A message from Kristen Rivera

 

Dear Focused Results Community,

 

Thirteen years ago, Zak and I dared to dream, and what grew from that dream became more than either of us could have imagined. Together, we built a place rooted in health, strength, and community—and over the years, it has grown into something so much bigger than a fitness studio.

 

While Zak passed away in September 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer, his spirit continues to inspire everything Focused Results stands for today. His legacy lives on in every corner of this studio, in the relationships we’ve built, and in the lives we’ve had the privilege of touching. That legacy means more to me than I can put into words.

 

Over the years, Lake Bluff has truly become a home for all of us. When I look back on these thirteen years, it’s the friendships formed, the lives touched, the goals achieved, and the community partnerships we’ve nurtured that mean the most to me. These connections and shared experiences are what have made this journey so extraordinary.

 

None of this would have been possible without our immensely talented trainers, who pour their hearts into every session, and our clients, whose dedication and unwavering support have been the backbone of this studio from day one.

 

Thank you for choosing to share your time, your energy, and your lives with us. You have helped make Focused Results what it is today, and being part of this community has been one of the greatest privileges of my life.

 

As we celebrate 13 years of Focused Results, I’m excited to share some wonderful news.

 

The best part? The studio is staying within the FR family!

 

It is my great pleasure to announce that Mercedes Nagel became the new owner of Focused Results in October 2026.

 

Mercedes has been an integral part of our team for more than six years. During that time, she has grown alongside the studio and developed deep relationships with so many of you. She knows this community, understands what makes it unique, and shares the values that have guided us from the very beginning. I couldn’t be happier to see her step into this role, and I’m excited for all that lies ahead for her and for Focused Results.

 

I know Zak would be so proud to see what we’ve accomplished together—and even prouder to know that Focused Results will continue in such capable, caring hands.

 

And there’s more good news: the team you know and trust is staying in place. Andrew, Emily, Zach, and Nate will continue to be here, doing what they do best: supporting you, challenging you, and helping you reach your goals. The familiar faces, personal attention, and welcoming environment you’ve come to know and love will remain at the heart of Focused Results.

 

For our clients, there is nothing you need to do. All existing sessions and packages will be honored, with no changes. Mercedes and I want to make this transition as seamless as possible, so you can continue focusing on what matters most: your health, your goals, and your progress.

 

I have complete confidence in Mercedes and know she will carry forward the same high standard of care, quality, and personal connection you have always expected from Focused Results. Most importantly, I know she will continue to nurture the relationships and sense of belonging that make this community feel like home.

 

Please join me in congratulating Mercedes as she takes on this exciting new role. I hope you’ll help me welcome her into this next phase of Focused Results and show her the same warmth and support you have shown Zak, our team, and me throughout the years.

 

As I reflect on these thirteen years, I keep coming back to how much this community has given me. Thank you for allowing Zak, Wesley, and me to be part of your lives. The friendships, milestones, laughter, challenges, and memories we’ve shared have made Focused Results so much more than a fitness studio. They have made it a community, a family, and, for so many of us, a second home.

 

While my role as owner has changed, my connection to this community never will. I will carry these memories and relationships with me always, and I look forward to seeing Focused Results continue to thrive for years to come.

 

Thank you for being part of our story, for believing in what we built, and for helping make the past thirteen years meaningful. There is so much to celebrate, and I’m excited for what lies ahead!

 

With deepest gratitude,

 

Kristen Rivera

 

A Message from Mercedes Nagel

 

Dear Focused Results Community,

 

I’m incredibly honored and excited to be the new owner of Focused Results.

 

For more than six years, Focused Results has been such an important part of my life. Working alongside this team and getting to know so many of you has made this opportunity especially meaningful. Having grown up in the area, I’m excited to take on a larger role in a community that feels like home.

 

I’m deeply grateful to Zak and Kristen for believing in me, investing in me, and building a place where people feel known and cared for. It’s an honor to carry forward what they started.

 

My goal is to preserve the personal attention, relationships, and quality of training you’ve come to trust while bringing fresh energy and thoughtful ideas to the studio. I want Focused Results to continue to be a place where you feel supported, challenged, and proud of what you can accomplish.

 

Thank you for being part of this community and for welcoming me into this new role. I’m excited for everything ahead and can’t wait to see you in the studio.

 

With gratitude,

 

Mercedes Nagel
 

Get to Know Mercedes

 

Learn more about Mercedes’s background, what brought her to personal training, and life outside the studio.