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 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 + Adjunct Professor
Hometown: Houston, Texas
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Fun fact: My YMCA bus driver (who looked like Otto from the Simpsons) taught me how to backflip in the third grade.
KIESHA
Personal Trainer
Hometown: Chicago, IL (Wicker Park)
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What attracted me to fitness: Growing up, my mother always encouraged my siblings and me to participate in organized sports. However, it wasn't until I sustained an injury that required me to do physical therapy that I realized the importance of fundamental movements and strength training. This introduced me to athletic training, and from there, I fell in love with corrective exercise. This created a desire in me to help people stay active while educating them on correct movement patterns and thus helping others create lifestyle changes.
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What’s important to me: Mental and physical health, family and friends, my headphones (I'm a commuter, so I need entertainment on the go), and my two fur babies, who are no longer with us but will forever be in my heart.
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Top Interests: Any outdoor summer activity, dancing like no one's watching, shopping and hiding the evidence​.
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Fun fact: I taught myself how to swim when I was 11, but don't ask how good I am at it.
KENDYL
Personal Trainer
Hometown: Chicago, IL (South Side)
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What attracted me to fitness: Basketball has always been part of my life, and I have had to improve my performance on the court constantly. To do that, I had to improve in the weight room, and along with that came fewer injuries, more mobility, and more power. Being consistent in the weight room always showed its pros during and after the season, which made me more confident. I want to help others feel that confidence in everyday life or within their sport.
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What’s important to me: Family, friends, and being someone others can always count on.
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Top Interests: HMMMM….Spending time with family/friends, basketball, music, and singing karaoke.
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Fun fact: I was on a drill team in 6th grade and participated in the Bud Billiken Parade.
RAVIN
Member Experience
Hometown: Chicago, IL (Eastside)
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What attracted me to fitness: I was always playing sports growing up, so I was never shy about fitness. My attraction to fitness grew because I love to achieve results! Reaching my fitness goals motivated me throughout my athletic career.
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What’s important to me: Family, friends, making the people around me happy.
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Top Interests: Anime, gaming, music, reality tv, hanging out with friends/family.
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Fun fact: I play flag football!
