Paul
Starting at the early age of 9, I was introduced to structured physical fitness and discipline through Martial Arts. By 15, I was constructing Olympic rings in my garage and running to friends houses in nearby cities. At 20, I began in-home personal training while pursuing my own physical preparations for the US Military Special Forces. I celebrated my 21st birthday stationed at the Naval Special Warfare Center in Coronado, California. While in the military, I attended Naval Recruit Training, Aviation Ordnance A-school, Bud/S (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL) training, S.E.R.E. (Survival Evasion Resistance Escape) School, and Conventional Weapons Loading School. My collateral duties included the physical conditioning of personnel by leading Physical Training sessions both aboard ship and ashore.
Shortly after my discharge, I established a fitness program that encompassed all the experience and knowledge I gained while serving. After discovering Crossfit, I realized that my attitude and training had been parallel and I was in direct competition with an amazing program. I immediately pursued my Crossfit, Level 1, certification to continue the outstanding progression of amazing people seeking a simple goal: Ultimate personal fitness standards.
Outside of my professional fitness career, I still maintain an active lifestyle. I am an avid snow boarder, rock climber, runner, swimmer, hiker, and cyclist. I compete in several annual athletic charity events including the Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge, local jiu jitsu tournaments, and amateur MMA cage fighting. I've also taken up Free-Running as a new passion and I study Martial Arts under Eddie Bravo's 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu system in Riverside.
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crossfitiecoach@yahoo.com
(951) 963 - 4974
Chris
Like most people, my first gym experience was very intimidating because it created a somewhat overwhelming feeling of uncertainty. How does one produce an effective workout routine? Which equipment is best to use? How do I learn the proper technique for lifting free weights? How many sets? How many reps? How often? And, is it obvious to everyone else in the gym that I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing? All of these questions accurately portray my baffled view of gym-based fitness throughout my teens and early twenties. Ignorance and dread caused me to avoid the gym at all costs. After graduating from high school I was fortunate enough to play both Division I and Division II college soccer. I spent two years in Golden Colorado playing for Division II Colorado School of Mines. I finished my education playing for Division I UC Riverside. Due to my anti-gym attitude, the bulk of my days as a soccer player were spent running sprints on the soccer field. Even though the UC Riverside Strength and Conditioning Program was amazingly designed to cater to the functional needs of athletes, my poor attitude toward training did not allow me to fully benefit from the workouts. It wasn't until near the end of my colligate career that I began to embrace functional training in the form of CrossFit. During the previous years I had been half-heartedly strength training with Olympic and power lifting, as well kettlebells. CrossFit provided a method of combining weightlifting and kettlebell training with basic gymnastics and plyometrics in order to provide a comprehensive athletic training program based on randomization. As I began to open up to the idea of functional fitness I realized that working out could be challenging, fun, and most importantly, incredibly effective. Intense training which integrated anaerobic multi joint and muscle movements with elevated aerobic stress produced athletic potential unlike I had ever known. I saw gains in my cardiovascular output, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, accuracy, and balance.
After college, working as a personal trainer in a commercial gym, I was confronted with the fact that the archaic body builder mentality still thrives among most gym goers. We have been conditioned to believe that muscle groups need to be trained separately - that workouts which incorporate the entire body are too strenuous, and therefore, unhealthy. Needless to say, I do not agree. I believe that many people cling to the typical gym experience not because they believe that it is the apex of health and fitness, but simply because they have few alternatives.
After years of helping others reach their personal fitness goals, I realized that some of my own personal goals were neglected. That’s when I decided to utilize my education and leadership experience as a commissioned officer in the United States Military. After graduating from Marine Corps Officer Candidate School (OCS), I was immediately enrolled in several combat training programs which I am currently attending.
Division I and II college soccer
Professional MMA fighter
Russian Kettlebell Challenge (RKC)
CrossFit Level II
USMC Second Lieutenant