Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawn Sherman.
Shawn, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
*Graduated from Penn State (1995).
*Opened a personal training studio, Peak Performance, in Western Springs (1998).
*Worked as a biomechanics consultant with the Chicago Cubs (2004-2009).
*Began developing a motor control restoration system that is now called SQUARE 1 (2008).
*Started teaching other rehab and fitness industry pros SQUARE 1 (2012).
*Changed the name of my personal training studio to The Original BareBones Project (2017).
*Preparing to launch an online education course (SQUARE 1 prerequisite) this Dec.
Has it been a smooth road?
Being in the fitness industry tends to be a difficult road financially. During my first 15 years as a business owner, in order to pay the rent, utilities and other associated business expenses, I was conducting 55-58 personal training sessions each week. When you factor in an hour break here and there, it required me to be in the studio for very long days. I’d put in 15-17 hour days every Monday through Thursday. Fridays would be 7-10 hours and on Saturdays I’d be in the studio for 3-6 hours. You’re talking 75-85 hours each week for ~15 years.
Since developing SQUARE 1, I’ve been able to attract a whole new type of client (those who seek pain-relief) from when I was just a personal trainer. Rates for my services have slowly but surely increased over the years. Also the SQUARE 1 teaching component has created a second revenue stream for me. Though I still have a non-traditional work schedule, it’s a little more sane now (~10 hour days Mon-Thu; off most Fridays-Sundays). I now typically conduct 20-25 SQUARE 1/personal training sessions each week.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with SQUARE 1 – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I own The Original BareBones Project. It is a personal training studio in Western Springs. SQUARE 1 is what sets us apart from every other fitness studio. SQUARE 1 is a unique and systematic approach to identifying precisely why an individual compensates with their movement. Compensation will often lead to pain, injury, and athletic performance declines. Using SQUARE 1, we regularly take people out of pain who have not had success with traditional approaches. We’ve seen amazing results for clients with the following conditions: bulging and herniated discs, chronic back pain, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, scoliosis, labrum tears, hamstring tears, severe ankle sprains, strokes, Bell’s Palsy, tendonitis, bursitis, osteo-arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
In addition to being a practitioner of SQUARE 1, I also teach my system to other industry pros. To date, I’ve trained over 100 students.
In late 2017, SQUARE 1 is officially becoming its own separate company and we will be launching a newly revamped education program featuring an online course that will serve as a prerequisite for our live workshops. We intend to increase our exposure both locally and nationally primarily through an online marketing campaign.
So many pain-sufferers are not helped with traditional approaches. They need the help that SQUARE 1 is uniquely capable of providing. The best way to help a large number of people is to teach this revolutionary approach to other industry pros. We are excited about our plans to reach and teach top level industry pros the necessary skills to transform many lives through SQUARE 1.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
The 3 things that I like best about Chicagoland are the people (Midwest work ethic), the food (diverse, delicious, affordable, big portions) and it’s where I met my beautiful wife and where we started our family.
I grew up in Central Pennsylvania and I miss the mountains, the trees, and the picturesque trout streams of that area. Chicago is flat, with few trees, and no trout streams – those would be my negatives of living near Chicago. Plus the traffic jams out here are just soul-crushing.
Pricing:
- Clients can hire me for SQUARE 1/personal training for $190/session; $350/3 sessions; $850/10 sessions. The 3 session package is popular for those who are seeking pain relief.
- SQUARE 1 Education Module I: Online Prerequisite Course (Dec. 1 release), $50.
- SQUARE 1 Education Module II: 2-day Skills Workshop. $1100.
- SQUARE 1 Education Module III: 2-day Certification Workshop. $550.
Contact Info:
- Address: 821 West Burlington Avenue
Western Springs, IL 60558 - Website: www.square1system.com
- Phone: 708.261.8458
- Email: shawn@square1system.com
- Instagram: @square1system
- Facebook: Square1
- Twitter: @square1system
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
