| OUR TEAM |

Coach Dave Kiest | CrossFit Level 1 Trainer | CrossFit Kids Certification | Olympic Lifting Certification | Coaches Prep Course

630.816.0570 – Email: Dave@BareBonesCrossFit.com

Growing up in Plano, I have seen the entire area of Kendall County grow over the last 20 years.  I graduated from Plano High School in 1990 and left for U.S. Army boot camp a month after graduation.  I spent 12 years in the Army where the majority of that time was on a Special Forces A Team (Green Berets).  In 12 years of service I felt I had been involved in the best physical fitness training available.  From running marathons up the mountains in Alaska to “smoke Sessions” in Ranger Training,  to Special Forces Assessment and Selection,  I thought I was in the best shape of my life.  After getting out of the military, I became a police officer in the Kendall County area.  I spent 5 years as an officer where during that time I spent several years as a member of the Kendall County Special Response Team.  Again, being involved in the police training and the SRT I worked out on a daily basis and was always among top percentage of officers when it came to physical fitness.  I continually worked out with the same routine that most people who read the muscle magazines and talk to regulars at the local gym who think that sitting in a gym for hours at a time working single joint movements for 45 minutes and then running or working on the elliptical for another 45 minutes thinking I was in great shape and could handle any situation handed to me.   After 5 years of Law Enforcement service I decided to get into security contracting overseas in hostile areas.   Within the first 2 months of working as a contractor I found out how unconditioned  I really was.   I started training with a couple guys that had 15+ years of age on me and had been doing CrossFit for a couple years.  I was run into the ground by these guys that I considered to be out of their prime.  After that I was hooked on CrossFit.

I have been doing CrossFit for over 4 years now and I am by far in better shape than any other time in my life.  I brought this training back home to my family and friends and so far all have enjoyed it and have benefited from it.  I have been training and coaching military, police and civilian personnel in many different facets from rifle/pistol fundamentals to Small Unit Tactics to basic situational awareness/self defense courses for the last 15 years.  I realized that with the knowledge I had gained in conducting a CrossFit program, I could bring this experience back to the Kendall County area and help the people in the area that I grew up benefit from this high intensity, results driven exercise program the same way my family and friends have.  For anyone that has the motivation and drive to be the healthiest they have ever been, I look forward to assisting you in obtaining your goals.

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Coach Melissa Kiest | CrossFit Level 1 Trainer | Olympic Lifting Certification | Photographer & Web Designer | Accounts Manager.

630.816.0574 – Email: Melissa@BareBonesCrossFit.com

Being from the small town of Sandwich, and growing up with 5 siblings, I was a pretty active kid.  Although I never participated in any sports, (unless cheerleading counts) I was able to remain in very good shape.  That was true until I became a wife and a mom of our two daughters. I, like a lot of people do, let myself go. To people who looked at me, I didn’t appear overweight, however, I met the profile of a “skinny fat person” to a tee.  I would say I had zero strength and needed to get fit, but could never find a workout regimen I wanted to stick with for very long…  until CrossFit.

 

I was introduced to CrossFit by my husband, Dave. Dave has always been into fitness – working out regularly and staying in very good shape. I always thought he looked great. During one of his first trips overseas, Dave started doing the CrossFit program along with changing up his nutrition.  He came home with a completely different look… not only was he really fit, he was ripped!  I have to say this is what really inspired me to get involved. I decided to give it a try and we put together a small gym in our basement. After doing CrossFit for several weeks, I was already seeing changes in my appearance, and my clothes were fitting better.  I remember starting on black rings and within a couple of months I had progressed to unassisted pull-ups.  Seeing the progress and overcoming the challenging workouts soon became addicting.While Dave would go overseas, I handled running our small basement gym with about 7 of our friends and family. We loved CrossFit so much and we just knew everyone else would too.  We decided to share our passion and opened up Bare Bones.

 

The most rewarding thing for me is being able to train and to see the results from our members.  Not only will CrossFit get you in the best shape of your life, but it changes your whole lifestyle. You naturally gain more confidence, you start to eat healthier and your overall health improves.  As your trainer, not only do I want to help you reach your fitness goals, I want to help you make a lifestyle change by finding your inner confidence and strength, like I have – through CrossFit.

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Coach Jason Heller | CrossFit Level 1 Trainer | CrossFit Endurance Certification | Olympic Lifting Certification.

630.808.6620

I was introduced to CrossFit by Coach Dave. I have known and trained with Dave since our times together at Oswego Police Dept. , but most of our training together was with the Kendall County Special Response Team. I was a part of law enforcement for 10 yrs with various training from Weapons of Mass Destruction to Hand to Hand combat to S.W.A.T tactics and many other certifications, combined with my prior experience of 6 yrs in the Military U.S. Army Reserves.   I thought of myself as an active person throughout my military and police positions. I am always willing to participate in any and all sports or activities. I found out after one workout with CrossFit that I was a tall, athletic, and out of shape person.  After a series of CrossFit workouts and drinking the “kool aid”, I can say I am hooked on the Crossfit lifestyle.

What I enjoy most about CrossFit is seeing how much work I can actually make my body do, finding out just how hard I can push myself past what I think my limits are.  The most exciting aspect of coaching CrossFit is helping people achieve both athletic and personal milestones that they never thought were possible.  I love that the lessons learned in the gym about perseverance, dedication and hard work totally translate into functional everyday real life.

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Coach Ryan Peat | CrossFit Level 1 Trainer

630.803.8170 – Email: rpeat76@yahoo.com

Growing up in Oswego I was always an athlete.  Throughout my high school years I played football, baseball and wrestled.  After graduation I had an opportunity to play baseball at the college level.  Once the baseball career came to a close, I did what most college students do, sit on my butt and get fat!  After college I went to work in the construction industry.  I had it in my head that working in construction I was getting plenty of exercise and I didn’t have to go to the gym or watch what I was eating, until 80 extra pounds showed up.  I rode that out for far too many wasted years.  I was lazy, lethargic, had no energy and was heading to an early grave.  That all changed when my wife, Vicki, told me we were going to have a baby.  I did not want to be a fat, lazy dad.  So I started working out the only way I knew how, go to the globo-gym and work one or two muscle groups and do 45 minutes of cardio.  That was about the time I decided to change careers as well;  I started testing to become a police officer.  I knew I had to do something different if I wanted to be able to pass the P.O.W.E.R. test.  That’s when a friend of mine in Texas introduced me to CrossFit.
I remember pulling into the parking lot of the gym and seeing a husband and wife ( that were absolutely ripped) installing the rubber floors into an empty warehouse.  I didn’t know if that was the right place or not but I wanted to workout with those two people; they knew something I didn’t!  I asked if this was the CrossFit gym and when could I start my programing.  I knew I wanted to look like that.  What I did not know was how I was going to feel.  CrossFit has changed my life in so many ways: I have more energy, better moods, better health markers, I have accomplished things that I was told I was too old or too fat to ever accomplish, and I know I am a better dad, and husband.  Vicki started to notice these changes as well, and soon joined the gym herself.  It is awesome to us as parents to see our two boys emulate the functional movements we practice everyday at the gym, and usually with better form and flexibility.  The competition style of the CrossFit workouts really pushed me to find that next level of intensity. It did not take me long to “drink the Kool-Aid”.  I was hooked!  Instead of stalling to get to the gym, I was showing up early, doing extra work, and truly upset when things like work would get in the way of me getting to the gym.  So I decided it was time to make the gym my work.
As a CrossFit Level 1 trainer, I am always pushing myself to improve my skills and coaching techniques.  I am excited to help people reach their fitness goals.  I love seeing people reach that level of intensity they didn’t know they had, and seeing the joy and sense of accomplishment people have every time they set a new PR.  My main goal as a coach is to help guide the people of Bare Bones CrossFit in a  fun, safe, and effective environment, while getting into the best shape of their lives.
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Coach Sue Loftus | (Intern/Assistant Coach)
She is looking forward to being our Assistant Coach and her ultimate goals are to get her Level 1 Certificate and become CrossFit Kids Certified. Sue has a great knowledge of CrossFit and will be a valuable asset to the BBCF Team.
“I love children and can’t wait to teach them the benefits of proper nutrition, exercise and work with them on technique with the CrossFit movements. I believe teaching them as children will give them the knowledge and skills to develop a healthier lifestyle as they grow and become adults. I have been with Bare Bones
since the beginning and I am really looking forward to working with all the Coaches and Athletes. I’m very excited to be a part of
such a great establishment.” -Sue.
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Coach Travis Tourigny | CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
Travis is originally from Boston, MA but for the past five years has resided in Coal City with his girlfriend Allison, son Caiden and daughter Aiva. Travis has been doing CrossFit for over a year and has had his Level 1 Certification for 8 months. His favorite lifts are anything that can be done with a kettlebell and a sandbag. He loves CrossFit “because of the community aspect and how it constantly gives you a bar to reach for and continue to get better.”

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Coach Steve Chivari | CrossFit Level 1 Trainer

I was born and raised on the outskirts of Aurora.  My young life revolved around competitive swimming, fishing and hunting but most of all, family.  For High School I attended Marmion Military Academy where I was a member of the swim team, played football and ran track.  High School was also where I found what I thought was my calling to join the military.

After High School I went to a small college in Florida where I swam for a team that was led by the head coach of the Olympic team. It was a great experience.  Soon after, I followed my heart and enlisted in the U.S. Navy.  UDT/Seal School is where I wanted to be!  Talk about CrossFit, these guys wrote the book a long time ago!  Training to become a Navy Seal was an amazing experience and if it weren’t for a collapsed lung, the Seal team is where I would still be today.

I am the father of four incredibly wonderful children.  My kids are my whole world and the reason I do anything.  They love it when they can come to CrossFit.  Currently I am a Captain on the Aurora Fire Department in my 18th year of service.  I am also in charge of our department’s Dive Rescue Team.  Physical Fitness has always been and always will be a huge part of my life and my career.

When I joined Bare Bones CrossFit a year ago I instantly realized that I found everything I ever wanted in a fitness program. The way we train is the way I work.  The tight knit community aspect of our membership is what I am used to at work.  It just plain made sense!  So I decided to become a Certified CrossFit Coach.  Now I’m able to help my fellow Firefighters improve their fitness levels as well as help out at our BOX!

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Doctor Nathan Thompson
ABOUT DR. NATHAN THOMPSON

 

Dr. Nathan Thompson is no stranger to chiropractic and healthy lifestyle, having spent over 15 years in the sports performance and chiropractic profession.  It was his first experience going to a chiropractor almost 15 years ago that changed the way he looked at health.

Having an extensive background in sports performance, rehabilitative training, spinal correction, and nutrition is what helps Dr. Thompson help get the results that people from all over northern Illinois travel to his office for.

He currently helps people with a wide array of conditions ranging from scoliosis, headaches, low back and neck pain, herniated discs, weight loss resistance, and toxicity issues.

Dr. Thompson was a contributor to the New York Times best-selling book, One Minute Wellness and has spoken at numerous churches and organizations including USANA Health Sciends, the national TOPS convention (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly), Curves, the YMCA, and a host of others.  He is a member of the presigious Wellness Advisory Council for USA Wrestling, USA Judo, USA Weightlifting, and Major League Soccer’s Colorado Rapids.

Dr. Thompson is the proud father of three children, Talon, Grace, and Jacoby.  He resides with his wife of over 6 years, Barbara, in Yorkville.