Meet The Team
John Tran
Co-Owner & Powerlifting Coach
John is the co-founder of City Strength HQ and an ASC Accredited Powerlifting Coach with over a decade of experience.
Since starting as a personal trainer in 2009, he has coached over 100 athletes, including multiple Open National Champions and competitors.
John has represented Australia on the international stage, coaching at the 2017 Asia & Oceania Championships and serving as Head Coach for the 2024 Australian Team at the Open World Championships.
A National Referee since 2016, John brings deep expertise and a passion for strength training to every lifter he works with.
Alex Hayes
Powerlifting Coach
Alex has been coaching since 2009, with experience in team sports, personal training, and powerlifting.
Coaching both online and in-person, he focuses on developing well-rounded athletes through technical mastery, smart programming, and a strong mindset.
Beyond coaching, Alex is deeply involved in the sport as a meet director, referee, and high-level competitor, having represented Australia internationally. Known for his elite competition-day coaching, he has successfully guided lifters at all levels.
When he’s not on the platform, Alex enjoys podcasts, fine dining, basketball, and spending time with his dogs.
Kelvin Tran
Powerlifting Coach
Kelvin is a dedicated strength coach with a passion for guiding lifters onto the powerlifting platform for the first time.
With a background in coaching diverse clients in commercial gyms, he has honed his skills in personalised programming and athlete development.
Since specialising in powerlifting in 2022, Kelvin has coached over 50 athletes to reach their strength potential.
His coaching philosophy goes beyond physical training, focusing on building mental resilience through empathetic mentorship.
A seasoned competitor in both bodybuilding and powerlifting, Kelvin also coached the Australian Team at the 2024 IPF Bench Press World Championship, and was the co-head coach of the Australian Team at the 2025 Asia Africa Pacific Regional Powerlifting Championship.
Claudia O’Shea
Physiotherapist & Powerlifting Coach
Claudia is a powerlifting coach and international-level athlete with a passion for guiding lifters to perform their best on the platform - whether it’s their first time competing or chasing a national title.
She focuses on technical precision, smart programming, and competition-day execution, helping lifters build strength and confidence under pressure.
As a competitor herself, Claudia represented Australia in the 52kg class and assistant coached at the 2025 IPF Junior World Championships, giving her unique insight into what it takes to succeed at the highest level.
Her coaching philosophy centres on resilience, discipline, and self-belief - empowering lifters to build both strength and confidence, in training and on the platform.