OKIE FROM MUSKOGEE: Beauvais a Man of Many Hats
Beauvais balances his roles as a firefighter, gym owner, and community servant in Muskogee
Beauvais, Muskogee, Oklahoma, Fire Department, Fitness, Community
Muskogee: Steve Beauvais is a busy guy, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. By day, he’s a special operations officer at the Muskogee Fire Department. When the clock strikes 5 p.m., he heads over to his gym, Strictly Fitness, which he bought in 2023.
Growing up, Beauvais always wanted to work in law enforcement. After high school, he took a job at Zapata, a company that made bottle caps. But when rumors of the plant closing started, he decided to look for something more stable. A friend who worked at the fire department encouraged him to apply, and after three tries, he finally got hired in 2001.
He trained at Oklahoma State University to become a firefighter and has loved every minute of it. The schedule can be tough—24 hours on, then 48 hours off—but he enjoys the camaraderie with his crew. He believes you need a servant’s heart for this job, and he feels he’s always had that.
In 2023, he was promoted to special operations officer, but his work doesn’t stop when his shift ends. He’s been a gym enthusiast for years and decided to buy Strictly Fitness because he wanted to create a welcoming space for others. He still finds time to work out during his evening shifts.
Beauvais also does reserve work with the Muskogee County Sheriff’s Office. He spent two years as a school resource officer, which he found rewarding. He loved connecting with students and ensuring their safety.
His time at the fire department has been filled with both challenges and laughs. He even spent years as a fire prevention clown named Bobo, teaching kids about fire safety. He recalls some intense moments, like the massive fire at the Georgia-Pacific paper plant in 2019, which was one of the biggest challenges he faced.
Despite the stress of owning a gym, Beauvais enjoys it. He loves interacting with members and helping them achieve their fitness goals. He finds joy in seeing their progress and smiles as they leave the gym.
Beauvais was born in Texas but moved to Muskogee in third grade. He feels at home here and knows many people in the community. He hopes to see Muskogee grow and attract more industries for better job opportunities.
When asked about his most memorable moment in Muskogee, he fondly remembers the birth of his daughter. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his grandkids and tackling his honey-do list. For him, Muskogee is all about that friendly hometown vibe and the potential for growth.