Strength Wise Barbell Team
COACHES INVESTED IN YOUR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL STRENGTH
Meet Your coaches
Chris Van Nostrand (He/Him)
Head Coach, Founder
Coach Chris’s lifelong passion for strength training, nutrition, and athletics culminated with his discovery of Powerlifting in his late-30s.
This new competitive outlet enhanced his performance as a marketing executive, which motivated a career pivot to coaching. He began with the goal of unleashing physical and mental strength for people 40 and above.
Chris enjoys empowering clients with practical concepts from the latest exercise research, and creating a fun environment for people to push their limits.
Chris earned his BA with distinction in political science from Kenyon College and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management.
When not training or coaching he’s watching musicals with his wife and two sons, reading fiction, practicing bass guitar, or binging HBO shows, or staying involved with the Evanston community.
Services: Small Group Training, Online Coaching, Personal Training
Specialties: Masters Athletes, Beginner Barbell Training, Powerlifting, Women Over 40
Certifications: Strength & Conditioning Specialist, Conditioning Coach, Exercise Nutrition Coach, Women’s Coaching Certificate
Zoë goykhman (she/her)
assistant coach
Coach Zoë is a rising star in Powerlifting.
She’s won every single meet in which she’s competed, including the USA Powerlifting 2024 Teen 3 National Championship, where she set the USAPL World Record Deadlift of 453 pounds. In USA Powerlifting, Zoë has a total of 8 state records in the 82.5 kg weight class.
In her first Powerlifting America meet, Zoë set 3 Super Heavy-Weight state records including a 501 pound deadlift, 347 pound squat, and a 204 pound bench press.
Zoë sets high standards for her clients while also demonstrating tremendous empathy and the ability to empower her athletes. Like all Strength Wise coaches, she uses an evidence-based practice that blends the latest research with the unique personal experiences of every individual.
Zoë is currently pursuing her BA in political science from Kenyon College with a focus on classical political theory.
In her spare time, Zoë enjoys hiking, baking, playing with her dog-niece, random trivia knowledge about geopolitical events, and completing the New York Times Games.
Services: Online Coaching, Personal Training
Specialities: Powerlifting, Tennis, Youth and Collegiate Athletics
Certifications: Strength & Conditioning Specialist, Conditioning Coach, Exercise Nutrition Coach, Women’s Coaching Certificate
Coach Jason was never a typical athlete growing up, but as an adult discovered CrossFit. That lead him to pursue Olympic lifting and Powerlifting.
Coach Jason (or Coach J)’s passion is helping his athletes believe in themselves and meeting them where they’re at.
He understands the importance of challenging his athletes, all while allowing them to come into the gym as their full authentic selves. He believes building a rapport with his athletes is the key to helping them do their best work in the gym.
Jason earned his BA in Broadcast Journalism from Loyola University Chicago, with a minor in political science. He is also a licensed substitute teacher for Chicago Public Schools and DuPage County.
Outside of the gym you can find him spending time with his wife and their feline daughter, Lila. He also enjoys playing and recording his own music, going to concerts, taking naps, and working on his own powerlifting training.
Services: Small-Group Training
Specialties: Powerlifting, Olympic Lifting, Functional Fitness, Fitness for Kids
Certifications: USAW-L1, USAW-L2
Jason Wieder (he/Him)
Strength & Conditioning Coach
