DIRECTOR OF COACH DEVELOPMENT | COACH
RYANN BURKE
she/her
Coaching Experience: 8 years
I love helping the everyday athlete from endurance athletes to strength athletes to martial arts athletes learn to thrive in their sport while still balancing a healthy home, work and social life. I teach my clients that food can be fuel but also culture, celebration, social and for pure enjoyment. My favorite part of coaching is watching my clients accomplish hard things while still living their happiest, healthiest life.
Hi, I’m RYANN
I’ve been in fitness and nutrition for 9 years but that hasn’t always been the case. I grew up in an active household, playing club volleyball from ages 9-16 but ended up having to quit because my Graves’ Disease started to take a toll. I decided to pivot and was able to get into a beauty school program and start my career in the beauty industry at 17.
After years of being in the beauty industry, not working out, having horrible body image and not taking care of myself, I decided it was time to take charge. I found Crossfit and BIN and it changed my life. It gave me a competitive outlet and also taught me how to properly fuel my body and also celebrate all the amazing things my body could do without focusing on what I looked like.
I was so inspired by BIN that I decided it was time to make a career change. I wanted to help others in the same way BIN helped me. I started to get my nutrition certifications and eventually became full time with BIN in 2018.
I’m a Chicago girl through and through and you may not know it but Chicago is a fitness city. I’ve dabbled in Crossfit, Powerlifting, ran multiple 10k’s and half marathons and in 2024 I ran the Chicago Marathon. The fitness community in Chicago is amazing and constantly inspires me to get out and get moving.
who I LOVE WORKING WITh
My coaching style is very communicative so I love hashing out short term and long term plans and helping clients balance their training, work, family life, social life, and more!
✔️ The everyday athlete who has hard goals but also wants to be able to live their lives, maintain relationships, and enjoy their social life.
✔️ People looking to get active later in life. Whether you are in your late 20’s or late 50’s and have never worked out before but you want to start, I love helping you! It’s never too late to start something new!
✔️ People who are willing to understand that aesthetic goals might not be EVERYTHING. I love working with people who want to not only focus on the right now but also want to prioritize their health as they age.
CREDENTIALS & certs
NUTRITION CERTIFICATIONS
Precision Nutrition L1
NASM CSNC
UESCA Endurance Nutrition
PN Sleep, Stress Management, & Recovery
OTHER RANDOM stuff about me
FUN FACT
My friend is a wildlife trainer at the Shedd Aquarium and specifically works with the beluga whales. I got to have a meet and greet with one of the belugas. Did you know that you pet beluga’s on their tongue? Nothing like putting your hand in a 3000 pound animal's mouth and telling him he’s a good boy!
NON-FITNESS HOBBY
I just started baking. I used to loathe baking because you had to be so precise with measurements and what not and I swear, I’ve had so many dessert fails in the past few years. However, I started to bake this year with some easy breads, English muffins, cinnamon rolls and bagels and I’m actually really enjoying it. It’s a nice way to focus on something, listen to a good playlist or podcast and create something you get to enjoy after.
FAVORITE THINGS
All animals, Chicago sports, live music, a cozy movie night, iced coffee, local restaurants, fantasy/romantasy books, goofy podcasts, tacos, baking, my tripawd Max, my husband Ryan.
WHAT MY CLIENTS ARE SAYING
Karlee Huber
“Before joining Black Iron Nutrition, I had spent years yo-yo dieting, losing weight then putting it right back on over and over again. When I started with Ryann, I was prepared to be restrictive and starve myself because that’s what I thought you had to do to lose weight. But she had me eating more than I ever have before! I was skeptical, but I decided to trust her, and I’m so glad I did!”
Madeline Tew
“When I first started working with Ryann I was terrified I’d get in my head about tracking my food and it would become unhealthy. To my surprise, it did the exact opposite. I have never had such a healthy relationship with food and my body as I do today.”
Jess Boyle
“Working with Ryann has been one of the most positive and transformative experiences in both my athletic and personal life. From the start, she’s been incredibly understanding, caring, and completely non-judgmental. This type of support has made a huge difference in my mental health and my ability to trust the process.”
Steph Kennedy
“Ryann was so helpful in guiding me through a slow and steady weight gain phase to help me fill out the 58kg class, and then making sure I was well within my weight class leading into the USAW National Championships. My strength increased throughout the training cycle because of it, and I felt so confident on the stage!”
MY FAVORITE EPISODES OF BLACK IRON RADIO
