CrossFit Level 2 Certified Trainer.

I found CrossFit in 2016 after playing college softball. I wanted to have more diversity in workouts and find a sense of community, which I thankfully achieved. I went on to obtain my Level 1 in 2021, and decided to pursuing coaching at PH 2022. I am passionate about helping others reach their goals and look forward to working with anyone who walks into our Box!

I was born and raised in Houston, TX though I have lived in a number of places since then. I first developed a love for fitness through a passion for running. I ran cross-country and track in junior high and high school, marathons in college and triathlons after college. I first tried CrossFit in 2013 as a way to add a strength component to my endurance training. As I continued with it, I started to notice I was running faster and doing things I never thought I could do, pain-free, for the first time in my life as a runner. I later got introduced to olympic weightlifting in 2015 when I was approached at a competition by my first coach, Skipp Benzing. He gave me such an incredible foundation to weightlifting and made me fall in love with the sport. I’ve been competing in olympic weightlifting ever since.

I have been blessed throughout my athletic life to have worked with a number of coaches that recognized a potential in me. It is through their mentorship that I have grown so much physically, emotionally and mentally as a person and the impact that has had on my life has reverberated so much past gym walls. My experience inspired me to get my USAWL1 and CFL1 certification in hopes of giving back to others in the same way. In my classes, I hope to share with you the lessons and love for crossfit/weightlifting I have learned through private training and help you build better confidence, poise, and understanding of movement under the bar. Let’s get it! I am so excited to work with you all!

SKILLS

CrossFit Level 1 Trainer (CF- L1)

USAW Level 1 Certification

CrossFit Level 1 Trainer (CF- L1)

I grew up in Kentucky, where my parents put me in gymnastics at age 3. I was doing back handsprings by 4 and competing in power tumbling shortly after. I spent most of my childhood upside down, which could explain my love of HSPU. In my youth, I competed in various other sports, including basketball, track & field, volleyball and cheerleading.

After high school, I fell away from sports and spent most of my time making art. I studied sculpture and after graduating college, went on to mortuary school where I specialized in restorative art.

Shortly after becoming a funeral director and embalmer, I got back into fitness. I considered myself to be fairly fit, but found I wasn’t quite strong enough to move loved ones on my own. After finding myself in several precarious situations, I knew I was going to have to develop the strength to lift heavy. This was around the time I discovered CrossFit.

I met my husband, Brennen, at a CF box in 2015. He’s been my favorite WOD partner since. I became a member of CFPH after moving to San Francisco in 2019. I got my L1 in 2021 and have been coaching at CFPH since earlier this year.

I love CrossFit, it’s inclusivity and scalability. I’m forever grateful to have found this sport, the friends, coaches and all the amazing people it’s introduced me to.

Q&A:

1. Why do you CrossFit?

I do CrossFit for both the physical challenges as well as for my mental health.

2. What’s your favorite WOD?

Anything with a barbell in it.

3. If you could be immediately transported anywhere in the world to perform a WOD, where would it be?

I have been lucky to WOD in over a 100 boxes around the world when I travel for work. One place I have never been and want to visit and of course WOD is Scotland.

4. Please make up a secret identity for yourself.

Fitness enthusiast by day, Master Whiskey Distiller by night

5. How do you eat?

I generally eat clean. I stay away from fast/processed foods and mostly cook at home. Of course there are cheat meals, but I try to keep those to 1 or 2 a week.

6. Interests & Hobbies?

Besides CrossFit….Motorcycles, Hiking (when i can), PC Gaming and reading fantasy/sci-fi.

CrossFit Level 1 Trainer (CF- L1)

Mark has a long background in fitness and has been coaching since 2015 as a personal trainer and strength and conditioning coach. It was in 2019 that his now wife, Canessa introduced him to CrossFit by making him do the Benchmark WOD “Karen” (150 Wall Balls for time), and he hasn’t looked back since!