenance and equipment issues.

Kael has been around Tucson Strength Since he was 10 years old. Kael now helps us run our front desk. You will see him around all the time making sure the desk and gym are running smoothly.  Kael does just about anything the gym needs to keep in running smoothly including many of our maintenance and equipment issues.

Ixchell

Cazares

Front Desk

Photo of Ixchell Cazares, Tucson Strength Gym & Weight Room Front Desk Staff.

Ixchell Cazares started with us in 2023. She came to us from Yuma,AZ where she previously worked at 4th Ave Gym. Sh is currently going to The University of Arizona for Nursing. In her free time She is usually hanging out with her sister or in the gym!

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