Meet the Ohio Strength – Home of CrossFit Italian Village team

At Ohio Strength – Home of CrossFit Italian Village in Columbus, OH, we are dedicated to creating a fitness community where everyone can thrive. Our gym combines expert coaching, cutting-edge facilities, and a supportive environment to help you reach your fitness goals. Discover a place where your fitness journey is guided by passion and professionalism.

Our Coaches

Our coaches at Ohio Strength – Home of CrossFit Italian Village in Columbus, OH, are more than just trainers; they are passionate professionals committed to your success. Each member of our team brings a wealth of experience and a personalized approach to help you achieve your fitness objectives. With diverse specialties ranging from strength training to wellness, our coaches are here to support and inspire you every step of the way.

Ryan McFadyen

Owner

Growing up, Ryan participated in many sports-gymnastics, soccer, baseball, football, basketball, wrestling, rowing, and track. He focused on football and track in high school. Then he rowed crew at The Ohio State University. During his undergrad studies, he was also proud to be a part of the three-man team that won the 2008 American College of Sports Medicine Exercise Physiology Quiz Bowl. After college graduation, Ryan was looking for something to fill the void that collegiate sports left behind. He was drawn to the competitive, yet supportive, team-like environment found in the CrossFit gym. He fell in love with the culture and decided to dedicate his life to helping people of all ages and backgrounds find a fun and sustainable way to improve their health & fitness via proven methods of fitness, nutrition and lifestyle optimization . “The discovery of CrossFit brought my passion, experience, and education together into what is now Ohio Strength.” “Ohio Strength has been helping clients for over 10 years-we’ve had the opportunity to really figure out who we want to be as coaches and as a gym community. We’ve learned that life is so much bigger than simply being competitive in CrossFit. We’ve seen marriages, births, job changes, and dealt with the loss of loved ones together as a fitness community. We support each other to lead productive and healthy lives through the coaching of balanced and active lifestyles that include great nutrition, fun and effective workouts, and sustainable habits outside of the gym, as well. When someone joins Ohio Strength, we want them to be a member for life, and we keep that in mind every day as we strive to foster deep and meaningful relationships, deliver incredible fitness results and focus on continuous improvement of our offerings. I sincerely hope that we have the opportunity to meet with you to help you navigate your own fitness journey for years to come!” When Ryan is not working or working out at Ohio Strength, he mentors other gym owners all over the world as a certified business coach and mentor for Two Brain Business, helps people buy and sell real estate in Central Ohio as a licensed realtor, and invests in his own short-term and long-term rental properties. He enjoys spending his free time relaxing, adventuring, traveling, eating and reading with his loving wife Lacey, his twin sons Maverick & Cooper and his rescue pitbulls Murph & Grace.

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS:

Bachelor of Science in Education: Exercise Science Education, Nutrition minor
Master of Business Administration
Two Brain Business Certified Business Coach & Mentor
CrossFit Level 1, 2, 3 (CCFT), Judges Course, Scaling Course, Athlete Centered Mental Health Seminar
The Gymnastic Course Level 1 Trainer Certification
USA Weightlifting Level 1 Sports Performance Coach
Sports Nutritionist, ISSN (International Society of Sports Nutrition)
Licensed Massage Therapist
RYT 200 (Registered Yoga Teacher)
Prokreate – Pre and Postnatal Strength Seminar
Red Cross CPR and AED.

Nicholas Hagerman

Coach

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS:

Bachelor of Emergency Management and Homeland Security
CrossFit Level 1 & 2
USA Weightlifting Level 1 Coach
The Gymnastic Course Level 1 Trainer Certification
CPR & AED

Nicholas has had a lifelong passion for physical fitness and helping people in all stages of their lives. He grew up playing Ice Hockey and Soccer, which would continue to be his passions as he got older. Nicholas played soccer at Columbus State, and would eventually dedicate most of his time to Hockey as he progressed through his early 20’s.

HIs passion for helping people would lead him to a career as an Army Medic in which he proudly served from 2011 – 2019 before being Medically Separated as a Staff Sergeant with a diagnosis of Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). While serving, Nicholas was a starting defenseman for the U.S. Army Alaska hockey team for 5 years, beating the Air Force 3 times for the Commanders Cup.

Nicholas graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 2019 with a Bachelor of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Also in 2019, he accepted a job in Columbus and entered the business world in sales following his separation. Realizing something was still missing and battling with Mental Health struggles of readjusting to the civilian world, he reached out to an old friend who introduced him to the local Adult Hockey League where Nicholas has been playing since late 2019 and attributes that moment as a healing point. Some of his greatest friends have been made through that community and those connections have helped him and his partner tremendously in their lives.

After seeing the power of years of training weightlifting and powerlifting to help with his Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), Nicholas decided that he wanted to begin coaching other people on healthy lifestyles and fitness. He and his partner are married, residing in Columbus with two dogs and a cat!

Lindsay Romaniw

Coach

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS:

Bachelors Degree
CrossFit Level 1
Red Cross CPR and AED

Lindsay has been a dedicated member of Ohio Strength since February 2016. After one drop in class she knew this was the fitness program for her. Her favorite thing about CrossFit is that everyone gets to do their own version of “hard” and everyone always has something to work on. It’s less about comparing yourself to others and more about being the best athlete YOU can be (although a little friendly competition is fun, too). Prior to CrossFit, Lindsay was an avid runner and has raced 4 half marathons and more 5ks than she can count. Despite major life changes and mental health struggles over the last six years, Lindsay has found consistency and community at Ohio Strength. She is excited to bring her years of experience and passion for CrossFit to members and to help them achieve their goals!

Deana Ruggeri

Coach

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS:

Master of Science in Exercise Science
Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science
CrossFit Level 1
CPR / AED

Fitness is more than a passion for me—it’s a way of life. From high school sports to college and grad school where I focused on 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons, and triathlons, I’ve always been driven to push my limits. But it was through CrossFit that I discovered a new dimension of movement and competition.

My CrossFit journey began when my best friend introduced me as her “bring a buddy.” As someone who considered myself fit, I was shocked to get my butt kicked during that first session. This experience ignited a fire in me. I soon joined a local gym, captivated by the vibrant energy, supportive community, and the challenge of overcoming tough workouts.
I thrive on the control and empowerment that comes from conquering the hardest parts of my day through CrossFit. My goal as a coach is to help others discover their own strength and resilience, proving that CrossFit is for every body and everybody.

Marco Leung

Coach

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS:

PhD in Cancer Genetics
CrossFit Level 1
CPR / AED

Marco began his journey in sports while completing his fellowship in Chicago, where he was introduced to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (submission wrestling). He continued to train and compete in tournaments after relocating to Philadelphia. In the spring of 2020, Marco moved to Columbus, where he transitioned to high-intensity functional training and eventually discovered CrossFit. In 2022, he joined OhioStrength, where he began focusing on Olympic lifting and gymnastic movements. Marco earned his PhD in cancer genetics in Texas in 2016. He currently works as a university professor and a geneticist at the hospital.

Jessica Lewis

Coach

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS:

BA Interpersonal and Organizational Communications
CrossFit Level 1
CPR / AED

I started CrossFit back in 2014, and even though I’ve tried plenty of other workout programs, I always find my way back here — for the programming, yes, but mostly for the community. I never grew up thinking of myself as an athlete, and I’m the first person in my family to truly prioritize health and wellness.

For me, fitness has always been about mental health first. Getting strong is just a really great bonus. When I’m at the gym, you can expect loud cheering, some questionable dance moves, and playlists that go harder than they need to. I don’t take myself or my fitness too seriously,

My philosophy is simple: fitness is for everyone. It looks different on every body and in every season of life. Balance matters, and showing up for yourself deserves celebration.

I’m here to help you find your strong — whatever that looks like today.

Zach Miller

Coach

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS:

Juris Doctor
Bachelor of Arts
CrossFit Level 1
First Aid, CPR & AED Certified

Zach began his CrossFit journey in 2018, initially seeking stress relief from the rigors of law school. He quickly fell in love with the variability and diverse daily programming, as well as the strong community that CrossFit naturally facilitates.

As an attorney with a full-time desk job, Zach understands the challenges of balancing a sedentary career with staying active and healthy. He decided to step into a coaching role because he loves how CrossFit enables athletes to achieve a broad range of applicable fitness for everyday life by training just an hour a day. His goal is to help clients find accessible, productive means to achieve their own health and fitness goals, no matter how busy their schedules are.

Having experienced major sports injuries himself, including full knee reconstructions from his high school football days, Zach understands the recovery process and long-term management of past injuries. He is passionate about helping clients safely navigate past and present injuries while maintaining an active lifestyle.

Taya Baker

Coach

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS:

BS Nursing
CrossFit Level 1
CPR / AED

Before joining Ohio Strength in December 2024, Taya had no experience with strength training or CrossFit. Looking for a way to stay healthy while balancing nursing school, she decided to give it a try and quickly fell in love with the welcoming community, challenging workouts, and the confidence that came from learning something completely new.

Now, stepping into her role as a coach, Taya is excited to help others take that same first step. She believes CrossFit is for everyone because every workout can be adapted to meet you where you are. Her goal is to help each athlete leave class feeling a little stronger, more confident, and 1% better than when they walked in.

Whether it’s your very first class or you’ve been doing CrossFit for years, Taya hopes you’ll leave knowing you’re capable of more than you think.”

Favorite Movement: Front squat

Fun Fact: I am learning to play the violin!

Nik

Schickram

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS:

CrossFit Level 1 & 2
CPR / AED

Unique Features and Facilities

Ohio Strength offers a convenient location, world class strength and conditioning equipment, 16,000 square feet of space, free parking, showers, giant fans, the best group fitness and CrossFit classes in Columbus, OH with top notch coaches and personal trainers to help you achieve your goals fast!

Top-Notch Fitness Equipment

At Ohio Strength, we pride ourselves on providing top-of-the-line equipment to ensure our clients achieve their fitness goals. Our facility is equipped with Rogue barbells, Concept2 rowers, bike ergs and ski ergs and Rogue Echo Bikes to enhance your CrossFit training experience. We also offer a variety of kettlebells, dumbbells, medicine balls, plyometric boxes and even the cable and other style machines that many CrossFit gyms do not have for comprehensive functional fitness workouts, and pride ourselves in being one of the few fitness facilities in the area with CrossFit Quarter-Finals standard 15 ft ropes. With our extensive range of equipment, Ohio Strength is committed to helping you become healthier, stronger, faster, more agile, and more confident.

Submit your contact info & our team will be in touch!

Take the first step towards a healthier lifestyle with a consult session at Ohio Strength – Home of CrossFit Italian Village in Columbus, OH! Our team will provide a personalized tour of our facilities, introduce you to our services, and help you start your fitness journey. Schedule your session now and experience firsthand how Ohio Strength – Home of CrossFit Italian Village can support your goals.