Book Lessons with Coach Kai
Life is the performance - so train for your life.
I am a Strength & Conditioning Coach and Mental Skills Coach who specializes in helping a wide range of clients learn to deal with adversity. There are inevitable ups and downs that come with any walk of life, and the exploration of what these adversities mean is paramount to the ability to evolve and move forward. I offer both physical and mental training!
Trains in Chicago & virtually
Works with all age groups
Basketball, Strength and speed, Track and field
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Get to know Coach Kai
About Me:
Originally from Bloomington, IL, I completed my Bachelor's from Butler University and then obtained a Master's from the University of Illinois-Chicago. I've had the privilege of traveling the world and learning immensely about myself through the ups and downs life brings. When there is adversity, the only way to manage it is to go through it with a routine of consistency, both mentally and physically.
How I can help you improve your game:
I will improve your game by mastering the art of preparing, performing, and reflecting. Physical practice is important, yes, but mental practice for any performance is just as important. The mind is a powerful thing, and the more routine you build up mentally, the sharper your physical output will be. Some people focus solely on the performance, while the people I work with focus on a holistic approach that emphasizes what happens before and after a performance.
What a typical training session looks like with me:
A typical training mental skills session will start with a check-in about how the week is going/what your upcoming performance is. Then, we will set an intention for what you want to get out of the session. From there, we will establish a way to work backwards from whatever the intention was, and then utilize one or several different mental exercises most relevant to you. For instance, if you are a track and field athlete and you are experiencing a lack of focus during your main event of high jump, we will dive deep into visualization for what your environment looks like on meet day, and develop cues that are assigned to certain physical thresholds for what you need to do to prepare to perform.
A typical physical training session will include a check-in, a warm-up, movement prep, then some plyometric/change-of-direction/agility movements, then 6-8 traditional strength movements, plus a finisher to end the workout strong.
Career summary and accomplishments:
I survived cardiac arrest at 16 years old, became a student manager/graduate assistant/scout team player with Butler University Men's Basketball, worked as a Physical Training Coach with the UIC ROTC Battalion, obtained my undergraduate degree in 3 years, led 4 summer basketball camps with over 30 participants each year, obtained my Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist certification during my graduate studies, interned in the Sports Performance department at Northwestern University, worked as a D1 Sports Performance Coach at the University of Evansville, and work as a private sector Sports Performance Coach/Personal Trainer in Chicago with pro, college, high school and youth athletes.
Best coach I ever had:
Thad Matta
What athletes and parents should know about me:
I firsthand understand the power and impact that sports have on people, and I am relentless when it comes to crafting an experience within the world of athletics/recreation that benefits the client at all costs. I am personable, down-to-earth, and am honored to have the past that I have had to craft a future of service.
Weekly Availability
Monday
11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Tuesday
11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Wednesday
11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Thursday
11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Friday
11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Saturday
Unavailable
Sunday
Unavailable
This is only general availability - more times may be available when booking!
Intro Lesson Offer
$116
$155
Then $496/mo for 4 lessons. Subscription starts 48 hrs after your trial. Cancel Anytime.
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How it works
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I contact a coach?
If you’re looking to message a coach for the first time, go to their profile and click “Send a Message”. A type box will show, where you can enter and send your message. To follow up with a coach you've already contacted, log into your account and find the 'Inbox' tab. You'll see your message history and be able to send another note.
How do I book lessons?
Once you find a coach that fits your needs, go to their profile, select the package you'd like to purchase, and click 'Book Lessons'. Here, you can reserve your desired number of lessons along with the number of athletes who will be training. After sessions are booked, coordinate the dates/times for each session on your calendar - using the calendar is important since this is how your coach will get paid.
Can I pay my coach via Venmo or cash?
Paying AU coaches via cash, Venmo, or any 3rd party is strictly prohibited. AU coaches know this, but their partnership with us is to split all bookings 80/20 - so coaches keep 80%. We use our 20% to help them find clients & manage their business. Without the split, we wouldn't be able to help our coaches & community thrive!
What if I don't feel comfortable paying online?
We integrate with Stripe - the largest & most secure payment processor in the US - to facilitate bookings. Paying online is required, and it simplifies the process for our coaches since it helps track their schedule & earnings in one place. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our support team.
Where will the coach hold their lessons?
Each coach typically has at least one preferred training location. You can see the location(s) by going to your coach's profile and finding the 'Training Locations' section. If a coach doesn't have locations listed here, you can message the coach to see where they train. Some coaches are willing to travel to clients for lessons, or even meet halfway.
When is the coach available to train?
Each coach sets their own schedule for training. You can see a coach's general availability by going to their profile and finding the 'Availability' section - it will list the days and times. If a coach doesn't post their availability, or if your preferred coach doesn't have your desired times available but you want to double check, message them to see if they can work with your schedule.
How do rescheduling, cancellations, and lesson credits work?
Good Fit Guarantee — If your first lesson isn't the right fit, we'll move your lesson credit to a new coach. No hassle.
Easy rescheduling — Cancel or reschedule up to 4 hours before a lesson, no questions asked.
Coach no-shows — You'll be fully credited and we'll help you find a replacement.
Flexible credits — Unused lessons last 12 months and can be used with any coach on the platform.
Questions? Our team is here to help. View our policies.
Do coaches work with both kids & adults?
Our coaches are open to helping athletes of any age and skill level. Please message your desired coach to ensure their skillset fits your needs.
Why should I trust AU and their coaches over other platforms?
AU was created by former college and pro athletes. We understand the benefits of training with a private coach. It develops discipline, boosts confidence, and provides an undeniable advantage - whether you are just learning the game or looking to earn a college scholarship. All AU coaches are required to pass a thorough onboarding process + background check, so you can trust you're training with the best.
At the end of the day, our mission is to provide athletes with better opportunities to succeed through coaching. You won't find a platform, and group of dedicated specialists, more excited to help you achieve your athletic goals!