Certifications, Awards, and Training
CrossFit Level 1
Justin C. - Owner/Coach
Justin started CrossFit in early 2013 because he had a few friends who were doing it and he saw them getting fitter all the time. He quickly realized the amazing social aspect of CrossFit and the collective “suffering” was way better than working out alone. CrossFit was fun; especially lifting heavy stuff! Heavy squats and deadlifts make his soul happy! Picking a least favorite is more difficult … running, burpees, sit ups. His favorite WOD is the CrossFit Total, but he's probably best at San Francisco Crippler.
Having always been drawn to water (high school state-level swimmer!), Justin became a Commercial Diver and eventually a Hyperbaric specialist guru. He is an Avid scuba diver and loves to travel. Being able to dive while traveling is even better!
He is married to his BFF, Amanda, and they have two dogs (although Amanda would like 100 more fur babies!). They have been to at least eight countries with a mile-long list of more they’d like to visit and plan to include their love of diving on as many trips as possible.
Certifications
CrossFit Level I
CrossFit Weight Lifting
Manager/Head Coach
Andy is a “Big Belgian” and loves helping others through nutrition, fitness, and sports massage. He started doing CrossFit (at Washougal River CrossFit) in December 2019 when he was visiting the US with his wife, Avrie. CrossFit gave him new goals to work on after retiring from Motocross. His 23-year Motocross career started when he was 4 (1994)! Look out though, he has new goals and is making his way back into the sport.
His favorite Hero WOD is Desforges or Partner Murph and his favorite Girl WOD is Cindy (obviously). He would prefer to pass on pistols and wants to do all clean & jerks.
Some amazing things he’s done in Motocross:
3rd place at European Championship Lommel 2014
Belgian Champion Youth 125cc 2004
Belgian Champion MX1 2016
Belgian Champion Endurance 2017
Certifications
CrossFit Level 1
CrossFit Weightlifting
Coach
Ross has been in the National Guard for over 20 years and currently serves as a Warrant Officer. He completed his first Half-Iron Man in 2014.
While growing up, he was active in swimming, wrestling, soccer, baseball; you name it, he probably did it!
Ross’ CrossFit journey began many years ago when his (at the time) 10 year old son challenged him to a foot race. The boy beat him without even trying, leaving Ross feeling like a slow old man. Ross decided then and there that he needed to make a change! He tried many things, from switching diets to running several days a week, as well as CrossFit-type exercises on his own. While he was making positive gains, he still wasn’t getting the results he wanted. Eventually, at his request, his wife bought him a membership to Washougal River CrossFit (North Pacific at the time!). The progress he started making was what he had been looking for and the supportive community was certainly an added bonus!
Certifications
CrossFit Level 2
Leslie’s favorite parts about coaching are watching new athletes' passion for CrossFit grow and seeing people do things they couldn’t (or didn't know they could) do before.
Having loved weightlifting in her teens and rediscovering her love of running somewhere in her early 30s, Leslie found CrossFit to be a perfect fit! The amazing community was just the icing on the cake! She began her CrossFit journey in 2013 and has found that, over 20 years later, she's surpassing all her PR's in both weightlifting and running. Leslie continues to set, work towards, and reach new goals (she loves goals and plans!). Her love of running remains and you will often see her running around town training for life … or maybe for another 10K or half marathon (if she gets talked into it again).
Leslie has a Master’s in Teaching with an endorsement in Physical Education and Health for grades K-12.
Certifications
CrossFit Level 2
Drew grew up a military brat overseas and moved to the Pacific Northwest when he was 10. He spent as much time as he could with his grandparents on a ranch hunting, fishing, and generally being an outdoorsman. Not much has changed. You will still find Drew hunting, fishing, and doing outdoor activities whenever possible.
He joined Washougal River CrossFit (North Pacific back then) in 2014 when he was bored with working out on his own and felt like he needed more motivation. He instantly fell in love with the fun and supportive community. Although Drew has had 3 major joint surgeries, he continues to work hard and get better every day because he enjoys the challenge and wants to make sure he is ready for anything on his outdoor adventures. Having to modify WODs in order to accommodate healing from his surgeries makes Drew highly capable of helping (and empathetic of), those who need to modify. He loves helping others reach their goals and he believes CrossFit is for ANYONE.
When Drew isn’t flying around the country (he’s a pilot!), you will find him spending time with his wife (who also happens to be a pilot!) and their adorable daughter.
Certifications
CrossFit Level 1
Kent grew up in a small town outside of Chicago in northwest Indiana, but moved to San Diego as a teen. He played baseball and golf growing up, but was an all-around baseball player in high school. He later met Amanda and married her (after only 4 months of dating!) in 2007. Kent’s college education began in San Diego State, but he completed his Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences at Washington State. Go Cougs!!
In 2012, when they still lived in California, Amanda convinced Kent to try CrossFit. He agreed because he was getting bored with running. He continued because he loved the challenge it provided and the competitive side of the sport. He and Amanda also enjoyed working out together and felt that the supportive, encouraging environment brought them closer as a couple.
Flash forward to 2015 when Amanda’s career offered a move to the PNW. After trying several local boxes, they chose CFNP (before we were Washougal River CrossFit) because they loved the community feel as well as the respect and knowledge our coaches provided to keep our athletes healthy and to get Better Every Day.
Kent’s favorite part of coaching is the uniqueness each athlete brings to class. He enjoys the challenge this provides to be sure each athlete is getting what they need each day, each WOD. His favorite lift is the clean and his favorite gymnastic move is a rope climb. He would prefer to skip Turkish get ups! His hobbies outside of CrossFit include being a “Cheer Dad” to his two adorable girls who cheer competitively. When not working, coaching, working out, or being a “Cheer Dad”, he enjoys golfing and competitive dodgeball.
Certifications
CrossFit Level 1
Coach
Stephanie has always been an athlete, playing basketball and volleyball in high school in Trout Lake, WA (she graduated with 16 kids!). During college she began running half and full marathons. In 2013 a friend introduced her to CrossFit and she’s been consistent ever since. She still runs and has competed in The Portland Marathon six times! She’s also competed in several local CrossFit competitions with some amazing teammates.
What she loves most about CrossFit is the energy and confidence the community provides to push her to be Better Every Day. Her favorite move is handstand push-up; her least favorite move is deadlift.
Stephanie graduated with her nursing degree in 2008, earned her Master’s in 2014 and is currently the Simulation Operations Manager at University of Portland School of Nursing. Her and her family (husband and two adorable school-aged children) enjoy camping, hiking, boating, and just hanging out in their backyard together.
Certifications and Awards
CrossFit Level 1
Top 10% 2020 CrossFit Open
Lifting Coach
Kit is our weightlifting coach. She started CrossFit in 2014 and made the switch to competitive weightlifting in late summer 2017. She is the current (and two-time) Masters National W45 76K Champion and holds 11 records; 2 American, 3 national, and 6 state. She has competed on the World Stage; her highest finish was in 2019 where she finished 4th.
She received her USA Weightlifting Certification in 2019 and has been coaching ever since. She coached two female youths at their first Nationals in 2020 and looks forward to helping others grow in the sport, whether it be competitively or for fun! One of her favorite aspects of weightlifting is that it requires constant analysis and improvement of technique. There is a balance between strength, agility, and speed that constantly provides a challenge and gives her something to always work on. This not only helps her as a lifter, but she uses that to help athletes realize that there is no such thing as perfection, there is only progress.
Kit has always been involved in sports. She started out as a swimmer in high school and while she served in the Navy. She had a brief moment of insanity and took up running after the birth of her first son. She competed internationally as a part of a Senior Women’s Dagon Boat team in Portland, OR.
Kit is married to a Navy Vet and they have 4 beautiful children and 1 amazing grandson. She enjoys countless sports, competing, and playing with their 3 puppies!! She also enjoys spending time with her family and watching them grow their passion. Her oldest son was a competitive swimmer and is an active member of the US Coast guard. Her youngest son plays football, basketball, and high school track. Her youngest daughter was also a swimmer for a while, but now plays volleyball. Her oldest daughter is taking on the challenge of motherhood.
Kit feels that both CrossFit and weightlifting have changed her life. If you had asked her in 2013, she would have never thought she’d be throwing heavy weights above her head or doing volume burpees! She looks forward to sharing her passion.
Certifications and Awards
USAW L1 coaches and referee certification
USA weightlifting coach
2019 World 4th place finisher
6 state, 2 American, 3 national records
Masters National W45 76K Champion
Ryan started CrossFit in 2015 after not working out in over 5 years and having gone through several unused memberships to other gyms. His pants were no longer fitting and he refused to buy new clothes simply because he was gaining weight. What worked, once he started CrossFit, was the accountability and support from the community and coaches. That, combined with the variety of workouts offered and pushing him to do things he’d never do on his own, was the perfect fit to keep him coming back.
Although he felt out of shape prior to joining CrossFit, he has always been a pretty awesome athlete. He holds the 2nd grade pull up record! Even more impressive, he earned Athlete of the Year in high school and was a state wrestler multiple years! He was a college level wrestler, as well.
His favorite CrossFit move is snatch and his least favorite is ring muscle up.
Certifications
CrossFit Level 1