Alexis Garrod is no cowgirl to joke about. With 15 year experience as an Equestrian Vaulter, she can do handstands on a moving horse — don’t try this at home even if you have a horse (this makes her a great person to get some extra coaching on your handstands). She moved to San Francisco to study exercise science at SFSU, and received her B.S. in Kinesiology in 2010. Also a personal trainer for World Gym, she discovered CrossFit as Eric Wittenberg was erecting the “cage” in the back of the gym. Constantly peering in, and wanting to try, Joe Talmadge took her in and introduced her to her first WOD. Hooked by the high intensity and community aspect, CrossFit makes her happy by feeling as if she is playing a sport and is part of a team again. As our CFPH mission statement states we train to become better at life and this is her motivation to keep pushing and stay CrossFitting!

Q&A:

1. Why do you CrossFit?

It’s the closest thing to being part of a sport again – with meaningful scores, constantly challenging, and especially the awesome community.

2. What’s your favorite WOD?

“Filthy Fifty”

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

A warm place where all my CrossFit friends are simultaneously, because nothing beats WODing with your friends.

4. Please make up a secret identity for yourself.

My name is Shakira. I am a pop star from Colombia. Famous for the song “Hips Don’t Lie”

5. How do you eat?

Gluten-Free, because I love chocolate and yogurt too much for Paleo.

6. Interests & Hobbies?

Dancing, acrobatics, travel, motorcycle riding on the coast, bicycle rides in the city, the beach, steak dinner, wine and CrossFit competitions.

SKILLS

B.S. Kinesiology

CrossFit Level 1 Trainer (CF- L1)

CrossFit Level 2 Trainer (CF- L2)

CrossFit Level 3 Trainer (CF- L3)

CrossFit Mobility

USAW

Freestyle Connection

CrossFit Adaptive

World Gym “Elite” Level Personal Trainer

I was born and raised in CA, where I grew up with a family that loved sports. I played basketball, softball, and competed in track and field as a youth. My husband and I moved to Scotland where we lived for 11 years and had 3 kids along the way! I was introduced to CrossFit while in Scotland and was hooked immediately loving the combination of competition and community. I gained my CrossFit Level 1 Certification and began coaching there. We moved to San Francisco in 2014, and I continued to coach CF working at another box in the City. I currently coach classes at both Hopper Life locations: CrossFit South Park, CrossFit Potrer Hill.

Q&A:

1. Why do you CrossFit?

Because I LOVE it! I love the feeling of accomplishment after a WOD, but most of all I love the camaraderie. There’s nothing better than encouraging the person next to you in the middle of a WOD.

2. What’s your favorite WOD?

Grace

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

New Zealand

4. How do you eat?

I put food in my mouth, chew and swallow. Just joking! I don’t follow any strict dietary regimens. I mainly stick to a good balance of Protein, Carbs, Fats, Fruits, and Vegetables. I am very fortunate that I have a husband who is a great cook and does weekly meal prep for our lunches.

5. Interests & Hobbies?

Aerial, watching rugby, beach trips, camping

SKILLS

CrossFit Level 1 Trainer (CF- L1)

CrossFit Level 2 Trainer (CF- L2)

CrossFit Level 3 Trainer (CF- L3)

USAW Level 1 Certification

I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY where I grew up with a love of baseball, which I played through High School. I subsequently served four (4) years in the US Navy followed by college and law school. I discovered CrossFit later in my life as I was in a running club training for 1/2 marathons and it was recommended to me as augmented training for this passion in Dallas, TX. What began as a training tool became my passion and outlet as I have met many of my closest friends and work colleagues through CrossFit. I completed my CF-L1 Certification in 2012 and began coaching in 2018 at another CrossFit Gym here in San Francisco. I moved to CrossFit Potrero Hill in 2020, and now I coach at all three Hopper Life locations: CrossFit South Park, CrossFit Potrer Hill, and CrossFit Mission Bay.

Currently, outside of coaching, I am an Executive Director of HR Consulting and Talent Acquisition for a large healthcare system here in the Bay Area. Additionally, I serve as the President and Founder of Westside Athletes Association, a non-profit providing sponsorships to persons who have never tried CrossFit to assist it being affordable and sustainable.

Q&A:

1. Why do you love CrossFit?

The through line in my life is transformation: Transforming companies and people through unlocking potential. We get to do this by voluntarily taking on or doing hard things and through adversity, in my opinion.

2. What is your Favorite WOD?

Helen

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

O’ahu, Hawai’i.

4. Please make up a secret identity for yourself.

There is no secret identity as my nick name is Lord Governor or The Governor.

5. How do you eat?

Macro Nutrients set by my nutrition coach based on a paleo diet.

6. Interests and Hobbies?

CrossFit, Gymnastics, Olympic Weightlifting, Macro-Economics, Constitutional Law, Employment and Labor Law, Behavioral Economics, Baseball, American Football, and Music.

SKILLS

CrossFit Level 1 Trainer (CF- L1)

CrossFit Level 2 Trainer (CF- L2)

CrossFit Level 3 Trainer (CF- L3)

USAW Level 2 Certification

CrossFit Gymnastics

CrossFit Endurance

CrossFit Weightlifting

CrossFit Mobility

CrossFit Nutrition Course

CrossFit Kettlebell Course

Precision Nutrition Level 1

I love ice cream, a good burger and fast workouts (better have some gymnastics in it)! Been doing CrossFit for almost 10 years, and coaching for 8. I believe in good vibes, fun music, and solid technique.

In addition to coaching CrossFit classes, I also run the Competitor Program here at CrossFit South Park.

SKILLS

CrossFit Level 1 Trainer (CF- L1)

CrossFit Level 2 Trainer (CF- L2)

CrossFit Level 3 Trainer (CF- L3)

As long-distance runner, I never did weight training. One day, I stepped on a curb wrong while running and threw my back out. My brother, Victor, was coaching CrossFit at the time and was always bugging me to join. After my doctor told me I needed to start strength training, I called up my brother to help me. And I haven’t looked back!

I want to make people stronger in life and be able to tackle any physical problem that comes their way so that they can live a healthier, longer life. I specialize in training for longer, endurance-type situations while having the power and strength to muscle through certain situations. If you are looking to try a Spartan Race, I’m your guy!

Q&A:

1. Why do you CrossFit?

At first, it was to improve my running. Now it’s a lifestyle and a fun thing to do. I just want to become stronger and stay fit.

2. What’s your favorite WOD?

Fight Gone Bad is my favorite.

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

Tokyo would be awesome.

4. Please make up a secret identity for yourself.

Mild-mannered crossfitter by day, Z fighter to save the day. If you don’t know, just ask!

5. How do you eat?

No comment.

6. Interests & Hobbies?

Long distance running. Obstacle course racing. Video games, reading, movies and TV shows, plus anime and comics.

SKILLS

CrossFit Level 1 Trainer (CF- L1)

CrossFit Level 2 Trainer (CF- L2)

USAW Sport Performance Certificate

Originally from Raleigh, NC, I am born and bred a Tar Heel. I grew up playing youth basketball and running track. After graduating from college, I moved around quite a bit and joined local gyms in order to make friends. I discovered CrossFit while living in Chicago, after being introduced to it by my friend/trainer at my neighborhood gym. I instantly fell in love with intensity, the variety, and most importantly the community.

I completed my Level 1 certification in 2017, and began coaching at a box shortly after. I've been fortunate enough to have coached and been a member of CrossFit gyms across the country. I joined CrossFit Potrero Hill in August 2022, shortly after I moved to San Francisco from Oakland. I currently coach at all three Hopper Life locations: CrossFit South Park, CrossFit Potrero Hill, and CrossFit Mission Bay.

Originally from Raleigh, NC, I am born and bred a Tar Heel. I grew up playing youth basketball and running track. After graduating from college, I moved around quite a bit and joined local gyms in order to make friends. I discovered CrossFit while living in Chicago, after being introduced to it by my friend/trainer at my neighborhood gym. I instantly fell in love with intensity, the variety, and most importantly the community. I completed my Level 1 certification in 2017, and began coaching at a box shortly after. I've been fortunate enough to have coached and been a member of CrossFit gyms across the country. I joined CrossFit Potrero Hill in August 2022, shortly after I moved to San Francisco from Oakland. I currently coach at all three Hopper Life locations: CrossFit South Park, CrossFit Potrero Hill, and CrossFit Mission Bay.

Q&A:

1. Why do you CrossFit?

The community. No matter where I go in the world, I know that I find good people at a local box that speak the common language of fitness.

2. What’s your favorite WOD?

Annie

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

A beach resort.

4. Please make up a secret identity for yourself.

A.P.

5. How do you eat?

I LOVE food! I love trying new restaurants and cuisines, so I don't follow any strict diet regimens. I try to eat balanced, generally healthy meals during the week.

6. Interests & Hobbies?

Dancing, binge-watching TV shows, watching movies, going to live music shows/concerts, and organizing

SKILLS

CrossFit Level 1 Trainer (CF-L1)

CrossFit Level 2 Trainer (CF-L2)

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!

SKILLS

CrossFit Level 1 Trainer (CF-L1)

CrossFit Level 2 Trainer (CF- L2)

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

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.

SKILLS

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!

SKILLS

CrossFit Level 1 Trainer (CF- L1)