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Who Is Kelly Berger? Inside the Life and Career of the Former Lacrosse Star

Kelly Berger

Kelly Berger is a respected name in lacrosse and fitness. She was a two-time All-American at James Madison University and a World Champion with Team USA. She built a successful athletic career through hard work and determination. Her journey from an unrecruited walk-on to a business owner shows her strong will and ability to adapt. Today she has moved from sports into business and runs Resistance Cycle in Baltimore’s Harbor Point neighborhood.

Her story includes major success in lacrosse personal challenges and a successful move into business. She has become known not only in the lacrosse community but also in the fitness industry. This article looks at her life career and what she is doing today.

Kelly Berger shows that life after sports can also be successful. She has used the skills she learned as an athlete to build a new career. Whether people know her from lacrosse or from her fitness work her story is worth learning about.

Kelly Berger Quick Bio

AttributeDetails
Full NameKelly Berger (formerly Kelly Berger Rabil)
BornColumbia, Maryland, USA
High SchoolHammond High School
CollegeJames Madison University (Class of 2007)
College MajorKinesiology with concentration in Sports Management, minor in Business
Lacrosse PositionMidfielder
JMU Career Stats73 games, 184 goals, 78 assists, 262 total points (ranks 2nd in JMU history in goals and points, 3rd in assists)
Collegiate HonorsTwo-time All-American, CAA Player of the Year (2006), 4x team MVP/co-MVP, Tewaaraton Trophy nominee (2007)
Team USAMember of U.S. Women’s National Team; World Champion (2009)
Hall of FameJMU Athletics Hall of Fame inductee (2017)
Marital StatusDivorced (was married to lacrosse player Paul Rabil from 2014-2017)
ChildrenOne daughter, Francine
Current OccupationFitness Entrepreneur, Owner of Resistance Cycle (Baltimore) and Resistance Fitness (virtual platform)
Net Worth (est.)$1 million – $5 million

Who Is Kelly Berger?

Kelly Berger has had several important roles throughout her career. She first became known as a talented midfielder in women’s lacrosse. She earned All-America honors and became one of the standout players at James Madison University. In 2017 she was inducted into the JMU Athletics Hall of Fame.

After her playing career ended she used her experience and competitive mindset to build a business. She had plans to open a physical fitness studio but the COVID-19 pandemic changed those plans. She quickly adapted and began teaching virtual classes from her apartment. This work helped lead to Resistance Fitness and later to the opening of Resistance Cycle in 2022.

Today she is a mother and business owner. Her career shows how an athlete can use discipline and determination to build a new path after sports.

Early Life, Family and Education

Kelly Berger was born and raised in Columbia Maryland. She grew up in a sports-focused family. She attended Hammond High School where she played lacrosse basketball and soccer. She was also part of the school’s dance company. In lacrosse she became her school’s career scoring leader and earned second-team All-America honors as a senior.

Her brother Stephen was also a successful lacrosse player. He became a three-time All-American at Washington College and later played professionally for the Long Island Lizards. Berger later attended James Madison University where she studied kinesiology with a concentration in sports management. She also had a minor in business. Her education helped prepare her for her later work in the fitness industry.

Her family and education played an important role in shaping her career. Her athletic background gave her strong sports experience while her education helped prepare her for business and fitness work.

How Kelly Berger Built Her Lacrosse Career

Kelly Berger’s lacrosse career is a strong example of what hard work can achieve. She started as an unrecruited walk-on and developed a mindset of proving herself. She later spent 11 years connected to Team USA. During her JMU career she played in 73 games and recorded 184 goals and 78 assists for 262 total points. These numbers placed her among the top players in JMU history.

Her success at JMU helped her reach the U.S. Women’s National Team. She was part of the Elite Team from 2006 to 2008 and the Developmental Team from 2005 to 2006 and again from 2008 to 2009. Her college career made her one of the most successful players in JMU history and helped open the door to international competition.

Her rise from an unrecruited walk-on to a world champion is an important part of her story. It shows how hard work and determination helped her reach a high level in the sport.

James Madison University and Collegiate Success

Berger had an outstanding college career at James Madison University. She was a four-year starter and made an impact from her first season. As a freshman she won the team’s Rookie of the Year award. During her sophomore junior and senior seasons she was named MVP or co-MVP.

In 2006 she earned First Team IWLCA and US Lacrosse All-America honors. She was also named CAA Player of the Year. Her 59 goals as a junior rank third in JMU history while her 93 points rank second. She was also named Co-JMU Athlete of the Year for 2007 to 2008.

In 2017 she was inducted into the JMU Athletics Hall of Fame. This honor recognized her strong contribution to the university’s lacrosse program.

Team USA and World Championship Success

Berger’s success at JMU helped her reach the international level. After graduating in 2007 she tried out for the U.S. Women’s National Team and made the team. One of the biggest achievements of her career came in 2009 when she helped Team USA win a World Championship.

She was also part of the national team pool for the 2012 to 2014 cycle. Her long involvement with the national program shows how successful she was at the highest level of women’s lacrosse.

Winning a World Championship was one of the biggest achievements of Berger’s athletic career. It added an important international title to her already successful career.

Injuries and Challenges During Her Career

Berger’s career was successful but it also came with challenges. Like many high-level athletes she had to deal with the physical demands of the sport. Playing at the national level also required long training camps and intense competition.

She continued to push forward despite these difficulties. Her mindset of proving herself helped her stay focused and compete at a high level. Her experience shows that successful athletes often have to deal with setbacks along the way.

Kelly Berger’s Career Beyond Professional Lacrosse

After finishing her playing career Berger moved into the fitness and business world. She became involved in coaching and fitness and began building a community around her passion for helping people stay active.

The skills she developed as an athlete helped her in business. Discipline leadership and determination became useful in her new career. Her experience shows that athletes can use the skills they learn in sports in many other areas.

Berger has shown that a successful sports career can become the foundation for a new business career. Her transition is an example of how athletes can create new opportunities after leaving competitive sports.

Resistance Fitness and Her Work in the Fitness Industry

Berger moved into coaching and fitness after her playing career. She had worked as a spin instructor for about 12 years while also coaching lacrosse. In 2019 she planned to open her own spin studio in Baltimore. The COVID-19 pandemic forced her to change those plans.

When her loan approval was frozen she quickly changed direction and started teaching virtual classes from her apartment. People paid through an honor system using Venmo. The online classes grew through Instagram Live and eventually became Resistance Fitness.

What began as a temporary response to the pandemic became a real fitness business. Berger used the situation to create a new opportunity and build a strong online fitness community.

Resistance Cycle – Building a Fitness Community

The success of her online classes helped Berger return to her original plan of opening a physical studio. In July 2022 she opened Resistance Cycle in Baltimore’s Harbor Point neighborhood. The studio covers about 2,195 square feet and has 45 Schwinn indoor bikes. It offers spin barre and HIIT-based training classes.

The studio uses class packages instead of a traditional membership system. It also offers different options for new and returning customers. Berger works with a team of coaches and continues to be involved in the classes and business.

Her goal is to create a friendly and welcoming fitness environment. She wants people to feel comfortable and supported while working toward their fitness goals.

How Kelly Berger Met Paul Rabil

Kelly Berger and Paul Rabil were both well-known names in the lacrosse world. Their connection came through their shared involvement in the sport. They were part of the same professional and social circles which helped bring them together.

Their relationship later became known among lacrosse fans. Because both had successful careers in the sport their relationship received public attention.

Their shared connection to lacrosse was an important part of their relationship. Both understood the demands and challenges of competing at a high level.

Kelly Berger and Paul Rabil’s Marriage

Kelly Berger and Paul Rabil Marriage

Kelly Berger and Paul Rabil married in 2014. Their marriage received attention because both were successful lacrosse players. They were often viewed as a well-known couple within the lacrosse community.

The marriage lasted about three years. They divorced in 2017. After the divorce both continued with their own careers and personal lives.

Their marriage became an important part of Berger’s public story but it does not define her entire career. Her achievements in lacrosse and fitness are also major parts of her story.

What Led to Kelly Berger and Paul Rabil’s Divorce?

The exact reasons for Kelly Berger and Paul Rabil’s divorce have not been publicly explained in detail. Both have kept the private details of their relationship away from the public.

Because the reasons were not publicly confirmed it is better not to make assumptions about what caused the divorce. Both have continued with their own lives and careers since the separation.

Kelly Berger’s Life After Divorce

After her divorce from Paul Rabil Berger focused on her career and personal life. She continued working in fitness and later built her own business. She also became a mother to her daughter Francine.

Her life after divorce shows her focus on creating her own path. She has built a career that is separate from her former marriage and has continued to grow her fitness business.

Her story shows that a major personal change can also become a new beginning. Berger has continued to build her career and family life on her own terms.

Kelly Berger’s Current Relationship and Personal Life

Kelly Berger generally keeps her personal life private. She has focused much of her public work on fitness and business rather than sharing details about her private relationships.

Today her main public identity is connected to her work in the fitness industry. She is also a mother and business owner. She has built a life that is largely separate from the attention surrounding her former marriage.

Her approach to privacy allows her to focus on her family and professional goals. Her business and fitness work remain important parts of her public life.

Also Read: Maria Aquinar: Inside the Life of Sebastian Bach’s Ex-Wife 

Philanthropy and Community Involvement

Kelly Berger has built a strong sense of community through her fitness work. Resistance Cycle is designed to be more than a place for exercise. She has worked to create a welcoming environment for people with different fitness backgrounds.

Her experience during the pandemic also showed her ability to connect with people online. Through virtual classes she was able to continue helping people stay active when many gyms and studios were closed.

Her work in fitness reflects her interest in helping people reach their health and fitness goals. Her business has also helped create a local fitness community in Baltimore.

Kelly Berger’s Net Worth

Kelly Berger’s exact net worth is not publicly confirmed. Some online sources estimate her net worth to be between $1 million and $5 million. However these figures should be viewed as estimates rather than confirmed financial information.

Her income has come from several parts of her career including lacrosse coaching fitness instruction and business ownership. Her fitness businesses are now an important part of her professional life.

Because there are no reliable public financial records showing her exact wealth it is better to treat online net worth estimates with caution.

Where Is Kelly Berger Today?

Today Kelly Berger is focused on her fitness business in Baltimore. She is connected to Resistance Cycle where she helps manage the studio and fitness programs. The studio offers spin barre and other training classes.

She has also continued her online fitness work through Resistance Fitness. Along with running her business she balances her work with life as a mother. Her current career shows how she successfully moved from professional sports into entrepreneurship.

Kelly Berger’s Impact and Legacy

Kelly Berger’s career is a strong example of how an athlete can build a successful life after sports. She achieved major success at James Madison University and with Team USA before moving into fitness and business.

Her journey also shows the importance of adapting when plans change. From starting as an unrecruited walk-on to changing her business plans during the pandemic she has faced different challenges throughout her career.

Her story goes beyond lacrosse. She has built a second career in fitness and created a business that reflects her experience as an athlete and coach.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Who is Kelly Berger?

Kelly Berger is a former All-American lacrosse player and fitness entrepreneur. She played for James Madison University and the U.S. Women’s National Team. She is also known for her former marriage to lacrosse player Paul Rabil and her work with Resistance Cycle.

2. What is Kelly Berger known for?

Kelly Berger is known for her successful lacrosse career at James Madison University and her time with Team USA. She won a World Championship in 2009. She is also known for building a career in the fitness industry.

3. Where did Kelly Berger play college lacrosse?

Kelly Berger played college lacrosse at James Madison University from 2004 to 2007. She was a four-year starter and earned All-America honors during her college career.

4. Did Kelly Berger play for Team USA?

Yes. Kelly Berger played for the U.S. Women’s National Team and won a World Championship in 2009. She was also part of the national team pool for the 2012 to 2014 cycle.

5. Who was Kelly Berger married to?

Kelly Berger was married to lacrosse player Paul Rabil. They married in 2014 and divorced in 2017.

6. What happened between Kelly Berger and Paul Rabil?

Kelly Berger and Paul Rabil divorced in 2017 after about three years of marriage. Neither has publicly shared detailed reasons for their divorce.

7. What is Kelly Berger doing now?

Kelly Berger is focused on her fitness business. She is connected to Resistance Cycle in Baltimore and also runs Resistance Fitness online.

8. What is Kelly Berger’s net worth?

Kelly Berger’s exact net worth is not publicly known. Some online sources estimate it at between $1 million and $5 million but these figures have not been officially confirmed.

9. Is Kelly Berger still involved in fitness?

Yes. Kelly Berger continues to work in the fitness industry through Resistance Cycle and Resistance Fitness. She is also involved in coaching and managing her fitness business.

Conclusion

Kelly Berger’s journey from a successful college lacrosse player and World Champion to a fitness entrepreneur is an interesting story. Her career includes major athletic achievements personal challenges and a successful move into business.

Her marriage to Paul Rabil brought additional public attention but it is only one part of her story. She has built her own career through fitness coaching and business ownership. Today she is known as a business owner mother and former elite athlete.

Kelly Berger’s story shows that the end of an athletic career does not have to mean the end of success. Her ability to adapt work hard and build a new career has helped her create a meaningful life beyond the lacrosse field.

Nathan Daniel is a writer and founder of OftensMagazine with over 10 years of experience in writing and research. He specializes in celebrity biographies, researching public figures, their careers, family backgrounds and personal stories. Through OftensMagazine, Nathan aims to provide readers with clear, engaging and well-researched information about celebrities and notable personalities.

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