Meet the Coaches
Sarah
Owner & Head Coach
Sarah is a Certified CrossFit Trainer, Level 3, and a USA Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach. Sarah has been the Head Coach and Programmer at Movement Republic since the beginning. She is passionate about programming and only does the workouts that the athletes at MR do, then proves its effectiveness on the competition floor. She is committed to continuing her education and has attended several seminars to advance her knowledge including Carl Paoli’s Freestyle Connection Movement and Gymnastics Seminar, and CrossFit’s Movement and Mobility Trainer Course. Sarah has been lifting off and on since high school and rededicated herself to fitness after the birth of her son, Aiden, in 2005. Initially, she followed bodybuilding and competed as a figure athlete, winning several top-five placements and taking 7th in the Arnold Classic Amateur Figure Competition in 2012. In December of that year, Sarah watched her first CrossFit competition and was inspired by the women competing and the sense of community among the athletes and supporters. She decided then and there to dedicate herself to CrossFit and has never looked back.
Certifications: CrossFit Level 3, CrossFit Movement & Mobility, USA Weightlifting, Gymnastics Course Certificate
Favorite Workout Music: Metal or punk music - anything intense!
ARIEL
Ariel's first experience with CrossFit was while living in Esteli, Nicaragua. She was looking to meet new people and try something new. She was surprised at how quickly she saw changes in her strength and improvement in the aches and pains she regularly experienced. She learned that her CrossFit gym was not only the place to workout but it was her community and her safe place. When she moved back to Chicago, she tried to stay active on her own, but she missed working out with a group and working with coaches who would push her to get better. She found Movement Republic in 2017 and knew after the first workout that it was the place for her.
In 2020, Ariel gained her CrossFit Level 1 and began working with coach Sarah to gain not only the knowledge to be a great coach, but a Movement Republic-level coach. Ariel is also pursuing her Doctorate in Physical Therapy, graduating in May of 2025. She looks forward to serving the athletes of MR as more than their coach!
Certifications: CrossFit Level 1
Favorite workout music: Lady Gaga
Amanda
I was born and raised on the northwest side of Chicago and have lived here my whole life. I have three kids (8, 5, and 3), and together we love to camp, check out different parks, attend festivals, and create new recipes and crafts. I'm a high school English teacher at a Chicago Public School, and aside from CrossFit, I love running, hiking, biking, reading, hanging out with friends, cooking/baking, and checking out fun things to do in Chicago.
Juan
I was born in Mexico, in the lovely bay of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, and raised in California. What brought me to Chicago is my wife, lol. I'm a sales accountant for a staffing firm. My hobbies are taking my dog out for long walks, and, believe it or not, I love to take him out for runs in winter (I have a husky). I love the cold here in Chicago! Take the first step and show up. Sarah and Kris's workout programs are great, especially if you are new to CrossFit. This is the place to be. The dedication of all the coaches and the detailed training is priceless.
Almaz
Mike
More About the Coaches
