CHAD HOBBS

After an injury-plagued collegiate basketball career, I decided to start getting serious about fitness. I wanted to learn more about how to keep the body healthy and injury free for my personal well-being, but also to convey my knowledge to others. After receiving my Exercise Science Degree, I started my fitness career as a personal trainer. After a year of “basic” training, I discovered CrossFit and never looked back. After receiving my first CrossFit Certification I put in another year as a personal trainer at a “globo” gym until it was time for JJ, Josh, and myself to open CrossFit Bloomington-Normal. Coming to CrossFit Bloomington-Normal on a daily basis has given me the utmost satisfaction in knowing that we help so many people change their lives for the better on a daily basis.

ACCOLADES:

• CrossFit Level 1 Certified
• CrossFit Kids Certified
• Specialty CrossFit Certs: Gymnastics, Kettlebell, Nutrition, Endurance, Movement/Mobility
• Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science
• 4 Years of Collegiate Basketball.

JJ KRUPKA

I’ve been active all my life, so I knew I wanted to lead a fitness-centered lifestyle from an early age. I’ve participated seriously in tap, ballet, swimming, basketball, and dabbled in tennis, track and, more recently, rock climbing. I think it’s because of my diverse physical background that CrossFit and its variety was appealing to me from the get-go. I practiced the art of muscle magazine fitness for years, spending hours on cardio and body part splits. As I grew into my 20s, I became frustrated with all the time and effort I had to invest for a conversely small return on results.

Looking for something new I found Pavel and the world of Kettlebells, and soon after CrossFit. While searching YouTube for some cool kettlebell videos back in winter of 2007, I came across a video of Greg Amundson doing “Fran.” It was the sweetest thing I had ever seen. I began checking out the homepage whenever I could, gorging myself on the world-class information that the Glassman has put out for us. That was the beginning of my new life that has brought me a level of fitness, emotional well being and happiness that I’d been searching for all my adult life. I can’t wait to help you experience the satisfaction that being a part of the CrossFit community has given me.

ACCOLADES:

• CrossFit Level 1 Certified
• CrossFit Kids Certified
• Specialty CrossFit Certs: Gymnastics, Kettlebell, Nutrition, Movement/Mobility, Olympic weightlifting, Running & Endurance.

CASEY HAAK

Before coming to CrossFit Bloomington-Normal I was a scrawny “in-shape” athlete. After playing soccer, track, and swimming in high school, later on playing soccer in college I thought I was in shape. After a couple of weeks of being at CFBN I came to a big realization, that I had a long way to go to get into shape. After months and months of training I expressed interest in becoming a coach here at CFBN. As an intern for over 9 months, I learned how to coach people properly and help others learn to move better as well. After the necessary certifications and completing CFBN’s internship program I was hired on as a coach. I plan on always continuing my fitness education by receiving more certificates of accomplishment. Currently I am going to Illinois State University for an exercise science, or therapeutic recreation degree.

ACCOLADES:

• CrossFit Level 1 Certified
• Pose Running Certification

JOSH POST

Prior to finding CFBN, I was your typical meathead, spending hours out of my day in a Globogym pounding away at heavy weights and working the typical one body-part a day split. After much convincing from a few good friends, I decided to give CrossFit a shot. As hard as it was to swallow my pride and get in the mindset of overall fitness over sheer size and appearance, it has changed my life. I look, feel, and move better than ever. I have more time to spend with family and friends and have found a community of great people unlike anything you see in a normal gym. I would never take back how I trained previously as I feel it has built a good strength base for CrossFit and provided me knowledge needed to be successful both in my personal fitness “career”, and in assisting others to reach their fitness related goals. My biggest joy when coaching at CFBN is seeing a new member come in talking about how there is no way they can do certain exercises, movements or weights. Then, within weeks, they are in the gym doing exactly what they said they could never do. That is what CFBN is all about. Great community, great fun and great fitness….I found the training style I can keep for the rest of my life.

ACCOLADES:

• CrossFit Level 1 Certified
• Specialty CrossFit Certs: Movement/Mobility
• 10+ Years of Personal Training

JOSH WHEELER

I spent the latter half of my childhood fairly inactive and overweight. Around the time I turned 18 I realized that if I wanted change, I’d have to do it myself. Learning about health and fitness soon became a new hobby. Since then, I’ve toyed with nearly every type of exercise and diet program available. I’d love to say that from the first time I stumbled across the CF homepage I was hooked, but that wasn’t the case. I began throwing in CF workouts here and there, but it was a good year before the profoundness of CF really sunk in. But when it did, it did with a vengeance. CF is everything I could hope for, not just in a workout routine, but in a lifestyle, and I finally feel like I’m at the point where I can start using my knowledge and experience to help others.

ACCOLADES:

• CrossFit Level 1 Certified
• Specialty CrossFit Certs: Gymnastics, Nutrition, Olympic Lifting, Movement/Mobility
• Masters in Exercise Science
• Certified EMT

LEAH WHEELER

I am a competitive person by nature & have always had a passion for sports. After a 4-year varsity basketball career in high school, I chose to forego a scholarship offer & focus on my education. In 2008, I graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University with a BA in Risk Management & Finance. About this time, I realized how out of shape & unhealthy I had become without sports. I tried everything I could think of to get back in a healthy routine but nothing held my attention or fulfilled my competitive drive. My boyfriend (now husband), Josh, saw how frustrated I was & offered to help me out. The only catch was, I had to do this CrossFit stuff he was constantly talking about. I agreed to try & quickly fell in love with this new sport. I spent the next few years getting various certifications & trying to improve myself as an athlete. After a few years in the corporate world, I quit my job and started coaching at CFBN & the Athlete Factory full-time. I love what I do & have a passion for helping others reach their fitness goals while having fun doing so.

ACCOLADES:

• CrossFit Level 1 Certified
• CrossFit Football Certified
• CrossFit Kids Certified
• Specialty CrossFit Certs: Nutrition, Movement & Mobility

KELLI CARLSON

I have been active all my life and always knew growing up that I wanted to do something where I could continue to be active throughout my life. I really enjoy helping people and seeing them achieve their goals, so I knew a career in the fitness industry was for me. I started hearing about crossfit here at there and had heard many good things about CFBN, so when it came time to suggest interests for an internship through school, I knew exactly where I wanted to go, CFBN! As soon as I stepped in the door, I was in love. CFBN was exactly what I was looking for, it wasn’t your typical gym, and every day was always different. I am currently a senior at Illinois State University and will graduate in May. I am hoping to go on to Graduate School for Exercise Physiology at Illinois State in the fall.

ACCOLADES:

• CrossFit Level 1 Certified