CrossFit Brigade Chattanooga, Tennessee

Eric Griffith – Owner/CrossFit Level 1 Trainer/Crossfit Endurance Certified

Eric Griffith’s Story:
37-year old desk jockey, husband, father, weekend warrior!
Two years ago my wife and I discovered CrossFit. After wasting years of time and money on globo gym memberships, we never achieved the results we so desperately sought. I was a pretty decent athlete, running about a 25 min 5K but I was scrawny an weak. Every year I would find a program in Men’s Health or some other media machine and give a go at the local sports club for a few weeks or so. Inevitably, I quit. Body for Life was the program I stuck with for a few months but even then I only saw marginal gains. Then came the Gym Jones article in Outside Magazine. “This is what I am looking for!” I contacted some friends who had mentioned this type of workout and found out that it was in fact CrossFit that they were now into. I signed up and have been hooked since. A few months in, I injured my back and asked my wife if she wanted to take on my membership for a few weeks while I recovered. Two weeks later I was paying for two.

I feel like I am telling the same CF story I hear from everyone. CrossFit simply changed my life. I got stronger fast. My body composition dramatically improved. Physiologically and psychologically I am the healthiest I have ever been. We took wellness tests for health insurance discounts and forgot to fast but still passed every metric at optimal levels and had glucose levels around 50 – Amazing! In my case, the change was so profound, I want to own an affiliate and help change as many more lives as i can reach. Emily and I are now full fledged CrossFit evangelists.

Emily Griffith - Owner/CrossFit Level 1 Trainer/Crossfit Kids; Gymnastics & Mobility Certified/2011 & 2012 Central East Regionals Participant (Individual)

Personal:

Mom to 4-year old Hadley Lucille & wife to Eric. In 2012 I quit my career as an investment’s professional to pursue Crossfit fulltime; one of the best decisions of my life. Crossfit Junkie (in 3rd year of training) and proud Chattanooga native.

Crossfit Testimonial:

My athletic background growing up was based in soccer and martial arts, and I spent last 10 years doing a mix of cardio/powerflex and kickboxing classes as well as forced jogging and ellipticizing which to me was a complete bore. Post-baby my form had definitely shifted and my time was even more pressed than ever. Sitting in front of a computer 50 hours a week and the inevitable metabolism shift from hitting my 30s also posed major headwinds. Husband got me going to some free Saturday crossfit sessions being offered over the summer. Realizing I could get more out of a super intense 15 minute workout than what usually took me an hour at the gym hit me like a ton of bricks, and the value of training to improve performance was also a real life-changer. And then there’s the culture – I have a team and coaches again! Needless to say, I was/am completely hooked. I’ve had a complete shift in mentality: my goals are now performance-based versus burning calories/losing weight! As a working mom, time and efficiency are critical, and Crossfit has allowed me to get fit and do something for myself without sacrificing time away from my family. I usually WOD at lunch and am able to get in and out in under an hour, and I now prioritize working out and look forward to it as a highlight of each day whereas before I was more just going through the motions and often finding excuses. While it definitely doesn’t hurt that I dropped 2 dress sizes and lost at least 6% body fat (despite having maintained the same weight), I especially love that looking and feeling better is simply a by-product of achieving my fitness goals rather than vice versa. Most importantly, I am stronger, faster, and more agile than ever, and I have made a permanent lifestyle change I can stay committed to. Bottom line: my endorphins are through the roof, and I’m thrilled to have tapped into my inner athlete again!

Goals:

String muscle-ups together. Compete in & PR (achieve Personal Records) at as many competitions as possible and learn from and improve on weaknesses. Improve nutrition. Be better at life. Rock a bikini for next 20 years. Build a fantastic box that positively impacts the lives of its athletes. Ultimate goal for my gym is to take a Team to the Games. I also hope to train underprivileged youth at CrossFit Brigade in the near future.

Vitals:

34 years, 5’3”, 130lbs

Stats:

Back Squat: 223#
OHS: 145#
Clean & Jerk: 165#
Deadlift: 253#
Bench Press: 130#
Shoulder Press: 95#
Snatch: 125#
Fran: 3:24
Grace: 2:18
Helen: 11:15
Fight Gone Bad: 343
5K Run: 24:30
Murph: 38-something
1 Mile: 6:52

Lissa Michel - Crossfit Level 1 Trainer & Participant in 2012 Central East Regionals (Team)

Personal:

Born and raised in Maine, I recently made the move to Chattanooga to start fresh in a new and exciting place. I am happily attached to my boyfriend Ian, proud mama to 2 cats, Ted and Chappy, and we all live in St. Elmo.

Background:

I have always been an active person. A three-sport varsity athlete in high school (field hockey, swimming, and softball), I went on to continue with athletics with coed intramurals in college, coed slow-pitch softball once I graduated, and a perpetual gym rat. However, I always felt that there could be something “more” to my workouts. I was getting up at 5:30 in the morning every day to log my hours on the treadmill, lift weights (but not super big ones), and eating the standard American “healthy” diet of whole grains and low fats. Fast forward to two years ago when my sister and brother-in-law opened a CrossFit gym in Dedham, Mass (CrossFit Craic). They both thought I would be really good at it, so Ian and I signed up for our first Foundations course in March 2010, and haven’t looked back since! We’ve been eating Primally since May 2010, and although we certainly cheat here and there, I’ve never felt (or looked) better in my life so it’s easy to keep it up. The circle completed in March of 2011 when I got my Level 1 CrossFit Certificate. CrossFit is an integral part of my life, and I am so happy to be able to enjoy it with friends and to help others learn how it can also change their lives!

Goals:

Consistent muscle-ups
An elite score on the CrossFit total
A sub-four minute Fran time

Vitals:

29 years old, 5′ 3″, 135 lbs

Stats:

Deadlift: 305 lbs
Back Squat: 220 lbs
Front Squat: 178 lbs
OHS: 154 lbs
Clean & Jerk: 148 lbs
Split jerk: 148 lbs
Snatch: 118 lbs
Max height box jump: 39″
Fran: 4:51
Nancy: 13:31
Helen: 10:02
Grace: 3:59
Randy: 4:01

Ian Fuller – Level 1 Certified Trainer

I started Crossfit in Portland, Maine last year and was immediately hooked. Even with a college swimming background, I’ve never experienced the intensity that a Crossfit can offer. After a year of doing workouts I decided it was time to get my head in to coaching. I will be getting my L1 certification in January, 2012 in Atlanta. I can’t wait to learn from the rest of the great coaches here at CFB. My next big goal is to really start working on Olympic lifting form and become proficient at all of the Olympic lifts.

My girlfriend Lissa (who is also a fellow Crossfitter) and I live in north Chattanooga with our cat Ted.

Vitals:

5’11, 165 lbs

My Lifting Goals:

Front Squat: 250# (Im at 200#)
Back Squat: 300# (Im at 225#)
Deadlift: 400#
Bench: 225#
Shoulder press: 155#
Clean: 250#

Robert “RoBO” Mantovani – Level 1 Certified Trainer

Personal:

I’m a proud italian father, a chef (15 years) ,an ultra distance triathlete turned MMA fighter, a jui jitsu competitor, a coach, an artist, and a super motivated military minded “you cant break me” all or nothing U.S.N. kind of guy with cauliflowered ears and an enormous heart for helping people. I live, love, and lead by example and I’m overly dedicated to my goals and the belief that anyone can overcome any obstacle. I have been a competitive Mixed Martial artist and submission grappler for 6 years. Prior to that I was a triathlete focusing mainly on iron man distance events. I am competitive, good natured and hard working. And I expect the same out of my friends and associates.

CrossFit Testimonial:

I am new to formal CrossFit (although the majority of my MMA conditioning was CrossFit based). When CFB was in the process of opening , I jumped at the chance to be a part of this incredible community of athletes and coaches. As a juvenile diabetic(27 years), I have always used excersise and nutrition as a positive way to control my disease. I’ve trained in many systems over the years but I’ve found CrossFit and it’s community approach to be miles above anything. Now, at 43 years old I am in the best physical shape that I’ve ever been in my entire life. I look forward to improving ,competing, and breaking my own PR’s in the years to come as well as being a part of others success. My current goals are to compete and place in the N.A.G.A and Grapplers Quest in 2012, complete a SUB 30 “MURPH” (2012), compete in the CrossFit games as a CFB teammate, complete a level 1 CrossFit certification, and build a career as a trainer and nutritionist(finishing my degree by 2013). I am currently working on an online cooking show that will be intertwined with our gym and the CrossFit community. I’m looking forward to being part of this incredible team. FORZA!

Vitals:

43 years old, 5’8″, 165lbs, A.C.E. certified trainer

Stats:

Overhead Press: 190lbs
Deadlift: 450lbs
Back Squat: 335lbs
Clean and Jerk: 195lbs
Fight Gone Bad: 297
40m: 4:65
1 mile: 5:29
5k run: 18:54
marathon: 3:31
Iron Man: 9:06:20

Amanda Spannbauer – CrossFit Level 1 Trainer/2012 Regionals Participant (Team)

Personal:

Raised in Maryville, TN and moved to Chattanooga summer of 2012 to attend the Graduate Athletic Training Program at UTC. Getting married July 2013 and hoping to find an athletic training job in the Chattanooga area upon graduation in 2014.

Athletic Background:

I was a competitive gymnast from elementary school through middle school. I broke my ankle and decided to try other sports. I played soccer on a club team and placed second in state before trying my hand at shot put, discus, and javelin in high school and club track. I was able to go to the regional competition my Junior and Senior years in high school and qualified for the state competition my senior year. Finally I tried my hand at cheerleading at my undergraduate school Maryville College. During high school I was introduced to CrossFit and felt like I was at home again in the gym. I found an extreme love for lifting and getting pushed to my limits in the Met Cons. Finally got an itch to compete again and went to regionals with my former box in Maryville and was reintroduced to the folks here at Brigade.

Goals :

Consistent Muscle Ups
Break 200 lbs Clean & Jerk
200 lbs Snatch
Sub-4 Fran
Sub-2 Grace

Vitals:

22 years old, 5’7”, 175 lbs

Stats:

Deadlift – 285 lbs
Back Squat – 280 lbs
Front Squat – 205 lbs
OHS – 225 lbs
Clean & Jerk – 200 lbs
Snatch – 170 lbs
Fran – 4:27
Helen – 12:04
Grace – 2:34

Madison Brooks – Crossfit Level 1 Trainer

I started CrossFit the summer of 2008, shortly after I turned 17. Before that, I was a competitive swimmer in summer leagues and high school. It was a year and a half before I did my first CrossFit competition; the Georgia Sectional leading up to the 2010 CrossFit Games. That was in February 2010. Since then, I have competed in another six events, and I really enjoy doing them. Competitions really give me a goal for my training and help force me to balance out all of the aspects in CrossFit, some of which I know I wouldn’t train enough otherwise.

I began helping Emily and Eric get their box together and teaching CrossFit in May of 2011, and attended a CrossFit Level 1 seminar in July. Getting to see this gym come together from the ground up has been an extremely rewarding experience. In my mind, I’m still just an athlete, but I am greatly enjoying learning to be a trainer and coach.

Stats:

Height: 5’11 / Weight: 175lbs
Max Pullups: 45
Clean and Jerk: 285lbs
Snatch: 220lbs
Back Squat: 350lbs
Deadlift: 485lbs
Grace: 1:48
Fran: 2:55
Helen: 8:49
Cindy: 23 rounds
5k Run: 23:50
5k Row: 19:12

Ryan Kohl – Crossfit Level 1 Trainer

Personal info:

I am the “City Boy” was born in St. Louis, MO and raised in Chicago, IL. I played all sports growing up including hockey, football, soccer and then I found my sport of choice rugby. I started playing in high school and played through college this sport was my life taking me not only all over this country, but also to other countries including New Zealand. I found crossfit in October of 2010 looking for something to help me with conditioning for rugby and I have become an official “crossfit junkie.” I am newly married to Virginia Kohl and we live in North Chatt with our puppy Annie and cat Dublin; I work for Impex Beverage importing Scotch Whisky.

My Crossfit testimonial:

Before crossift I was a Big Boy weighing a solid 290 pounds, the weight came in handy on the rugby field when knocking a man out, but was a pitfall when I had to run down the pitch. I have lost over 80 pounds in a little over 2 years and I owe it all to crossfit! I am still working on nutrition because I travel a lot I have to eat out and it is challenging to eat proper when on the road, but it can be done.

Goals:

To have a 6 pack by summer of 2012, link my muscle ups together, and PR my hero times.

Vitals:

26 years, 6’0”, 208#

Stats:

Deadlift: 505#
Back Squat: 390#
Clean and Jerk: 275#
Front Squat: 310#
OHS: 310#
Bench: 305#
Fran: 3:45
Cindy: 15 rounds

Michael Browne

Personal:

Originally from Atlanta, I moved to Chattanooga my sophomore year in high school. I have 3 siblings, 2 brothers Lee and Vaughn and 1 sister, the eldest Melissa. I am the youngest of the bunch of athletes. B.S. in Corporate/Community Wellness Management, certified in ACE and FFL. I love fitness!

Vitals:

27 years old 5’11” 212 lbs

Background:

I love being active. Not sure what I would do if I wasn’t. I have been involved in sports since I was 5 and placed in organized basketball and soccer at 8. I played many other sports growing up, but basketball and soccer have always been my favorite. In high school I played on the varsity team for both basketball and soccer my freshman year. Between the two sports, basketball has always been my love and passion. At the end of my senior year I had the opportunity to take a scholarship in basketball, but under advisement at the time declined to take it. Once graduating from high school and going to college I continued to play soccer and basketball in intramurals, getting into various city leagues and clubs throughout the southeast. Once graduating college and team sports slowing down, I gained interest in competing in Men’s Fitness and Men’s Physique shows. In 2010 I competed in my first show and placed 6th out of 17 athletes, one spot from placing top 5. The next year I concentrated to get bigger and stronger so that I could place. The same year I was introduced to Crossfit. In October of 2011 I took part in a great cause, Amazing Grace at CFB. I was hooked and started to think of how I could continue to have fun within Crossfit. As time passed physique started to decline in importance as Crossfit became more important. Then one day I had a brilliant idea of becoming a crossover athlete using Crossfit as training along with the skills I have attained from college and my certifications. So far it has been a blast and couldn’t be happier. I have competed in three Crossfit events. Placed 34 th at Garage Games Series Garage Games One in Woodstock, GA, tied 3rd at Get Built weightlifting event and recently 11th at Oktoberfest in Knoxville one year in. By adding Crossfit into my programming I also placed 3rd and 4th in two national shows of Men’s Physique and have become a National physique athlete within the NPC.
Crossfit Brigade has been a huge influence, help and great coaching that I had to become a coach with such amazing people and contribute to others the same tokens that were given to me.

6 month goal: Get Level 1 Cert, Endurance Cert and Oly Cert. As well as USAW Olympic Cert.

1 year goal: Pro Men’s Physique athlete and climbing the ladder of elite Crossfitters.

5 year goal: Attain and complete masters program in Exercise Physiology.

10 year goal: Testing, coaching and training athletes in all facets of sports and still competing.

Fitness Goals: Keep getting stronger as an overall Crossfit athlete, make the team and go to Regional’s, one day compete individual, sub 3 minute Fran, sub 3 minute Grace, improve Filthy Fifty, sub 8 minute Helen, strict press 225#, snatch 260#, clean and jerk 320# and place/win on a national level in physique.

Stats:

Deadlift – 495
Strict Press – 185
Front Squat – 350
Back Squat – 435
Overhead Squat – 235
Bench Press – 315
Clean and Jerk – 285
Snatch – 205
Fran – 3:03
Cindy – 22 rounds
Grace – 3:12
Filthy Fifty – 25:47
Helen – 8:20
400m – 1 minute
1-mile – 6:40
5k – 18:15
10k – 38:35
Half Marathon – 1:43.20
Pull ups – 84
Pushups – 92

Virginia Kohl – Assistant Coach

Personal info:

Born and raised in North Georgia, and newly married to Ryan Kohl. I love living in North Chattanooga and playing house! I have a long athletic background I started gymnastics while I was in diapers and tennis when I was 4 years old. I wish I would of stayed in gymnastics longer but the tennis won out. I played National Juniors and went on to play at Georgia Southern University and completed my collegiate career at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN. I completely my B.S. in Exercise Science with a minor in Biology and Coaching, after college I was the assistant tennis coach at Lipscomb University and worked at a local Country Club as assistant tennis professional and personal trainer. After a few years, I got homesick and moved back to North Georgia and went back to school for physical therapist assistant, I work at Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation. I have one big claim to fame it’s that I worked as a personal trainer for a contestant on NBC’s The Biggest Loser, it was an amazing experience being in LA and working with and working out with Jillian Micheals. I have a USPTR professional rating for 10 years, I am ACE personal trainer certified, AFAA group fitness certified, APTA member, and CPR certified.

My CrossFit testimonial:

In 2009, my brother started CrossFit in Huntsville, AL and every time I would see him his body would have made dramatic transformations. I was no stranger to the gym having started weight lifting in high school on through college and then working in a gym after college; I was not seeing the same results as he was through crossfit. So in 2010, I decided to try it out. I was in school and wasn’t able to commit the way I wanted to so I didn’t see the same results but I could tell I was feeling better and stronger. After our wedding in October of 2011 I fully committed myself to crossfit and my life has completely changed. I have honed into my diet and I have seen those dramatic results that lead me to crossfit in the beginning. It is more than a workout it is taking your body to the maximum level of exertion while having a community of other athletes encouraging and pushing you. That’s what makes crossfit unique we are a family that will help you reach you fitness dreams.

Goals:

Get my Level 1 certification in April or May of 2012, go to Central East Regionals either as team or individual, get a muscle up, and sequence butterfly pull-ups. Increase in strength and improve nutrition, and of course improve my Fran time.

Vitals:

30 years, 5’3”, 128 pounds

Stats: