MEET THE TEAM
Meet The Owners
We’re Lionel and Suzie Pyster, the founders of Pride Strength and Fitness and proud parents of four amazing kids aged 7, 16, 18 and 22. Fitness has always been at the core of our lives. For Lionel, lifting weights is a true passion. For Suzie, running has always been a way of life. Over the years we’ve learned that prioritising health and strength is not just about how you look. It is about living fully, staying focused and showing up as your best in every part of life.
Before COVID, Lionel ran Back on Track Fitness in Caroline Springs, coaching more than 180 clients each week for over three years. When the studio closed, it became a major turning point for us. Like many people during that time, our own fitness slipped. Instead of accepting it, we decided to take control. We committed to our own transformation and rediscovered the power of discipline, structure and consistency.
During that period, we also built Pride Coaching Academy, including Cricket Star Academy and Football Star Academy. Today we coach more than 400 kids each week, helping them develop a love for sport, healthier habits and strong life skills. As we transformed ourselves, people around us started to notice. We were constantly asked how we stayed strong and healthy while raising a family and running multiple businesses. That encouragement sparked something bigger.
Pride Strength and Fitness was created to be more than just a gym. It is a community built on strength, unity and support. The word pride represents a family of lions, standing strong together. Our logo reflects exactly that, a lion, a lioness and four cubs, symbolising resilience, leadership, family and pride in your achievements.
This studio is for anyone ready to commit, to push beyond their limits and to create real change. If we can prioritise our health and strength while raising four children and running multiple businesses, you can too. And we will be here to guide you every step of the way.
Meet The Head Coach
Hi, I’m Lionel Pyster, Founder and Head Coach of Pride Strength and Fitness. For more than 20 years, I’ve been helping people change their lives through strength training, fitness and practical lifestyle education.
Throughout my career I’ve worked across several leading fitness brands including Fenix Fitness, Genesis Health Clubs, Snap Fitness, Goodlife Health Clubs and the Anytime Fitness network. Over that time, I’ve helped more than 3,000 people achieve real and lasting results. I’ve also invested heavily in my own education, learning from some of the world’s most respected coaches such as Sebastian Oreb, Charles Poliquin, Eugene Teo and Dr Andrew Lock. Those experiences shaped the practical, evidence based approach I use with clients today.
I’ve also worked as a mentor with the Australian Institute of Personal Trainers, supporting aspiring coaches as they complete their qualifications. I teach the systems, structure and coaching principles that I’ve used to transform hundreds of lives. Prior to Pride Strength and Fitness, I owned and operated Back on Track Fitness in Caroline Springs, where I coached more than 180 clients each week for over three years.
With Pride Strength and Fitness, my mission is simple. I want to create a space where people who are ready to commit and push themselves can truly thrive. A place built on guidance, accountability and genuine support, so every member has the structure they need to succeed.
Meet Elliott
Fitness has always been part of my life. Growing up, I was constantly active, spending nine years in gymnastics and participating in a range of sports, which built a strong foundation in movement, discipline, and body awareness.
However, like many of us, as work and life demands increased, both my physical and mental health, began to take a back seat. Realising something needed to change, I recommitted to my training, rebuilt my body and mindset, and rediscovered just how powerful consistent coaching and support can be.
That experience reignited my passion for fitness and led me into the industry. I worked across multiple Anytime Fitness locations, starting at the front desk and progressing through to club manager. Alongside this, I am currently studying with the Australian Institute of Personal Trainers, completing my Certificate III and IV in Fitness to continue developing my coaching knowledge and skills.
Today, I’m proud to be the Studio Manager and Coach at Pride Strength and Fitness, where my goal is to help busy people build strength, confidence, and resilience as well as creating sustainable habits that support their life outside the gym.
Join The Pride Now
Pride Strength & Fitness helps busy people in Wyndham reclaim their health and confidence. Fill out the form below and take your first step.