Meet the Team

The People Behind the Obstacles.

Ultimate Ninjas Academy Deerfield is a family-owned business run by people who genuinely love working with kids. Small classes, trained coaches, and a team that knows every child by name.

Meet the owner

Jen Brody

Founder & Owner, Ultimate Ninjas Academy Deerfield

Jen Brody is the heart behind Ultimate Ninjas Academy Deerfield — a place where kids build strength, confidence, and resilience through movement and play.

With a master's in early childhood education and over a decade as a first-grade teacher, Jen combines her love of learning and fitness to create an environment where every child can thrive.

Her career includes top fitness clubs like Equinox, Midtown Athletic Club, and Lake Forest Recreation Center, where she's helped people of all ages discover their strength.

Inspired by her own daughters' love for ninja training, Jen opened the Deerfield franchise location to share that same joy and empowerment with other families. She leads with positivity, safety, and a mission to help kids believe they can achieve anything!

When she's not in the gym, Jen enjoys gardening, workouts, and family game nights with her husband Trevor, their daughters, and their energetic pup, Teddi.

Jen's motto: "Building strength, inside and out."

Sarah Maza

Coach

Sarah Mazza's journey spans fashion management, healthcare, and more than a decade in fitness instruction, including years teaching at Shred415 in Deerfield and Midtown Athletic Club in Bannockburn. Known for her incredible energy and positivity, she motivates everyone around her and brings a vibrant spirit to the Ultimate Ninjas Academy Deerfield community.

A proud mom to Dominic (14) and Francesca (12), Sarah can often be found cheering them on at volleyball and baseball games. Outside of the gym, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her Chocolate Lab, Enzo, relaxing at the lake with family, and working out with friends.

Sarah is passionate about coaching at Ultimate Ninjas, where she finds joy in helping kids build confidence, learn new skills, and discover their own strength.

Jason Gross

Coach

Jason brings a unique blend of athletic intensity, creative problem-solving, and a deep-seated passion for youth mentorship to Ultimate Ninjas. With a background coaching high school lacrosse in Barrington and Bryn Mawr, and years spent sparking curiosity as a docent at the Lincoln Park Zoo, Jason knows how to connect with young learners and turn any challenge into an opportunity for growth.

At Midtown Athletic Clubs, Jason leads high-energy boxing classes where he teaches that resilience is built one punch at a time. He brings that same "find a way" mentality to the Ninja course, helping kids navigate obstacles not just with strength, but with the confidence and self-belief to try again when they fall.

Beyond the gym, Jason is a true "creative athlete." Whether he's lifting weights, creating art, or navigating complex worlds in a long Dungeons & Dragons campaign, he lives by the idea that discipline and imagination go hand-in-hand.

A devoted husband to Sandy and a proud father to Harley (12) and Phoenix (14), Jason's favorite part of coaching at Ultimate Ninjas is watching kids discover strengths they didn't know they had. He doesn't just coach athletes; he helps build "ultimate" confidence that lasts long after they leave the gym.

Also on this page, with no bio: Alex S., Gabby W., Lyla M., Melissa T., and Sophie C.

How we coach

What Our Coaches Bring to Every Class.

We hire for temperament first, technique second. The best coach isn't the one who knows the most obstacles - it's the one a shy 4-year-old decides to trust.

Trained for young kids

Our coaches specialize in ages 9 months through 8 years. That's not a wide net - it means they understand what 18-month-olds need versus what a 7-year-old can handle.

Small classes, real attention

We keep class sizes small so coaches know each child by name, notice when they're struggling, and celebrate when they break through a challenge.

Gentle encouragers

Coaches don't push. They create the conditions for kids to push themselves. Nervous kids aren't rushed. Every child works at their own pace.

Development-focused

Physical skills are the vehicle. The real goal is confidence, focus, persistence, and the kind of grit that transfers to every other part of a child's life.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

Meet The Team

Who coaches at Deerfield Academy?

The on-site academy staff. Many have youth coaching hours and ninja-movement training; ask who's on your child's hour at check-in.

Is Deerfield locally run?

Yes. It's the Deerfield academy, not a floating pop-up.

How do coaches handle shy kids in Deerfield?

Slow introductions, no forced holds, parent nearby for the youngest. We'd rather a quiet first class than a meltdown on the warped line.

How big are Deerfield class sizes?

Academy rooms stay small on purpose. If a hour is packed, we'll say so before you enroll.

Can I meet Deerfield coaches first?

Come to a trial or stick around after a class. 224.554.0800 to ask who's teaching that week.

What does Deerfield charge for a four-week month of classes, and for a five-week month?

A four-week month of classes is $128. A five-week month is $160. The one-time registration fee is $25.

What sibling and second-class rates does Deerfield publish?

Siblings get 20% off. A second class each week is 20% off that class, and open play is included with the one-class membership.

What are Deerfield's freeze, makeup, and cancellation rules?

A membership can be frozen for up to 3 months each year at no cost, then $10 per month. One missed class can be made up within a week, and cancellation needs 30 days notice.

Who owns Deerfield, and who else is on the coach list?

Jen Brody is the founder and owner. She holds a master's in early childhood education and taught first grade for more than ten years. Sarah Mazza and Jason Gross have bios, and Alex S., Gabby W., Lyla M., Melissa T., and Sophie C. are listed without one.