PENNSYLVANIA LOCATIONS
LOCATIONS
Our Crew
Chris Russell
Chris is the Founder and CEO of Fitness 4 Focus. After college Chris returned to Central Pennsylvania where he began to work for a local agency as a Therapeutic Staff Support (TSS) from 2003-2012. His primary role as a TSS was to provide intervention strategies in order to assist students in developing daily living, social and cultural skills.
In 2005, while playing catch during recess with a client named Tommy, Chris took notice that Tommy had deficits in areas that many take for granted. Due to Chris' background in physical education and athletics, he immediately began to help Tommy improve in the areas of physical endurance, strength and coordination. In that moment, an idea was born. Chris began to envision a place where individuals with intellectual and developmental delays like Tommy could participate in meaningful physical activity. A place where given the right kind of training they could become physically and mentally stronger, gain more independence, and as a result become happier and healthier. Chris’s new found passion combined with his knowledge and experience led to the creation and now continued success of Fitness 4 Focus.
Ashley Russell
Ashley graduated from HACC Lancaster with an Associates Degree in Nursing in 2011. She began her nursing career at Good Samaritan Hospital in the Emergency Department. In 2015, she started at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Emergency Department. In 2018, she graduated from Western Governors University with her Bachelors of Science in Nursing. Ashley went on to work in the Peri-Anesthesia department in 2020. She was an integrated council member, established the Peri-Anesthesia Mentor Program and was awarded the 2022 Penn State Nursing Leadership Award. Ashley is married to owner of F4F, Chris, with two children, and lifeshare provider to Tommy. In her spare time, she enjoys visiting national parks, taking pictures and spending quality time with family and friends. Ashley is excited to assist with various F4F roles including Fitness Coach and Director of Central PA. “I am passionate to help others meet their health and fitness goals. I see many preventable health conditions in the healthcare field. One of the best tools to prevent these conditions is physical activity and good nutrition! I have seen that with guidance and persistence, nothing is impossible. The stories we hear of how F4F is impacting the social, mental and physical health of our athletes is inspiring. We are here to help athletes redefine their limits and enable them to feel more empowered and confident in their capabilities.”
Coach Erica - Hershey
Erica was born and raised in Palmyra, PA where she was involved in field hockey, swimming and soccer. She studied Kinesiology at Penn State University where she was a member of the Field Hockey Team, and also coached special olympics swimming. After graduation, Erica became a Certified Personal Trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine. She worked 12 years as a Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor at Masonic Village where she enjoyed the opportunity to work with members from the Adult Day Care and the Bleiler Caring Cottage group Home. She has been a youth field hockey coach for 6 years.
Erica is married to Jason, with 3 children.
Coach Nick - Mechanicsburg
Nick joined the F4F team in Mechanicsburg last year and has had an amazing time getting to know all the athletes and seeing the incredible things they are all capable of. Physical fitness has always played an important role in his life. He has coached wrestling and worked with programs like Top Soccer in the past, coaching individuals with a wide range of personalities and needs. These days, he enjoys spending his free time outside or in the weight room. If the weather permits, you might find him running a local trail with his dog Zora or paddling down the Susquehanna on his kayak. "I've always found that physical activity has been one of the things that helps ground me every day. I know the structure and confidence that exercise can provide for someone and I'm glad I can help share that experience with all the amazing athletes at F4F".
Coach Kellan - Hershey
Kellan, originally from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, began training at Fitness 4 Focus in the summer of 2024. Throughout his life, he has gained experience working with individuals with special needs, inspired by his remarkable brother Oliver, who is also an athlete at F4F. Kellan attended Lancaster Catholic High School and later played college football at St. Lawrence University for a year. “Working at this exceptional gym feels like my true calling”, where he can contribute to something larger than himself. He eagerly anticipates continuing to train F4F athletes and witnessing the progress of each individual at Fitness 4 Focus.
