HomeAbout Us
About us
We are a health and wellness facility with two locations in the Greater Toronto Area — Leslieville and Etobicoke. We would be honoured to have the opportunity to work with you.
Our mission
A safe space founded on a love for fitness, and a desire for learning.
Our mission is to create a safe space founded on a love for fitness, and a desire for learning. Our facilities have been built on inclusivity, with an emphasis on togetherness.
We seek to ensure that each and every member leaves a better version of themselves.
Our history
Founded in 2012, onlythestrong was originally created to teach seminars and lectures to health and wellness enthusiasts. As the company closed its second year, it was apparent that many of the teachings would be even greater in practice.
This prompted the business to take the next step and settle into its first brick and mortar at Midland and Sheppard in Scarborough. Ten years and four locations later, OTS is a pillar in the fitness community for top quality Personal Training.
Our leadership
Daniel Smith is not only the face, but the heartbeat of OTS. As a multi-sport athlete, the competitiveness he has displayed in his athletic career has been mirrored in his desire for success with the business.
As one of the top young fitness minds from the Toronto region, he has worked and excelled within both the corporate and private realms of the fitness industry. Relationship driven and client focused, his ability to relate to the goal through proper prescription and execution is unquestioned.
Who trains here
Our facilities have been built on inclusivity, with an emphasis on togetherness. It doesn't matter what you look like or where you're starting from — this is a calm, private space, not a crowded gym floor.
Functional fitness and progressive programming, taught in a safe, structured training environment.
Every coach here was selected for their dedication to a completely tailored experience that meets your needs and goals.
Small sessions, familiar faces and coaches who know your name. Most members find us through someone who already trains here.
The team
Each fitness professional involved with our organization has been selected because of their dedication to a completely tailored experience. You never have to worry about a “one-size-fits-all” methodology.
Personal Trainer · Etobicoke
Alan started his passion for fitness in his early 20s. His mission is to help people feel strong, healthy, confident and most of all happy. He works out every morning at 5 am, no matter what. Big, small, short or tall, it doesn't matter to him: heart and hunger is what he brings to the table.
Personal Trainer · Leslieville
Brian is a lifelong student. As a coach he has spent the last decade crafting the tools necessary to provide a world class strength experience. As a professional he has helped hundreds of patients alleviate pain. He is best known for bringing a calm disposition to OTS that serves as a guiding force for coaches and clients alike.
Personal Trainer · Leslieville
Babs is a multifaceted coach with a zest for health and wellness. As a Kinesiology major with a strong interest in the therapeutic side of recovery, he provides a unique perspective to the role. In his spare time he wrestles competitively at the collegiate level and loves to draw expressionist pieces.
Personal Trainer · Etobicoke
Madel is a dedicated fitness professional and a two-year veteran personal trainer at onlythestrong Personal Training (OTS) in Toronto. Hailing from Grenada, she brings a powerful athletic foundation to her coaching as a former multi-sport athlete in basketball and track. Known within the gym community for her strong discipline and high energy, she channels her competitive background into custom client transformations, and when she isn't pushing members to unlock their inner strength, she can usually be found fueling up with her favorite Starbucks.
Personal Trainer · Etobicoke
Eric Nielsen-Jones is a highly skilled, full-time personal trainer at onlythestrong Personal Training. A graduate of both George Brown College (Computer Systems Technology) and Centennial College (Fitness and Health Promotion), Eric seamlessly bridges the gap between technical precision and elite wellness. He has successfully utilized the precise analytical and system-building skills from his tech background to build a thriving, high-quality personal training business. Dedicated to client-centred coaching, Eric helps members build sustainable lifestyle habits, master movement mechanics, and unlock deep physical strength through structured, results-driven programming.
Personal Trainer · Leslieville
Tommy is an elite fitness coach and a veteran personal trainer at onlythestrong Personal Training, bringing close to five years of dedicated personal training experience to the team. As a former competitive, high-level powerlifter, Tommy pairs real-world competitive grit with deep mechanical expertise to help clients smash through strength plateaus. He specializes in heavy barbell coaching, movement optimization, and building foundational raw power. Whether you are looking to master your squat, bench, and deadlift form or completely transform your physical capabilities, Tommy’s structured and high-performance training approach ensures every member unlocks their true peak strength.
For fitness professionals
We began as an education company, and we still teach. The OTS Exercise Specialist Certification is our 100% online personal training certification, built to fill the gaps in the industry — in theory and in practice.
$99 for 14 days of unlimited Semi-Private Personal Training, MASTERCLASS workouts and Open Gym. Register online and start immediately.