MEET OUR TEAM
At McKenna’s Gym, we believe coaching is about the client, not the coach.
We don’t only get results, we build relationships. Competition, Strength, and Performance goals require more than motivation and hype, they require support, focus, and a welcoming environment.
We want you to be stronger, feel better, and enjoy life more. And be stronger. Change and discipline work better with support, and we provide that community of support for you.
Come hang with us. Learn about your body. It’s amazing and capable.
MIKE MCKENNA
HEAD COACH
Mike is the owner and founder of McKenna's Gym. A former competitive Weightlifter with medals at the 2003 American Open (Bronze) and 2010 National Master's Championship (Gold), Mike is also a Four-Time Letter Winner in Hammer Throw at the University of Delaware and remains on UD’s all-time Top Ten List.
Mike currently teaches more Coaching Certification Courses than any other Instructor with USA Weightlifting; he travels extensively to introduce Weightlifting and Sports Performance concepts to Coaches and athletes at all levels. In August of 2016, Mike served as one of the last guest Coaches at USAW's National Training Center at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO. As a Coach, Mike has worked with dozens of National level Lifters, producing National Medalists in Every Age Category (Youth, Junior, Senior, and Master) as well as a Youth International medalist and Several Master International Medalists and Champions. In Track and Field, Mike produced a two-Time NJ State Discus Champion and several State Placewinners in Wrestling as well as All Conference and All Star performers in Girls Lacrosse, Track and Field, and Wrestling.
Most importantly, Mike’s lifters have gone on to have successful lives in which sport and fitness help to build their character and enrich their experiences.
THE COACHING TEAM
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they, them
After a lifetime of participation in various sports, D. began weightlifting in 2013. They competed internationally for the Universiade in 2017, medaled at several USAW AO and National meets, and coached weightlifting most of those years.
D. has their USAW L1 Certification and Empowered Performance Certification.
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BIO
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he/him
David James Jorge has competed in the sport of weightlifting for over 13 years, winning multiple Junior, University, and U25 National Championships in the process. He represented Team USA internationally at the 2017 Universiade championship. He’s an NJ state champion and record holder and currently teaches K-8 physical education and health. A former thrower (shot put and discus), Dave now focuses on weightlifting full-time. In addition to his own training, Dave coaches our summer teen program.
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she/her
Danierlle Gaspar came to weightlifting through Crossift, which she began in 2015. Since 2021 she’s focused exclusively on weightlifting and is now a USA Weightlifting Level 1 coach and participant in USAW’s 2023 Youth Sports Coaching Fellowship program. Professionally a child/adolescent therapist, she loves the combination of mental and physical health that weightlifting can provide; she designed and led our summer 2023 Teen Mental Health & Weightlifting Camp. In addition, to her coaching certificate, Danielle holds an LPC licensure and an MS in Counseling from Montclair State University. In addition to her mental health and weightlifting passions, Danielle loves traveling and hiking outdoors.
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she/her
Sarah Cacsarino has been lifting since the early 2010s when she moved to San Francisco after college. A USAW Advanced Sports Performance Coach, Sarah has her National Coach status pending and competes and coaches for McKenna Weightlifting. Sarah is also a competition and training photographer whose work can be found on Instagram @seccaptures
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she/her
Gym co-owner Sally Van de Water began volunteering for USAW in 2004, has been a certified technical official since early 2006, and became an IWF Category 1 Technical Official in 2019. She has performed every TO function at local and national USAW meets and has been serving at international meets since 2017. She has been Speaker at a number of World Weightlifting Championships, and in Tokyo 2020 became the first woman to emcee weightlifting at the Olympic Games. In 2018, she joined the USAW delegation to promote women's weightlifting in the Islamic Republic of Iran. That same year, USAW named Van de Water one of the ”18 Women Trailblazers of USA Weightlifting.” Former Chair of the DEI Committee, Van de Water was elected to join the USAW Board of Directors in 2021 and is currently the DEI Board Liaison. In her professional career, spent in nonprofits and government, Van de Water is a folklorist who helps to build collaborative community projects using arts and culture. She finally obtained her official coaching certification in October 2022 and is slowly discovering the joys of coaching athletes at meets in addition to announcing them.
McKenna’s Partners
Get in touch!
McKenna’s Gym, based in York County, NJ, provides online programming for weightlifting, competitive exercise, and fitness-oriented strength and conditioning. We also provide seminars and personalized/remote coaching. Contact us with any questions you may have.