Meet Ryan!
CrossFit Lead Programer – Ryan Atkins
Ryan has been involved in athletics and training since childhood. He started playing traditional sports like baseball and basketball until he discovered his passion for martial arts when he was 12 years old. He studied Tae Kwon Do and Karate throughout his teenage years, gaining a black belt in the latter by the time he was 18. During his days at UW Madison he would study other arts: Aikido, Kendo and Ninjutsu, but his passion was reignited when he was introduced to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai.After graduating, he would later study western boxing and wrestling. In 1997, he competed in his first UFC-style competition and took his division, winning three fights in the same day. Ryan had his last fight in 2001 and maintained a winning record during those years. Knee problems later hindered his efforts to reenter the sport. In 2002, a friend suggested he turn to Olympic Weightlifting to stay in shape. A cursory internet search on the subject led him to CrossFit and he was soon hooked, both to the workouts and to the web community. He’s been coaching fitness in some way, shape or form since 2004. In his spare time he enjoys being outside (hiking, swimming, archery) and reading (quantum biology, government corruption, the failure of our medical system, among other interests)
Ryan has been involved in athletics and training since childhood. He started playing traditional sports like baseball and basketball until he discovered his passion for martial arts when he was 12 years old. He studied Tae Kwon Do and Karate throughout his teenage years, gaining a black belt in the latter by the time he was 18. During his days at UW Madison he would study other arts: Aikido, Kendo and Ninjutsu, but his passion was reignited when he was introduced to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai.After graduating, he would later study western boxing and wrestling. In 1997, he competed in his first UFC-style competition and took his division, winning three fights in the same day. Ryan had his last fight in 2001 and maintained a winning record during those years. Knee problems later hindered his efforts to reenter the sport. In 2002, a friend suggested he turn to Olympic Weightlifting to stay in shape. A cursory internet search on the subject led him to CrossFit and he was soon hooked, both to the workouts and to the web community. He’s been coaching fitness in some way, shape or form since 2004. In his spare time he enjoys being outside (hiking, swimming, archery) and reading (quantum biology, government corruption, the failure of our medical system, among other interests)
CREDENTIALS
Programming for LFT MKE (2022-present)
CrossFit/Weightlifting Coach Cream City CrossFit (2017-Present)
Fitness/CrossFit consultant local universities and colleges (WCTC, Gateway, Adjunct Professor/Strength Lab Supervisor for Marquette. 2008-2022)
CrossFit Delafield, Optimal Fitness Weightlifting Coach (2017-2019)
Coach Bar Time Weightlifting team
(2015-2019)
Head Strength and Conditioning Coordinator for Dominican High School (2009-2016)
Olympic Weightlifting Coach for CrossFit Consumed (2014)
Author of fitness related articles in both CrossFit Kids Magazine and the Performance Menu online magazines (2007-2012)
Olympic Weightlifting competitor, WI State record holder for snatch (M40-44, 105kg),
2016 Pan Am Masters 3rd place finisher
MMA fighter with winning record (1997-2001)(6-1-1)CrossFit Level I Trainer (2005-Present)
Clinical Athlete Weightlifting Certification (2016)USA Weightlifting Level 1 Sports Performance Coach (2013)USA Weightlifting Level II Advanced Sports Performance Coach (2016)Pendlay Weightlifting Level I and II (2014)Attitude Nation Level 1 Weightlifting (2014)Strength Specific Weightlifting Bronze Level (2011)CrossFit Powerlifting Certification (2011)CrossFit Football Certification (2011)CrossFit Movement and Mobility Certification (2010)CrossFit Olympic Lifting Certification (2009)CrossFit Running/Endurance Level I Trainer (2008)Member of CrossFit Level 1 Coaching Staff (2007-2008)Appointed CrossFit Message Board Moderator (2004)Chosen by CrossFit HQ to present CrossFit nationwide (2006)USAW Club Coach (2006)2 Years Gymnastics Coaching ExperienceKarate Black Belt Competitive Swimmer/Diver (High School)
Ryan’s main goal is to use the tools he has learned to empower the lives of others, whether it be in their daily lives around the house, on the battlefields of foreign lands, in our city streets upholding the law, or in the pursuit of victory in athletic competition. Over the years he has worked with a broad range of clients including world class endurance athletes, national level UFC/MMA fighters, firefighters/fire science students, soldiers, law-enforcement personnel, high school/collegiate athletes, children and grandparents.
