Jeff Bissonnette obituary

Jeffrey David Bissonnette, 53, of Lake City passed away on Saturday, July 8, 2023.  
He was born to David and Connie (Rosdail) Bissonnette on January 21, 1970 in Robbinsdale, Minn.  On August 18, 2007, he married Teri Thomas in her hometown of Columbia, Md. Jeff grew up in Houlton, Wis., and graduated from high school in Somerset, Wis. He received his bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sport Science, and his master’s degree in Exercise Physiology and Biomechanics, both from the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse.  
Jeff is survived by his loving wife, Teri; his parents, Connie and David Bissonnette; his cat Jax; extended family; and many friends.
In 1997, Jeff opened his first business, Biodynamics Personal Training Studio, in Stillwater, Minn. It was there that Jeff achieved what he would call his greatest challenge and biggest success, motivating his mother to start exercising and eating better. Connie believes that Jeff added decades to her life.
Jeff’s love of working out started early in life. He began weightlifting at the age of 12.  By the age of 14, he dreamed of opening a gym, even drawing up the floor plans at the kitchen table after dinner.  Over the years, he played baseball, football, and rugby. He became passionate about the sport of Strongman, at which he excelled. In 2001, he brought the sport to Minnesota, and served for three years as the Minnesota State Chairman for the North American Strongman Society. He competed nationally, achieving 4th in the US in 2001. Jeff would later bring Strongman to Lake City - arranging two competitions, one with professionals, and one for gym members.
Jeff’s love of animals also began as a child, with a household full of pets, and a kennel full of German Shepherds, which his parents raised and showed.  Jeff and his wife, Teri, volunteered with the Hiawatha Animal Humane Society.  In total, they fostered and adopted out 39 cats and kittens.  
It was in 2004, that Jeff sold his personal training studio, and set out to find a location for the gym, which he had dreamed about since he was a kid.  Lake City was the perfect spot.  He opened Anytime Fitness Lake City in an empty industrial building.  After four years, and with the help of his parents, Jeff and Teri purchased the adjacent lot, and built their own building. The grand opening of the new building in 2009 was attended by 400 people. With many members being new to working out, Jeff created a way to help everyone, every time they worked out, which he called the SLED System (Stronger, Leaner, Every Day). In 2007, Jeff started a consulting company to bring the SLED System to other clubs across the country; and internationally, in the UK and Australia. In 2008, Jeff and Teri opened a second gym in Wabasha, which they owned and operated for five years.
Jeff had many roles over the years. He was a strength and conditioning coach at UW La Crosse, and he taught anatomy and physiology for the American Council on Exercise. At Anytime Fitness, he was the owner, operator, personal trainer, and powerlifting coach. Jeff wrote the exercises for the children’s book, Max Makes Millions.  He was chosen by Mankato State University as an advisor to their Customer Experience certification program. He also published several articles in fitness publications, and spoke at industry conferences.
Jeff inspired countless people to start working out, and many to become athletes, personal trainers, bodybuilders, and powerlifters. Jeff will be remembered for his sense of humor, his knowledge of fitness, his generosity with his time, his ability to motivate, and most importantly, his ability to change lives.  
A celebration of life will be held in the fall. Anytime Fitness Lake City will continue to be run by his wife, Teri.  Any donations in Jeff’s memory can be made to the Hiawatha Animal Humane Society, PO Box 215, Lake City, MN 55041.