12301 S New Avenue Unit B & C Lemont, IL 60439
(630) 454-9552
COACH
Catherine was always active kid, but as an adult working in technology sales, her primary form of exercise was either running or sweating it out to Shaun T’s Insanity in her basement. After having twins, a friend convinced her to join the YMCA where she started taking group fitness classes. She especially loved primal fitness, which was described as “CrossFit without a barbell” and prioritized functional movement with varied daily workouts. Over the next few years with this group, she completed several Spartan trifectas and the YMCA became the focal point for her family and jump started her love for group fitness.
In 2017, She became certified in Les Mills Grit series, which is where she was introduced to more of a HIIT style of training. She loved it so much she started teaching at 3 local NJ YMCAs as a way to get involved with and to give back to the community.
Catherine and her family moved from New Jersey to the Chicago-land in 2019 when she decided to join Iron Flag Fitness. After being exposed to the workouts and community, CrossFit became her preferred way to exercise. “It sure beats running! I love being the cheerleader to class participants and I love the group camaraderie. People make an active decision to come to the gym, so I feel they deserve enthusiasm and encouragement to become their very best selves.” Catherine became L-1 certified in July of 2022 and truly enjoys coaching and helping people find their best verson of themselves.
She lives in Clarendon Hills with her husband and 3 kids who also attend the Iron Flag Athletic Performance classes.
Along with her crossfit certification,
she holds current certificates in
AFAA GFI, CF-L1, and CPR/First aid/AED.
COACH
Scott began CrossFit in 2017 and loved it so much he decided to get his L-1. As an Army veteran, father of two daughters and travel softball coach, staying active has been an essential element of his life. Soon after starting CrossFit, he quickly began to feel the benefits of the program. He was more physically effective as a coach, more confident in his health, nutrition and wellness conversations and most importantly, he began to enjoy a deeper, richer quality of life. For these reasons, he is a firm believer in all aspects of the CrossFit program and the positive physical, social and mental health outcomes it creates.
As a coach, Scott believes that all athletes that walk through our doors deserve to feel comfortable, accepted, and challenged. He takes great pride in the athletes reaching their goals, learning a new skill, or accomplishing a personal record. Facilitating all of these aspects is something Scott tries to do every day. He believe that a positive attitude, honest effort and learning from your mistakes can create a system of success that will extend far beyond the Crossfit box.
Lastly, CrossFit is about community. Through the shared hardships of effort, sweat and accomplishment, he enjoys watching and participating in the camaraderie and friendships that develop at Iron Flag.
OLYMPIC LIFTING COACH
Mary is a USAW Level 2 coach, CrossFit Level 2 trainer, and a certified personal trainer through NASM. She has been training clients since 2008 and has also studied kettlebells, strength training, and mobility. As an early adopter of CrossFit, the workouts have provided her with inspiration to gain and maintain her healthy lifestyle. In the last few years, her focus has shifted toward Olympic Weightlifting and she has competed locally.
When she’s not at the gym, Mary is a full-time middle school teacher and avid cook. She is passionate about cooking and how to incorporate it into a healthy lifestyle.
As a coach, she pays close attention to proper form as a way to prevent injury while building strength and learning proper technique. She is excited to help you feel confident lifting weights and achieve your fitness goals.
COACH
Bridget spent years running marathons and trying every fitness fad out there. Then 5 years ago her husband introduced her to CrossFit. “I was hooked immediately. I loved the way CrossFit made me feel physically and mentally. CrossFit gave me a sense of confidence that I had never experienced before. Seeing what I can accomplish in the gym makes me feel like I can conquer anything life throws at me.” Bridget became a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer in 2018 in order to help instill that sense of confidence in others, especially women and kids. She specializes in general CrossFit, Masters (50+) and CrossFit Kids. Along with coaching CrossFit, Bridget teaches a kid’s fitness class at the preschool she owns in the Western Suburbs, where she lives with her husband and 4 kids. She also enjoys coaching girl’s travel basketball.
COACH
“Coach D” has been training at CrossFit Iron Flag for more than 5 years. Driven by her love for the sport, Danielle became a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer in early 2019 after retiring from her career in public relations. She specializes in general CrossFit, CrossFit Lite and CrossFit Teens. In class, Danielle strives to help people of all ages and fitness levels surpass what they thought was possible. As a mother of three young girls, Danielle has a passion for empowering young women and girls through fitness. Outside of the gym, you can find Danielle volunteering with Salt and Light Coalition where she provides job training and fitness classes to women and girls who have fallen victim to sex trafficking in Chicago. Danielle lives in the western suburbs with her three beautiful daughters and awesome husband. Her motto: you’re never too old to learn new tricks.
COACH
Sara has always been involved in athletics throughout her life. She grew up playing competitive softball and volleyball. And, played collegiate volleyball and ran track/field.
She was introduced to CrossFit while completing my Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She instantly fell in love with the atmosphere, community, and challenge that it presented upon walking in the door. The challenge knowing there is ALWAYS something to improve on continues to bring me back daily.
“My favorite thing about coaching is tying together the medical knowledge I have learned and practiced with CrossFit concepts/mechanics to improve a community members quality of life. I also love how coaching allows me to be more of a proactive front-line worker to help address our community members goals while educating in the process.”
NUTRITION DIRECTOR
As a 42 year old professional athlete, who, at the age of 20, found a real passion for multi-sport, was forced to take some time away. I was hit by a car in 1996, leaving me rather injured and finding a comeback difficult. So I finished law school, passed the Illinois Bar exam and thought my time in the sport was over.
As the 2010 season started to heat up in June, I was out for a training ride and once again, hit by a car. This time, I was left with a broken right collarbone and 3 broken ribs. My doctor insisted that even with surgery, I would miss the remainder of the season and would most likely not even be able to train hard until the start of 2011. I had started training at Crossfit DuPage in May 2010, and knew that Crossfit would help me get back healthier and fitter than ever.
With the help of Brian MacKenzie, founder of Crossfit Endurance, I was able to achieve 2 things in less than 5 weeks – continue to speed up my healing process, and improve fitness. When I went to see my doctor at week 9 post-surgery, the x-rays showed 90% bone growth. This wasn’t by accident; this was due to following Crossfit Strength and Crossfit Endurance principles. Best part, I’m still improving. To spread the word of my recovery and passion, I was the focus of a Triathlete Magazine article in the February 2011 edition, written by TJ Murphy. I was then added to the book written by Brian MacKenzie in November 2012 – “Power, Speed, Endurance, a skill based approach to endurance training”, and featured in Chris Solomon’s article in the January 2013 issue of Outside Magazine, where Chris chronicles his use of CrossFit Endurance to train for a marathon. To prove that I practice what I preach, I’ve been working with Cody Burhardt, head coach at Athlete’s Cell, to help me reach my current world rank of 11th in Duathlon.
My goal is 3 fold – to constantly build on the success I have had in racing particularly in the last 2 years, having stood atop the podium at every distance of racing 21 times, and see this sport continue to grow, change lives for the better and gain the mainstream attention it deserves. But above all, I want to impact the lives of the people I come in contact with, helping them realize there is an athlete in all of us, and that once we stop becoming our biggest obstacle, anything is possible. So, stay strong.
OWNER, DIRECTOR OF IFAP
Jared attended The University of Missouri where he received his degree in Sports Marketing and Sports Management. He played football and was a 4-year letterman. There he interned for both Missouri strength and conditioning and Missouri athletic training. After his career at Mizzou he went on to play for a short period with the Oakland Raiders (NFL) and the Jacksonville Sharks (AFL)
COACH
Kelly has worked in the sports performance field and fitness industry since obtaining her B.S. in Exercise Science from Illinois State University in 2008. She has trained athletes at professional levels to include the NFL, NHL, MLB, and WPS, as well as helped over 100 high school athletes receive college scholarships for athletics. Kelly’s passion is in motivating people to achieve their goals. For her, CrossFit provides the perfect venue to keep her athletes motivated, challenged, and having fun with an element of competition, to keep them constantly working toward their athletic and aesthetic goals.
20 E CHICAGO AVE, WESTMONT, IL 60559
(630) 716-9330
