Heartland Strength Mission:

Our mission is to help athletes of all ages and skill levels achieve their goals through sports performance and resistance training. We foster a positive, supportive community focused on growth, integrity, and mental fitness. Each session is purpose-driven, with a commitment to long-term progress, learning, and maintaining a proactive, optimistic attitude. Whether you've never been involved in athletics in your life, or you've competed at the highest level in a sport; If you can't yet do a squat, or you squat 500lbs; If you want to get more fit for life, or become an international level weightlifter... we have space for you.

Meet the Team

Tony Schuster


Head Weightlifting Coach | Gym Owner |

Iowa-Nebraska WSO President

With over 10 years of coaching experience, Tony currently serves as the head coach. Throughout his coaching career, Tony has successfully guided multiple athletes to National Championships, showcasing his dedication to developing high-performing weightlifters. As a USAW Level 2 and National Level Coach, Tony combines his extensive knowledge of the sport with a coaching philosophy that is both energetic and approachable. He knows how to create a laid-back environment that encourages athletes to thrive, while also understanding when to push them to reach their full potential. Outside of coaching, Tony enjoys spending quality time with his wife and son, often exploring new hiking trails and discovering unique ice cream spots. His passion for the sport and commitment to his athletes make him a respected leader in the weightlifting community.

Siera Schuster

Gym Owner | Coach | Nationally Ranked Weightlifter | Photographer
With over 10 years of coaching experience and 8 years of competition in Weightlifting, Siera is passionate about helping others unlock their full potential—both in the gym and beyond. As a nationally ranked athlete in two weight classes, she has earned accolades including the title of Best Overall Female Lifter at 25U Nationals and her first senior national medal in the clean and jerk in 2023. Growing up as a multisport athlete and competing in college track and field (55m/100m hurdles and long jump), she eventually found her true calling in Weightlifting after a few years of CrossFit. Now, as a gym owner, Siera dedicates her time to coaching athletes of all levels, empowering them to build strength, confidence, and resilience. Outside of Weightlifting, she is a full-time photographer with a passion for capturing powerful moments and helping others see themselves in a positive light. Whether through movement or photos, my mission is to inspire confidence and encourage others to take charge of living the life they want to live. Did she mention she loves cake?

Alfred Grenon

Assistant Coach | Youth Weightlifting Coach

Alfred's journey in the world of fitness began during his time on the Bellevue West swim team, where he was part of the State Championship team. Seeking to improve his swimming performance, he started lifting weights but quickly developed a deep passion for the barbell. Teaching himself the Olympic lifts in the back of a commercial gym, Alfred’s love for the sport only grew. Since beginning as a Weightlifting athlete in 2018, he has honed his skills and knowledge, and today, he joins as a USAW Level 1 Coach. Alfred is an assistant team coach and works with our youth athletes, helping them develop their own love for weightlifting.

Samantha Lentini

National-Level Masters Athlete | Functional Fitness Programmer

Coach Samantha Lentini is a dedicated National-level masters athlete and functional fitness programmer with a passion for coaching. With 3 years of experience in competitive weightlifting and a strong foundation in CrossFit, Samantha’s journey in fitness began nearly a decade ago with just two 10-pound dumbbells. Her diverse background has shaped her coaching philosophy: “Consistency over intensity, but intensity has its place.” She believes that an athlete’s commitment to training is the true driver of progress—far beyond raw natural talent. A current student at the University of Nebraska Omaha, Samantha is pursuing her social work degree with plans to become a licensed clinical social worker. She is also working toward certification in trauma-informed weightlifting, driven by her deep interest in the mind-body connection. As much as she loves competing, Samantha’s true passion lies in coaching and empowering others to reach their potential. Whether working with athletes in the gym or planning community-building events, her focus is always on creating a positive, supportive environment for growth and achievement. Outside the gym, Samantha is a proud military spouse and mother to six boys, balancing the demands of family life with her professional and athletic pursuits.

Lu (Our Gym Dog)

Gym Emotional Support

Lu is the gym's unofficial therapist and official emotional support dog. With a heart as big as his love for attention, Lu is always there to brighten up anyone’s day. Whether you're feeling tired after a tough workout or just need a little motivation, Lu is your guy. He has a unique ability to make everyone around him feel seen, heard, and cared for—he’s basically the gym's feel-good mascot. No bad days allowed when Lu’s around. His likes include the last bite of your pre-workout banana, the mail man, and pets every 5 minutes. His dislikes include the neighborhood cats and lawn mowers.

Gary Evans

Personal Trainer| Weightlifting Athlete |

With 6 years of experience and help from certifications such as Action CPT, Precision nutrition and OPEX CCP, Gary has helped clients from all walks of life achieve their fitness and nutrition goals. Whether it's creating custom diets for medical or religious reasons or adapting exercises for specific needs like a bad back or knee, he tailors his approach to fit each person. Gary makes sure to start each client at a level they can tolerate and slowly push them past their comfort zone to reach new heights. His approach towards personal training is helping each individual be able to live the life they want and have their body keep up. Through constant focus on the basic movement patterns and teaching general principals of nutrition. Gary keeps it simple until you both agree that you can take it to the next level. Gary’s passion for fitness began in high school through football. Weightlifting has had a positive impact on his life, boosting both physical strength and mental resilience. At Heartland, he enjoys being surrounded by like-minded individuals working to improve themselves. Why does Gary love to be a personal trainer? It is more than just having a client lose weight or build muscle. It is more about their personal growth. The confidence they exude inside and out of the gym. They start to get off medications they were told they would have to take forever. Their joints start to feel better.