Instructors »
With a professional MMA record of 7-0, and 9 years MMA experience, Mike Cerrone began his career as an academic wrestler. At Orville H. Platt high school in Connecticut, he was a 3x state place winner and academic All-American. He went on to Bucknell University where he was a Division 1 three year Varsity starter and 4 year letter winner. He trained under Division 1 All-American’s Bob Ferraro, John Hangey and Walt Whitman in classic wrestling. In MMA, Mike trained under local MMA pros Elias Rivera, Randy Rowe and Ted Govola. He now brings his experience to Ken Shamrock’s Lion’s Den in Middletown, Connecticut. (He is available for personal training).
After receiving his BJJ brown belt with American Top Team, Rob went on to win the 2004 world Grapplers Quest Championship and was ranked #1 in the nation for submission grappling. His titles also include: 2005 Massachusetts State Champion, 2005 NAGA New England State Championship and 2006 New Jersey State Champion. Rob also holds ranking in Jeet Kun-Do, Judo, Muay Thai kick-boxing and small circle Jiu-Jitsu. He is presently continuing his career as a professional MMA fighter training under the Lion’s Den in Middletown, Connecticut with the likes of UFC veteran Mikey Burnett, and three time world BJJ black-belt champion Vitor Shaolin. (Available for personal training).
Danilo began his training at age 14 in Brazil at Andre Pederneiras’ Nova Uniao BJJ academy. As a teen, Danilo became Brazilian (cbbj) Champion. As an adult Danilo won a series of championships in his native Brazil, winning the Rio De Janeiro State championship along with a handful of smaller tournaments. In 2002 he won the World Cup (cbjjo) of jiu-jitsu as a purple belt, again as a brown belt in 2003, and shut out the black-belt category in 2004. A training partner of MMA champion Vitor Shaolin, Danilo has fought in many large mixed martial arts tournaments including, Storm Showfight in Brazil, Cage Rage in England, and Shooto in Japan. He currently hold a professional MMA record of 8-3.
Sarajean Walsh got her start in the fitness industry at the age of 21 in 2002. She is a Certified Personal Trainer through NASM and AFAA, and also a Certified Group Exercise Instructor through AFAA. Sara’s further certifications include Kickboxing, Pilates, barefoot training, and several other fitness modalities. She has practiced kickboxing for several years, and is currently studying Jeet Kune Do under Sifu Collin Lieberman. Sara’s current academic pursuit is in Sports Management/Fitness and Wellness through California University of Pennsylvania. Keeping up to date on the newest developments and research in the industry is a priority to her.
After being the Group Exercise Director at WOW Fitness in Glastonbury from 2005 until they ended their program this summer, Sara has decided to take some different paths in fitness training. Now honing the skills she has and allowing her different backgrounds to work in tandem, Sara is finding groundbreaking ways to mold programs with purposeful intensity, and bring them to the general population, athletes, martial artists, and anyone who is ready to take their physical activity to the next level. She merges functionality with simplicity, power with balance, and intensity with focus. You will find anything from barefoot sprints to one-armed planks, to deep breathing practices all in the same hour. That’s why Sarajean’s classes will never get boring and will always get you the results you need. “We aim above the mark to hit the mark.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson.
My training Philosophy has always been if a technique works, “Drill it until all techniques are seamless and deliver the devastating results these moves were originally designed to produce.” This dynamic and inspirational approach to fitness and conditioning is fundamental in my training applications. My system encompasses the “Best of” techniques from Muay Thai, Jiu Jitsu, and Shoot Wrestling. All classes are a showcase of explosive techniques that WORK! This system has produced The 2008 NAGA New England Featherweight Champion, As well as the Undefeated 2008 Battle at the Beach Flyweight Champion Jared Gruczka. The BEST part of this system is it is addictive, fun, and designed for EVERYONE! Whether you are an elite warrior training for battle in the cage, want to walk around with six pack abs, or your just sick of the same ol’ routine. I will get you in shape and you will have a blast on the journey. I look forward to seeing you in class.
After beginning his boxing career at age 12, John went on to win several regional and national amateur championships, including two Junior Olympic titles, three New England Golden Gloves titles, and three National Invitational amateur Championships. In 1988, John became the first boxer from the state of Connecticut ever to make the U.S Olympic trials where he captured a bronze medal in the 165 pound class. As a professional, John won his first 13 fights before suffering his first defeat. He eventually went on to win the New England middleweight title, the WBF Intercontinental super-middleweight title, and twice fought for the Light-Heavyweight championship of the world. He fought on regional, national, and world wide television broadcasts no less than seventeen times during his amateur and professional careers.
After retiring from boxing in 2002 with 49 professional fights under his belt, John has become one of boxing’s top trainers. Among his stable of boxers are IBO world bantamweight champion Mike Oliver, North American Cruiserweight championt Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey, former USBA lightweight champion and now welterweight contender Pito Cardona, and former WBA super-welterweight champion Jose Rivera. The Iceman can also be seen working alongside Joe Tessitore as an analyst/commentator for ESPN’s “Classic Fights. He now brings his twenty-six years worth of boxing experience to Ken Shamrock’s “Lion’s Den” fitness center in Middletown, Ct.
Johnny Callas, “The Coach,” is a fifteen year World Championship Professional Boxing Referee, licensed in five jurisdictions and often seen on ESPN, HBO & SHOWTIME. He has Reffed everyone from the Lions Den Craig Salamone Director of Boxing and Trainer John “Iceman” Scully to “Bad” Chad Dawson, “Irish” Micky Ward & Miguel Cotto.
Coach Callas is the Executive Director and Head Coach of the Charter Oak Amateur Boxing Academy & Youth Development Program Inc., which became a USA Boxing Inc. National “Modal” Program that focused on creating “Champions of Life” as well as Champions in the Ring. In a ten-year period the Academy seized seventy-four amateur titles and boasted six state Junior Olympic Championship Teams.
In 1995 The “Bible of Boxing,” Ring Magazine praised Callas & the Academy for being: “A Boxing Program Where Life is The Main Event!” Many of “The Coach’s” kids went on to colleges like Trinity and West Point. While achieving this Johnny was also the Central Connecticut State University (CCSU), “Blue Devil” Boxing Team, Division One, Head Boxing Coach. The “Blue Devils” landed itself a top ten national ranking, produced five All-Americans and competed internationally under his tutelage every year he was at the helm.
Callas himself was a National Collegiate Boxing Champion (NCBA) out of Central Connecticut State University, a three time All-American, and represented the U.S.A. in international competition against the Russians, The Czech Republic, and the Brunei Olympic Team. He was twice voted the best Pound for Pound Boxer in the Northeast and in 1985 during his reign as a NCBA Champion was considered pound for pound the best in the country.
Johnny “Coach” Callas is on the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame and considered the protege of his coach, the revered Hartford physical education/boxing legend & leader of men, Billy Taylor.
“Coach” Callas has his Masters Degree in Social Work and is a twenty-year veteran of Connecticut’s Department of Children & Families, specializing in Adolescent development, substance abuse, mental health and juvenile justice.
A hurricane Katrina victim, Louisiana native Robert Lester relocated to Connecticut. He began his boxing career in 1976 in New Orleans. After years of competition, Rob went on to become a trainer, eventually training two former champions. Rob specializes in top fitness conditioning, using boxer’s training techniques which are innovative, fun and very effective. His workouts are designed for both men and women. Rob is the founder of the “Pound Per Round” Lions Den weight loss challenge, teaching cardio boxing, focus mitt training, and strength conditioning at the Lions Den in Middletown, Connectcut. (He is available for personal training).
