Our Team
Grit, Greatness, Guidance
Chad Juras
Co-Owner
CrossFit Coach
-
CrossFit Level 1
CrossFit Fundamentals
CPR/AED Certified
-
Chad is a retired infantry Marine with multiple combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He now is enjoying his retirement as a professional hunting guide at the world famous Sanctuary Ranch in Stanwood Michigan.
Chad's home life is just as exciting. He is married to his beautiful wife, Holly, and together they have 6 wonderful children. During his time at home he enjoys spending time with his family, CrossFit, weight training, and hunting.
Chad was first introduced to CrossFit while in the Marine Corps by a close friend. After retiring from the Marines, he and his wife started working out and discovered that the CrossFit workouts they were doing had drastically improved their fitness level. They started watching videos and following the WOD to better learn the CrossFit techniques. After the basic concepts and understanding, Chad and Holly enhanced their skills at various gyms around Michigan.
Struggling with PTSD, survivor’s guilt, depression, and life stresses, Chad was searching for an outlet. He craved the sense of accomplishment, brotherhood, and camaraderie that the Marines had brought into his life. Chad found that CrossFit has provided this outlet for him and is now wanting to share his knowledge and experiences with others.
Chad has 25 years of experience in weight training and 10 years of experience doing CrossFit. Chad is a CrossFit level 1 coach and is excited to teach CrossFit and help others achieve their fitness goals!
-
CrossFitDunes@gmail.com
Holly Juras
Co-Owner
CrossFit Coach
-
CrossFit Level 2
Bachelor's In Elementary Education
Master's in Early Childhood Development
CPR/AED Certified
-
Holly was raised in Frankfort and now is a Kindergarten teacher in Frankfort Elementary. She has been in the classroom and working with children throughout her life and has fallen in love with teaching the littles.
Holly and her husband, Chad, have 6 children with ages ranging from 20 to 1. She has always enjoyed running and working out and keeping in shape helps her keep up with all of the children in her life.
Running has always been her favorite and her escape from life stresses, but after 3 hip surgeries and 4 babies, the running had to slow down. Chad introduced her to CrossFit and it soon became her new hobby.
Holly has also been interested in the way that food fuels the body. She believes that food is the only medicine needed and the right amount of it can do wonders for the body.
She is excited to share her experiences and knowledge with others who are interested in keeping their bodies in shape.
-
Vinny Palazzolo
CrossFit Coach
-
CrossFit Olympic Instructor
CrossFit Kettlebell Instructor
CrossFit Mobility Instructor
CPR/AED Certified
-
Vinny is retired from Law Enforcement after 25 years of service. He was the co-owner of Motor City CrossFit and a certified trainer for 12 years.
During his career, physical fitness was not a luxury, but a requirement to perform his duties as a SWAT officer and instructor, weapons instructor, defensive tactics instructor, combat deployed infantry Paratrooper, and street cop in the Metro Detroit area.
At 52 years old, and after 25 years of group-organized physical training and instruction, the focus is now on longevity and staying healthy/active for the long haul.
Two years ago, he moved to the area with his wife, Joanna, and son Dominic, and built their forever home.
He is looking forward to bringing his experience and training techniques to CrossFit Dunes and the Frankfort community.
Joseph Perrino
CrossFit Coach
Personal Trainer
-
NASM CPT, PES, CES, FNS
National Association of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer
Performance Enhancement Specialist
Corrective Exercise Specialist
Fitness Nutrition Specialist
-
Joseph started his fitness career in New York City as a certified personal trainer by the National Association of Sports Medicine in 2009. He’s worked with clients ages 16 to 90, and enjoys helping people overcome obstacles and injuries, especially attaining strength they thought was beyond their reach. When it comes to CrossFit, he is compelled by the ever unpredictable challenges it presents which much mirror life. He and his wife love growing their family here in Frankfort.
Nicole Bates
CrossFit Coach
-
CrossFit L2 Trainer
Science Fiction and Fantasy Author
ASHA Certified Speech-Language Pathologist
Volunteer youth coach: soccer, basketball, T-ball, softball
-
Nicole grew up in Indian River, Michigan. She participated in basketball, volleyball, and softball throughout High School. She attended college at Northern Michigan University where she ran Division 2 Cross Country while also earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Science. Nicole remained at NMU to earn her Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology.
While at Northern, Nicole met her now-husband Ben. After graduation, Ben joined the Air Force. Together they moved to seven different states during his 12 years of active duty service before returning home to Michigan.
Nicole and Ben have three children.
A passion for running and fitness kept Nicole moving through the years. When CrossFit Dunes opened in February 2023, Nicole was excited for a new challenge. CrossFit refueled her motivation for training at a higher level.
Nicole has always wanted to help people. It’s one of the main reasons she chose speech therapy as an early career. When the opportunity arose to attend additional training and become a CrossFit Coach, Nicole jumped at the chance. She completed her CF L1 training in the Spring of 2025 and her CF L2 training in the Fall of 2025. She looks forward to helping the athletes at CrossFit Dunes reach their full potential. Nicole recently began accepting clients for one-on-one and small group personalized CrossFit training.
When she’s not working out or chasing kids, Nicole prefers to be outside in nature or reading a good book.
-
231-930-7585
Carly Wagner
Spin Instructor
-
Spin Instructor
-
Carly, a lifelong Benzie County resident with deep family ties, has always been a force of positivity and leadership. Her journey began at Benzie Central High School, where she excelled in sports like football, basketball, volleyball, and track, often assuming the role of captain due to her ability to uplift team spirits.
After school, Carly embraced the responsibilities of full-time work and single motherhood, raising her wonderful son, Cayden. Together, they cherish moments of rock hunting, singing, outdoor adventures, watching sunsets, and simply enjoying each other's company.
As Cayden approaches his teenage years, Carly realized the importance of self-care and decided to prioritize her own well-being. Discovering CrossFit Dunes in Frankfort, she found her passion in Coach Randi's invigorating spin class. The camaraderie, energy, and collective triumph over challenges as a team deeply resonated with Carly, keeping her committed week after week.
Balancing her roles as a devoted mother and a dedicated professional, Carly recognized the need for early morning fitness options for busy individuals like herself. This insight inspired her to propose a pre-dawn spin class, providing a fitness outlet for those navigating full-time jobs and parenting.
Carly's infectious positivity and boundless energy radiate through everything she does, making her a beacon of inspiration for those around her. Starting the day with gratitude and personal achievement has become her mantra, setting a powerful tone for anyone ready to seize the day ahead.
-
Randi Lynn Stoltz-Flynn
Spin Instructor
-
Certified Spin Instructor
CPR/AED Certified
-
Randi resides in the beautiful north woods of Benzie County, with her family on their mini-homestead.
A 2004 Benzie Central grad, Randi is a retired runner, having participated in On The Ground Global’s Run Across Palestine (five marathons in five days across the West Bank) and Run Across Congo (seven marathons in seven days across the Eastern DRC raising awareness and funds for gender equity).
She is the founder of the Betsie Bay Frozen 5k, a February “fun”-draiser run/walk that has been taking place in Frankfort since 2011. Randi also coached softball and volleyball for over 10 years at Benzie Central.
Randi volunteers on the Board of Directors as Treasurer for the Honor Area Restoration Project, Benzie Community Water Council, Benzie County Players (a community theater group), Isaac Julian Legacy Foundation, and MUSE (funding the Kid For The Wild Scholarship).
In her free time, Randi enjoys hiking with her family and pups; Petoskey-hunting; floating the rivers; digging her hands in the dirt; sunset-chasing; and belly laughs.
-