Coach's Corner: Meet Coach Reid!

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Get to know the coaches who make our Community Strong. This month we’re catching up with Coach Reid Chandler, who joined Defined in 2021 and our coaching team in 2023. 

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When Coach Reid began his fitness journey, he didn’t realize he was also taking his first steps on his mental health journey. By finding CrossFit, he found community — together, they helped him stay strong in more ways than one. Hear his story and learn how he found purpose in a passion for helping others. 💙

WATCH: Coach’s Corner: Meet Coach Reid! 

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REID CHANDLER | Coach 

he/him

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KNOWN FOR: his Hyrox and endurance expertise, plus surprising reality TV knowledge. 

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TRAINING GROUPS: Seasonal Hyrox & Endurance programs, Thursday DefCon / Strength classes

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EXPERIENCE: 8 years coaching experience, 3 years at Defined (since June 2023) 

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CERTIFICATIONS: CF-L2, Bachelor's in Journalism/Political Science, Master's in Strategic Communication 

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LIKES: lifting heavy, running and endurance training, Real Housewives marathons 

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LOVES: programming seasonal endurance challenges, creating content for Defined's community, and helping athletes discover they can do hard things.

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Reid discovered CrossFit in 2014 after college, transitioning from distance running to group fitness while working as a TV news reporter in Des Moines. The accountability and community aspect hooked him immediately, leading to his L-1 certification and five years coaching at his local box. After achieving his dream of moving to Chicago in 2021, Reid joined Defined as an athlete — and in 2023 as a coach. His journalism background shines through in his storytelling approach to coaching and his work on Defined's communications, including newsletters and community content that celebrates the gym's diverse athlete stories.

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Thanks for helping make our Community Strong, Coach Reid! 💪