Jan. 12—And he wouldn’t have it any other way.
His day job is special operations officer at Muskogee Fire Department. At 5 p.m. he heads to Strictly Fitness, which he has owned since 2023.
Beauvais said he grew up wanting to get into law enforcement.
“I graduated high school and had to get a job,” he said. “I went to work at Zapata, which made bottle caps and pop bottles.”
He said rumors of the plant’s closure prompted him to seek another job. Beauvais said a high school friend got a job with Muskogee Fire Department. He said he tried three times to join the department before being hired in 2001. Zapata closed its Muskogee plant and moved to Mexico in 2003.
Beauvais underwent firefighter training at Oklahoma State University after the fire department hired him.
He called firefighting the best job in the world, even with its schedule.
“You work 24 hours on and take 48 hours off,” he said. “You’re away from home, away from your wife, your kids.”
He said spending time at the fire station with the fire crew took up one-third of his life.
“You have to have a servant’s heart,” he said. “I feel like I always had it, but it came to fruition when I got onto this job.”
Beauvais was promoted to MFD special operations officer in 2023. His shift now ends at 5 p.m. each day.
But that doesn’t end his work day.
He purchased Strictly Fitness in 2023.
“I’ve been a gym rat for a long time,” he said, adding that he began going to Strictly Fitness since the 1990s. He said he finds time to work out during his evening shifts at the center.
Beauvais also has done reserve work with Muskogee County Sheriff’s Office since 2013. He spent two years as a county school resource officer at Braggs, Wainwright and Midway schools. He said he had to cut back on the county work when he got the promotion and bought the fitness center.
Clowned around with fire department
Steve Beauvais’ 24 years with Muskogee Fire Department included trying times — and some funny times.
He spent several years as Bobo, a fire prevention clown.
“Typically it was for little kids, kindergarten — lower elementary, teaching them about fire safety. One of our lessons was Tools and Toys, what they should play with and what they shouldn’t. Learn about exit drills.”
Beauvais said clowning was a blast, but a lot of work getting schools scheduled and their props set up.
He recalled dramatic fires, particularly the May 13, 2019 fire at Georgia-Pacific paper plant.
“It was one of those fires that you roll up on it and you’re running in your head like ‘where do you even start,” he said. “It was overwhelming, probably the one of the biggest fires with the most risk with the electric and gas that runs in these facilities. We got with another crew and came up with a game plan.”
Beauvais recalled working from 8:30 p.m. May 13 to 8:45 the next morning.
“It was a nonstop 12 hours,” he said. “The crews replacing us were there until 5 or 6 p.m. the next day.
But he loves all aspects of his job.
“I love what I do at the fire department,” he said “People rely on you, and you can help them.”
Enjoyed work as school resource officer
Beauvais’ work as a reserve sheriff’s deputy includes assisting with traffic stops and accidents. He also would back up officers on late night calls.
“It was rewarding being able to help people get out of violent relationships, he said.
He said he especially liked his two-years as a county school resource officer, when he got to work with the students.
“The main goal was to make sure the staff and students were safe in case something was to happen,” he said. “Also, issues involving students requiring law enforcement — there were not, which is pretty fortunate.”
He said he would spend a whole day at Braggs and a half day at Council Hill and Wainwright.
“I got to know the kids, make some friends,” he said. “There’s still several of them who graduated last year or the year before last, still a handful of them that I still keep in touch with. They graduated high school, went on to college, started their own careers.”
Proprietorship has ups and downs
Beauvais has seen the challenges and rewards of owning a fitness center.
“Owning a small business is stressful,” he said. “But I thoroughly enjoy it. I love it, love the members.”
Beauvais said an accountant handles much of the payroll and other financial aspects of the business. This gives him more opportunity to work with his staff and members.
“I love being in the gym, working with the front desk personnel, the trainers, we have a good group of employees,” he said. “Typically when I leave here at 5, I go up there and make sure all the classes are covered and members have everything they need to go in there and workout.”
It even includes some of the cleaning.
“There’s a lot of sweeping and mopping and cleaning the showers and disinfecting,” he said. “I kind of split it up with the employees.”
He said the best part of his job is “when I see members smile when they leave.”
“Everybody’s there for a reason, whether it’s to put on muscle, gain strength, lose weight,” he said. “You see people come in there and they’re kind of hesitant at first, but when they get in the door, get into the routine, by the end of the weight loss challenge, you see a visible difference in the members.”
HOW DID YOU COME TO BE AN OKIE FROM MUSKOGEE?
“I was born in Andrews, Texas. My stepdad managed grocery stores down in Texas and he opened up the Best Yet here in Muskogee. We came up here with him and we’ve been up here ever since. That was the beginning of my third grade year.”
WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT MUSKOGEE?
“It’s home. I know a lot of people here. I feel safe here with the kids.”
WHAT WOULD MAKE MUSKOGEE A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE?
“I’d like to see it grow, have more industries brought in so people can have careers they can raise a family on.
WHAT PERSON IN MUSKOGEE DO YOU ADMIRE MOST?
“The one business owner I met at an early age that I looked up to was David Vanderford, owner of Cowboys barbecue. I met him shortly after I graduated from high school. I always admired his work ethic and what he accomplished.”
WHAT IS THE MOST MEMORABLE THING TO HAPPEN TO YOU IN MUSKOGEE?
“When my daughter was born. She was my first kid. We were super close, and we still are to this day.”
WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
“Work and grandkids. I see my kids as much as I can. Getting caught up on my honey-dos.”
HOW WOULD YOU SUM UP MUSKOGEE IN 25 WORDS OR LESS?
“The friendly hometown feeling it’s had for as long as I can remember. Its potential to grow. The railroad comes to town, the river, the highways. It just feels like home. I know a lot of other people in town.”