Coaches

Megan Karlen

Growing up, Megan played softball off and on until High School.  Although she played a sport growing up, Megan found it difficult to maintain motivation for exercise and fitness.  Megan graduated High School and went on to college pursuing a career in the medical field.  She graduated nursing school in early 2007 and realized that she had made her career in health care a higher priority than her own health and fitness.  Megan took up running in her off time in an attempt to gain control of her health.  By this time, CrossFit had grown from a "trend" to a proven and well respected fitness routine.  CrossFit made its way directly into Megan's circle of friends.  As good friends do, they shared their new found love of fitness and CrossFit with Megan.  She overcame the initial intimidation of the program and fell in love with the atmosphere and camaraderie CrossFit brings.  Megan was hooked!  She lost 50 pounds her first year and realized that she had a strong passion for the sport, health and achieving a higher level of fitness. Like most CrossFitters, Megan started out with modified movements but persistently worked toward Rx workouts.  Today, you'll typically find Megan going above Rx while still finishing WODs faster than anyone in her classes.  Whether in a competition setting or just doing a daily workout, Megan loves CrossFit!

After being a member at a few Southern California gyms, she found a home with CrossFit Inland Empire and made a huge impression with the Coaching Staff as a stand-out performer.  Megan went on the fast track from interning to being a Certified Level 1 CrossFit Coach within a few short weeks and has since made an outstanding addition to the family of talented athletes and coaches of CrossFit IE.  Coaching has since been added to her list of passions and that passion for the sport is visible in her efforts as an athlete as well as coach. 

Megan Karlen
Certified CrossFit Level 1 Coach
Licensed Vocational Nurse

Lane Gard

PICTURE PENDING...

As a kid Lane's hobbies included Basketball, Baseball, and Surfing.  Growing up, Lane was surrounded by positive athletic figures as his father and grandfather are and were both career coaches.  Lane's father, Mark Gard, coached for Poly High School, Long Beach Poly, and Jurupa Valley as a successful Football and Basketball Coach.  His Grandfather, Arlo Gard, coached Poly High School's CIF Champion Football and Basketball teams.  Both Father and Grandfather played a strong athletic role for Lane growing up. 
While attending Jurupa Valley High School, Lane played Basketball, Water Polo, Cross Country, and Swimming.  He earned a Varsity letter in Basketball, Swimming and Water Polo his Sophomore year of High School.  During his High School athletic career, Lane won several medals and spent most of his time on the podium.  By his Senior year, he was voted First Team All League for being at the top of his Water Polo Team.  Before completing High School, Lane enlisted in the United States Marine Corp and within 6 months of graduating, he reported for duty at MCRD, San Diego. 
While in boot camp, Lane, not only recieved a perfect 300 on his PFT (Physical Fitness Test), but was the only recruit to do so.  His performance in boot camp lead to being awarded his class Iron Man and promotion to PFT (Private First Class).
Upon graduation of boot camp, Lane's first assignment was Presidential Security Detail and provided physical security to President George W. Bush.  During his duties with PSD, he was trained and certified as a Marine Corp Martial Arts Instructor and Pistol/Rifle Coach.  From 2007-2008, Lane was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
After being Honorably Discharged from the Marine Corp, Lane moved back to his home town of Riverside and began coaching Jurupa Valley High School's Basketball, Water Polo, and Swim Teams. 
After driving by CrossFit Inland Empire several times traveling to and from JVHS, Lane stopped in to check out the program.  After a quick run home, he returned for his first CrossFit class.  Although he lost his lunch within minutes of the warm-up, Lane knew CrossFit was something he would stick to and excel.  He did just that and religiously attended classes 6 days a week and confidently competed in CrossFit Inland Empire's Frogman Challenge.  With his strength as a CrossFitter and history as a swimmer, Lane dominated his Division and ended his first CrossFit competition experience on the podium taking home 1st place.
Within 6 months of finding CrossFit, Lane was a Certified Level 1 CrossFit Coach.  He has since honed his Coaching skills further and has become a great asset to the athletes of CFIE.  Lane plans to continue coaching and competing in future CrossFit competition while maintaining his title in the Frogman Challenge.

 

Lane Gard
Certified Level 1 CrossFit Coach
Corporal, United States Marine Corp
Freshman Basketball Coach, Jurupa Valley High School
Junior Varsity Water Polo Coach, Jurupa Valley High School
Assistant Varsity Swim Coach
Sophomore at Riverside Community College, History Major

Derrick Shepard

 

Derrick was actively playing football and baseball at the early age of 9 years old.  While attending Ayala High School, Derrick played outside linebacker for the Bulldogs.  His efforts lead the team to the CIF playoffs all 3 years he played.  After graduating High School, Derrick found the sport of Muay Thai, which he also excelled.  In 2008, Derrick was awarded the rank of Muay Thai Level 1D and pursued his Muay Thai Level 2.  Throughout his active life, he continued training traditionally through the popular globo-gym, 24 Hour Fitness.  In February 2009, Derrick's wife and CFIE athlete, Gin, found CrossFit and were both immediately hooked.  While training with CrossFit IE, Derrick simultaneously competed in a flag football league and once again, made the playoffs.

Since starting CrossFit, Derrick has proved himself to be a stand out performer and was one of the first athletes to represent CFIE in a CrossFit competition with only 3 months of Olympic weightlifting experience.  His love for CrossFit lead him to pursue his CrossFit Level 1 certification.

Derrick Shepard
Certified CrossFit Level 1 Coach
Muay Thai Level 1D
Intermediate CrossFit Competitor

Shawna Rosa

 
Although Shawna wasn't athletic growing up, she was exposed to softball and gymnastics.  While attending Temecula Valley High School, she competed as a Cross Country runner.  As a young newlywed she juggled the needs of her household with the responsibilities of her professional career which led her to struggle with fluctuating weight and overall health.  Once Shawna learned she was expecting her first child, Nathan, she knew her life needed a change for the better.  She began a healthier life for her new son and soon expected a second.  Within 6 months of Aaron's birth, Shawna was fitter and healthier than ever.  With her new passion for fitness, she was motivated to help women in similar situations.  As a very successful personal trainer for LA Fitness, word grew of Shawna's passion for her client's fitness goals and she found herself working with a broader range of athletic ability.  Along her path as a professional fitness trainer, Shawna obtained her CPC certification as well as several others.  With the education she received through her certification seminars, Shawna discovered the importance of functional training.  Although Shawna trained her clients under the roof of a globo-gym, her clients were all exposed to a challenging functional fitness program with minimal rest breaks.  Her reputation grew, not only as an outstanding coach, but a tough one.  Her husband discovered CrossFit in April of 2010 and quickly joined the CFIE family.  Jason introduced CrossFit to Shawna where she immediately went from an addicted athlete to an aspiring coach.  She fell in love with the program and our encouraging athletes after completing her first WOD.  Shawna's transition from a fitness trainer to a CrossFit Coach was the fastest in CFIE history and Shawna quickly earned the attention and respect of her fellow athletes. 

Aside from coaching CFIE athletes, Shawna is responsible for all the fitness competitions outside of CrossFit.  She coordinates all charity 5k, 10k, Mud Run, and Half/Full Marathon race teams and events.  She organizes and executes the event planning, promoting, registration, information, and itinerary from start to finish.  Shawna also communicates and promotes CFIE events through the CFIE Facebook page.

Certified CrossFit Level 1 Coach
CPR/AED certified
NASM Certified Personal Trainer
NASM CES  (Certified Exercise Specialist)/Injury Prevention
NASM Integrated Plyometric Training

Debi Blackmon

Debi was introduced to CrossFit in 2010 but turned heads the moment she walked in the door.  Debi's amazing strength still impresses the athletes she meets and coaches.  Her decorated military career in combination with her experience as a gymnastic instructor as well as student makes Debi a very well rounded coach.

Debi Blackmon
Certified CrossFit Level 1 Coach
Certified CrossFit Gymnastics Level 1 Coach
Staff Sergeant, Health Professions Recruiter - United States Air Force
NCO Of The Year - USAF
Gymnastics Coach

Paul CastanedaHead Coach

 
 
Paul was introduced to discipline-based forms of fitness, as a child, through years of Martial Arts training.  Always on the look out for the most challenging and effective training programs, he was motivated to build a set of gymnastic rings in his garage after watching the 96' Summer Olympic Games.  Although Paul never played an organized team sport in High School, he did enroll and complete the most difficult ROP Law Enforcement Academy, where he was awarded a 1st place trophy for physical fitness with a score of 1499/1500, the highest score ever recorded.  He also became an avid rock climber and joined the high school Hiking & Climbing Team his senior year.  By 19, Paul was a certified Lifeguard and had completed several 5k's, 10k's, and triathlons including the Los Angeles Marathon.  His love for a challenge led him to serve 5 years in the United States Navy as a contracted student for the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training program in 2002.  Paul also successfully completed S.E.R.E. (survival) school where became the only student in his class to avoid capture.  While serving aboard the USS Ronald Reagan in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Paul found his niche' for passing his experience and knowledge on to others by conducting group training sessions in the hangar bay.  In 2007, Paul developed a training program called Extreme Fitness Training and joined forces with Chris in 2008 and took over CFIE operations early 2009.  Paul still continues to train and compete as an athlete and has completed dozens of charity events at record pace.  Paul also holds a belt under the 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu system.

Today, Paul manages the day to day operations of all training that occurs on-site at our training locations as well as CFIE's Team Sport/Corporate training programs.

Paul Castaneda
Certified CrossFit Level 1 Coach
Extreme Fitness Training Founder
AO(AW) 2nd Class Petty Officer, U.S. Navy
Cerfified Lifeguard
CPR/BLS/First Aid Certified
Certified Open Water Diver
Advanced CrossFit Competitor
Pose Running Seminar participant
Strong Fit Seminar participant

Fallen Soldiers 5k 2003 - 3rd (overall)
Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge 2008 - 3rd (overall) 
Highland YMCA Half Marathon 2008 - 11th  (overall)
SBSD Mud Run 2008 - 2nd (div)
Best of the West (No-Gi, Submission Grappling)2009 - 2nd (div)
NLP Invitational/Advanced 2010 - 9th
NLP Invitational/Advanced 2010 - 12th 
Donate Life 5k 2010 - 24th (overall)
SBSD Mud Run 2010 - 4th (div)
Eastvale 5k 2010 - 4th
CrossFit Open 2011 - 16th SoCal
NLP Invitational/Advanced 2011 - 4th
SoCal Regionals 2011 - 41st
Helen Meets Grace 2011 - 1st
StrongFit 2011;  200lb+ - 2nd
Long Beach Triathlon - 2nd (div)
Eastvale 5k 2011 - 2nd (div)
Amazing Grace (CFNB) 2011 - 2nd

Contact Paul at crossfitiecoach@yahoo.com

Chris Netley

 

Founder of CrossFit IE, Chris is an extremely talented athlete and coach.  As a collegiate soccer player for the University of California, Riverside, Chris was introduced to CrossFit and later opened up the first CrossFit to serve the Inland Empire in 2006.

Chris is presently serving his country in the United States Marine Corps and is currently deployed to Afghanistan.  Chris has maintained his CrossFit level 2 certification and runs CrossFit Leatherneck in Afghanistan. 

Lt. Chris Netley
CrossFit Level 2 Coach
CrossFit IE Founder
CrossFit Leatherneck Coach
2nd Lieutenant - USMC
Russian Kettlebell Challenge