NorthStar Fitness — Client of the Month Feature 

Some people walk into NorthStar and quietly elevate the entire room. They bring depth, humor, resilience, and a kind of grounded optimism that makes you want to be better.
Dr. John Schirger is one of those rare people.

He’s a cardiologist with a quick wit, a philosopher with a barroom-kung-fu dream (purely theoretical… probably), and a man whose heart is as strong as the people he surrounds himself with. And this year, his consistent growth — physically, mentally, emotionally, and relationally — deserves a spotlight.

A Man Who Spends His Life Caring for Hearts — and Finally Put His Own First

John has spent his career protecting and repairing hearts. The hours are long, the emotional weight is heavy, and the responsibility is enormous. There’s no such thing as a “light day” in cardiology. And the more demanding the environment, the easier it becomes to put yourself last.

But John made a different choice.
He came to NorthStar to get stronger, healthier, and more resilient — not just for himself, but for the people who depend on him at home and at work.

Prior to him starting, John often trained like many high performers do:
If this is good… more must be better.

But “more” led to pain, frustration, and stalled progress.

When he embraced the NorthStar process — structured resistance training, consistent sessions, mobility work, proper recovery, and the right stimulus at the right time — everything shifted.

Today:
• He’s benching 285 pounds and chasing down that 315-lb goal he once called impossible.
• Shoulder and knee pain? Gone.
• Mobility and endurance? Better than ever.
• Heart health? Reinforced from the inside out.

This is what happens when a man who has devoted his life to caring for others finally gives his own body the commitment it deserves.

The Legacy of Strength He Carries

Behind John’s humor is a depth few people know.
His mother endured seven years imprisoned in communist Czechoslovakia — surviving with faith, courage, and extraordinary resolve.

That resilience runs in John’s blood. It shows in how he works, how he trains, how he thinks… and how he never quits.
Even after long nights on call.
Even after stressful days at the hospital.
Even when life is heavy.

He shows up — and he shows up with heart.

The Family That Fuels Him

As formidable and accomplished as John is, he’d be the first to tell you:
his greatest strength is his family.

His wife, Zita, and their daughters are the center of his world. They’re his grounding force, his source of joy, and the people who bring out the softer side of him that clients rarely see in between sets of bench press.  Zita has been by his side, and although physical strength may not match John's, John may agree his strength would not fully be there without her support.

One of John’s favorite ways to unwind is going to shows or watching a movie with Zita and the girls. Whether it’s theater or events they attend together, those moments refill the part of him that medicine and responsibility constantly pull from.

This is where his humor, his warmth, and his philosophical side shine brightest — when he’s with the people he loves most.

And it’s no coincidence that his commitment to NorthStar mirrors his commitment to them:
He trains not just to be strong… but to be present, to stay healthy, to create memories, and to keep up with the life he wants to live with them.

Resistance Training: The Heart Health Prescription He Now Lives By

As a cardiologist, John knows — more than most — the real science:

Muscle protects your heart.
Mobility protects your joints.
Strength protects your future.

Resistance training is one of the strongest predictors of long-term heart health, metabolic resilience, and vitality. For someone carrying high-level stress and responsibility — like John — it’s not optional. It’s essential.

And that’s why he stays committed, even on the busiest weeks.
Because he knows:
If you don’t build your health intentionally, life will break it unintentionally.

John refuses to let that happen.

A Philosopher… A Warrior… and a Man of Great Heart

Whether he’s debating the meaning of resilience mid-workout, cracking jokes between sets, or modeling what discipline looks like under pressure, John brings a rare energy to NorthStar.

He cares deeply — for his patients, his family, his community, and yes, even his gym.
He serves with humility.
He perseveres with purpose.
He leads with intelligence.
He trains with intent.
And through it all, he never loses his humor.

John reminds us all that health isn’t just a physical pursuit — it’s an emotional, mental, and relational one.

Congratulations, John

You’re the definition of what it means to be a NorthStar:
Strength of body.
Strength of heart.
Strength of character.
Strength that lifts others.
And strength that honors where you came from.

Your mother’s resilience…
Your family’s love…
Your professional calling…
Your personal growth…
Your hilarious kung-fu ambitions…

It all blends into a story worth celebrating.

We’re honored to walk beside you.