Alex Ptacek is a native of Chicago. He attended St. Ignatius College Prep and graduated from the University of Illinois with a B.A. in philosophy. He discovered the Starting Strength method in 2016 with life-changing results. Using the method,  Alex took his squat from 65 pounds to 405 in just two years and never looked back. His life's goal is to help ordinary people reach their physical potential while having fun in the gym. He earned his Starting Strength Coach credential in 2022 and the position of head coach at the Chicago gym the same year. Currently, he competes in powerlifting.

Jon Fraser, originally from north of Detroit, Michigan, has called Chicago home since 2014. He earned a B.S. in Finance and Accounting from the University of Michigan and spent 12 years in the financial services industry. During this time, Jon worked with clients across industries including industrial, enterprise software, media, technology, automotive, and aerospace and defense, advising executive teams and boards of directors from middle-market to mega-cap companies.
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In 2020, Jon became a part of Starting Strength Gyms as an owner, beginning as a semi-passive investor. By 2024, he transitioned out of financial services to join the coaching team. Today, Jon coaches, manages marketing and finance for the Chicago gym, and is actively pursuing certification as a Starting Strength Coach.