It’s one of our primary objectives to ensure that from the moment you walk in the door at Suffer City, we are the BEST part of your day. Our Team of professional administrators, trainers, and coaches work relentlessly to provide service at a curiously high level. If we’re not one step ahead of your next need then let any one of us know right away. We are here to serve!
MEET THE SUFFERCITY GILBERT AZ TEAM
Meet Our Admin Team
Grace Koskela
Our resident ray of sunshine, Grace, is always on hand to address your needs with a bright smile and good joke. A proud St. Scholastica graduate and reigning from Minnesota, her love for family, friends, and improving her golf swing is rivaled only by her struggle with her shopping addiction.
Taylor Dykstra
Taylor's infectious energy can make even Mondays exciting. She's not just a long-time Suffer City member, but also a U of A senior (come fall) and our resident fashionista and talented tap dancer with the world-renowned 'Tap'd Out' dance team. When not swiping her parents credit card at the nearest department store, she’s a prominent leader in her sorority, Delta Gamma.
Meet Our Training Team
Marcus Neal
Marcus's groove-driven classes will make you sweat and smile. Recently placing 3rd in the 2023 Cactus CrossFit Games, he juggles his coaching duties with being an inspiring dad to his three kids and devoted leader of his faith community.
Joey Arella
Joey's classes are as uplifting, thorough, and hyper-energized. Her coaching prowess is backed by her kinesiology degree from Cal State-East Bay and nearly a decade of fitness coaching experience armored by certifications in personal training, nutrition, TRX specialization, and physique development. She’s also a professional investigative cinema observer of many a docuseries.
Steven "Coach Fig" Figueroa
Energy, detail, and…more energy defines our Marine vet Steven’s coaching style. He recently won his division in the USPA Lumberjack Open weightlifting competition, his comic book collection boasts over 200 in number, and don’t be surprised when you meet his alter ego, the Punisher.
Brian Butson
Brian, co-founder of Suffer City, has a long history of being an athlete as well as a Coach. He's Crossfit Level I & II certified while regularly competing in Crossfit competitions as well as other endurance events like Ragnar (2022 Ultra Team Champion), Spartan, and Hyrox. He's a father of three young daughters and husband to his favorite training buddy, Jen; and when not coaching athletes to greatness, Brian can be found staring deeply into the mirror reminding himself how handsome he is.
Jason France
Jason, our co-founder, is the mastermind behind our uniquely gamified training program. Ten-year veteran of Marine Special Operations (Raider), Jason holds numerous certifications in fitness applications, martial arts instruction, and neurolinguistic programming (NLP). Today Jason applies his fitness toward endurance fitness races like Ragnar (2022 Ultra Team Champion) and Hyrox (3rd Place Pro 40-44). Along with being a full-time trainer and gym owner, Jason is an expert-level conspiracy theorist.
Courtney Howden - Nutritionist
Courtney, our certified nutrition disciplinarian, has a constructed a thorough and effective nutrition program. She’s a certified nutritionist and, above all, walks the walk of the discipline and accountability she teaches her clients. When not robbing people of the joy of poor nutrition, she's juggling her duties as a supermom to two boys and even spotlighted as a soccer coach, with absolutely zero soccer experience.
Testimonials
“I'd tried other workout programs and thought I was doing the work, which was frustrating because I wasn't seeing the results. This place has transformed what it means to get fit and I finally see the results I've always wanted.”
Jen H.
MEMBER SINCE 2019
“I was averse to the "group" thing; but this place and these team training sessions have changed everything I've thought about getting fit. I don't know if I could ever go back to 'working out' after training at Suffer City."
Matt R
DRUMMER (DED)
“I thought I needed the right diet and the secret of the super fit; it turns out I needed a Community to hold me accountable and a Team of knowledgeable trainers dedicated to making my training experience the best experience possible.”
Sharon B
TEACHER, GILBERT