OUR ORIGIN STORY
In 2014, Phil Schrupp was struck by a drunk driver, fracturing his thoracic spine.
Just one year later, he was struck by yet another drunk driver, tearing several shoulder ligaments and leaving him with chronic pain throughout his entire upper body. Physical therapy was unsuccessful, and he was eventually told that he would have to learn to live with his pain. So he decided to take matters into his own hands.
After being introduced to evidence-based strength training, his aches and pains finally began to resolve, giving him his life back. He founded SOTA in 2017, shaping a proprietary system and process designed to help other busy adults like him take back control of their health and live a more limitless lifestyle.
Phil is a dedicated husband to his wife, Katy, and a father of two young daughters, Shay and Sophia, and enjoys music and reading in his (very limited) free time.
MEET THE TEAM
THE awesome people you’ll be working with
Phil Schrupp // FOUNDER
After overcoming chronic pain from two serious car accidents as a teenager, Phil discovered the power of strength training to rebuild not just his body, but his entire life. What started as a personal recovery journey turned into a professional mission: to help others break free from pain, build resilience, and create lasting change through fitness. With a background in psychology and pre-med, Phil founded SOTA Personal Training in 2017 with a clear vision—ditch the quick fixes, master the fundamentals, and build a strong body that supports a stronger life. Today, he leads the SOTA team with that same philosophy: challenging, sustainable, and pain-free training that transforms more than just muscles.
Katy Schrupp // Member Experience & Operations
With a background that bridges healthcare and human connection, Katy brings a unique blend of clinical expertise and people-centered service to the SOTA team. After years in the medical field—including over seven years supporting neurosurgeons in the OR—she made the leap into the world of fitness and wellness, inspired by her own transformation through strength training and yoga. Her passion for movement started in high school sports and reignited after overcoming chronic back pain in her 20s. Katy now channels that drive into helping SOTA members feel seen, supported, and empowered—both in and out of the gym. A lifelong learner and proud mom of two, she believes deeply in leading by example and modeling healthy, sustainable habits. Whether she’s organizing operations behind the scenes or connecting with members on the floor, Katy is all about creating a world-class experience for the SOTA community.
Sean Tumilson // Personal TRAINING
Sean’s path to coaching came through personal transformation. After struggling with physical insecurities and chronic digestive issues in his teens and twenties, he committed to a deep dive into holistic health, fitness, and biohacking in his 30s. As a certified personal trainer, Sean blends science, experimentation, and lived experience to help others build strong, sustainable lifestyles. With a background in language and communication—and fluency in five languages—Sean brings a personalized, education-focused approach to every session. His coaching style is all about finding what works for the individual, simplifying the process, and helping members “crack the code” on feeling and performing their best.
BLAKE pieschke // Personal TRAINING
Blake’s journey into fitness started with a personal transformation. After gaining weight post-high school, he committed to training and never looked back. The confidence and compliments that followed sparked a passion that led him to shift career paths and become a certified personal trainer. Since 2021, Blake has coached both small group and one-on-one sessions with individuals of all skill levels, including those with injuries or physical limitations. With a background in biomechanics and a deep understanding of movement, Blake is known for helping his clients move better, feel better, and train smarter. His coaching style is approachable, supportive, and grounded in the belief that fitness should enhance your life, not add stress to it. Whether you're new to training or navigating your own comeback story, Blake’s here to make the journey both effective and enjoyable.
BEN KOHLER // Personal TRAINING & CLIENT Success
With a background in competitive soccer and a passion for group fitness that sparked in college, Ben brings energy, education, and a people-first approach to every session. After earning his B.S. in Sport and Exercise Science and coaching in Seattle for several years, he went on to complete his Master’s in Kinesiology at the University of Minnesota, focusing on the behavioral aspects of physical activity. Ben’s mission is simple: to create positive, empowering movement experiences that help people stay consistent and feel confident. Whether he’s supporting clients in their fitness journey or mentoring future coaches, Ben’s all about helping you find the kind of movement that makes you feel strong, capable, and excited to keep going.
Maddy Johnson // Personal TRAINING
Maddy’s journey into coaching started after her own “retirement” from competitive sports left her searching for purpose and guidance. With no coach to follow, she took matters into her own hands, diving into strength training, health, and wellness so passionately that she changed her college and career path to pursue it full time. Since 2019, Maddy has coached athletes from middle school to college, but discovered her true calling in working one-on-one with everyday people, helping them realize they’re stronger than they think. Her mission is to break down the intimidation barrier around fitness and help people build both physical and mental strength. Maddy believes a strong mindset is just as important as a strong body, and her coaching style is all about turning self-doubt into confidence, one positive rep at a time.
Rob Finlayson // Personal TRAINING
Rob didn’t grow up playing sports—he grew up playing video games and card games, and struggling with low self-esteem and depression. But everything changed in college when he looked to his childhood heroes—Bruce Lee, Batman, and Captain America—for inspiration and took his first steps into fitness through martial arts. What began as a personal transformation turned into a mission: to help others become stronger, more confident, and more in control of their lives. Certified since 2012, Rob brings over a decade of experience coaching clients of all ages, backgrounds, and fitness levels. With a background in martial arts, kettlebell training, and functional movement, his approach is all about building strength that translates to everyday life. Rob’s goal is to create a fun, judgment-free space where people feel empowered to take ownership of their health and become the hero of their own story.
Rowen Bentley-Melle // Personal TRAINING
After years of feeling uncoordinated in team sports, Rowen discovered her confidence through fitness—and it stuck! A well-coached strength program in high school sparked a passion for training and a deep appreciation for personalized, science-based programming. Since 2019, she has coached both group and one-on-one sessions across a wide range of disciplines, including weightlifting, gymnastics, rowing, and energy systems training. Her mission is to help people get stronger, feel more energized, and build a lasting connection to their bodies without falling into the traps of burnout or injury.
Kira Kirchberg // Personal TRAINING
Kira’s fitness journey began in college as a turning point—both physically and mentally. After struggling with weight gain, anxiety, and low self-esteem, she stepped into a gym for the first time and discovered that strength training wasn’t just about changing her body—it was about reclaiming her confidence, focus, and energy. From that moment on, fitness became more than a habit; it became a lifestyle. Since 2013, Kira has taught high-intensity group fitness, coached endurance athletes, and earned certifications in personal training and nutrition. With a background in chemistry education and competitive endurance racing (including a half marathon PR in sub-zero temps!), she brings a science-backed, balanced approach to health and fitness. Kira’s mission is to help clients build a lifestyle they love—where movement is joyful, food is satisfying, and wellness fits into real life.
more than just a workout
From the very beginning, we set out to do more than just get people sweating. So we created a space where everyone feels right at home, welcomed, and comfortable pushing themselves to the next level. A place to sweat out any self-doubt or uncertainty. A place to take back control of your health, one workout at a time.
Every person who walks through our door is treated as an individual—not a number. Personalizing your experience is what allows us to understand your goals and help bridge the gap separating you from them. We’re committed to giving you the highest level of attention and service possible and to helping you feel your absolute best every single day.