Coaches

Tommy has been involved in sports his whole life.  He grew up playing competitive youth hockey in his hometown area and played Junior A hockey for 5 years.  He was accustomed to working out with a group and being pushed by his coaches and teammates.

Tommy is now an EMT for a private corporation and a paid on-call Firefighter for a local city. Both of these jobs require strenght & stamina, which he achieves through CrossFit.

Tommy found it hard to motivate himself to do a full 2 hour "typical globo-gym workout" or even make it to the gym to workout by himself. It lacked the team aspect and competitive nature he was used too.

Tommy was introduced to Crossfit in 2009 by his sister, Carey, and became addicted to the competitive nature and camaraderie that the community brings. Crossfit's functional movements also help him in his career, as he has noticed a difference in how much easier it is to perform at both jobs.

• CrossFit Level 1
• State of Michigan Licensed EMT-Basic
• American Red Cross CPR
• American Heart Association CPR

Kit

I grew up in Windsor, ON, Canada, and being an athlete was just part of life.  I was fortunate enough to play competitive hockey, football, soccer, baseball and golf.  In high school, I mainly focused on hockey, football, and weight lifting.

However team sports came to an end because the college I attended for construction engineering management did not have a football or hockey team, and working out became tough due to the college gym being sub par. This was a complete change to my daily life and I suddenly felt lost.  Athletics and competition were everything to me and now they had both dissolved.

After a year of arguing with a college friend over whose “weightlifting routine” was better, it was time for a challenge.  He invited me to his garage gym to attempt a CrossFit workout called, “Fran.”  My friend was correct about his workout regime, because even though I was able to complete the workout, I was “wrecked” afterwards.  This intrigued me; for the first time in my life, outside of sports, I had been challenged and defeated beyond recognition.  I immediately switched to doing CrossFit WODs at a ‘globo’ gym, however I was frustrated with the staff constantly telling me I wasn’t allowed to use chalk or move their equipment.

So, I started acquiring equipment for my own personal garage gym.  While starting my new career, I continued with my passion for CrossFit and received my Level 1 Certification. I have started to coach others out of my garage gym, and now hope to enhance and grow my coaching skills at CFT.  A future goal of mine is to own an affiliate so others, like me who have that “competitive drive”, will always have an outlet for their passion in life.

• Crossfit Level  1
• Crossfit Olympic Lifting
• Crossfit Nutrition
• Certified USAW Olympic Weightlifting Coach

Jake

• CrossFit Level 1
• Medical First Responder / CPR

Steph

CrossFit is a lifestyle. I started with the CrossFit method in 2009 and have not looked back since. Prior to CrossFit, I was the typical athletic girl at the gym who ran 1293 miles on the treadmill and then spent another hour using dumbbells and bands because I didn't want to "bulk up." Sound familiar?  I was very much athletic and a totally competitive person my entire life - I was involved in soccer, track, volleyball, all things outdoors.  However I spent much of my fitness time investing trust and belief in Pilate’s videos, Women's Health magazine, and things actors and models were doing to stay "fit." Although I consistently aspired to be a great athlete, I didn't want to look like one? It was all about the look. Idiotic, honest, and exactly what 95% of ignorant people at the gym think. It wasn't until my “CrossFitting” boyfriend decided to finally drag me to his side of the gym (you know, the side with all those scary bars, weights, and men doing crazy things like squatting, dead lifting, and bicep curls, oh my) when I realized what the hell I was doing wrong. It was a tough pill to swallow considering I "knew exactly what I was doing." 

Fast forward to today. I am 110% better, faster, stronger, healthier, athletic, and, yes, better looking. I can do everything I did before but now I do it 10 times better, and then some! My whole life has transformed physically, emotionally, and mentally. I know it may sound a bit dramatic right now, but CrossFit literally changed how I viewed the world and all things in it. I learned fitness is overall well-being, and the way you look should be a consequence of your general health and training, not the main priority. I learned the scale lies; that the more muscle you have, the more you are going to weigh, but the more efficient you will be. The list goes on. I credit much of my accomplishments from that fateful day in 2009 through the present to the CrossFit way of life.  

I decided to major in Kinesiology and to choose a career in physical therapy because of it. I have been fortunate to meet and train all types of people from kids to the elderly, special populations, and all that's in between. It has led me to a community that I didn't even know existed - a tight-knit family that I am blessed to be part of. It has shaped my life and my butt in more ways than I can begin to describe. “Experience” is what CrossFit has given me. Trust me when I say, CrossFit is the real-life deal if you want to be fit for LIFE.  Do not waste another second of your life being intimidated by the person you can become and the things you can accomplish. Check your pride at the door, lace up your shoes, and start... just start! The training won't get easier, but you will undoubtedly get better. Remember the overall goal.

Enough about me, what about you?

• 23rd Place 2011 CrossFit Games Open Qualifier - Central East.
• 25th Place 2012 CrossFit Games Open Qualifier - Central East.

• CrossFit Level 1
• American Red Cross First Aid & CPR/AED and Child plus Infant CPR certified

Paul

• CrossFit Level 1
• Medical First Responder / CPR

Joe

Joe, aka “Joey,” is one of CrossFit Transformation’s “home grown” trainers, because he has been with CFT since it has opened.  Prior to CrossFit, Joe came from the world of long-distance running, having completed a full marathon and numerous 13 and 20 mile races.  Joe was drawn to the CrossFit lifestyle by the constant variety of workouts, intensity, and the sense of community and support CFT provided.  Having previously relied on running as his only form of exercise, Joe knew next to nothing about weightlifting or strength training.  Soon, Joe began mastering the major lifts with the help of the CFT coaches, along with the support and encouragement of the other members.

Joe realized that after his weightlifting and CrossFit skills developed, his race times began to improve as well!  These results had Joe sold on CrossFit, and received his certification in CrossFit Endurance training, and then his Level 1 Certification.  Joe runs the “Detroit Endurance” class to help members, from beginners to advanced, in improving their running skills and endurance stamina.

Joe also runs CFT’s Fundamentals class to assist members in mastering the basic CrossFit skills and lifts.  Joe truly believes that CrossFit can be taught to anyone, regardless of age, body type, or fitness ability.

Certifications:

• CrossFit Level 1
• CrossFit Endurance

           

Zach

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Zach has been involved in a large variety of sports for most of his life. In high school he was a multi sport athlete. He was most passionate about wrestling and alpine ski racing, both of which involve very extensive training. He seemed to really excel on the mountain and decided to continue his racing career in college. He raced for Northern Michigan University.  In addition, has trained extensively at the United States Olympic Education Center for Olympic Weightlifting. When he was introduced to CrossFit, he as immediately hooked.  He loved to train, and the “Sport of Fitness” just seemed like a perfect fit. Training to perfect the technical lifts (Snatch and Clean  Jerk) became his passion and he loved helping others learn to perform more effectively. After about a year of CrossFit and seeing the effects of CrossFit first hand, he decided to get Certified to help others out there reach their peeks in human performance. Certifications:

• CrossFit Level 1