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!

Featured

Ryan

Ryan has 9+ years of experience across Chicago gyms. He joined CrossFit to embrace the Lincoln Square neighborhood (his first Gym) and became immersed in the culture, eventually making his way to MR as an athlete in 2018 and hasn't looked back, eventually getting his Level 1 certification and becoming a coach! He still likes to drop in on classes whenever he can though.

Outside of MR, Ryan’s day job focuses on software, and when not working, he focuses on being a dad of 2 girls, avid baseball fan, and recreational softball athlete.

Certifications: CrossFit Level 1

Favorite workout music: 90’s Rock

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 coaches Sarah and Robert to gain not only the knowledge to be a great coach, but a Movement Republic level coach. She plans to learn all she can about being a great coach while creating a fun, positive, and supportive environment for anyone who comes to MR.

Certifications: CrossFit Level 1

Favorite workout music: Lady Gaga

Kris

Kris is a Level 2 CrossFit Coach with 19 years of CrossFit experience (you might call him old school). He's been coaching CrossFit for 17 years and owned Mile HIgh CrossFit for 12 of them. He brings a breadth of talent and experience to the team that few gyms can claim.

Originally from Vegas, Kris has been an avid skateboarder, a soccer player and professional MMA fighter. He has extensive competitive experience including CrossFit Regionals and two podium finishes at the Granite Games along with many other competitions over the years.

Certifications: CrossFit Level 2

Favorite workout music: Funk

Each of our coaches offers one-on-one personal fitness advancement. To learn more about personal training and what each coach has to offer, click here.

More About the Coaches

Coach Achievements

Sarah Did 1180 Burpees

In order to promote her business and inspire members to complete reviews of the gym, Sarah pledged 1000 burpees if we reached 100 reviews. She promised to do additional burpees for each additional review. Sarah is a woman of her word and completed 1180 burpees with members of the gym cheering her on. Click read more to watch the video!

Amy

“Even if you attend class at the same time everyday you will get to know all the coaches. I've been at boxes before where I never even met some of the coaches after months of being there. This is not the case at MR!”

Tanya

“The coaches are great! They have been helping me break all of my bad habits that my last CrossFit gym let slide. My form is so much better and I can feel myself getting a lot stronger. They really know what they are doing at Movement republic, I wish I had joined sooner.”

Sarah Won the European Championship

In February, 2020 Sarah traveled to Essex, UK to compete in the Master’s Division of the European Championship. Not only did Sarah represent Movement Republic overseas but she came in first place!

Doug

“Sarah and the rest of the coaching staff do a great job with designing challenging programming but also find ways to make it accessible and achievable for all fitness and experience levels.”