About US
Building A Community with health, love and laughter!
Welcome to The Tribal Connection where we are building a community with health, love and laughter. By focusing on community building, we believe health will fall into place with support, love, and education.
We hit the ground running in early December of 2021 with four amazing coaches for adult and young adult fitness classes. Our coaches want to help educate everyone that walks through our doors and help them train for life. We offer classes Monday through Friday, and on Saturday mornings.
Our workouts are a combination of strength, mobility and conditioning. We have group classes and we offer personal training. On Saturdays, we have a class that focuses on cooperation and working out with a partner that is both challenging and fun!
The Tribal Connection also has a half court so kids can do lessons or just come in and shoot around after school, and we also offer a class for kids to lift on Monday evenings. With sports being year-round for our young athletes we think it’s important for them to strength train and learn how to move and lift to protect their bodies. Charles Tillman will be offering football camps for a small group of young adults starting in the spring.
Your first class is free so, come in and we will set you up if you decide this gym is for you. You can schedule your free class at Try a Free Class. Members can schedule classes online at Calendar, which also shows our class schedule. Our membership packages can be found online at Sign Up.
We believe in creating a community to help support each other during good and bad times. There are a lot of gyms to pick from in our area, but what makes our gym different is the support you’ll receive and the love you’ll feel before, during and after workouts. We train for life together at the Tribal Connection.
Meet the team
Donna Levy
Energetic certified fitness and personal trainer with a strong background in athletic strength coaching, speed agility quickness and explosive training. Highly motivated to help others reach their health and fitness goals. Promotes activities and coping methods that transform unhealthy habits and fuel healthy minds and bodies.
Jesse Bahrke
Jesse has been in the fitness field for over 10 years, and has experience in a range of populations, from high-end athletic performance, to geriatric rehab. He is certified in CrossFit, NASM, USAW, RKC, and FMS. He graduated from University of Illinois with a bachelors in philosophy, and is currently a second-year student in a clinical psychology program at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine. His research interests include understanding the intersection of language and perception, as well as the role of technology in implementing emotional education for those with autism spectrum disorder. In his free time, Jesse enjoys working out, yoga, and mountain biking.
Terry Urban
Terri is a lifetime athlete with a desire to educate and lead others toward a thriving, healthy lifestyle. She is a previous gym owner and has been coaching for over ten years.
She loves weight training, running, participating in team events, and yoga. Terri’s biggest passion is developing a supportive “family” within a gym that offers a safe, comfortable, and challenging environment for its members.
Credentials:
CrossFit L1
CrossFit L2
AFPA Nutrition and Wellness Consultant
AFPA Personal Trainer
CPR/AED Certified
FMT Certified
Masters Athlete
BS Education
Dimple Sy
Dimple has over 20 years of professional experience working in the rehabilitation and fitness field. She has an “East meets West” approach towards wellness, incorporating breath and mindfulness as integral foundations for optimal physical conditioning.
She is certified through NASM, AFAA, and Crossfit, and has additionally worked with various age group populations as a PT Assistant, Corrective Exercise Specialist, Endurance Coach, Kickboxing Instructor, and Metabolics Specialist. Her background as a JFB Myofascial Release Therapist and Biochemistry major allows her to assess clients’ goals and guide them through injury prevention, pre- and post-surgery rehabilitation, and driving past plateaus and self-imposed limits through knowledge and education. She loves coaching classes because it gives her the opportunity to help instill proper functional movement standards and help individuals gain confidence as they grow.
Dimple is also very passionate about her therapeutic work. She has dedicated herself to helping ease pains and struggles through MFR and Reiki healing. She is an ICRT Professional Member as a Reiki Master/Teacher in the lineages of Usui Tibetan, Holy Fire III Karuna and Animal Reiki. She utilizes crystal grids, sound medicine, water therapy, and intention setting to help with mind-body-soul integration as guided. Text or call to schedule (310) 351-0258.
Annemarie Sampson
Serving the Chicagoland fitness community for 38 years. Manager of The Chicago Sweat Shop, one of Chicago's first aerobic studios, started my love for group exercise before opening my own gym Second Wind. 35 years later I am coaching High School cross country and spending my days educating on environmental and digital wellness.
Environmental wellness stems from pleasant and stimulating environments that support well being. It promotes interaction with the planet and also with our personal, home and work communities. I truly hope that you are open to the conversation.
Digital wellness provides leaders and change makers with tools and resources to foster a more positive digital culture. Digital wellness is a new and ever developing niche in personal, corporate and student well being, it is an exciting time to be a part of the discussion.
Credentials:
Digital Wellness Certificate – Digital Wellness Inst
Certified Youth Mental Health First Aid- National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Certified Coach - Human Kinetics; The Science of Sport
First Aid Certified – Human Kinetics; The Science of Sport
Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Yoga Instructor – IDEA (International Dance and Exercise Association)
Bachelor’s Degree – RHI, Purdue University
Erika Bitto
Owner of Loosey Goosey Sports Massage and Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT).
Erika has been practicing sports massage therapy for over 10 years in the Northshore/Chicagoland area. She works closely with current and former Chicago Bears players along with Olympic competitors and other athletes from the NFL, MLB, and NCAA. A mother of two young sons, Erika is very much dedicated to creating and treating clients in an absolutely transparent, safe, and sanitary space.
Born and raised in Northern California, Erika was a High School Water Polo player and Swimmer who went on to compete at the collegiate level in Handball at Lake Forest College, earning All-American three times and winning a National Doubles Championship her senior year. Erika is very much familiar with injuries and how each sport places different demands on the body. No matter how obscure or mainstream the sport may be, Erika commits herself to getting to the root of the problem and treating the issue so that we can all return to the activities we love.
Please reach out to Erika personally at (847) 971-4199 to book an appointment, or learn more about her practice by visiting looseygooseymassagetherapy.com
Stan Stewart
Owner of True Ball Nation.
Specializes in footwork, ball handling, and shooting. Covers everything from pace changes, to rhythm work, and much more. Text or call to schedule (630) 461-7955.
Credentials:
Former assistant coach at East-West University
Former head JV coach at Lakeview HS
Founder of True Ball Nation - basketball skills training
Has coached travel basketball for over 15 years and training for almost 20 years