The Midwest Strength and Performance Story

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Our founders

Mike Sell, TJ Lawson, JT Baginski, Zane Roebuck, Jimmy Walker & Ashley Sell

MSP GYM was founded in 2017 with the specific goal of becoming the most client-centric and results-driven gym in the Greater Wheaton Area. Corporate gyms are known for penalizing clients financially for the silliest things, offering impersonal workouts, and putting profit over people. We are different. Our boutique fitness facility combines client-centricity and intelligent programming. We fervently believe that everyone can reach their unique fitness goals, and all of our fitness offerings are organized so that each and every movement can be customized and modified based on fitness history, age, goals, abilities, etc. We use evidence-based programming principles to help our clients succeed, and we meet with all of our members individually at least every quarter to ensure they’re making progress. At MSP, you are not only joining a gym, but a united community that is here to have fun and support you each and every step of the way. Get ready to join the most goal-driven gym family in the Midwest!

Our coaches

JT Baginski coach at Midwest Strength and Performance Wheaton

JT Baginski

OWNER + TRAINER

Specializations: Powerlifting & Bodybuilding Adult Semi-Private Fitness Athlete Semi-Private Fitness.

JT was born and raised in DuPage County. He is a certified personal trainer and strength coach (CSCS), and has been working in the fitness industry since 2013. JT is a former athlete in football and wrestling, as well as a former youth wrestling coach at Hadley Jr. High and has been active in sports and fitness since an early age. In his spare time, JT competes in USA Powerlifting (USAPL) as a drug free powerlifter and has also competed in The National Physique Committee (NPC) in the classic physique division. JT founded the MSP Lisle location, which is a 1,400 square foot private fitness facility equipped for any and all fitness goals. Through fitness, JT seeks to motivate and educate our clients, challenging them with an ever-evolving repertoire of fitness techniques and cutting-edge fitness equipment. As part of the MSP Family and Methodology, MSP Lisle clients include all ages and experience levels, however, share the common ground that every client receives equal thoughtful fitness and guidance. Whether your goals are functional, aesthetic, or sports-performance related, JT takes pride in actively working with MSP clients to help them achieve their maximum physical potential.

Abby Rutledge

PERSONAL TRAINER, NUTRITION COACH + COMMUNITY SUCCESS MANAGER

Abby is a personal trainer, group fitness instructor, and nutrition coach. She is certified as a  Level 1 USAW Coach and Renaissance Periodization Nutrition Coach. She is passionate about nutrition coaching for individuals who are overwhelmed by information and feel hopeless to make body composition changes. She prioritizes a focus on slowly changing habits for long term success. She is also passionate about strength for women who feel overwhelmed by a gym environment! Abby is dedicated to motivating all of her clients to reach their goals. She loves being part of the MSP team because each team member is committed to excellence and is truly invested in their clients lives and fitness journey!

Coach Abby received her bachelor’s degree in Biology and Spanish at Wheaton College. Additionally, she was a competitive swimmer at Wheaton College, finishing with All-Conference Honors throughout her college career. Outside of the gym, Abby loves to try new restaurants and spend time with friends.

At MSP, Abby wears many hats: Personal Trainer, Nutrition Coach and Community Success Manager. In these roles she can curate custom programs for her clients and dive deep into optimizing our community experience!

Victoria Cazares

PERSONAL TRAINER

Victoria is a Personal Trainer who specializes in athlete semi-private training, sports performance, and adult personal training. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science from North Central College, IL. Through her coaching experience, Victoria has trained individuals and groups ranging from collegiate athletes to senior citizens.

Victoria enjoys educating and empowering her members to move forward with a healthy lifestyle to perform at their best. Her exercise programs are modeled off of the Scientific Principles of Strength Training and her experiences as an athlete, strength coach, personal trainer, and physical therapy rehab aide. She is passionate about all types of movement, nutrition, and the mind-body connection, helping others to achieve their goals in the health space.

She joined MSP because of the close-knit community it portrays and its ability to create a positive coaching environment where individuals can reach beyond their perceived limits.

Outside of the gym, Victoria loves to travel, bike, and cook new recipes!

Kael Gannon

PERSONAL TRAINER

Kael is a certified trainer who specializes in Personal Training, Adult Semi-Private Fitness, Athlete Semi-Private Fitness, and Kettlebell Training.

Kael was born and raised in Delaware, Ohio. He is driven to help each client reach their goals but also wants clients to enjoy the training process. He utilizes the Scientific Principles of Strength Training to ensure every client reaches their potential.

Kael is currently a Senior student athlete at Wheaton College. He is finishing his Bachelor’s degree in History and Secondary Education. He is on the Varsity Men’s Swim Team and developed the Strength and Conditioning program for his team. He focuses on sprint butterfly and freestyle events, is an All-Conference performer, and winner of the CCIW Respect Award. Additionally, Kael works as a swim coach and instructor on the side.

In high school, Kael was a swim captain and MVP, a football and track athlete, Scholar Athlete award winner, and an Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Award winner. Outside of the gym, he enjoys playing the violin, watching movies, playing any competitive games, and cheering on both the Ohio State Buckeyes and Chicago Bears.

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