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This is the time of year when people take stock of their lives. Maybe there is a new direction awaiting you in 2026? 

If new year’s resolutions are your thing, will you be vowing to feel better, look better?

The Press would like to introduce readers to a local student, who by the ripe old age of 18, (as of October) had established OptiCro, LLC and is charting a course based on realizations that many of us don’t ever comprehend, let alone while still in high school.

Christian Petersen was 250 pounds on a five foot eight frame when he was 14 years old, and was not enjoying himself.  He was being bullied and felt like an outcast.  

To lose weight, he went down the path of fad diets and unsustainable nutrition without much results.  Fast forward two or so years, and he had educated himself through the Nutrition Coaching Institution, after musing on the negatives of what he had been doing.  His workouts evolved into building awareness of the preventative and corrective physical aspects of fitness.  

He put the pieces together to lose – and keep off – about 60 pounds gruonded in a lifestyle he could maintain. 

His first ‘customers’ were developed through Complete Performance, a gym in Blaine, where he has connected with some fellow travellers.   

Upon enrolling in Trio Wolf Creek Charter School, in Chisago City, his schedule became flexible enough so he could finish school and also immerse himself in nutrition and conditioning methods  tailored to young clients.  

Long term he will attend Illinois State for advanced athletic training.

The wise always advise — do what you know — and Petersen knows what a seventh or eighth grader with body issues confronts.  He is a walking, talking example of what can come out the other side of dedication,  as he exudes confidence and energy and is quick to laugh.  

His focus is on young people and connecting with them and their parents.  The difficult part has been the initial introductions.  In today’s world, a stranger does not just walk up to someone and tell them their kid would benefit from working out, so Peterson started a Facebook page, and you can find it at Christian Petersen. 

He has successfully developed a program with some family and their friends and enjoys working as part of a team.  

Petersen knows there are few services being provided for youth who are going through what he did.  “I understand what they are feeling because I have lived it, “ he said over coffee.  Any teen who has dipped their toes into fitness programs but quit because they felt misunderstood, Petersen gets that.

At the age of 16 he earned whatever certifications he could prior to legal adulthood.  He has gained confidence in developing plans for physical training and prefers utilizing public spaces and equipment at parks, to the high priced elite facilities. 

He is open to sharing “the triangle of awareness,” or performance, agility and longevity routines,  with youth and parents.  

He has experience with clients ages 11 to 18, as well as his mom. (She shed 70 pounds by the way.) He is open to working with anybody within an hour drive from Chisago.

The business is titled OptiCro as a combination of optimum and macro.  He is not selling products in his program, but rather a niche connection, understanding and support.  The program needs about eight weeks to get you on track. 

So, why not just get into youth athletics and team sports and pursue conditioning that way, you wonder?  Petersen shares that not everybody wants a trophy or looks forward to a competitive rivalry. He will, however, make you feel like you are with a winning team.

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