Who We Are
About The Owner
Meet Manju
After moving to the United States with her family from India, Manju spent her initial few years volunteering at local animal shelters. Serving those in need was her passion, and when asked by a friend to help with a child with special needs, she said yes. She soon realized that this community needed her, and she began looking for ways to serve. Manju completed formal education in the field of applied behavioral analysis and worked in this service industry for the next 12 years before starting the Special Strong franchise.
In 2021 Manju had always been an advocate for exercise and actively pursuing a healthy lifestyle. She realized that while programs were available for the public, they rarely were accessible to those with special needs. She recognized that this missing service was one of the primary reasons why the special needs community had a sedentary lifestyle and poor eating habits.
Keaton Lake
My name is Keaton Lake, a NASM-Certified Personal Trainer specializing in strength and conditioning, weight loss, and rehabilitation. My personal 80-pound transformation, combined with addressing my own learning disabilities, led me to become an adaptive fitness coach two and a half years ago, including Red Cross water safety certification.
I currently train clients with diverse needs, including physical limitations, cognitive challenges, senior citizens, amputees, accident cases, and veterans. My training philosophy emphasizes a holistic, well-balanced lifestyle that includes stretching, healthy eating, rest, and minimizing future health risks.
My qualifications include:
– National Academy of Sports Medicine – Certified Personal Trainer
– First Aid/CPR/AED certified
– Certified Adaptive Special Needs Trainer
– Certified Adaptive Special Needs Aquatic Instructor
– Red Cross Water Safety Training for Swim Coaches
– The Barbell Rehab Method Certification
Meet Your Coach
Brooke Lake
My name is Brooke Lake, and I am one of the trainers at Special Strong West North Dallas. I specialize in creating safe, supportive, and personalized fitness programs for individuals with special needs, helping each client build strength, confidence, and independence.
My approach is centered on understanding each individual’s unique abilities, challenges, and goals, as I believe fitness should be accessible to everyone. Through Special Strong, my mission is to empower individuals with special needs to feel strong physically, mentally, and emotionally while providing an inclusive environment where progress is celebrated and every client feels supported.
For your reference, my certifications include:
– National Academy of Sports Medicine: Certified Personal Trainer
– First Aid/CPR/AED Certified
– Certified Adaptive Special Needs Trainer
Saif Shaikh
My name is Saif Shaikh, and I am an ISSA-Certified Personal Trainer with a strong focus on inclusive, adaptive, and client-centered fitness. My personal fitness journey began with a goal to become healthier within two years and through consistency, discipline, and resilience, I successfully achieved that goal.
Along the way, I faced and overcame multiple injuries, which gave me firsthand experience with physical limitations, recovery, and proper training modifications. That experience ultimately led me to work closely with individuals with disabilities and special needs. I am passionate about helping clients of all abilities train safely, confidently, and effectively while improving their overall quality of life.
I currently work with clients who have special needs, physical disabilities, and other unique challenges, tailoring programs to meet each individual where they are. My training philosophy emphasizes patience, safety, functional strength, mobility, and long-term health. Not just short-term results.
Certifications & Qualifications include:
- International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) – Certified Personal Trainer
- Certified Adaptive Fitness & Special Needs Trainer
- First Aid, CPR, and AED Certified
Outside of training, my interests include helping others improve their fitness, playing video games, and enjoying cars. I bring the same dedication, focus, and passion from my personal life into my coaching, always aiming to support, motivate, and empower every client I work with.
About the Founder
The Special Strong Story
By the age of 21, Daniel Stein had been diagnosed with a learning disability, mood disorder and autoimmune disease. After successfully using exercise to overcome his unique challenges, he felt called upon to help others with disabilities obtain healthier, happier, and higher functioning lives. Daniel obtained certifications through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), the National Federation of Personal Trainers (NFPT), and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).
In 2016, Daniel and his wife, Trinity, launched Special Strong, one of the only fitness centers in the country for individuals with mental, physical, and cognitive challenges. Today, Special Strong continues to specialize in adaptive and inclusive fitness training and is making a difference in the lives of children, adolescents and adults all over the world.
Mission
To unlock the strength and confidence within the mind, body, and spirit of every individual impacted by mental, physical, and cognitive challenges in order to live a more independent and abundant life.
Vision
To be the world’s leading household name in adaptive fitness, empowering millions of adaptive athletes worldwide to live independent and abundant lives.
Our Core Values
At Special Strong, we are governed by Christian values, using the acronym “STRONG.” Through our values, we have created a life-giving culture where solutions can be created, people can prosper, and God can be glorified.
Stewardship
We are Faithful Stewards of what God has Given Us
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much” Luke 16:10
Give extra care and attention to our clients and team with safety as our number one priority
Commit to using our time, treasure, and talents to glorify God in everything we do
Improve on our gifts and strengths by our commitment to personal growth and continuous improvement
Transparency
We are Real People who are Real with People
“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32
Demonstrate honesty and openness to make decisions and deliver information
Conduct and display our services with complete and open transparency
Have the respect to confront issues and problems that arise in order to grow to the next level
Relationship Focused
We are Relationship Focused First and Profit Second
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33
Fuel all of our actions by remembering “why” we do what we do
Assume the best by extending our trust before trust is earned
Focus everything on the relationship and everything else will follow
Ownership
We Own Our Unique Roles and Take 100% Responsibility
“You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.” Matthew 25:23
Use initiative to act on opportunities and do more than is required of us
Commitment to personal growth and continuous improvement
Hungry for honest feedback from clients and teammates
No Judgement
We Seek to Relate and Understand Another Person’s Walk of Life
“Do for others what you would like them to do for you. This is a summary of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:12
Practice sensitivity towards the feelings, thoughts, and experiences of others
Accept others where they are without judgment – physically, spiritually, and emotionally
Show respect for and value all individuals for their diverse backgrounds, beliefs, experiences, styles, and ideas
Generosity
We are Blessed to be a Blessing to Others
“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” 2 Corinthians 9:6
Create opportunities to be generous with our time, treasure, and talents
Intentional with giving words of encouragement and gratitude to make others feel valued and appreciated
Serve the community, ministries, and non-profits with our resources