MEET OUR STAFF
MEET OUR DEDICATED TEAM
Welcome to our “Staff” page, where we introduce you to the passionate and experienced individuals who make REPS thrive. Our team is the backbone of our success, and we take immense pride in the knowledge, expertise, and commitment each member brings.
Our Commitment is to Community, and we believe exceptional service begins with exceptional people. Get to know the faces behind our mission to serve you better:
Each member of our team brings a unique skillset and a genuine passion for what they do. We are united by a common goal: to provide you with the highest level of service, support, and expertise. We look forward to serving you and exceeding your expectations with the help of our dedicated team.
Kate Ivashkiv
Assistant General Manager
About Kate
Originally coming from a small town in Ukraine, Kate embarked on an incredible journey to the city of Chicago in 2017. Her life has always been deeply intertwined with her passion for fitness and a healthy lifestyle. This passion has been her guiding light since an early age, motivating her to inspire and help others on their fitness journeys.
Kate’s introduction to REPS Fitness was a pivotal moment in her life. Discovering that this fitness haven was conveniently located in her new home city, she eagerly became a member in 2018. It didn’t take long for her to fall head over heels for the gym’s sense of community and the unwavering support of its members. This warm and welcoming community became an integral part of her life, inspiring her to go above and beyond to contribute.
In 2022, Kate took her commitment to the next level and joined the REPS team as a staff member. In a little over a year, she transitioned into her current role as the Assistant General Manager.
Beyond her passion for fitness, Kate thrives on embracing new experiences, learning, and personal growth. Whether it’s diving into the pages of a book, writing, exploring new places, or engaging in sports like tennis, volleyball, and skiing.
Kate’s journey at Arizona State University, where she is a full-time online student, is another testament to her dedication. She is about to graduate with a degree in Psychology, a field that deepens her understanding of human behavior and motivation. Alongside numerous Psychology courses, her academic journey has encompassed several Organizational Behavior courses, equipping her with the insights and skills essential for excelling in her role at REPS.
In her role as Assistant General Manager, Kate is committed to working with Christi to ensure that REPS remains a place where the community, support, and passion for fitness intersect.
Meet Our Team
Gabe Jones
LEVEL 3 MASTER TRAINER, GROUP EX INSTRUCTOR (STRENGTH)
About Gabe
Level 3 – Master Trainer (strength/recovery/sports specific)
Gabe is a NASM certified Personal Trainer building a business with a focus on personal training and sport specific (basketball) training. Gabe graduated from Lewis University with a degree in Health and Human Performance. As a collegiate basketball player, he had an injury prone career because he didn’t understand the importance of strength and conditioning. His goal is to share knowledge of how important it is to train physically and mentally especially in younger athletes.
“Health is Wealth”
JOHN SOSANYA
LEVEL 3 MASTER TRAINER, PHYSICAL THERAPIST, GROUP EX INSTRUCTOR (STRENGTH)
About John
Level 3 – Master Trainer/Physical Therapist
John graduated with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2017 from Washington University in St. Louis, while also earning a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialty from the NSCA. He carries an emphasis on correcting movement impairments and adapts both his therapy and training to accommodate orthopedic issues specific to every client.
John played division one football at the University of Oklahoma and incorporates the training style he learned while in that program while adapting it to the clients training level.
He has received a level one certification in Dry Needling and is in pursuit of Advanced Certification in Dry Needling. His services at REPS will include Personal Training, Physical Therapy and Dry Needling.
MARCUS HARNETT
LEVEL 2 TRAINER, GROUP EX INSTRUCTOR (BOXING, STRENGTH)
About Marcus
Level 2 Trainer (strength, boxing)
Marcus received a Bachelor of Arts from Carthage College in 2015 with a degree in Exercise Sport Science. Where he also played 3 years of collegiate football. A transfer from Eastern Illinois University where he competed in 1 year of track and field. He specializes in personal training and group fitness with skills in resistance training, sports performance, boxing, and reflexology. Since training for 8 years, his emphasis is on technique and proper form. Struggling in the past with asthma himself, he wants to help others reach the best and healthiest version of themselves.
FLOR DURAN
LEVEL 1 TRAINER, GROUP EX INSTRUCTOR (STRENGTH)
About Flor
Level 1 Trainer
My name is Flor and I am originally from Mexico. After losing about 55 lbs, I decided to take training seriously and get certified. I graduated from The National Personal Training institute in 2006. It was a very unique experience. The knowledge and hard work were priceless. I have been training ever since.
Compound Training (many muscles at the same time) as well as Stability are some of my favorite styles. I also enjoy boxing, especially to release stress. Heart rate monitors are some of my favorite tools. After all, The most important muscle in our body… Is our heart. I look forward to meeting you and helping you on your fitness journey.
LORI MADL
YOGA INSTRUCTOR – MASTER LEVEL 3
About Lori
Level 3 – Master Trainer (yoga)
After playing soccer and running for most of her life, Lori decided to explore something different which led her to yoga. After 6 months of dedication to the practice, she never turned back. She initially decided to go into teacher training in 2018 to explore and deepen her practice but eventually graduated and knew she was meant to go out and change lives like her instructors did for her. Lori aims to create a safe space to explore your practice through constant moving meditation.
MARISSA CHAVEZ
YOGA INSTRUCTOR – MASTER LEVEL 3
About Marissa
Level 3 – Master Trainer (yoga)
Marissa is a spiritually orientated yoga teacher whose ultimate goal is to share the power and peace that yoga brings to others through a strong, steady, mindful practice.
She has taught since 2017 being certified right here in Chicago at Nature Yoga by some of Chicago s best teachers, like Wade Gotwals and Amber Cook. Through the years Marissa has taught in Chicago and the surrounding area as well as children in Jamaica and outdoor yoga in Puerto Rico. Her classes have a mixture of vinyasa, hatha, and yin. Yoga will always be her first spiritual door which has led her on to be certified in reiki & most recently indigenous medicine in Mexico. Marissa feels so honored and overjoyed to be able to share yoga with the Chicago community again guiding students from her heart to fill theirs.
RACHEL PARKER
YOGA INSTRUCTOR – MASTER LEVEL 3
About Rachel
Level 3 – Master Trainer (yoga)
Rachel s yoga training includes 200 hours in Hatha Vinyasa, 100 hours in Breath-Centered Yoga, and 500 hours studying with Dharma Mittra (Restorative through Level IV) – all certifications earned in NYC. In Los Angeles, Rachel studied for five years under senior Iyengar teacher Anna Delury at The Iyengar Yoga Institute.
In mid-September 2022, Rachel relocated to Chicago and is excited to find her people and build community. She believes yoga is for ALL bodies, and that movement is the medicine. She looks forward to cultivating both curiosity and equanimity with you on the mat. Namasté !
