Our Staff

David holds a B.S. in Exercise Science from West Chester University and currently works for CrossFit HQ in their affiliate Roundtables and Affiliate Ambassador programs. He also served as the Competition Director for the CrossFit Games East Regional competitions from 2009 to 2018 and writes the popular CrossFit coaching and business blog Inside the Affiliate.

Whitney has a lifelong love of movement. She began dance classes at the age of three and went on to participate in (and occasionally win) national dance competitions throughout her teens. Whitney received her BFA in Dance from the University of Illinois, where she first studied anatomy, kinesiology, and pedagogy. Soon after, she started teaching yoga classes here in Brooklyn and wandered reluctantly into the world of fitness!

As an athlete with hemihyperplasia, Whitney is grateful to have found strength training and has learned a lot through working with her own bouts of pain and injury. While focused on health and training longevity, she’s thrown down at several in-house and local competitions and has finished in the 94th–97th percentile in the world in the CrossFit Open during her past 7 years of participation.

Whitney is passionate about empowering people to work hard, have fun, give their best, and let go of self-limiting beliefs. As both a trainer and nutrition coach, she guides others in building sustainable habits that support their health and goals.

In addition to CrossFit and Short Circuit classes, Whitney teaches Range & Resilience on Saturdays. She loves to cook, travel, hike, surf, and snowboard.

Certifications: CrossFit Level 2, CrossFit Gymnastics, Precision Nutrition Level 1, CYT-200HR, Functional Range Conditioning Mobility Specialist (FRCms).

In the tradition of Mark Rippetoe, Jeremy’s Starting Strength Program has become an important adjunct to CFSBK’s CrossFit programming. Through it, he has trained a varied population including male and female novices, deconditioned and recovering athletes, pregnant women, and competitive lifters. In fact, several of his novices have gone on to compete as raw lifters with the USAPL.

Jeremy placed 32nd in the 2008 CrossFit Games, competed in the 2009 Northeast Regional Qualifiers as an individual, and in 2010 as an affiliate team member.

Certifications: Certified Starting Strength Coach, CrossFit Level 1. He attended Robb Wolf’s Paleo Solution seminar, Kelly Starrett’s Mobility and Recovery Seminar, and Chip Conrad’s Brutal Recess.

Katie made the big move to Brooklyn in early 2013 after landing a spot in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at LIU. She discovered CFSBK shortly after we hosted 13.2 and was immediately hooked by the warm sense of community and top-notch coaching. She joined the coaching team in February 2015.

Katie is currently a licensed Physical Therapist providing coaching and PT services and leads the Adaptive Athlete program at CFSBK. She is also a one-on-one Performance Care coach for ActiveLife, where she programs for injured individuals and assists with Movement Workshops at CrossFit gyms up and down the East Coast.

Her expertise spans weekend warriors, Sanctionals/Games-level CrossFitters, pro strongman athletes, competitive powerlifters and weightlifters, and adaptive athletes.

Certifications: CrossFit Level 2, CrossFit Adaptive Training, FRCms, FMS, Graston Technique Provider, Rocktape Functional Movement Specialist I, Catalyst Athletics Weightlifting Seminar.

He started coaching CrossFit that same year in Seattle and, after some travel, moved back to Brooklyn in 2016 to join the CFSBK staff full-time. Since then, Brett created the popular Short Circuit interval-training classes, co-created both the Fit 55+ and Strong Fit classes, and served as Event Coordinator for several years.

Currently, he runs a CrossFit class (partnered with The Phoenix) for people in recovery, leads the CFSBK Men’s Group, and serves as Equipment Manager — keeping the gym running and the gear in top shape.

Brett has been a personal trainer for over 18 years and a CrossFit coach for 12 years. He loves surfing, snowboarding, traveling, hiking, and the meditative practice of woodworking — you can see his work at the annual Art Show.

Education & Certifications: BA in Jazz Bass Performance and Public Speaking (Denison University), CrossFit Level 2, Precision Nutrition L1, FRC Movement Specialist, CrossFit Weightlifting, CrossFit Gymnastics, NASM CPT, NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist, TRX Group Trainer.

Steph has always been fascinated by movement and the human body. She pursued Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Immunology and Infectious Diseases, but upon returning to NYC in 2017, she was looking for a change. She left her career in science and made the switch into coaching — and since then has focused on helping people become not only physically stronger, but stronger in mindset, so they have the confidence to reach their utmost potential.

Certifications: CrossFit Level 2, Precision Nutrition Level 1, NASM-CPT, Pain Free Performance Specialist.

Erick recently moved back to the states from Ecuador, and we asked him to come on board. He most recently took the top spot in the CrossFit Open at the gym!

Experience & Certifications: More than 10 years of coaching experience. Owner and head coach of CrossFit Quito in Ecuador (2011–2018). Owner and head coach of Powerclub Gym in Guayaquil, Ecuador (2018–2021). CrossFit Level 2 Trainer. CrossFit Certificates in Weightlifting, Endurance, Mobility, Competitors Course, Gymnastics, and CrossFit Judging. USAW Level 1 Weightlifting Certificate.

For Grant, CrossFit is a constant reminder that working through resistance offers the most remarkable rewards, and that movement can allow us to build resilience and vulnerability on a daily basis. In 2022, Grant made a decision to build a career at the intersection of movement and recovery. He now develops fitness and community programming for people impacted by addiction in NYC via his role at The Phoenix. He considers coaching at CFSBK an extraordinary opportunity and one he is immensely grateful for.

Education & Certifications: BA in English Literature, University of Wisconsin-Madison. CrossFit Level 1.

Avery holds a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Hunter College. She is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy and completed a residency at Mount Sinai Hospital. Outside of CFSBK, she treats people with orthopedic and neurologic conditions (Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, post-Stroke, Spinal Cord Injury) and brings these skills into the gym for people returning to fitness after injury.

As an athlete, Avery competed in kettlebell sport at the national and international level. She holds master of sport ranks and several national records in the 63 kg weight class.

Her areas of expertise include working with those new to CrossFit, competitive CrossFitters, Olympic weightlifters, kettlebell sport athletes, older adults, and people with neurologic diagnoses.

Certifications: CrossFit Level 2, Certified Adaptive and Inclusive Trainer (AIT), CSCS, FRCms, IKSFA Level 2 Kettlebell Sport Coach, USA Weightlifting Level 2 Coach.

They have competed and placed at the national level in strongman (2018, 2020).

Clay worked as a personal trainer and strength coach from 2014 to 2021, took a hiatus to direct and produce their first feature film, then re-entered coaching in 2023. They have been on the CFSBK team since March 2024.

You can connect with Clay on Instagram & TikTok @caraclaymore and read their work on Substack at strengthmagick.substack.com.

Grace is in her first year at New York Law School and intends to represent refugees and asylum seekers after graduation. She’s super excited to be a part of the CFSBK community and can’t wait to spend more time in the gym this summer!