Mission Statement
Grim Reaper Fitness is an endurance centered fitness training business. Our goal is to provide structured training plans and coaching for athletic performance in single and multi sport events. Our programs are designed for youth (5-14), junior (15-19), collegiate, and age group athletes. Coaches have certifications and/or significant experience in all fields related to single and multi-sport athletics (USAT, USATF, USMST, RRCA, ASCA, ISSA, ITCA & USAC).
History
Grim Reaper fitness was born because I wanted to help people achieve. Simply put, when I started I was clueless and having a steady, knowledgeable trainer would have saved me so much time and pain. Many think they cannot afford the services of a coach, we strive to make multisport (and single sport) coaching affordable for all. I want everyone to train smart and that begins with our plans and team of dedicated athletes, coaches, and friends! I have worked with athletes of all ages, shapes, sizes, and attitudes and have found that I can find a plan that can make even the toughest client feel prepared for their race of choice.
Like many people I was a fit and active youth. I played sports and lived an overall fit lifestyle. In college I became a cheerleader (which I eventually went on to coach) and figured out that I could eat more and become bigger. The problem as I aged was figuring out how to shut that off. I graduated from Illinois State University and settled into a new career.
Make a long story short, career plus marriage, plus children equaled neglecting my health. I made excuses; you name it I made it (I am tired, too busy, don’t feel well, I am not overweight)! At the age of 31 I visited the doctor to get a wellness check up and found out that my cholesterol was 315! I was mortified, I felt like I was a terrible role model to my students and my children and was a heart attack waiting to happen. At that moment, I felt the Grim Reaper on my back.
I woke up the morning after at 5am, ran one lap around my block (.5mi) and stopped, bent over, and cried. I was so out of shape and so sad, but something had changed, I was mad. The doctor wanted me on medication and I thought I was too young; I wanted to change this the right way.
I worked and I worked. I learned how to swim 2 weeks before my first triathlon. I did not do great but I finished and the addiction was set. I always say that triathlon saved my life, but the greatest joy is truly that I saved my own life. The multisport community is incredible; we are a group of athletes that are dedicated to pushing our limits. Some do it for fun, others do it to win, whatever the reason, just challenge yourself.
~ Erik Rankin | Founder & Head Coach of Grim Reaper Fitness
