Samantha Keenan - Owner/Coach

Education

• M.S. Business Management
• B.S. Psychology (ABA) and B.S. Music Performance
• Certificate in Organizational Development
• Certificate in Nonprofit Management


• NASM Certified Personal Trainer
• NASM Behavior Change Specialization (BCS)
• AFAA Certified Personal Trainer
• AFAA Group Exercise The Practical Way
• AFAA Golden Hearts: Senior Fitness Training
• American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED

Samantha is the Founder of Force Fitness and has been a certified Fitness Trainer for ten years. She began her career as the Senior Director of Membership & Wellness for the YMCA of Newport County where she discovered her passion for health & wellness, community building, and small business. After leaving the YMCA, she worked full-time in HR and IT Project Management before returning to fitness as a group coach in South Windsor and Ellington.

Samantha grew up in East Hartford and currently lives with her husband Patrick in Tolland. She attended Salve Regina University in Newport, RI where she lived for over eight years.. When she is not working full-time at Force, you can find her performing with her acoustic duo at local restaurants, singing the National Anthem at Yard Goats games, visiting Newport and volunteering for town committees.

"Force Fitness was founded with a mission to build a fitness community to help every person find a higher quality of life through greater health. My passion for fitness began in college after I went through a weight loss journey of my own, losing 30lbs through exercise and proper nutrition. I know first hand how it feels to be uncomfortable in your own skin without the knowledge or tools to be able to bring about change. My passion is helping others discover the benefits of training that have helped me to become the person I am today so that they can also reach their fitness and training goals. Our team has designed a program that is challenging, fun and proven to work. The Force team will be here to guide you every step of the way!"

– Samantha

Ryan Hence - Coach

Education

• B.S in Exercise Science


• NASM Certified Personal Trainer
• National Strength & ConditioningAssociation (NSCA) C.S.C.S
• Dynamic Variable Resistance Training (Level 1)

Ryan is a coach with Force Fitness and has been training since 2009. He brings a wide range of experience to the team having held many roles in fitness such as personal training, group coaching, sales and operations management. Ryan is also an experienced public speaker having presented for many large companies on topics centered around wellness, customer service, employee engagement and productivity.

Ryan grew up in Bolton and currently lives in Coventry. Outside of coaching, Ryan works full time as a Real Estate professional and is very involved in community events around CT. His hobbies include traveling, reading and bowling on Monday nights.

"Throughout my time working with individuals, groups, athletes and special populations, I've found a great deal of joy seeing people accomplish the day to day victory. As someone who worked through a pediatric hip disease, I enjoy working with folks who are overcoming a setback or working through an issue just as much as I love pushing those ready for a challenge. In our sessions, I'll always promise three things, a "hello" when you walk in, a sweat while you work, and a "nice job" when you leave. Stay Moving & Win the Day!"

– Ryan

Ciara Manning - Coach

Education

• Doctoral degree in Kinesiology in Exercise Science at University of Connecticut (Candidate)
• Master's in Exercise Science - University of Connecticut
• Bachelor's in Exercise and Sport Science - Temple University


• NASM Certified Personal Trainer
• Certificate in Exercise Testing and Prescription
• Certificate in Public Health
• Certificate in Health Psychology
• CPR/AED/First Aid Certification

Ciara Manning is a coach at Force Fitness and has been training since 2019. In addition to coaching at Force, Ciara is pursuing her Doctorate degree in Kinesiology in Exercise Science at the University of Connecticut. Her research has focused on endurance athletes and exercising in heat. Topics include perceptions of recovery vs physiological recovery, heat acclimation responses, cooling strategies, wearable technology and sleep quality/quantity just to name a few!

Ciara was born in Lewes, Delaware and grew up in Chester County, Pennsylvania but currently lives in Manchester. When she isn't working or studying, Ciara enjoys long distance running, hiking, paddleboarding, going to the beach, reading and podcasts. She is currently training for her first ultra marathon (50 miles) with plans for a 100 mile ultra within the one to two years.

"My own fitness journey after recovering from a traumatic brain injury led to me discovering my passion for running. It pushed me to pursue a lifestyle dedicated to improving my fitness and myself as a person. My journey motivates me to help others experience their own transformations and victories. It is beyond inspiring to see people show up for themselves and push their bodies and minds during challenging workouts. Every time someone shows up and gives their best effort, they prove to themselves that there is no upper limit to what they can achieve."

– Ciara

Tyler Arsenault - Coach

Education

• B.S in Exercise Science

Tyler grew up in East Granby, CT. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from Castleton University and is currently finishing his Master's Degree at Springfield College. Tyler's coaching experience has mainly been working with college athletes through his strength and conditioning internships at Castleton University, Springfield College, and University of Virginia Men's Basketball. He has worked with athletes in a variety of sports including Basketball, Field Hockey, Soccer, Baseball, and Distance Running.

Outside of coaching at Force, Tyler currently works at Westminster School in Simsbury CT as a Strength and Conditioning Coach. When he isn't in the gym, he enjoys fishing, snowboarding, visiting new breweries and going to concerts!