Paul Milano | Owner
Founder of Resilient Training Lab is coach Paul Milano. Paul has over fifteen years of coaching experience across a wide range of client and client goals. Paul graduated from UCONN with a Bachelor of Science from the Department of Kinesiology. He had a concentration in Strength and Conditioning, with a minor in Nutrition for Exercise and Sport. While at UCONN he founded the UCONN Powerlifting Club and was a member of the UCONN National Strength and Conditioning Association Club.
His professional experience is unique in being on the clinical, athlete, research, and trainer side of strength training. Previous to founding Resilience Training Lab, he was the head coach at FMA Performance, leading all of the personal programming for clients ranging in goals from injury recovery, those just learning to lift, endurance and obstacle course athletes, and competitive powerlifters. Previous to FMA, Paul was the Head Rehab Aide at Gaylord Physical Therapy, the head strength and conditioning coach at St Paul Catholic High School, doing all the programming for in-season and off-season training of all sports teams. Paul also spent several years in the UCONN Human Performance Lab, collecting data and participating in many performance studies.
As powerlifter and strongman competitor himself, Paul has been competing in powerlifting events since 2009 and is currently an elite level powerlifter, competing in the 220/242lbs weight class, with a combined total of 1795lbs. He has also been competing in many local and one National level strongman competitions.
Paul is a coach that genuinely cares about seeing you progress. He strives to provide constant support to try and continually make you better, to say the things you need to hear to get better, to listen to your goals, and program for you accordingly. Paul knows what you are capable of and pushes you towards it even when you don’t think you can. He gives critique without judgment, puts a positive spin on everything to help find a way to learn from every situation. Inspires change without being too pushy
Paul is passionate about health and wellness and always learning, but he also is motivated to empower people to understand their bodies and push themselves to be better in tune with their abilities.
Coach Paul believes in the importance of community and surrounding yourself with like-minded people. People who will lift you up and push you to be the best version of yourself. People who will celebrate your victories with you and not make you feel bad for wanting to be better. Paul strives to create that community at Resilient Training Lab
Eric Lagoy | Director of Programming
Coach Eric has over ten years of coaching experience, having worked with a diverse group of clients across multiple settings. Eric graduated from UConn with a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from the Department of Kinesiology. During his undergraduate studies, he completed an internship at the renown Cressey Sports Performance in Hudson, MA. Upon completion of his degree, Eric continued his studies at UConn, receiving his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2012. Several years later, he received the distinction of being a board-certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist within the physical therapy profession.
Eric is one of few physical therapists with a strong background in strength and conditioning and coaching. He is currently the only member of Clinical Athlete in Connecticut, an organization that focuses on connecting healthcare providers that ‘walk the walk’ with active, motivated, individuals in need of medical services.
Eric also holds an adjunct faculty position for the Department of Physical Therapy at Quinnipiac University, where he teaches Exercise Physiology and Prescription for the Physical Therapist. Eric currently practices out of Gaylord Physical Therapy Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Cheshire, CT.
Eric has competed in multiple powerlifting meets in the 198lb weight class and has worked extensively with barbell sport athletes of all competitive levels. However, Eric has coached
individuals of all ages and backgrounds. He enjoys working with clients, as he values the coach-client relationship first and foremost for helping individuals reach their health and fitness goals. He believes educating the public on the scientific principles around health and fitness will not only create resilient individuals but strong and positive communities
Ryan Kalkowski | Coach
Ryan has his Bachelor of Science from UConn’s Department of Kinesiology with a concentration in Strength and Conditioning. He gained practical experience working with athletes in the weight room, and clinical experience doing research in the areas of supplementation and performance at the Human Performance Lab.
He started out as an assistant strength and conditioning coach for a high school summer camp which grew into an opportunity to work as a personal trainer. After years of working with clients of all ages in a small group setting, Ryan found the next step in his career at Resilient Training Lab. He looks to empower his clients through education on the evidence-based principles of strength training, while forming a meaningful coach-client relationship.
Clare Michalak | Coach
Clare is a certified NASM-CPT and PN2 master health coach.
She reignited her passion for fitness and nutrition when she found powerlifting and strength training after years in the corporate marketing world. After nearly 4 years in the industry, she has worked with clients of various ages, abilities, and experiences. She loves being an ambassador to the weight room and educating her athletes and clients on healthy habits for life. She recently has become an ambassador for the Arthritis Foundation, as an athlete with RA, and continues to educate and explore what it means to train with an autoimmune disease.
That marketing degree comes in handy in some of the other aspects of RTL including helping with events, marketing, apparel, and general gym management. You’ll see her perched on one of the racks in the gym at any given moment, say hi!
Mike Velasquez | Coach & Physical Therapist
Coach Mike splits his time between coaching with us and his physical therapy practice at Gaylord Orthopedics and Sports Medicine as well as inside RTL out of Barbell Physical Therapy and Performance. Before starting coaching with us Mike had been training with RTL as a client for over a year. Mike also has an extensive oly lifting and CrossFit background. We are excited to have him part of the team and he brings a unique perspective to our coaching staff.
Initially, Mike graduated from UConn with a dual degree in Biology and Psychology in 2012. He received his CrossFit L1 in Summer of 2012 and fell in love with coaching. After transitioning to coaching full-time, he was seeking to learn more, in order to further help people to the best of his ability. He returned to UConn and received his Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2019 and has been practicing out of Gaylord Physical Therapy in North Haven, CT since that time.
Mike considers himself a lifelong student and continually attempts to deepen his knowledge and understanding, in order to best serve his patients and clients alike. Mike’s ultimate desire is to help guide others towards their health and wellness goals, and of course, have some fun along the way.
Morgan Wilderman | Coach
Coach Morgan interned with Resilient Training Lab and is on the way to finalizing her NASM certifications. Morgan has been in the fitness world for over 2 years and just recently competed and won Regional Champion for USAPL Northeast in her weight class.
While her background is public policy, Morgan is passionate about building strength, supporting women in nutrition and training, and creating a welcoming environment for all who want to start lifting.
Ryan VanNieuwenhuyze | Physical Therapist & Coach
Coach Ryan comes from a strong athletic and training background, playing multiple sports throughout high school and college. Being the son of a personal trainer, Ryan began weight lifting at a young age and quickly found that it was a passion of his. This passion led him down the road of attending Quinnipiac University in order to receive his Doctorate of Physical Therapy, which would allow him to help people through the use of exercise.
Ryan currently treats patients in his physical therapy clinic, Barbell Physical Therapy and Performance, which is located inside of Resilient Training Lab. You can find out more about Barbell Physical Therapy here.
Ryan is a USA Weightlifting and Clinical Athlete Weightlifting certified coach and plans on undergoing further education in powerlifting and other barbell sports.
Amanda LaCroix | Chief of Operations
Amanda mostly does things behind the scenes for Resilient, but you may see her around the gym either working the front desk or working out. She is the one you can contact when you have questions regarding billing, retail, or events. She also handles our podcast.
She graduated from Springfield College in 2016 with an Exercise Science degree, is kettlebell certified and Girls Gone Strong Pre- and Post-Natal certified. She has experience competing in powerlifting and strongman. When Amanda isn’t in the gym, you will most likely find her hiking or cuddling with her dogs.
