EN 
DE OUR STORY
- Shaped by Sport
Starling Performance was born from a powerful vision: to create a space where fitness goes beyond quick results, where it becomes a lifelong tool for health, resilience, and personal growth.
At the heart of this vision is Cristiano Starling, a Brazilian athlete whose life was shaped and ultimately transformed by sport. Growing up in difficult circumstances, Cristiano found strength and direction through martial arts, guided by mentors who taught him discipline, focus, and perseverance. Competing at the national level, he experienced how movement and mindset can be the difference between surviving and thriving.
- CrossFit and New Purpose
In 2010, Cristiano discovered CrossFit, just as it was beginning to grow. He was drawn not just to the results, but to the intensity, structure, and sense of community. But as his involvement deepened, he noticed a crucial gap: while many gyms focused on pushing harder and faster, they rarely offered the recovery support needed to train sustainably. Athletes were often left exhausted, overtrained, or injured—on their own to manage the rest.
- Holistic Fitness Vision
Cristiano believed there was a better way. He envisioned a place where performance and recovery go hand in hand. A place where people, not just athletes, are supported in building lasting routines for energy, balance, and health. A place where fitness isn’t just something you do: it’s how you live.
- Partnering for Success
After relocating to Berlin, Cristiano met Salim Kraatz, a Berlin based entrepreneur who shared his vision and brought startup experience to the table. While Cristiano focused on developing the concept and assembling a handpicked team of expert coaches, community managers, and creatives, Salim laid the foundations by handling the business side to bring the project to life.
- Building the Dream Team
Together, they built Starling Performance: a gym unlike any other. One that supports every member—not just through challenging workouts, but with structured recovery, diagnostics, and holistic health planning. A place where real transformation happens, and where you’re guided every step of the way.
Because at Starling, we believe that our approach to fitness is actually a commitment to life.
