MEET OUR TEAM
MATT PETERSEN
EMAIL: matt@thefitnesspursuit.com
BS in Health Promotion and Wellness from UW-Stevens Point
Certified by:
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USA Triathlon – Coach Levels 1 & 2
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USA Triathlon- Youth & Junior Coach
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USA Cycling – Coach Level 3
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American Council on Exercise – Personal Trainer & Advanced Health and Fitness Specialist
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Red Cross-Swim Instructor
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Metabolic Efficiency Training Specialist Level 1
Coach Matt Petersen is the Owner and President of Fitness Pursuit, Inc. After overcoming knee reconstruction surgery in 1995, he has gone on to complete many triathlons (sprint to Ironman distances) and races from 5Ks to half marathons. Through disciplined training, he has been successful in bringing his body fat percentage below 5%. He has won or placed in Sprint, Olympic & Half Ironmans. He has won or placed in 5k, 10k and Half Marathons. He also understands the commitment an athlete needs for team sports as he earned six major letters in high school. He is ready to help you in your pursuits!
MICHELLE PETERSEN
Michelle is a certified Red Cross Swim Instructor. She has a Masters Degree in Elementary Education. Her passion is to work with youth. She wants to make sure children learn to be safe and enjoy the water. She is available for individual and small group swim sessions.
Please email Michelle for availability or to schedule an appointment.
BRENDA BROWN
EMAIL: brenda@thefitnesspursuit.com
Brenda started at The Fitness Pursuit as a client in preparation for a sprint distance triathlon. Since that time Brenda has enjoyed participating in various triathlon and running events ranging from sprint distance to Ironman distance triathlons and running events ranging from 5ks to marathons. Brenda likes the preparation and planning it takes to reach a fitness goal and particularly enjoys endurance events. Brenda is always active and a day typically starts with some type of physical activity. Whether it be heading to the gym for weights and swim or heading outside for a bike ride, run or even a walk. She believes when starting out it’s not what you do, but just the fact that you are moving. Brenda is excited to share her enthusiasm for fitness and to motivate people to push themselves while enjoying what their body can do. She is looking forward to helping people achieve their health and fitness goals with individualized attention and consistent communication and feedback.
Certifications:
USA Triathlon Level 1 Coach
American Council on Exercise Certified Personal Trainer
Red Cross Certified Swim Instructor
TRX Suspension Training Course Completion
Brenda’s Availability is varied depending on day & time of year. Please email Brenda to schedule an appointment.
AUDREY CRADDOCK
EMAIL: audrey@thefitnesspursuit.com
I first began practicing yoga as a way to reduce the stress and anxiety caused from my demanding job and busy life. Instantly, I fell in love. It also became quickly apparent what a beautiful compliment the practice was to my running routine and other physically demanding workouts. Not only did the aches and pains from being so tense for so many years start to melt away, but I found myself much more in tune with the present moment, able to truly slow down and appreciate life. As my practice developed, I could feel my anxiety and stress dissolve with each passing day, as my mind and body felt stronger and more alive…cultivating a feeling of contentment, peace, and strength.
My journey into teacher training felt like a natural one, fueled by a desire to deepen my own practice, along with a good deal of encouragement from my teachers. I completed my 200 hour training through Blue Sun Yoga with Wendy Dahl and Adam Braun and am a Registered Yoga Teacher through the Yoga Alliance. I’ve also completed training through Connected Warriors, an organization that offers yoga to military veterans and their families and loved ones. I’ve experienced firsthand the incredible healing benefits this practice has to offer and consider such experience a gift. Teaching enables me to share this wonderful gift with my students just as my many amazing teachers have done and continue to do so with me. Creating a fun and relaxed environment in which students of all levels can come into and feel comfortable is my goal with each class. Smiling, laughter and not taking ourselves too seriously are highly encouraged! My hope is that students are able to find comfort in their own practice and leave class feeling a little more alive in their mind, body and spirit than when they first arrived.
In my free time I enjoy running, hiking, traveling, riding motorcycles and listening to good live music.
MARKAY CHAMBERLAIN
EMAIL: markay@thefitnesspursuit.com
Markay is a certified massage therapist focusing on sports and therapeutic massage at The Fitness Pursuit. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology from Robert Morris University and a Certificate of Massage Therapy from the College of Lake County. Her training includes sports massage, Swedish, myofacial release, deep tissue, connective tissue, craniosacral and relaxation techniques. Markay will design a therapeutic massage session specific to your needs. In the session, we can address stress reduction, injury prevention and recovery, pain relief, range-of-motion and stretching. Pre-event and post-event massages can also aid in reaching goals and reducing your recovery time.
Markay’s Availability
Mondays 11:00-2:00pm
Wednesdays 12:00-3:00pm
Friday 8:00-9:30am
Saturdays 9:00-11:30am
Please email Markay to schedule an appointment.
KELLY ELFERING
EMAIL: kelly@thefitnesspursuit.com
Kelly brings a unique combination of healing energy, skill, experience and intuition to her massage work. She specializes in Deep Tissue Massage, Swedish Massage, Sports Massage and Thai Massage. She combines her knowledge in all of these areas to enhance her clients range of motion, flexibility and over all wellness. Her goal as a Massage Therapist is to help people live more comfortably and peacefully in their body, by managing pain, reducing stress and releasing movement restrictions.
Kelly’s Availability
Mondays 5:30-7:30pm
Tuesdays 12:00-2:00pm
Thursdays 3:00-5:00pm
Sundays Varied
Please email Kelly to schedule an appointment.
JASON MING
EMAIL: jason@thefitnesspursuit.com
I was extremely active and loved playing sports as a kid. I became a workaholic (manufacturing engineering) into my 20s and neglected my health and wellness. I gained weight eventually peaking at 260lbs.
I woke up between 2004-2009 and developed a new love for working out, running, cycling, nutrition, meditation, and yoga and it changed my life. I qualified for the Boston marathon and am currently training for my first Ironman Triathlon. I love life, all things athletic, and helping other people. I am grateful for all I am able to do everyday.
I became an RYT200 certified through Blue Sun Yoga in 2015. I have a calm teaching style influenced by Ashtanga and Anusara yoga but I teach to the individuals in my class with a strong focus on the breath, mindfulness, and meditation. My specialty is teaching yoga to athletes to compliment their training and improve their lives.
Jason’s Availability
Varied depending on day & time of year
Please email Jason to schedule an appointment.
IEVA SCOGGIN
EMAIL: ieva@thefitnesspursuit.com
Certifications
ACE Certified Personal Trainer
Red Cross swim Instructor
CPR/AED Certified
Growing up very active and being part of the alpine skiing team in Latvia, 5 years ago Ieva rediscovered her love for fitness and racing. Thanks to TFP, she was "Project 2014" and was able to proudly represent the USA in The Triathlon World Championship in the Olympic distance in 2015. She also qualified for the same in 2016. Ieva also participates in marathons qualifying for the 2017 and 2018 Boston Marathon.
Ieva is very excited to be part of TFP coaching team. She is passionate about fitness, triathlons, and helping individuals to achieve their goals. Ieva promotes the importance of health fitness and truly feels that it is an honor to pass her knowledge and experience on to others.
Ieva's Availability is varied depending on day & time of year. Please email Ieva to schedule an appointment.
David Kulbeda
EMAIL: dave@thefitnesspursuit.com
Certifications:
PTAGlobal CPT
PowerPlate Lv 2
American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor
Dave has been a personal trainer for 12 years and has experience with a
variety of clients. Beginners young and old, weekend warriors and top
level athletes, weight loss and muscle building and injury rehab and
prevention.
In addition, he has guided clients to their first 5k, 10k, half, and
full marathon.
His background is as a multi-sport athlete and eventually competitive
distance runner. He has raced at 5k, 10k, half, and marathon distances.
His passion for fitness and health and wanting to help others reach
their goals is the reason he has joined us at TFP.
Available by appointment, please email to book Coach Dave.
Chandra Riberich
I have had a love for swimming since becoming a competitive swimmer at the age of 7. I continued to develop my skills and passion for the sport becoming a high school state champion and division one collegiate swimmer.
During high school and college, I taught swim lessons and coached for over eight years, deepening my passion for the sport and love for my athletes.
After college, I focused on my desk job and neglected my health and passion for my sport until I found TFP. Through the excellent coaching and friendly camaraderie at TFP, I regained a healthy lifestyle and found my love of swimming once again. In addition, I found Triathlon which combined my original passion with two new and exciting sports to me, cycling and running.
I'm excited to help teach people to swim and live a healthy lifestyle by passing on my knowledge and enthusiasm for swimming and triathlon through coaching at TFP.
Chandra's availability is varied and depends on the day and time of year. Please email Chandra to schedule an appointment.
Allie Hook
I started with the Fitness Pursuit as a client to prepare for my first triathlon. I continued to develop in the sport and went on to become a collegiate draft legal triathlete. After college I continued with triathlons ranging from sprint distance to Ironman.
I have a passion for working with children & making sure the water is a fun but most of all safe experience. Available for private and group classes.
Kate Lang
I grew up swimming competitively, attended elite swim camps, and eventually swam D1 in college. I have 10+ years experience coaching swim team and teaching lessons. I love helping kids go from being afraid of the water to confident swimmers to perfecting their stroke techniques so they can excel at swim meets.
Fitness and health fell down the priority list to being a teacher, becoming a mom, and caring for my kids. I gained and lost weight many times, tried all the diet fads and workout videos but nothing stuck. I was always tired and felt my health declining.
When I changed my diet to focus on getting the nutrients my body needed, I became healthier and had so much extra energy that I started lifting weights, running, and doing triathlons. Now, I look forward to moving every day and pushing myself to see what my body is capable of. I found the atmosphere of support and positivity at TFP to be incredibly motivating- No matter where you are starting from, whether you just want more energy to play with your kids or you want to compete in a triathlon or swim meet- you're worth the time and effort to feel better, get healthier, stronger, and work toward your goals!