Training is done to acquire a set of skills, to build strength and to gain both the mental and physical abilities to perform life’s everyday tasks. Training is an ever-evolving process. Each day, life takes us by the hand and leads us in an unknown direction. To prepare for that unknown, we must do what we can in all three areas that complete one’s self: mind, body and spirit. So, we educate ourselves, we perform physical tasks and we interact with friends, family and other spiritual sources. We work to find a balance.
Raleigh CrossFit believes that all three must be obtained to be a balanced individual. And we approach our training in the exact same way. In fact, the coaches at Raleigh CrossFit have over 40 coaching certifications, preparing them to be the best they can be as a coach. Training athletes is not something everyone can do or should do. Training takes excelled knowledge, a precision perspective on the anatomical structure of the human body and the ability to interact on a personal level with people. The coaches at Raleigh CrossFit all have these qualities. We want to make you better, so that you feel better; that you are better. We have the “wanna” factor to accomplish that and we strive to bring that “wanna” factor out in you.
Coaches Zach, Chad, Bobby, Chennelle, Kim, Amber, Mike and Josh. (Not pictured Errikos and Cliff.)
Meet Our Coaches
Owner/Coach Chennelle
Chennelle believes that the greatest aspect of CrossFit training is that the individual determines the results of such programming and that it is completely scalable for every person no matter age or skill level. That means, everyone can succeed at CrossFit – they just have to take the lead and be the master of their own fate.
Chennelle began her CrossFit journey while working as a personal trainer in Milford, Connecticut in 2007. It was there that Jason Leydon of CrossFit Milford provided the knowledge, instruction and encouragement to make CrossFit the main method of fitness programming for her. Since then, Chennelle’s knowledge and experience with CrossFit have expanded to include 13 certifications including her own Level 1 CrossFit Instructor Certification, the Level 2 Coaches Prep Course, CrossFit Kids Certification, CrossFit Powerlifting Certification, USA Weightlifting Sports Coach, CrossFit Olympic Lifting Certification, CrossFit Strongman, CrossFit Endurance Coach Certification and many more. Prior to her days as a CrossFit owner and coach, Chennelle spent over eight years working in sports media relations, to include four years with North Carolina State University athletics and professionally with the U.S. Tennis Association. Additionally, she spent a year as a Raleigh Police Officer prior to operating and coaching at Raleigh CrossFit to fulfill a personal goal of bringing the CrossFit training program to Raleigh, N.C.
Chennelle’s Experience/Knowledge
- Owner/Coach Raleigh CrossFit
- CrossFit Level 1 Certified
- CrossFit Coach’s Preparation Course
- CrossFit Kids Certified
- CrossFit Olympic Lifting Certified
- CrossFit Powerlifting Certified
- CrossFit Strongman Certified
- CrossFit Endurance Coach Certified
- CrossFit Goals Trainer Certified
- USA Weightlifting Level 1 Sports Performance Coach
- CrossFit Mobility Certified
- CrossFit Gymnastics Certified
- Outlaw Coach Training Camp, Sept. 2012
- Catalyst Athletics/Greg Everett Olympic Lifting Seminar, 2013
- Personal Trainer with “Fitness Edge”, Milford, Conn. (NASM Training)
- Renegade Kettlebell Certified
- Renegade Trainer Certified
Additional Fun Facts
- Former City of Raleigh Police Officer (worked for City of Raleigh Police Department from Sept. 2008 to October 2010)
- Former career: Sports Media Relations (Collegiate and Professional), North Carolina State University and United States Tennis Association
- Two years assisting with strength and conditioning program for WNBA’s Detroit Shock (now in Tulsa, Okla.)
- 2006 San Francisco Marathon
- City of Oaks Half Marathon, 3x
- Numerous 10k, 8k and 5k road races
- Media Assistant for 2011 CrossFit Mid-Atlantic Regionals
- Team Captain; 2011 CrossFit Raleigh team (2011 CrossFit Games)
Favorite Quote “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul” from the poem Invictus by William Earnest Henley.
Coach Kim
Coach Kim (Photo by Gillian Carlin)
Kim, a North Carolina State University graduate, also works locally for a cardiac device company. So, every day she helps to educate people on the importance of good heart health. Coupling a balanced nutritional plan, exercise and determination will help everyone reach optimal heart health.Kim is a true product of CrossFit programming. In 2008, Kim joined CrossFit Milford and transformed her mental approach to fitness. In doing so, she began to achieve physical results. In just under two years time, Kim reached elite status in the CrossFit community by advancing from the Southeastern CrossFit Sectionals in Rock Hill, S.C. to compete among the South’s best CrossFitters at the Dirty South Classic Regional in Jacksonville, Fla. In 2011, she participated in the team competition of the 2011 Reebok Games. The CrossFit Raleigh team finished 16th in the world. Kim’s own experience with CrossFit led her to want to teach others about how CrossFit improved her mental and physical approach to life and the importance of staying healthy through proper nutrition and physical activity.
Kim’s Credentials
- Coach at Raleigh CrossFit
- CrossFit Level 1 Instructor Certified
- CrossFit Coach’s Preparation Course
- CrossFit Olympic Lifting Certified
- CrossFit Powerlifting Certified
- CrossFit Strongman Certified
- CrossFit Mobility Certified
- CrossFit Endurance Coach Certified
- CrossFit Gymnastics Certified
- CrossFit Kids Certified
- USA Weightlifting Level 1 Sports Performance Coach Certified
- Outlaw Coach Training Camp, Sept. 2012
- Catalyst Athletics/Greg Everett Olympic Lifting Seminar, 2013
Additional Fun Facts
- Advanced to CrossFit Dirty South Regionals in 2010
- Team member/competitor, CrossFit Raleigh for 2011 Reebok CrossFit Games (team finished 16th of 43 world competitors)
- City of Oaks Half Marathon, 2011
Favorite Quote: “Tell me that I can’t do it. Tell me that I shouldn’t even try. Tell me it’s impossible. Tell me the risk is too high, the challenge too much, or the feat too tough. Tell me that I won’t do it and I will. Say I won’t. ”
Coach Bobby
From Cutler Ridge, Florida, which is just outside of Miami
Family: Wife Julieta, son Robert, daughter Hannah
My favorite aspect of coaching is helping someone to get better every time they walk in the box. Whether it’s from stretching to helping them fix their form in a lift. It shows that they appreciate what it is you’re doing for them.
Coach Bobby. Photo by Gillian Carlin
I CrossFit for many reasons. The number one reason would have to be that I’m head over heels in love with it, from the moment I step in the box, and beyond when I’m home on the CF journal learning more to make myself better. Number two would be I haven’t experienced anything like it in all of my years in fitness. It blew my mind how CrossFit humbles me again and again, but I always feel renewed and focused every workout. Number three is the community of like-minded people who love it and live it as well.
Coach Bobby’s Experience/Knowledge:
- CrossFit Level 1 Instructor Certified
- CrossFit Kids Certified
- CrossFit Powerlifting Certified
- CrossFit Strongman Certified
- CrossFit Mobility Certified
- CrossFit Goals Trainer Certified
- CrossFit Gymnastics Certified
- CrossFit Rowing Certified
- USA Weightlifting Level 1 Sports Performance Coach Certified
- Outlaw Coach Training Camp, Sept. 2012
Coach Mike
Coach Mike. Photo by Gillian Carlin
Mike’s passion for coaching shows with his smile each and every day. He has been coaching with Raleigh CrossFit since its opening in December 2010.
Mike’s Experience/Knowledge
- CrossFit Level 1 Certificate
- CrossFit Gymnastics Certified
- USA Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach Level 1 Certified
- Certified Personal Trainer by The Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research, Dallas, TX
- “The Physical Fitness Specialist Course.”
Coach Chad
Coach Chad has been CrossFitting for 2 years and sets his goals high.
“The more you train, the more confident you become. You can hold you head high and you think,
Coach Chad. Photo by Gillian Carlin
“Hey, I can do that!” Chad believes in order to get better, everyone has to be curious, to ask questions, be willing to take critique and to listen. Everyone can help everyone else become better.
Chad’s Experience/Knowledge
- CrossFit Level 1 Certificate
- USA Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach Level 1
- CrossFit Goals Setting Certified
- CrossFit Olympic Lifting Certified
Coach Amber
Favorite Quote: “It’s amazing how you can alter your life by altering your attitude.” -William James
My CrossFit Philosophy: For CrossFit and life, step out of your comfort zone. When you stay inside your comfort zone you are only doing the things you like and are good at. You are not being challenged or taking risks. When you can step outside of your comfort zone, you will be rewarded with the kind of gifts that can’t be taken away. You must have the courage to do things you think you cannot, and you will achieve greatness.
Coach Amber with the prowler sled.
Why I CrossFit: I am a firefighter and in our profession, it is our duty to act, we are required to be prepared
for the unexpected. Our physical preparedness could mean a life or death situation for ourselves or others. To do what you do and feel that it matters how could anything be more fun?
Amber’s Experience/Knowledge
- CrossFit Level 1 Certificate (Since 2005)
- Outlaw Coach Training Camp, Sept. 2012
- Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Additional Fun Facts
- 8th place of 100 in the 2008 Crossfit games
- I have a Yorkie named Wiley
- Started CrossFit in 2004 and started coaching in 2005.
- I have helped many people throughout my coaching career to develop a dietary plan that is suitable to their life and health. I am dedicated to seeking each individual’s potential and enhance confidence and pride in your abilities as an athlete.
Coach Cliff
From: Kernersville, NC
Favorite Quote:“You are the only one who knows whether you have won.”– Coach John Wooden
Coach Cliff
CrossFit Methodology: Helping others train hard in the box and seeing them reach their goals allows me to be confident that when they go out into the world they will be prepared for whatever life throws at them. My background in gymnastics has allowed me to help others focus on the importance of body awareness and mobility as the keys to successful functional movements. I believe that form and technique are also important for any successful movement; you must know how to move in order to use your body efficiently.
Why I CrossFit: CrossFit has become more than a hobby for me it has become a lifestyle. I CrossFit to be a competitor, I believe that competition drives us to be more than we think we can be. I am striving to qualify to the Mid-Atlantic Regionals and hopefully the Games one day. I have had numerous people tell me “You’re too small to make it there”; to them I say “Thank you”. I train daily and have become a student in the discipline of CrossFit, even on my rest days I am reviewing CrossFit related materials to better my form, technique, understanding, and knowledge.
Cliff’s Experience/Knowledge
- CrossFit Level 1 Certificate (Oct-2012)
- CrossFit Kids Certificate (June 16, 2013)
- 4-years of Junior-Olympic Competitive Gymnastics Coaching (Background in Men’s, Women’s, and Trampoline & Tumbling)
- BS in Sport Management with a minor in Sport Science Minor, NC-State (pending-May 2013)
- Over 20 Credit Hours studying Human & Exercise Physiology (East Carolina University &Winston-Salem State University & North Carolina State University)
- Nationally Accredited Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Judge (NGJA-2011)
- USA-Gymnastics Professional Member (Dec. 2009)
Additional Fun Facts
- Division 1 Student-Athlete; East Carolina University and University of Nebraska-Lincoln (The Huskers)
- Four-Time Medalist at National Championships (Gymnastics-Level 8,9, & 10))
- 2000 National Champion (Gymnastics- Level 10)
- Started CrossFit in 2010, Affiliated with RCF in 2011
- Double-unders and I do NOT get along.
Coach Errikos
Errikos’ Experience/Knowledge
- CrossFit Level 1 Certified
- Started rowing because of a shampoo commercial
- Three times National Rowing Championship medalist (2 silver, 1 gold)
- Member of the Greek Junior National Rowing Team
- Rowed at NC State
- City of Oaks Half Marathon, 2012
Coach Josh
From: Pageland, South Carolina
Josh’s Experience/Knowledge
- Level 1 CrossFit Certified
- CrossFit Coaches Prep Certified
- CrossFit Gymnastics Certified
- Played College Basketball
- Competed in 21 competitions in 4 different states.
- Assistant Director of Operations at Boys and Girls Club in Florence, SC for 3 years
- Rich Froning is my hero.
- I once ate a 64 oz. steak. (It was a bad choice.)
- I have visited about 50 CrossFit affiliates in 10 different states and even a few outside of the United States. Notably Reebok Crossfit Louvre in Paris, France.
- I dunked a basketball for the first time at 14.
- My fiancé Caitie and I have a golden retriever named Mowgli.
