Gavin Meenan, a nominee for the Rémy Martin Men of the Year Awards 2025, is far more than a familiar face in Ireland’s fitness scene — he’s become a lifeline for men seeking purpose beyond the bench press. His journey, rooted in childhood vulnerability and shaped by powerful moments of challenge and change, has positioned him as a leading voice in emotional strength, self-awareness, and redefining what it means to be a man today.
From Pain to Purpose
“I felt weak and vulnerable as a child,” Gavin shares, recalling the bullying he endured and the insecurity that took root early in life. It was a gift of karate lessons at age seven that unknowingly began his lifelong journey in fitness. But his story is far from a typical gym-to-trainer tale. “I was building muscle to feel more like a man,” he says. “But even after winning the European Powerlifting Championship, I still felt like that scared little boy inside.”
It wasn’t until he started peeling back the layers of his own pain — beyond the surface gains — that Gavin found a more lasting strength. This deeper understanding now fuels his work helping men reconnect with their true selves, not just their physical form.
Strength Starts Within
For Gavin, the gym is a tool, but not the destination. “It’s a gateway,” he explains, “a way to build the confidence needed to face what’s really going on inside.” His clients don’t just walk out with better bodies. They leave with greater self-awareness, emotional resilience, and often, a renewed sense of purpose.
Through his one-to-one coaching programmes and weekend retreats, Gavin creates a space where men feel seen, heard, and safe. “Most men are craving that,” he says. “They just don’t always know where to find it.”
Real Talk, Real Impact
Gavin’s commitment to honesty is unwavering. From speaking openly about his past struggles with addiction and shame, to unpacking the quiet suffering many men carry, he’s on a mission to make vulnerability feel like strength—not weakness.
“We were shamed into silence,” he says. “But healing begins when we reconnect with the parts of ourselves we were taught to hide.” Whether it’s breathwork in the woods or a phone call in a tough moment, Gavin helps men come home to themselves—and that’s where transformation begins.
One Life Changed Can Change Many
One client Gavin will never forget is Don, who was drinking daily and estranged from his family. “He told me he saw himself either dead or very unwell in a year’s time,” Gavin recalls. Today, Don is four years sober, reunited with his partner, and thriving as a father. “His journey reminded me of the power in what we’re doing. One man’s healing becomes hope for so many others.”
Looking Ahead
Gavin’s mission is clear: to help men rediscover a sense of strength that comes not from appearance, but from acceptance, self-understanding and emotional courage. “Loneliness is one of the greatest issues men face today,” he says. “And no relationship, no achievement, no distraction can fix what only self-connection can heal.”
He’s not here to push or preach, but to lead with heart, compassionate, clear, and quietly powerful. “I don’t force change,” he says. “I just show up with honesty and integrity. And from there, change happens.”.
Follow Gavin’s journey and learn more about his transformational work at @gavinmeenan