Paul Milano | Owner
Founder of Resilient Training Lab in 2019, Paul has over 20 years of strength and conditioning coaching experience. Paul graduated from UCONN with a Bachelor of Science from the Department of Kinesiology with a concentration in Strength and Conditioning, and a minor in Nutrition for Exercise and Sport.
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 to 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.
Resilient is where Paul’s passion comes to life. Anyone who walks through the doors is welcomed and coached with decades of knowledge, care, and focus. Paul has created a space where excellent coaches develop their skills and assist in helping clients toward their best health and fitness.
Eric Lagoy | Doctor of Physical Therapy
Coach Eric has over fifteen 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. 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. 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. He enjoys working with clients, as he values the coach-client relationship first and foremost for helping individuals reach their health and fitness goals.
Clare Polizzi | NBC-HWC Strength and Health Coach
Coach Clare is a board certified NBHWC Health Coach with additional certifications from NASM, USAW, and Precision Nutrition. Clare reignited her passion for fitness and nutrition when she found powerlifting and strength training after years in the corporate marketing world and right as the world shut down in 2020.
After nearly 6 years at Resilient Training Lab, 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 Rhematoid Arthritis, and continues to educate and explore what it means to train with an autoimmune disease. Clare competes in both powerlifting and strongman at the local and national levels, and coaches athletes who travel for their own competitions.
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!
Greg Kohler | Coach
Greg is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with over a decade of coaching experience, working with a wide range of clients. From competitive athletes to everyday individuals looking to improve their strength, confidence, and overall quality of life. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Health Science from Mitchell College, where he developed a strong foundation in anatomy, physiology, and evidence-based training principles.
Greg’s training philosophy is grounded in individualization, sustainability, and empowerment. He believes that good coaching starts with listening.
At Resilient Training Lab, Greg brings all of that experience into a team environment where community, accountability, and evidence-based practice come together. He believes that everyone deserves to feel strong and capable, and he’s committed to helping clients get there. Without judgment, without fluff, and with the support they need to thrive.
Lynette Rosenberger | Coach
Lynette is a NASM-certified Strength Coach and Health Coach with additional credentials from Precision Nutrition Level 2 and the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She combines her background in health coaching with a passion for powerlifting to help clients build lasting strength, confidence, and resilience. Her coaching style is grounded, empowering, and always tailored to the individual; because strength isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Lynette competes in both powerlifting and strongman. She is excited to see what the future holds!
Ryan Kalkowski | Coach
Ryan has his Bachelor of Science from UConn's Department of Kinesiology with a concentration in Strength and Conditioning. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, he continues to help clients reach their goals. Ryan has more of a part-time role here at RTL now, focusing mostly on 1-1 clients and pursuing higher education opportunities.
Steph Matthews | Coach & Facilities Management
Steph is a strength coach with multiple decades in the industry. From powerlifting to strongman, she brings years of competitive experience to the floor, and has been expanding her repetoire to help clients of all ages and backgrounds find their strength.
When she’s not coaching, she’s making sure RTL is in tip-top shape as the facilities manager. When we need the latest piece of equipment, a fix, or help opening a stubborn locker, shes our person!
Olaitan “Lala” Olagundoye | Coach
Lala is a strength coach with a foundation in human movement, performance, and exercise science. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Health Science with minors in Biology and Nutrition from Quinnipiac University and is currently a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) candidate at Quinnipiac.
Through her education and clinical experience, Lala has worked with individuals across the lifespan, supporting goals related to rehabilitation, strength, and functional movement. She takes an evidence-based approach that emphasizes thoughtful exercise selection, safe progression, and long term health.
Lala also has an athletic background as a former Division I track and field athlete at Quinnipiac University, competing in the long jump, high jump, and triple jump, with a strong background in power, speed, and explosive training. She values building meaningful relationships and supporting each client as a whole person throughout their fitness journey.
Jacob Halfrey | Coach
Coach Jacob holds a Bachelor's degree in Applied Exercise Science from Springfield College and has been coaching for four years. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA with additional biomechanics certifications from Pre-Script.
Jacob's coaching philosophy is simple: every client should walk out of a session feeling more confident, more capable, and more autonomous than when they walked in. He takes a client-centric approach with everyone he works with, from competitive athletes to people stepping into the weight room for the first time, helping each person discover what they can do through consistent, long-term effort in a positive environment.
His coaching is shaped by a research-driven background. During his undergraduate studies, Jacob worked in a muscle physiology lab at UMass Amherst and as an undergraduate research assistant at Springfield College. He has also taught and mentored other coaches, serving as a teaching assistant for a senior-level Strength and Conditioning course, as a guest lecturer to his peers, and as a presenter at the NSCA state conference on "Utilizing Youth Sports Performance to Facilitate Lifelong Success." That talk reflects a belief that runs through all of his coaching: what you build in the weight room can carry over into the rest of your life.
At Resilient Training Lab, Jacob brings curiosity, care, and a deep belief that people are capable of more than they realize. He blends evidence-based principles with the human side of coaching, helping the RTL team support every client in getting stronger, moving better, and showing up consistently over time.
Lauren Perry | Coach & Onboarding
Lauren is passionate about helping people feel stronger, confident, and more connected, both inside and outside the gym. With a background in communications, community-building, and storytelling, she brings a welcoming, high-energy approach to coaching and member experience.
After more than a decade immersed in strength training and gym communities, Lauren is excited to combine her love of movement and connection in a more hands-on way. She loves that fitness can look different for everyone — from experienced athletes chasing performance goals to people walking into a gym for the very first time — and believes everyone deserves to feel supported, encouraged, and capable.
Outside the gym, Lauren is a writer, creative, and mom of two active kids, often found in the throes of the youth sports chaos or hiking with her German shepherd.
Casey Kogut | Front Desk Manager
Casey has over a decade of experience in aerial arts and multiple years of strength training, giving her a strong appreciation for the dedication and confidence that fitness can build. At the front desk, she strives to create a welcoming space where every member feels seen, supported, and excited to show up for themselves. Whether she’s answering questions, cheering members on, or helping someone feel more comfortable on their first day, she’s always happy to help.
