Meet Our Coaching Staff

If our clients are the heart of this operation then our coaching staff is the soul. Here are the folks who bring that necessary inspiration and motivation to the box on a daily basis.

CHRISTIAN

Christian grew up playing any and every sport he could. An All-Conference High School Soccer player, he also dabbled in basketball, volleyball, tennis, baseball, ping pong — You name it, he played it! After High School he went on to play Lacrosse at UC Davis, so you can bet when he started CrossFit he thought he was in pretty good shape. After a few workouts though, he realized there were so many areas he could improve on, and so he committed to doing just that. To do his day job safely and effectively he needs to be in the best shape possible, and once he realized how much better shape he could be in, he was hooked!

Certifications and Training:
*Level 1 CrossFit Trainer Certified
*USA Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach Certified
*CrossFit Mobility and Recovery
*LEO Defensive Tactics Instructor

***Get To Know Christian***

Hometown: Concord, CA
Describe yourself in one word: Competitive
Favorite Lift: Snatch
Fitness myth you love to bust: Squatting correctly below 90 degrees is bad for
the knees
Favorite Local Eats: El Palmar
Item on your bucket list: Cross country road trip with the family
Guilty Pleasure: Scotch and cigars
Best advice you’ve ever been given: Don’t settle
When you are famous and they make a movie about your life, who do you hope
plays you? I think Daniel Craig would be able to handle a complicated role like that.

GINA

Gina started lifting in 2000, but it wasn’t until 2007 that she found CrossFit. She has been an anchor of ARCFit’s competitive spirit, participating in the 2009 regionals and 2010 sectionals, as well as many local competitions. This girl will not back away from a good throwdown – especially if that throwdown involves anyone trying to turn off the Lady Gaga. Gina’s coaching style is unique because she is not only full of energy and positivity but she has some serious expertise as well. She will make you laugh so hard you will forget you’re working out. Well…almost.

Certifications and Training:
*Level 1 CrossFit Trainer Certified
*USA Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach Certified
*CrossFit Mobility and Recovery
*Robb Wolf Nutriton Seminar

***Get To Know Gina***

Hometown: Vacaville, California
What made you a CrossFit believer: A video I saw of a man by the name of Kyle Maynard who had no arms and legs killing a wod…NO EXCUSES!
Favorite Lift: Clean
Advice you’d give to someone considering CrossFit: Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.
Favorite thing to do when not CrossFitting: Shopping, of course
Guilty Pleasure: Starbucks Whipped Cream
When you are famous and they make a movie about your life, who do you hope plays you? Chelsea Handler

LARRY

Growing up Larry was a very avid soccer player. And then he quit. Most people can relate to how a story like this ends. In December of 2008 Larry found CrossFit and his overall fitness has never been better. Larry is a distance running enthusiast, so don’t let anyone tell you CrossFit can’t prepare you for endurance events. He’s finished the 2011 American River Endurance Race 50 Miler, as well as both The Shamrock’n Half Marathons and the Urban Cow Half Marathons in 2009, 2010 and 2011 — and that is just to name a few.

Certifications and Training:
*Level 1 CrossFit Trainer Certified
*USA Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach Certified
*BS Exercise Science

***Get To Know Larry***

Hometown: Carmichael
Describe yourself in one word: Determined
Favorite Lift: Cleans
Fitness myth you love to bust: That the ab chair works.
Favorite thing to do when not CrossFitting: Eating and Traveling. And I’m a movie fiend
Favorite Local Eats: Scott’s Burger Shack, One Speed Pizza, Times Square Deli,
JIMBOY’s
One thing on your bucket list: Western States 100
Guilty Pleasure: Movie Theater Buttered Popcorn
When you are famous and they make a movie about your life, who do you hope
plays you? Denzel Washington

RYAN

In high school Ryan mastered Swimming, Track, Soccer and Cross Country and even went on to be a competitive swimmer in college. It was only natural that he would spend some time coaching as well. Ryan got a taste of mentoring being the Assistant Coach of the Walnut Creek Razors and The Sutter Lawn Tsunamis.Rounding out that experience, Ryan has also competed in multiple Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitions such as the US Open, Pan American Championships, and the Mundials (Worlds) as well but lucky for us he now shares his coaching expertise (and his LOVE of mobility) here.

Certifications and Training:
*Level 1 CrossFit Trainer Certified
*CrossFit Mobility and Recovery Seminar
*USA Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach Certified
*Crossfit Coaches Prep Seminar
*Aerobics and Fitness Association of America Certified Personal Trainer

***Get To Know Ryan***

Hometown: Walnut Creek, CA
Favorite Lift: Snatch
Fitness myth you love to bust: Anything involving a leg press or a bicep curl
Advice you’d give to someone considering CrossFit: Take your time. Focus on what you’re doing, not everyone else. Ask for help! We are all in this together
Favorite Local Eats: Sandra Dees
One thing on your bucket list: Lambeau Field
Guilty Pleasure: Donut Holes
Best advice you’ve ever been given: Never say no to an opportunity.
When you are famous and they make a movie about your life, who do you hope plays you? Ryan Reynolds.

RANDY

Randy coached Kenpo Karate while in High School and Junior College and eventually began participating in MMA and kickboxing. He even coached a fight team in Sacramento for 7 Years. As a Weaponless Defense Instructor for the probation department he was responsible for training employees, so what that means is Randy is the kind of guy you want to be with walking through a dark alley. He began CrossFit in 2007 and became certified instructor in 2009. In 2010 he got his USA Olympic weight lifting club coach certificate to add to the list. Randy is the gym’s most vocal kettlebell enthusiast, and he’s currently working towards a certification for that.

Certifications and Training:
*Level 1 CrossFit Trainer Certified
*USA Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach Certified

***Get To Know Randy***

Hometown: Cameron Park, CA
What made you a CrossFit believer: I did it in the sheriff academy and when I went to train at fight camp and smoked people because of conditioning and strength.
Describe yourself in one word: Accountable
Favorite Lift: Deadlift
Fitness myth you love to bust: Chicks get strong and hot when they lift weights. They don’t get big and bulky
Advice you’d give to someone considering CrossFit: If your goal in life is to be healthy, strong, look good naked, play with your grandchildren and grow as a person this place is for you because we are here to support you in achieving those goals. Otherwise Planet Fitness is the place for you.
One thing on your bucket list:
I want to get my Russian Kettlebell Certification RKC.
Travel to Thailand and train Muay Thai
Guilty Pleasure: Kettlebells (Duh) And ice cream

ALI

Ali played soccer for 12 years, and ran Cross Country and Track in high school, but it wasn’t until 2008 the he started CrossFit. Finding it such an effective workout, he has spent the past year couple of years coaching. Whether in California or Alabama, Ali knows how to make his mark.

As a professional firefighter/paramedic being fit is a job requirement, so to he has been sharing the CrossFit love coaching firefighters as well for the last two years. All of this comes in handy as Ali participates in a firefighters combat challenge team.

***Get To Know Ali***

Hometown: Vacaville, CA
What made you a CrossFit believer: The first workout kicked my butt, I thought I was in shape, but I had no idea. I made it my goal to get into “CrossFit” shape.
Favorite Lift: Power Clean
Advice you’d give to someone considering CrossFit: All you have to commit to is one hour a day for three days a week and I guarantee you will be in the best shape of your life.
One thing on your bucket list: Riding my Bicycle from California to New York
Guilty Pleasure: Taco Bell
Best advice you’ve ever been given: Amateurs practice until they get it right, Professionals practice until they can’t get it wrong.
When you are famous and they make a movie about your life, who do you hope
plays you? Macho Man Randy Savage (RIP)

THERESA

Theresa spent most of her life being a gymnast, competing at the Regional and National level. While working on her BA in Kinesiology at Cal Poly she was a member of their gymnastics team and earned NCAA All American accolades twice.

She has been a Science, Health and Physical Education teacher since 1996 as well as spending time as a High school swim coach, tennis coach and middle school track coach. Theresa obviously has no problem staying fit and busy. CrossFitting since 2010, Theresa has been an anchor member of the ARC Fit competition team.

***Get To Know Theresa***

Hometown: Sacramento
What made you a CrossFit believer: Sports, Fitness, and Health have always been passions of mine. CrossFit brought the three together in a combination that made sense and gave me exactly what I was looking for in a workout. I saw results in my own CrossFit training, and am truly blown away by the results
that the program can achieve in others. I love the CrossFit culture and what is represents. Going to the box daily and watching people sweat, laugh, strive, and progress makes everyday worthwhile.
Describe yourself in one word: driven
Favorite Lift: Snatch
Favorite (not a fitness activity) thing to do when not CrossFitting: Watching my kids participating or competing in sports.
One thing on your bucket list: Be a contestant AND win The Amazing Race
Best advice you’ve ever been given: “Talent is God-given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful.” -John Wooden

SEAN

Aside from eating contests, Sean never participated in organized sports except for a little football in High School. He had been involved with heavy lifting since high school but always pursued it passively. Three years ago he became involved in CrossFit and heavy things have been shouting “Put me down!” ever since.

Sean says he became a true CrossFit believer three years ago when he did a workout called Fran and got smoked by a 40 year old Mom. It may have crushed his ego that day, but these days rather than getting his butt kicked, you can find him kicking butt as an ARC Fit Competitor.

***Get To Know Sean***

Hometown: Sacramento, Ca.
Fitness myth you love to bust: that you can earn a crappy lifestyle by killing yourself in the gym.
Advice I would give to someone considering CrossFit: don’t just be active, actively be healthy. A healthy and happy lifestyle should be your goal. Challenging your body is part of that, but finding a supportive and productive community focused around positive physical and behavioral changes is invaluable. Do the workouts, embrace the lifestyle, and enjoy the change.
Guilty pleasure: Trader Joes Chicken Wings.
Best advice you’ve ever been given: There is being alive and there is living, just because you’re doing one doesn’t mean you know how to do the other. When you are famous and they make a movie about your life, who do you hope plays you? Obama. Or McConaughey. Whoever is available?

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