Jeff Binek
Jeff Binek is a US Army Veteran, Tomb Sentinel (#563), Ohio State Alum, Founder of Friendship Fitness & Parisi Columbus and a proud husband and father of 2. Jeff’s leadership style was forged at one of the most elite and disciplined units in the military; the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Sergeant Binek was the Commander of 2nd Relief, in charge of all training for incoming soldiers where only 2% of trainees pass.
Upon being honorably discharged from the Army, Jeff finished his degree at Ohio State and simultaneously opened his business, Friendship Fitness in 2011. Jeff has trained thousands of athletes of all ages, including National level weightlifters and CrossFit Games athletes.
Jeff also has coached Lacrosse, Basketball and Football at the Middle School and High School levels. He speaks on leadership throughout Olentangy and Dublin school districts and takes pride in giving back to his community whenever possible.
USAW L1, L2, Club President, National Level Coach
CF L1, L2, Olympic Weightlifting, Gymnastics
Parisi Certified
Liz Van Winkle
Coming soon…
Logan Penix
Coming soon…
Maria Dyas Binek
Maria was a Division 1 soccer player at Indiana State University out of Hilliard Darby and Ohio Premier. She still enjoys playing on her Co-Ed team to this day. Her tenacious style of play, paired with her bubbly personality is notorious to all who face her. This fun-loving, but hard working attitude is something she brings to coaching as well!
After soccer, Maria was a top level CrossFit athlete, competing in multiple regionals and finishing in the top 1% in the CF Open individually in 2016 and 2017.
Maria began coaching youth athletes in 2013 at Goal to Gold, where she coached Youth Soccer and ran the Strength & Conditioning program. Next, she was the founding Coach and owner of the Friendship Kids program. She coached national level CrossFit athletes and Youth Weightlifters, many of whom still compete at a high level to this day.
Maria is the proud mother of daughter Stevie, and is due in January 2024 with her second baby, a boy. She is a major dog lover to her Boston Terrier and Frenchie/Pug mix puppies.
CF L1, Kids
Little Kickers Certified
Parisi Certified
Andy Arra
Coach Andy was a lineman & threw discus for Olentangy Liberty. He is rumored to be the fastest pulling guard Olentangy has ever seen! It’s here where he found his own passion for strength, performance & nutrition — seeing how these components affected him on & off the field. He went on to graduate from THE Ohio State University where he studied human nutrition specializing in dietetics.
He started his coaching career as a dry-land swim instructor and has since transitioned his expertise to helping athletes from all walks of life. Now, he works with athletes using his CSSD specialty (Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics) to integrate nutrition & performance. He has over 20 years of experience working in the strength & conditioning world. His approach is results-driven, infused with energy, and backed by a wealth of expertise.
Coach Andy is married and has two sons – Aidan who plays HS lacrosse & Teddy who is an aspiring tennis, golf & soccer player.
CF-L2
RD, LD, CSSD
Parisi Certified