Co-Founder + Company Director
SHAKA
Hometown: O’Fallon, Illinois, aka O-Town!!
What attracted me to fitness: I hired a personal trainer to prepare for a national Taekwondo tournament. He had the most annoying laugh, but it was a great experience. Before training with him, I suffered from chronic knee pain for 13 years. After working with him for four months, my knee stopped hurting. This inspired me to learn more.
What’s important to me: Family, friends, mentoring/giving back, and maintaining my health.
Top Interest: Learning, traveling, dancing (I'm starting to find my swagger in salsa class), biking, sports, anime, music, hanging out with family and friends, etc.
Fun Fact: I got a Master’s Degree in Taekwondo from Yong-In University in South Korea. I lived there for three and a half years and stayed in the school dorms (we had to sleep on bunk beds, but at least I got the bottom bunk).
CLIFF
Co-Founder + Director of Performance
Hometown: Houston, Texas
What attracted me to fitness: My love for fitness sprung from my high school PE teachers. I couldn’t think of anything that could possibly be better than staying active and leaving such a positive impact on students. After college, that quickly developed into an idea to pursue a Doctorate of Physical Therapy. And then once I learned how much of a positive impact I can make in someone’s life through training, I was hooked and never looked back.
What’s important to me: My family (including my two, wild and crazy little ones), mental and physical health, helping others, living a life of fulfillment.
Top Interests: Too many! I love rugby, sneakers, searching for Chicago’s best burger, traveling, music, art, time with friends and family, making enemies draw 16 in an Uno game, and so much more.
Fun fact: My YMCA bus driver (that looked like Otto from the Simpsons) taught me how to backflip in the third grade.
NICK
Club Manager
Hometown: The World's Largest Village. For real though, google it!
What attracted me to fitness: Watching Power Rangers and Bruce Lee movies! I grew up watching the fight scenes and would practice fighting the bad guys in my living room. I was so into it that my dad signed me up for Taekwondo when I was three years old. As I got older, I started competing in local, state, national, and international tournaments. During this time I realized how important being physically fit was in order to compete at this level, so I started to incorporate strength training into my workout regimen.
What’s important to me: Family, friends, my Spotify playlists, community, and health.
Top Interests: MMA, boxing, music shows/festivals, and traveling.
Fun fact: I didn't learn how to ride a bike (without training wheels) until I was 20.
MALIK
Personal Trainer
Hometown: Out West (West side of Chicago)
What attracted me to fitness: Being a kid who grew up around sports all my life, I always cared about my physical appearance. That's what attracted me to fitness.
What’s important to me: Family is the most important thing to me, along with my mentors and friendships that I created.
Top Interests: Football, music, food, and playing Madden (Yes, NO ONE CAN BEAT ME).
Fun fact: I love tattoos and spending quality time with my daughter, Malia.
MIGUEL
Personal Trainer
Hometown: Chicago (Andersonville!), IL
What attracted me to fitness: I was first exposed to the benefits of a strength program when I played soccer in college. I saw results in my strength, movement quality, and how I looked in the mirror. I immediately got hooked on the training process and I knew I wanted to impact the lives of clients to help them achieve their goals and improve their health.
What’s important to me: Family, friends, and health.
Top Interests: Sports, traveling, local coffee shops, Netflix shows, and shoes (I love Jordans!).
Fun fact: I am the go-to dog sitter for family and friends!
TATIANA
Receptionist
Hometown: Fallston, MD
What attracted me to fitness: I was a competitive gymnast, all-star cheerleader, and dancer from elementary through high school, and grew up with a dad in the MLB, so fitness was always embedded into my life. I didn’t realize how big of a part it actually was until I started college and stopped doing all of these things. I always cared about my physique and health, and also love doing things that aren’t usually considered “girly,” so I decided to start going to the gym to lift with my guy friends and found what would end up being one of my greatest passions!
What’s important to me: My family and Latina culture, nutrition, mental health, making a positive impact, and good vibes.
Top Interests: Wine, food, binging TV shows, taking naps, and my puppy, Monte!
Fun fact: I moved to Chicago in the middle of the 2020 pandemic peak knowing only one person and not yet having a set job (and I am a super detail-oriented, HUGE introvert, and I do not like change).
