• OPT Level 1 Coach
• CrossFit Level 1 Coach
• CrossFit Running and Endurance Sports Training Coach
• CrossFit Kids Coach
• CrossFit Kettlebell Coach
• CrossFit Football
• Personal Trainer National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)

I grew up playing sports and competing.  In high school I played football, basketball, and ran track.  I was a state champion in the 800m, one mile and two mile relay race my junior and senior years.  After high school I attended Mesa Community College where I ran track as well and received my degree in Fire Science.  After graduating from MCC I continued my studies in Fire Service Management at Arizona State University.  I have always been active and used exercise as a way to challenge myself.  I have run multiple half marathons, full marathons and triathlons and plan to keep running!

Professionally, I’ve had a few different traditional “8:00-5:00” jobs with all the perks and benefits, but was never really happy.  Fitness had always been “just a hobby” until I got laid off from my job in 2004.  At that time I decided to pursue fitness as a full time career.  This has proven to be a great decision.  Having the daily opportunity to help other people reach their goals and gain confidence through improved fitness and wellbeing has been very rewarding.

Ballet dancing, gymnastics competitions, water skiing, biking, snow mobile excursions, softball games, volleyball, fishing, roller-skating, hydroplane racing, etc., one thing was certain I led a very active lifestyle from childhood into adulthood.  I had the opportunity to experience just about every competitive and recreational sport that was sponsored by the public school system or affordable by a “blue collar” family in the Midwest!  My specialty was not specializing!  I enjoyed and was good at many sport activities, but excelled at none.  However, this did not bother me a bit.  I was motivated by simply staying active and through the exposure to new and different experiences.  I learned to develop strategies that sometimes gave me a shot at “fame and fortune.”  For example, in waterskiing competitions I could not win at slalom, tricks or jumping, however I did have a chance at overall!  I could build an entire gymnastics routine off of “showy” movements that did not require great skill, but impressed the audience!

Over the past two years I have been fortunate to be able to use my more than 15 years of experience in healthcare and wellness in a very productive way.  I am in a position where I can help individuals change their behavior in ways that promote an improved level of wellbeing.   Through CoreCrossFit I get to see young people, moms, dads, firefighters, police officers, grandparents and children participate in programs that change their lives.   Because of the CrossFit model of building from natural body movements and incorporating many of the activities we did as children, we get to have fun doing it too!

My husband and I have been very fortunate in our lives.  Our three children Rachel, Hector and James are healthy and happy.  We have a large extended family and many friends that enrich our lives.  About five years ago we decided we needed to do something to share our good fortune with others.  It took us a few years to figure it out, but we eventually decided on a strategy.  Through CoreCrossFit we had the facility, equipment and coaching team necessary to begin a community outreach program for children.  We provide, at no charge, programs that include fitness, nutritional education, homework assistance, active wear clothing, and nutritious snacks to inner-city children in Phoenix, AZ.  The CoreCrossFit staff share our passion about the kids and deliver excellent programs.  Many of our CoreCrossFit clients participate as well.

Small business ownership is not always easy; however, I am happy and very satisfied in my life.  My involvement in CoreCrossFit has allowed me to combine my passions to stay fit, give back to the community and help others achieve their fitness goals.

I grew up in a small town where there isn’t anything to do except sports. I played football, wrestled, and ran track through high school and ran track for a small community college after. My whole life I’ve strived to be a “fit” person, but I never knew what it meant to be “fit”. I did very typical global gym style training, thinking that is what you’re supposed to do if you want to be in shape. I peaked around 20 years old and spent the next 10 years trying to break the plateau. In 2007 I was introduced to CrossFit and was amazed at how far off from “fit” I was. In August of 2008 the Fire Department I work for sent 6 of us to become Level 1 CrossFit Certified, so that we could keep our Firefighters fit. I spent the next year training Firefighters and Recruits exclusively. Through the most random series of events, I met Tom. We talked often about coaching, and in October 2009 I was given the wonderful opportunity to work for Core CrossFit.

My style of coaching is very direct. If you come to a class that I’m teaching, my goals are to teach you how to safely move through the WOD and motivate you to find a level of intensity that you may not have known you had. I will keep you focused and moving forward.

I like to move my body. I like to ride my bikes, snowboard, skateboard, dance, run on the road, run on a trail, run on the beach, I like to play on gymnast rings, and gymnast bars, play with weights, throw stuff, kick stuff, catch stuff, make up stuff and then go do it, I like to jump off of stuff, onto stuff, over stuff, out of stuff. Pull myself onto stuff then jump off of it. If I have seen it done or if I can create it, I will try it. Get it? Then I get a great sense of joy helping others master their body so they can also do whatever they want with theirs.

I will push you, motivate you, make you laugh (possibly cry) and help you achieve heights and personal records you never thought possible for yourself.

I formed Root Down Fitness in 2009 as an access for today’s youth to get involved with fitness, cooking and gardening through local community driven efforts. With the help of Kim Flores and Tom Colvin we made Kids@Core a reality for our local youth. Kids@Core is a non-profit venture to children from low-to-no income families in Downtown Phoenix. My goal is to have non-profit Children’s Fitness Programs in 20 North American cities by 2020.

I love watching people improve themselves. Being a part of the team at Core allows me to help athletes control their bodies, move faster, jump higher and become stronger. There is nothing better than seeing an athlete grab life by the horns, achieve their goals and then set their sights on bigger, bolder accomplishments inside and outside of the gym.

I will make you faster and stronger than those around you, teach you to move naturally and safely, and help you fuel the machine that is your body.

• CrossFit Level 1 Coach

Growing up the youngest of four, I was always involved in sports. I played football for ten years until an injury in high school forced me to change direction. I needed to find an outlet for my energy so I began to explore other forms of exercise. I learned that I enjoy pretty much all exercise especially outdoor sports. When I am not participating in fitness related activities I enjoy playing the violin and traveling with my friends. I also like music, loud music and I am motivated by new experiences.

While attending college I decided to become a personal trainer. I enjoyed building relationships with my clients and helping them make progress towards achieving their fitness goals. I love my job and am excited about going to work every day. Finding CrossFit has only increased my motivation and passion for fitness. For me, CrossFit represents something much bigger than an exercise program, it provides an opportunity to be a part of a like-minded community and become a better person. In my role at CoreCrossFit I am completely fulfilled through helping others improve their fitness and reach their goals. I am thankful the family here at CoreCrossFit has given me this opportunity.

• CrossFit Level 1 Coach

Born and raised in England I grew up playing football (soccer), rugby, and cricket. My true passion was football which I played competitively from an early age all the way through university. I graduated from the University of Leeds (UK) with a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering and moved to Arizona in 2001 to pursue a career in the Aerospace industry.

After hanging up my football boots I found I really missed the camaraderie and competition of team sports. That was until I stumbled upon CoreCrossFit in 2009. It provides me with a great place to push myself, manage work stress, and meet great people. In 2010 I completed the CrossFit level I certification to learn more about CrossFit programming and coaching techniques.

My career and travel occasionally hinder my CrossFit attendance and coaching availability, but please feel free to ask me questions whether I’m coaching, hanging out, or working out alongside you!