- MEET YOUR STARTING STRENGTH COACHESThe Starting Strength Coach Credential is the Most Advanced in the Industry
Alex Ptacek
Coach
Alex is joining the Starting Strength Chicago team as a Level II Staff Coach. He has lived in Chicago all his life. In 2016, he discovered the Starting Strength method and has been applying it ever since. The program and method had life changing results, adding over 90 pounds of body weight in 2 years. Wanting to help others achieve their goals, he began coaching shortly after that. In 2020, he graduated from the University of Illinois with a B.A. in Philosophy. He has attended the Starting Strength Seminar and is currently enrolled in the Coach Prep Course. Alex also competes in powerlifting. In his free time, he loves to watch and talk about movies.
Chris Olson
Coach
Chris is joining the Starting Strength Chicago team as a Level II Staff Coach. Chris found Starting Strength in 2018 when, while working as a personal trainer, he realized he had no idea how to teach someone how to squat. A former college athlete, he had skipped “leg day” for years because he also couldn’t figure out how to squat or deadlift (or lunge, jump, skip, etc.) without hurting his achy knees and low back. Like many before and after him, the blue book would change all of this. Chris was born and raised in Arlington Heights and has lived in Chicago on and off for the past decade. He graduated from Denison University in 2012 and has been involved in coaching people, whether in sports or in the gym, ever since. Chris attended a Starting Strength Seminar and has been in the Coach Prep Course ever since, aiming to earn his SSC.
