WHO I AM
Hi, I'm Steve, owner of Lyons Den Fitness.
I'm a personal trainer based in the Sutherland Shire with a passion for helping everyday people become stronger, fitter, healthier, and more confident in themselves.
Whether your goal is fat loss, building muscle, getting stronger, improving your fitness, or simply feeling comfortable walking into the gym, my goal is to provide you with the direction, support, and accountability needed to succeed.
I know how overwhelming fitness can feel when you don't know where to start. That's why I focus on keeping things simple, practical, and tailored to your individual goals, experience level, and lifestyle.
MY STORY
When I was 19, I joined the Royal Australian Air Force. Ironically, that's where I developed a hatred for fitness. Looking back now, I don't think it was fitness I hated. I think it was being forced into it.
As the years went on, my health steadily declined. Exercise disappeared completely, while drinking, smoking, and a poor diet became the norm. By the time I reached my heaviest weight of 120kg, I was unhealthy, unhappy, and heading down a path that wasn't going to end well.
After a health scare and years of feeling terrible both physically and mentally, I decided enough was enough.
I reached out to a mate from the military for help. I'll never forget what he said to me.
"I don't believe you're ready to make that change. What is the most important thing to losing weight?"
"Diet and exercise."
"No. Consistency. Consistency. Consistency. Repeat that back to me."
For the next 15 minutes, that's exactly what I did.
"Consistency. Consistency. Consistency."
Over and over again.
At the time, I thought it was ridiculous.
Then he stopped me and said:
"NOW I believe you."
Looking back, it was one of the most important lessons I have ever learned.
He gave me a plan and told me to follow it exactly. No shortcuts. No excuses. Just consistency and discipline.
Five months later, I had lost 40kg.
No drugs. No surgery. No magic supplements. Just diet, exercise, and consistency.
Unfortunately, that wasn't the end of the story.
Nobody prepared me for what came next.
I had achieved the biggest goal of my life, but I had no plan for after it. Slowly, old habits returned. Over time I regained 30kg and found myself back at 110kg. My drinking became worse than ever, and I was once again unhealthy, unhappy, and making poor decisions.
In late 2022, someone very important to me gave me a reality check I desperately needed.
"If you want anything to do with this family, you WILL sort your shit out."
She was right.
At that point, I was overweight again, drinking more than ever, and heading down a path I knew wasn't sustainable.
I stopped drinking and have been sober ever since.
I started training again, rebuilt my habits, and lost the weight for a second time. Over the next seven months, I lost another 30kg.
The difference this time was that I approached things differently. The first time I relied heavily on discipline. The second time I focused on building habits and a lifestyle I could actually maintain long term.
Losing 40kg once taught me that change was possible.
Losing 30kg a second time proved it wasn't luck.
People often assume that once you've lost the weight, quit drinking, or achieved a major goal, everything suddenly falls into place.
That hasn't been my experience.
I still have bad days. I still struggle with things. I still make mistakes and have moments where I doubt myself.
The difference is that I've learned how to keep moving forward.
I've learned that success isn't about being perfect. It's about being accountable, learning from your mistakes, and refusing to give up when things get hard.
I know what it's like to be obese and out of breath tying your shoelaces.
I know what it's like to feel embarrassed, uncomfortable, and disappointed in yourself.
I know what it's like to feel like you've left it too late.
But I also know what it's like to turn things around.
I know what it's like to build confidence, regain control of your life, and feel proud of the person staring back at you in the mirror.
That's why I became a personal trainer.
Not because I've lived a perfect life, but because I haven't.
Because I know how hard change can be.
And because no matter where you're starting from, it's not too late.
Your success is my success, and helping people achieve things they once thought were impossible is the reason Lyons Den Fitness exists.
My Coaching Philosophy
I believe the biggest mistake people make with fitness is thinking there's a quick fix.
Fitness is for life. It's not a challenge, a detox, or something you do until you reach a goal and then stop. Just because you achieve one goal doesn't mean you're finished. It means it's time to set a new one.
I also believe too many people never set a meaningful goal to begin with.
"I want to lose weight" or "I want to get toned" will only take you so far. The clearer your goal, the easier it becomes to create a plan and stay motivated when things get difficult.
When it comes to success, the most important part isn't the first month.
It's the next five.
Anyone can be motivated for a few weeks. Real results come from consistency. Showing up when you don't feel like it. Doing the work when motivation disappears. Understanding that there are no shortcuts.
Most importantly, it's not letting a bad day turn into a bad week.
Everyone falls off the wagon at some point.
The difference is that successful people don't sit around waiting for the wagon to come back.
They chase after it and get straight back on.
That's the mindset I try to build in both my clients and myself.
Strength Training & Qualifications
I hold a Certificate III and IV in Fitness, am First Aid qualified, and continue to invest heavily in my education and development as a coach.
I have completed Strength System International Level 1 and Level 2 and am currently studying Level 3.
My coaching approach is heavily influenced by evidence-based strength training principles, with a focus on proper technique, progressive overload, accountability, and long-term results.
While I work with clients from all backgrounds, I have a particular passion for helping beginners. Whether your goal is fat loss, building confidence in the gym, learning proper technique, increasing strength, or achieving your first major strength milestone, my aim is to provide a clear path forward and remove the guesswork from training.
I love strength training because it is measurable, rewarding, and accessible to almost everyone. There is something incredibly satisfying about seeing what the human body is capable of when given the right plan, enough time, and consistent effort.
Nothing beats setting a goal, putting in the work, and achieving something you once thought was impossible.
Who I Help
I work with people from all backgrounds and experience levels, but the clients I enjoy working with most are those who have a goal they genuinely care about achieving.
That goal might be losing weight, building strength, improving confidence, learning proper technique, completing their first pull-up, or achieving a strength milestone they've been chasing for years.
Having a clear goal creates direction, motivation, and a reason to keep showing up when things get difficult.
I particularly enjoy helping beginners who feel overwhelmed by the amount of conflicting information in the fitness industry and simply want a clear plan to follow.
I also enjoy working with strength-focused clients, whether that's helping someone achieve their first major strength milestone or helping experienced lifters break through plateaus and achieve new personal bests.
More than anything, I enjoy working with people who are willing to be coached, trust the process, and put in the effort required to achieve meaningful results.
You don't need to be fit, strong, or experienced to work with me.
You just need to be willing to start.
Ready to Get Started?
​Whether your goal is losing weight, building strength, improving your fitness, or simply feeling more confident in yourself, the hardest part is often taking the first step.
That's why I offer a free discovery session.
It's an opportunity for us to sit down, discuss your goals, talk about where you're currently at, and create a clear plan for moving forward.
No pressure. No obligation. Just an honest conversation about how I can help.
If you're ready to take the first step, I'd love to hear from you.
