Joel Burrows

Owner/Head Instructor

“How you move is more important than what you move”–ancient proverb written by Joel circa January 2018.

Joel graduated from Miami of Ohio with a B.S. in Exercise Science and a Minor in Coaching.  He began his professional career at an elite Chicago health club after college and opened his first training facility in 2001.  Over the years, Joel has added to his professional credentials by adding numerous certifications including: NASM CPT, NASM CES, NASM MMA, NSCA CSCS, Certified Speed and Agility Coach, Fascial Stretch Therapy Level 1, F.I.G.H.T. Certified Instructor, Haganah 3rd Degree Black Belt (Israeli Tactical Knife, Ground Survival, Trench Fighting, WOLF Level 1 and 2, IPTT Pistol and Rifle), Taekwondo 1st Degree Black Belt, multiple GORUCK Events, SOF/a Graduate (7-day leadership program run by former Navy SEALs and Army Rangers simulating BUDs), ARC CPR and AED, and numerous other certifications.

Since 1998, Joel has raced on every continent, including 11 Ironman races and 7 Racing the Planet Desert Ultra Races (Chile, China, Egypt, Antarctica, Namibia, Australia, Nepal); 2 x 100-mile ultra marathons; multiple 50-mile races; 3x World’s Toughest Mudder Participant; and more road races, triathlons, and obstacle course races than he can count.  Joel has been a top finisher in triathlons  (Sprint, Olympic, Ironman) and has had podium finishes in Obstacle Course Races including Spartan and Tough Mudder.  In 2016, Joel appeared on the first season of the NBC reality TV show Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge.

 

With over 20 years of experience, Joel has worked with clients with a full range of goals and prides himself on bringing a unique blend of fitness and training to them.

Email: joel@firststepfitness.net

Phone: 312.933.5295

Skills

  • High Intensity
  • Endurance/Ultra Endurance
  • Flexibility
  • Sport-specific
  • Injury Reconditioning

Achievements

  • B.S. in Exercise Science
  • Minor in Coaching
  • Miami of Ohio
  • 4 years MU gymnastics team
  • Div. I intern strength coach
  • 11 Ironman Triathlons
  • 30 marathons
  • Multiple Ultramarathons
  • Two 100-mile trail races
  • Black Belt Haganah
  • Black Belt Taekwondo
  • Team USA World Long Course Triathlon