Trainers

Cherie Chan

• CrossFit Verve – Co-owner and Coach
• CrossFit Inc. – Head trainer on seminar staff

My passions:

• I truly love human movement. I have a passion for teaching CrossFit and assisting in the rehabilitation of injuries. I believe with every fiber of my being that health and fitness are intwined – one in the same. I believe we have a social responsibility to take care of ourselves so that others don’t have too. I am not only grateful to be a part of this community, but and humbled by it on a daily basis.

Certifications and Seminars:

• CF-L1 Trainer
• CF-L2 Trainer
• CF-Nutrition
• CF-Powerlifting
• CF-Rowing
• CF-Endurance
• CF-Kids
• CF-Mobility
• CF-Gymnastics
• USAW Olympic Weightlifting – Club Coach

Competition experience:

• CrossFit World Games 2008 – Female individual 15th place
• CrossFit World Games 2009 – CrossFit Verve affiliate team
• CrossFit Games Regional Competition 2010 – CrossFit Verve affiliate team
• CrossFit World Games 2011 – Female individual 37th place
• Various Olympic weightlifting competitions

Previous competitive athletic experience:

• Track and field
• Cross country
• 24 hour mountain bike races
• Mountain bike racing, cross country

Recreational athletic experience:

• Climbing, mountain biking, telemark skiing and surfing are the sports I love and engage in whenever possible.

Matt Chan

• CrossFit Verve – Co-owner and Head Trainer
• CrossFit Inc. – Seminar Staff Head Trainer
• Firefighter / EMT

Certifications:

• CF-L1 Trainer
• CF-L2 Trainer
• CF-Nutrition
• CF-Powerlifting
• CF-Kids
• CF-Mobility
• CF-Gymnastics
• CF-Goal Setting
• USAW Olympic Weightlifting – Club Coach

Competition experience:

• CrossFit World Games 2008 – Individual 8th place
• CrossFit World Games 2009 – Individual 18th place
• CrossFit World Games 2010 – Individual 4th place
• CrossFit World Games 2011 – Individual 10th place
• CrossFit / USAW 2010 Meet – 94kg 1st place, Overall winner

Previous competitive athletic experience:

• High School Swimming
• Western Illinois University Water Polo
• 24 hour mountain bike races
• Mountain bike racing, cross country

Recreational athletic experience:

• Climbing, mountain biking, telemark skiing and surfing are the sports I love and engage in whenever possible.

About me:
I began CrossFitting in May of 2007 at a 24 Hour Fitness in South Denver. I learned of CrossFit from some fellow firefighters that had me watch a video of a group of women completing “Angie”. I couldn’t believe my eyes! I was sure that CrossFit would make me a better firefighter, climber, skier, and mountain biker and I wanted IN!

In 2008, Cherie and I opened CrossFit Verve as a means of creating an outlet for people in the Denver area to explore their fitness potential and improve their longevity through general physical preparedness. Whether their aim is to qualify for the World CrossFit Games, look good naked, or to ski all day in the backcountry, our athletes have helped create the infectious community that is CrossFit Verve.

My passions lie in the pursuit of performance. I seek an elite level of fitness that has helped me place in the top 10 in three out of the five World CrossFit Games. Meanwhile, I exploit my fitness by skiing on and off piste, climbing multi-pitch routes all over Colorado, and mountain biking where ever two wheels can roll. I love to help others by sharing my passion for fitness and the experience I’ve gathered in my own pursuit. If you dedicate yourself to fitness and self improvement, you can go anywhere and do anything you choose.

Anna Anderson

• Registered Nurse & CrossFit Verve Head Trainer

I started CrossFit in 2008, after years of striving on my own to get fit. I was constantly fighting to get stronger, lose weight, and get in shape. I struggled with how to accomplish this. I knew I loved lifting weights and I knew I hated running. I went to the gym several days a week and never felt like I made any gains… just maintaining what I had. I had dabbled with dieting, but didn’t really know what I was doing since all my research was based off the USDA food pyramid recommendations. To say the least I was stuck. I was frustrated. I was bored.

Matt and Cherie introduced to me to CrossFit with my first workout being 150 wall ball shots for time. Oh my, what an experience! My lungs were on fire, my shoulders quivered and my thighs felt like jello, and I was only at rep 50! I found that I could have weightlifting and cardio at the same time. I also discovered I could run, not well, but it was doable. That is when the addiction started. Then I started competing, not only within my gym, but local competitions around Colorado. Everyone was so encouraging, willing to lend some advice when needed. I am never bored in the gym anymore!

Since then, I went on to obtain my Level 1 Certificate and became a Verve Head Trainer in September 2010. I work full time as a pediatric registered nurse. Being in the hospital environment, seeing bodies manipulated and tortured by the daily grind, I have a unique understanding of how health is so important. I feel Crossfit provides the opportunity to excel within your body, to perform at a level of intensity needed to help you survive, and enjoy life.

• CF-L1 Trainer
• CF-Nutrition
• CF- Mobility

Competition experience:

• 2009 CrossFit World Games: Verve Affiliate Team
• 2010 CrossFit Regional Games: 26th place
• Various local events, one USAW sanctioned event in 2010

Previous athletic experience:

• running track, soccer, snowboarding, hiking.

Chris Slaughter

• CrossFit Verve Trainer

My health and fitness journey started in high school as a 265# football lineman. I was plagued by knee pain and overall unhappy about the physical limitations my weight gave me, as well as my self perception. The 10+ year journey of finding out what didn’t work in fitness, surgery on both shoulders and life-long knee problems; led me to try CrossFit in 2008.

I’m an architectural engineer and strongly agree with the measurable, observable, and repeatable science-oriented results methodology that CrossFit implements. I’m very busy and sincerely appreciate the great results CrossFit produces with a relatively low volume of training.

In high school I played football, volleyball, and competitive soccer. In college I raced XC-mountain bike and since then have taken up mountaineering, skydiving, and CrossFit. I love talking with people about their past, present, and future goals and sharing knowledge and passion for athletics and physical endeavors.

Certifications & Seminars

• CF-L1 Trainer
• CF-Coach’s Prep Course
• CF Kettlebell
• CF Mobility
• CF Kids
• Naka Athletics Gymnastics Seminar

Competition Background:

• 2009 SoCal Sectionals
• 2010 LA Sectionals
• 2010 MBS Crossfit Turkey Challenge
• 2010 USAW FRCF Fall Weightlifting Meet
• 2011 Crossfit Open
• 2011 MBS Crossfit Turkey Challenge

Chris Zienkievicz

• CrossFit Verve Coach
• Firefighter
• CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
• CrossFit Barbell
• CrossFit Olympic Lifting
• CrossFit Kids

I grew up in the Denver area and started playing hockey at a young age. I left CO my junior year of high school to pursue my career as a hockey player. After a few years bouncing around from team to team and a few injuries while playing juniors I came back home. Upon my return I starting coaching AAA hockey and have since seen many of the kids go on to play D-1 and get drafted in the NHL. I started working as a firefighter in 04’ and it was through the fire service that I found CrossFit.

I truly enjoy coaching CrossFit and helping people with their physical goals, as well as being a part of the great community. It is a great feeling as a coach to help someone do something they once thought was impossible. I believe in the philosophy that their is no “I Cant” just “Not yet”.

Courtney Shepherd

• Crossfit Verve Head Trainer
• Firefighter / Paramedic

Crossfit related certifications and seminars:

• CF-L1 Trainer
• Gymnastics seminar
• Goal Setting seminar

Competition experience:

• Crossfit Games Sectional 2010- Individual
• Crossfit Games Regional 2010- Individual
• Colorado Open 2010
• Crossfit Games Open 2011- Individual

Previous competitive athletic experience:

• Police and Fire Games
• Swimming
• Various 5Ks

Recreational athletic experience:

• Hiking 14ers, softball, water polo, wake boarding, water skiing, surfing, and pretty much any activity that involves water.

My passions:
I am passionate about knowledge. I am passionate about gaining it and about sharing it. I do not believe knowledge should be a kept secret. My favorite question is “why?” I do not ask why in an attempt to buck the system or question authority, I do it to gain insight and understanding. Doing or teaching something becomes easier for me when I know the “why”. I wanted to know why I had amazing results with Crossfit and what it does for me physically, mentally, and emotionally. The answers to those questions continue to come to me – they are not finite. My knowledge in the area of Crossfit grows daily and I became a trainer so that I could help share it.

Emmalee Moore

• CrossFit Verve Head Trainer
• Firefighter / EMT

CrossFit related certifications:

• CF-L1 Trainer
• CF- Strongman
• CF-Gymnastics

Competition experience/ accomplishments:

• CrossFit/ USAW Open 10/2010- 3rd place in the 63 kg Female
• CrossFit Games Regional Competition 2011 – CrossFit Verve affiliate team
• MBS Turkey Challenge 2011- 1st place women’s RX
• Colorado Police Fire Games- Toughest Competitor Alive
• 2010 1st place women’s, 2011 tied for 1st place

Previous competitive athletic experience:

• Gymnastics both Club & High School- Vault and Bars were my favorite
• Track and Field – Pole Vault, Shot Put, 100m sprint
• Cheerleader (because of gymnastics!)
• Freshman Football (because I could)

As a firefighter I found CrossFit incredibly beneficial in helping me with my physical goals within the fire service. I can accomplish the physical agility tests now without an issue, I can do my job better than ever before by being stronger and more confident.

I grew up doing gymnastics, at age 16 I began teaching gymnastics at a local gym in Aurora, CO. I enjoyed teaching gymnastics to the little kids and I love carrying that teaching over to the bigger kids of the CrossFit community. It’s impressive to see people whom have never gone upside down to getting their first handstand-to handstand push up!

I believe in being fit for me. I feel better every time I come into the gym whether it’s to teach or to workout.

Mas Godinez

• CrossFit Verve – Co-owner Head Trainer
• Firefighter / Paramedic

Certifications:

• CF-L1 Trainer
• CF-Coaches Prep
• CF-Kids
• CF-Mobility

Previous competitive athletic experience:

• 2010 CrossFit Regionals Affiliate Team Verve
• 2009 CrossFit Regionals Individual
• Division II college wrestling
• High School All-American Wrestling

Recreational athletic experience:

• Snowboarding, novice surfing, running, and ultimate frisbee

I love coaching. From the time I spent coaching Pee-wee wrestling and high school teams, to currently helping athletes reach new personal records. Being part of this gym is not only privilege, but an honor. We hold ourselves to a higher standard in order to provide the best training in Denver. I love CrossFit because it makes you find your inner strength to push yourself, and what a feeling it is when you do. With CrossFit, I have lost 50 pounds and feel the best I ever have. Being a firefighter is physically demanding, so with the loss of weight I will be able to serve my community better and for a longer period of time.

Joylyn Godinez

• CrossFit Verve – Co-owner and Head Trainer

CrossFit related certifications:

• CF-L1 Trainer
• CF-Coaches Prep
• CF-Kids
• CF-Mobility
• CF-Gymnastics
• CF-Goal Setting
• CF-Strongman

Competition experience:

• CrossFit Games Sectional Competition 2010 – Female individual 17th place
• CrossFit Games Regional Competition 2010 – CrossFit Verve affiliate team
• MBS Turkey Challenge 2010 – Female individual 5th place
• Various Olympic weightlifting competitions

Recreational activities:

• Skiing, hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, surfing and family game nights.

About me:
Before finding CrossFit I was active, but I didn’t consider myself much of an athlete. As a firefighter/paramedic for seven years, I pursued CrossFit initially as an avenue to improve my performance in that physically demanding arena (which it did indeed). However, I’ve been blessed to find a passion that excites me beyond any sport before CrossFit. In Verve, I’ve found my inner athlete and a home. I love the opportunity to be part of an environment that is supportive of well-rounded health and fitness. To have friends and a family that is always ready to work hard and have a lot of fun with each other everyday.

I recently gave birth to our first child and I credit my CrossFit training to a healthy pregnancy, safe delivery, and quick return to work. I trained my entire pregnancy including the day I went into labor. This includes being able to participate in the 2011 CrossFit World Games Open for the full 6 weeks as prescribed. I love sharing the amazing efficacy of CrossFit and it’s community with our athletes, and I look forward to sharing it with my new family for years to come. Hope you’ll be a part of it.

Luke Palmisano

• CrossFit Verve Head Trainer
• Firefighter / EMT

CrossFit related certifications:

• CF-L1 Trainer
• CF-Olympic Weightlifting
• USAW-L1 Coach

Competition experience:

• CrossFit Games 2009 Regionals – Individual
• CrossFit Games Sectional Competition 2010

Recreational activities:

• Skiing, hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, surfing and family game nights.

About me:
CrossFit for me started out as a hobby. A way to gain a better fitness level. I began CrossFitting in the fall of 2006. I started by doing it at 24 Hour Fitness, but found that it’s much more fulfilling to actually do it at a Crossfit gym. The principals I’ve learned from performing it have become a mantra for everything I do, in all aspects of my life. Can I try harder? Yes, I can. Can I do better? Yes, I can. And I will. And so can you. It’s a privilege to be used as the voice in the background telling athletes of all variety to push harder, when their minds’ and bodies’ are telling them otherwise. Being a coach is a responsibility that I take very seriously, and I enjoy it very much. I am extremely passionate about the Olympic Lifts. I take very seriously the art of explaining them, and improving in that art.

Zachary Pine

• CrossFit Verve Head Trainer
• CrossFit Inc. Seminar Staff Head Trainer

Education

• BA – Bachelor of Art – Glass and Sculpture – 12/2003
• BS – Bachelor of Science – Exercise Physiology – 5/2008

Certifications

• CSCS – Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach – 1/22/2009
• CF-L1 – CrossFit Level 1 – 5/2006
• CF – Olympic Weight Lifting – 2/2008
• CF – Basic Barbell – 11/2008
• CF – Science of Exercise – 2/2009
• CF – Gymnastics – 5/2009

Perspective
Appreciate the ones around you and the knowledge they have to share. Let excitement drive your desire to learn.

This is what I found with CrossFit when I first started. I was attracted to the great atmosphere and people, but every time I went I learned more about health and myself. CrossFit is an amazing competitive environment for some and for others it is a way of supporting health for longevity.

Having fun is why I do CrossFit and knowledge of Health and Science is why I teach CrossFit. To improve my grandma’s health for independent living while supporting my daughter’s excitement to achieve new tasks allows CrossFit to expand throughout everything I love in life.

Thanks to Verve, the coaches and athletes, it is a pleasure to work along side and train with some amazing people.