Coaches & Staff

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.

Eric Clancy

• CrossFit Verve Trainer

CrossFit related certifications:

• CF-L1 Trainer
• CF-Olympic Weightlifting

Competition experience:

• 2013 CrossFit Games South West Regional Team Verve
• 2012 3rd Place Team LODO Open
• 2012 2nd Place Team Rhinos and Unicorns

Recreational activities:

• Skiing, baseball, basketball

About me:
I grew up playing all types of sports. I played college baseball and basketball. After school I was looking for something that would support my competitive drive. My brothers, both in the NAVY, turned me on to Crossfit. After my first workout I was hooked.

I love helping people achieve their goals no matter how big or small they are. I love studying human movement and pushing the limits of what’s possible in the gym. Away from the gym I like anything that gets me outdoors. Snowboarding in the winter and playing golf in the warm weather are two of my favorites.

Courtney Shepherd

• Crossfit Verve Head Trainer
• Firefighter / Paramedic

Crossfit related certifications and seminars:

• CF-L1 Trainer
• Naka Athletics Gymnastics Seminar
• CrossFit Goal Setting
• CrossFit Kids
• CrossFit Movement and Mobility
• CrossFit Coach’s Prep Course
• CrossFit Olympic Lifting
• CrossFit Defense
• Strength Specific Seminar- Bronze Level
• CrossFit Kettlebell

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.

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”.

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
• CrossFit Games South West Regional 2013 – Individual 3rd 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.

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
• 2013 CrossFit Games South West Regional – Team Verve

Robyn Kunick-Bosch

• Crossfit Verve Trainer
• Middle School Math & Science Teacher

Crossfit related certifications and seminars:

• CF-L1 Trainer
• CrossFit Kids
• CrossFit Coach’s Prep Course
• CrossFit Kettlebell
• CrossFit Mobility
• Naka Athletics Gymnastics and Movement Seminar
• Strength Specific Seminar

Competition experience:

• MBS Turkey Challenge 2011 & 2012
• Crossfit Games Open 2011 & 2012
• Colorado Open 2010
• Crossfit Games Mountain Sectional 2010

Recreational athletic experience:

• hiking, mountain biking, skiing, volleyball, kickball, playing with my dogs

About Me:
I was born and raised in Bismarck, ND where I grew up playing soccer, basketball and volleyball through high school. I moved to Colorado in 2005, and found CrossFit in 2009, which got me back into athletics and being competitive with myself on a daily/weekly basis. Seeing the improvements in my health and fitness only triggered more of an interest in CrossFit for me. I believe in being fit not only for myself but to live a longer, happier, healthier life for my friends and family. “Practice what you preach” is very important to me as an athlete, coach, and teacher. I love coaching at CrossFit Verve not only because of the amazing community we have, but I truly love to see all the excitement when athletes see their fitness improving and realize they just got a PR whether that be on a lift or just completing a movement as prescribed for the first time in a WOD!

Anna Mattson

• Crossfit Verve Trainer

Crossfit related certifications and seminars:

• CF-L1 Trainer
• Naka Atheltics Gymnastics Course

Competition experience:

• 2010 Winter Open
• 2010 Reebok CrossFit Regionals (individual)
• 2010 Arizona CrossFit Affiliate Competition
• 2011 Colorado Open
• 2011 Turkey Challenge (team)
• 2011 Reebok CrossFit Regionals (team)
• 2013 Reebok CrossFit Regionals – Team Verve

Recreational athletic experience:

• Biking, Light Hiking, basic run-of-the-mill awesome stuff!

About Me:
Well, lets see here. I was born in Edina, MN back when dinosaurs roamed the land. I moved to Colorado at a pretty young age and consider myself a native. I grew up competing in gymnastics, then dance, and finishing off with cheerleading through college. After college, I was not able to find anything out there that sparked my joy of competition so I joined the globo gym and did countless bicep curls and leg presses. I found Crossfit 5 years ago and have been hooked ever since. It has not only changed my body, but has ignited a passion and interest in human movement and nutrition that I didn’t know existed. Being at Crossfit Verve and interacting with Verve’s community inspires me daily to seek knowledge on how to improve the well-being of myself and others.

Matt Gintzler

• Crossfit Verve Assistant Trainer
• Firefighter/Paramedic

Crossfit related certifications and seminars:

• CF-L1 Trainer
• CrossFit Kids Seminar
• CrossFit Mobility Seminar

Competition experience:

• 20012 CF Open

Recreational athletic experience:

• Mountain Biking, Skinning, Hiking, Cooking

About Me:
I have never played sports and I’m no good at all team sports, that is why CF is so huge in my life. You don’t have to be a jock to be good at this stuff as it levels the playing field and you make friends along the way.

Patrick McGinty

• Crossfit Verve Assistant Trainer

Crossfit related certifications and seminars:

• CF -L1 trainer
• CF Goal Setting Seminar
• Strength Specific Seminar

Competition experience:

• MBS Turkey Challenge 2012
• Winter WODfest 2013

Other Athletic Experience:

• Competitive Swimming, Competitive Bike Racing, Collegiate Ski Racing – GO WAZZU, Big Mountain Extreme Competitions – Alpine and Telemark, Triathlons, Half-marathons

About Me:
I was born in Denver and learned to ski in Crested Butte, which paved for a life long passion for the outdoors and adventures. Athletics have always been a part of my life and my family ensured that I was always involved with one or two sports at a time. Swimming and skiing were areas that I spent most of my time training as a young person. I ski raced in college, which was a great way to stay fit with an awesome team. I worked as a ski instructor and coach for many years and learned to love mt. biking, kayaking and climbing, as well. Moving to Denver was a bit of a change, since I didn’t have a river, climbing wall or trail in my back yard.I missed having a group of friends that were intense with their athletics who pushed me until I found Crossfit. I quickly realized that I could get the benefits from a great community in an athletic setting at Verve. It was truly life changing, and it took me from a “late 30′s” funk to truly happiness through fitness. I am so excited to coach people at Verve, and help athletes push themselves to be the best that they can be. It makes my day when people want to share about how well they did in a competition or how good they look and feel from Crossfit. Knowing that I have had a part to make people stronger, both mentally and physically, is the foundation why I love working at Verve.

Danni Brooks

• Office/Athlete Service Coordinator

Crossfit related certifications and seminars:

• CF-L1 Trainer
• Naka Athletics Gymnastics Seminar with Carl Paoli
• CrossFit Defense – Tony Blauer’s Be Your Own Bodyguard

Competition experience:

• CrossFit Games Open 2012
• CrossFit Games Open 2013

Recreational athletic experience:

• Snowboarding, hiking, swimming, fishing, camping. Anything outdoors! I also enjoy spending time with my friends and family, and of course hanging with my Lou dog.

About me:

After starting CrossFit in early 2009, I have had an extremely life changing experience. As much as I would love to say that I was an athletic person growing up, or that I played a lot of sports in high school, I was in fact the complete opposite. When I met my husband John in 2004, we fell into the rut of fast food, and late nights out. Realizing that our lifestyle wasn’t keeping us in the healthiest state of mind, John convinced me to try CrossFit at a local box. Engaging with the community, and pushing myself in ways I have never experienced completely got me hooked! Together we lost 60 lbs. while discovering the importance of nutrition and keeping our bodies healthy. After joining CrossFit Verve in June of 2011, I have found an even deeper passion for health and fitness, and have been blessed to have the privilege of calling Verve my permanent home. I absolutely love everything about CrossFit, and what it transforms people into. Although I will probably never be the most competitive athlete, I fully enjoy setting and achieving my own personal goals . I thrive off of helping others, and I thoroughly enjoy keeping myself educated in order to provide accurate knowledge to live a healthy and happy life.

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.

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-Goal setting
• CF-Gymnastics
• USAW Olympic Weightlifting – Club Coach

Competition experience:

• 2008 CF World Games – Female individual 15th place
• 2009 CF World Games 2009 – CrossFit Verve affiliate team
• 2010 CF Games Regional Competition – CrossFit Verve affiliate team
• 2011 CF Games Regional competition 2nd place SouthWest Female individual
• 2011 CF World Games – Female individual 37th place
• Various Olympic weightlifting competitions
• 2012 CF Games Open competition 12th in SouthWest
• 2012 CF Games Regional competition 6th in SouthWest Female individual

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 / USAW 2010 Meet – 94kg 1st place, Overall winner
• CrossFit World Games 2011 – Individual 10th place
• CrossFit World Games 2012 – Individual 2nd place
• CrossFit Games South West Regional 2013 – Individual 1st place

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.