Our Coaches
Max Multisport Coaches
Click on a name below to learn more about our qualified and professional coaches.
| Michele McGee | |
Team Mascot- Toby Schneidewind
Coach Certification Affiliations:
Renee Schneidewind, President and Owner of Max Multisport Coaching
Certifications: USA Triathlon Coach-Level 2, AFAA Personal Trainer, Master Heart Zones Personal Trainer, Cycling Coach and Triathlon Coach, Triathlon Coach Master Trainer, Certified Metabolic Specialist
E-mail: info at maxmultisport [dot] com
Bio: President of Max Multisport Coaching, Renee Schneidewind has been competing in triathlons and coaching endurance athletes for over ten years. Since 2000, she has raced in hundreds of endurance events, including the Chicago Marathon, Ironman Wisconsin and the Beach to Battleship Iron Distance where she finished 4th in her age group. Renee has coached thousands of athletes from first-timers to iron distance triathletes. She has also trained hundreds of coaches to coach other athlete's through a certification program she and her husband developed.
Complementing her racing experience, Renee continually educates herself on the newest and best methods pertaining to exercise science and multisport for women. Her philosophy is that having a healthy balance with family, work and other commitments is critical and a main goal should be to have fun and enjoy the fellowship of the other triathletes with whom you train and workout.
Renee loves to coach athletes who have a passion for fitness. She enjoys educating them on best methods of training, healthy living and staying injury-free. Her coaching mission is to help women of all abilities build confidence and maximize their athletic potential.
Originally from Michigan, Renee has now been in Chicago for over 15 years and calls it home. She had a background in volleyball and also short running events while in college. Outside of triathlon, she and her husband Russ spend time with their two cats Blackie and Callie and their two boxer dogs- Toby and Max! They are also regular worshipers at Park Community Church. God is a central part of the Schneidewind's life and they try to live that out and give back to others. Both are active tutors through Chicago Lights, a program for children in underserved neighborhoods of Chicago.
Russ Schneidewind
Certifications: USA Triathlon Coach-Level 2, Heart Zones Certified Personal Trainer-Level 3 and Master Heart Zones Certified Triathlon Coach, Certified Metabolic Specialist
Bio: Russ runs Max Multisport's swim programs and has been coaching with Max Multisport for four years. He was a Division 1 Swimmer at Iowa State University. In order to lead athletes to better swim times and more efficient swimming technique, he believes in incorporating multiple strokes in an athlete's training program.
Russ has over 16 years of triathlon experience including 1/2 Ironman, Olympic and Sprint distance triathlons. He is consistently in the top 10 to 15% of his age group in triathlon and running events.
Through his background in mechanical engineering, he focuses on measurable metrics with each of his athletes to maximize their potential. Russ also developed a comprehensive training tool which all of the Max Multisport coaches utilize to help their athletes. The key ingredient to this tool is using training intensity.
Russ believes effective coaching needs to follow standard progressed training cycles and load.
Nancy Fudacz
Certifications: USA Triathlon Coach-Level 1, USA Track and Field Coach, USA Cycling Level 2, Certified Personal Trainer, Heart Zones Certified Personal Trainer Level 2, Master Keiser Cycling Trainer
Bio: Dedicated to a lifetime of fitness, Nancy has worked as the Director of Exercise Programs at Chicago's prestigious East Bank Club for 13 years. Nancy oversees the country's largest group exercise program, teaches group exercise classes of every type for every level, and has been featured in local and national media including ABC's "Good Morning America."
A certified trainer, Nancy oversees the club's Performance Program and has trained athletes of all abilities for triathlons and runs of all distances. Nancy has completed 10 Ironman triathlons and countless marathons and ultra-runs. She is passionate about pushing her own limits, and believes that we can accomplish any physical task we set out to do.
After achieving a performance goal for Ironman in 2003, Nancy shifted her focus to learning to run ultra-distance races. She created a team to complete in 4 Deserts, a series of seven-day, 150-mile races across the world's great deserts: in The Atacama in Chile, the Gobi in China, the Sahara in Egypt, and Antarctica. In February 2006, Nancy and her team, Team Illinois/Magellan Development, became the first and only team in the world to conquer the race series. The book "The Power of Team: Three Ordinary People and Their Run to Greatness" is based on their experiences.
Nancy continues to compete in triathlons, ultra-running and adventure racing, and relies on her experiences and knowledge to coach athletes.
Nancy received her B.A. from McGill University and M.F.A. from Columbia College, Chicago.
Laurie Cappitelli
Certifications: USA Triathlon Coach Level 1, Heart Zones Level 3 Personal Trainer, Heart Zones Certified Triathlon Coach, Director of Education for Heart Zones Coaching Triathlon Coaches, Lifeguard, Ace New Leaf Metabolic Testing Certification
Bio: Laurie discovered triathlon in 2001 to focus on fitness and a healthier lifestyle. Since that time, she has continued to race a variety of sprint, olympic, and aquabike distance courses annually. Laurie is a top finisher in her swim division in every race yet had no background in competitive swimming. This has helped her to finish in the top 15% of her races in 2007. Laurie also enjoys adventure racing and competes in multiple events annually.
In 2008 at the Elkhart Olympic Triathlon, she placed 1st in her division, which qualified her for the 2009 U.S.A Triathlon Nationals.
In 2008, she was the Head Coach for Heart Zone Coaching's Team Chicago where she coached over 20 women to complete their first triathlon, The Danskin Women's Triathlon Series. In 2009, she continued as Head Coach for the Trek Women's Triathlon Series and led 25 women to finish line in their first event! In 2010, Laurie and her teammate Katie (also a Max Coach), completed their first 24 hour adventure race!
Laurie believes in coaching athletes to remain injury free through proper training/coaching, which will lead to improved technique, speed, strength and flexibility in all disciplines. Her main coaching focus is swimming, as she coaches our Women's First Swim and Triathlon Technique Classes.
Laurie lives in Wheaton with her husband, soul mate and best friend, Bob.
Michele McGee
Certifications: Heart Zones Certified Triathlon Coach, Cycling Fusion Power Cycling Trainer, CPR Certified
Bio: Michele McGee has been involved in triathlon since 2004. She first joined the Max Multisport community as an athlete in 2008. It did not take long for her to develop a passion not only for training, but also for supporting and guiding other athletes around her. She has a methodical and analytical coaching style which provides an athlete with structure and focus.
Now as certified coach, Michele is deeply involved with the Max community. She coaches individual athletes as well as athletes in group training. Michele has competed in 25 triathlons including the Chicago Triple Challenge, in which she completed a supersprint, sprint and olympic distance triathlon in the span of two days. In 2011, she completed the the Beach to Battleship Ironman Triathlon in North Carolina and finished 3rd in her age group.
As a coach, Michele emphasizes much more than just physical training. She recognizes that each individual has her own set of circumstances, challenges and goals and designs training programs according to one's needs. She believes that triathlon is about achieving objectives and gaining mental strength, as well as being part of the triathlon community and having a balanced, healthy life.
Deanna Doohaluk
Certifications: USATF Level 1, Heart Zones Certified Triathlon Coach, Heart Zones Level 3 Personal Trainer, Heart Zones Certified Indoor Cycling Instructor Level 2, CPR/AED
Bio: Deanna Doohaluk began competing in running events in 2003 after moving to the Chicago Area from North Carolina. After a gentle nudge from a co-worker who knew of her high school swimming background, Deanna made the leap from stand alone running events to completing her first sprint distance triathlon in 2005. Over the next few years, Deanna discovered a passion for long course events completing numerous marathons, Ironman Wisconsin (2x finisher) and the American Triple T (4 triathlons in 48 hours). In 2009, she took her running off-road and began competing in trail ultramarathons. Deanna has finished numerous 50K and 50 mile trail runs across the Midwest and started off 2011 with her first 100 mile run finish at the Rocky Raccoon 100 Mile Trail Run in Huntsville, TX.
Deanna joined the Max Multisport family in 2005 as an athlete. In 2007, she was the Head Coach for Heart Zone Coaching's Team Chicago where she coached over 20 women to complete their first triathlon, The Danskin Women's Triathlon Series. And in 2011, Deanna will be coaching the Spring Half Marathon and 5K/10K Run Programs.
Katie Moore
Certification: Certification: ASCA Swim Coach Level 1
Bio: A swimmer since age 10, Katie got an early start with the Ridge Park Water Rats on the Beginner B team. With a natural feel for the water, she rapidly moved through the ranks and soon found herself in the top lane of the Advanced team. Katie was a part of several city championships with the Water Rats, and soon moved on to swim with the Spartans of Marian Catholic. At Marian, Katie was a part of several record setting relays and other accomplishments including a sectional win and IHSA State meet appearance in the 100 fly and 4x100 free relay. After high school Katie swam for the Polar Bears of Ohio Northern University. At ONU, Katie was again a part of several ONU and Ohio Athletic Conference record setting relays, holds the current ONU and OAC record in the 100 fly, and is tied with a teammate for the most decorated female swimmer in ONU's history.
A college teammate inspired Katie to become serious about triathlon, and the rest is history. Now, she would like to give back to the swimming community, giving others a chance to reach their ultimate swimming potential both in the pool and on the course.
Bob Foster
Bio: Bob was an All American swimmer at St. Charles High School in St. Charles, Illinois, and swam for four years at Division 1 at Iowa State University. He helped start the NCA swim team on the northside of Chicago and is now a coach with Max Multisport for the Master Swim and Group Swim programs.
Jessica Upchurch
Certifications: B.S in Kinesiology from Elmhurst College, K-12 State of Illinois Teaching Certification, Cooper Institute Certified Personal Trainer (CI-CPT), Cooper Institute Certified Fitness Specialist (CI-CFS), Heart Zones® Certified Personal Trainer-Level 1, Polar Certified Heart Rate Coach, Water Safety Instructor- WSI, Certified Lifeguard/ First Aid/ CPR
Bio: For Jessica, health and fitness is not just a hobby or an activity but, a lifestyle. As a physical/health educator at Northside College Preparatory High School in Chicago, she has been able to combine her vocation and avocation. Jessica leads by example for both her students and her athletes. Triathlons and running events have been a part of her life for many years. She has experience in the Sprint and Olympic distances. An avid runner, Jessica has completed multiple half marathons.
She enjoys working with beginners in the sport and is committed to being a lifelong learner. Jessica believes in hard work and that discipline is the bridge between thought and accomplishment. Anything is possible when you have a good attitude and a lot of heart.
Jessica teaches athletes under our group running and triathlon training programs. She is also a coached athlete and a member on our Masters Swim Team.
Dana Filarski
Certifications: Certified Heart Zones Triathlon Coach, USAT Level 1 Triathlon Coach
Bio: Dana grew up in Willowbrook, IL and began swimming at the age of 10. She swam and ran competitively at Hinsdale Central High School where she qualified for the state meet in the 3200m run. Upon graduating from the University of Iowa, Dana picked up long distance running and triathlons. Since graduation in 2004, she's a two-time Boston qualifier, two-time Ironman finisher, Age Group National Qualifier, 7 marathon finisher and countless other races ranging from Sprint Triathlons to Half-Ironmans and Half-Marathons. She typically finishes in the top 15% of her age group.
Dana enjoys helping other athletes and has gotten friends and family involved in triathlons and running events. Her primary background is swimming and running and is excited to use her knowledge and experience to help other athletes reach their goals. Dana is also a coached athlete by Max and you'll find her participating in many of the Max activities.
Katie Clifford
Certifications: USA Triathlon Level 1 Coach, Heart Zones Certified Personal Trainer, Heart Zones Certified Triathlon Coach
Bio: Katie became interested in triathlon five years ago after cheering her mom to the finish line in the Naperville Triathlon and has been hooked ever since. Katie competes at the Sprint, Olympic and Half Ironman distance triathlons. She has inspired many women by coaching for the Danskin and Trek Triathlon Series the past several years.
Katie also has a passion for adventure racing and is training to competing in a 24 hour race this year. She enjoys sharing her love of fitness and racing with others and seeing them reach their goals and transform their lives.
Katie lives in Glenview with her three active, wonderful children.
Joann Della Torre
Certifications: USA Triathlon Coach Level 1, Heart Zones Certified Indoor Cycling Instructor Level 2, Heart Zones Certified Personal Trainer Level 2, Master Total Immersion Swim Coach, Ace Certified Personal Trainer, Indoor Group Cycling instructor at Edward Health & Fitness Center, Yoga Instructor
Bio: Jo Ann has been competing in endurance sports for over 12 years. She finished her first triathlon when she was 20 weeks pregnant with her fifth child. Since then, she has been a competitive age grouper, finishing 30+ races in everything from Sprint to Ironman to ultra-distance events.
Her passion to become a better swimmer led her to Total Immersion, where she has coached many runners and cyclists in swimming. She currently coaches for the Naperville Masters Swim Team.
Jo Ann loves coaching all levels of athlete. Everyone has their own goal, and all want to finish. "I love encouraging and facilitating those steps. Coaching helps us to balance our lives and reach for something really big."
Toby Schneidewind
Bio: Toby is the Max Multisport Team Mascot. He enjoys running and chasing the athletes of Max Multisport Coaching. If you want to go for a run, Toby is always available!
