Dr. Joe Piwoszkin, Owner and Coach

After 20 years of varied fitness experiences and 7 years treating patients in search of an active lifestyle, I realized my calling was to open a gym. My patients wanted to be ACTIVE and it was my job to get them there. I loved being active too; teaching my patients how to stretch, how to strengthen, and how to do things correctly so they could reach their goals safely and STAY ACTIVE for a LIFETIME. Knowledge and personal experience made me successful in treating my patients. Name a workout injury, and I've probably had it. Through years of education and personal growth, I've learned how to correct and prevent injuries from happening again.

For a little over a decade, my wife and I moved around the Midwest (Chicago, Cincinnati, and returning to Fort Wayne). During that time, I was a member of well over a dozen gyms - big box and smaller, privately owned gyms. I took what I believed to be the best parts of every gym experience and each fitness style... and created PLUS ULTRA.

What is Plus Ultra? Is it powerlifting? Weight lifting? Strong Man? CrossFit? Bodybuilding? High intensity interval training? Endurance training? Personal training? Physical therapy?

Yes. And no. It is all of those things and none of those things entirely.

Plus Ultra is a mash-up of concepts with one thing at its core: EVERYONE is challenged at their current level of fitness and ANYONE can achieve their goals. We are training for life, and life is unpredictable. You might not know what to expect when you walk through our doors, but you can EXPECT a purposeful workout that is safe and FUN. I won't waste your time and you will get RESULTS!

When you spend time at our gym, you will get to know my wife (Lisa Marie), our 2 boys (Lucas & Jory), and occasionally our dog (Rukia). Family is what drives me to succeed and to be a role model for my children and my community. Each member of Plus Ultra is now a part of that community, and I will continue to push you to CRUSH GOALS & HAVE FUN. 

Coach Angela Zabavski

Angela’s passion for fitness shines not only in her personal accomplishments, but also in her dedication to our clients. She has a wealth of knowledge on safe and ideal movement and has done an excellent job keeping our members healthy and getting them in the best shape of their lives. Here’s what she wants you to know:

“I have my bachelors degree in nuclear medicine technology from the IU school of medicine. I work as a nuclear medicine technologist at PET fusion imaging. I’m an avid lover of dogs & fitness! Having played sports my whole life, I found a love for working out in 2017 and never looked back. I’m passionate about helping others achieve their lifestyle and fitness goals while further enhancing my own knowledge to be a better resource for members throughout their journey!” 

Angela has been working with us since before we opened in order to complete her training at Plus Ultra. We are so happy to have her.

Manager Erika Ashe

Erika spent 20 years in the field of social work fostering an environment of change and self improvement for clients and staff.  "Empowering people to achieve their goals was part of the job and I love that I still get to do that at Plus Ultra, but in a different way!"  Watching the members skills and confidence grow is by far her favorite part of the job.

In 2021, Erika obtained a certification with Precision Nutrition to better understand the impact of nutrition on overall health/fitness and helps lead the Plus Ultra Nutrition Groups.  When not at the gym, Erika can most likely be found on the sidelines of her boys sporting events!  

Coach Ian Hunter

Ian has been at PU for almost a year and has shown amazing dedication in both his personal work ethic and dedication to our community. Here is what he wants you to know:

Ian has been working in the fitness industry for almost 15 years. After experiencing many different styles of training and a variety of gym environments, he’s found a home with the Plus Ultra community. 

Whether during the day in his role as an assistant principal for a local public elementary school or during the evenings and weekends with the Plus Ultra team, he is committed to helping others achieve their goals and become their best selves. 

When not helping others, he spends his time reading, gardening, learning, and hanging with family and friends. Ian earned his bachelor’s degree in Education and his master’s degree in Leadership.

Coach Sally Krouse

I have been in love with health and fitness for as long as I can remember, so it felt natural and logical to obtain my BS in Exercise Science with a minor in nutrition.  I have coached club swimming at various teams in Ft. Wayne for the last 25 years and in that found a passion for coaching. I love it when I can find the “thing” that motivates a member and then help and guide them by using that motivation. When all else fails I just cheer REALLY LOUD.   I love that I get to learn and grow not only as a member but also as a coach. When not at the gym, I am likely cheering on one of my amazing 3 kiddos at one of their events.

Coach Hristina Todorinova

My fitness journey started out with home workouts, trail runs, and replicating online fitness influencer’s workouts at the local gyms. As I got stronger, I wanted to see how far I could push myself, so in 2019 I ran a marathon! 

In 2021, I was introduced to Plus Ultra by my best friend. Plus Ultra gave me an environment where I could start lifting weights I was too scared to previously lift on my own. Now I have coaches and friends who help me accomplish my goals safely, and I’m ready to share everything I’ve learned.

Plus Ultra gave me a community of people who are motivated to better themselves, and while we each have different personal fitness goals, we all cheer each other on and have great workouts! I am excited to continue learning and growing with these amazing people!

Coach Justin Schwartz

My introduction to fitness was not the usual story that you hear from coaches in this industry.  In 2013, I visited a gym with my cousin, where I learned I couldn’t do a single push-up. As a male that was embarrassing. This sparked my passion for fitness. My hunger to push myself further physically and mentally over the past 10 years is more than that 17 year old ever thought possible. I’ve finally got the push-ups down, ran a couple of races, competed on gym floors and and coached some sports, as well. I strive to help others to become their best physical and metal selves, as I continue to do the same. 

Although the gym is a big aspect of my life, I play in a few different sporting leagues. I enjoy filling my evenings with visiting Fort Wayne's restaurants/breweries and listening to live music of all sorts with friends and family.  
 
My favorite quote is “All work and no play equals jack… And a lot of it.”  So let's take a shot, get to work, and have some fun crushing goals! 💪🏽💥 

Coach Abby Farlow

I was first introduced to weight lifting in high school through track conditioning. After that, I did some sort of strength and conditioning all through my high school career. During my senior year, I competed in a weight lifting completion. I placed first in the individual senior girls division, and my team placed overall first.

I joined Plus Ultra after my son, Wolfgang, was born in 2021. It soon reminded me how much I loved and enjoyed the sport, and I was eager to get back to it.

Professional I'm a designer at KDA Furniture & Interiors, focusing on commercial interior design. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design from Purdue University, West Lafayette. Outside of the gym, I enjoy spending time with my husband Ryan and our two sons, Wolfgang and Bronson.