Dave found CrossFit in 2012 and while looking to spread the knowledge, inspiration and CrossFit methodology, opened Land Warrior CrossFit in November of that year. His goal was to create a place where every person is respected as an athlete and inspired to work hard. Shortly after opening the doors at Land Warrior, Dave was called up for his second deployment with the Connecticut Army National Guard to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. He quickly found himself amongst fellow CrossFitters and was part of the all volunteer coaching staff at CrossFit Arifjan. He was able share and spread his knowledge and enthusiasm with hundreds of soldiers and fellow Crossfitters during his free time over the 9 month deployment. Much has evolved at LWCF over the course of ownership but Dave remains steadfast in his belief that "THIS PLACE WILL CHANGE YOU, IF YOU LET IT."
CREDENTIALS:
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer – 2012
CrossFit Coach’s Prep Course (L2) – 2014
CrossFit Level 2 Trainer - 2018
CrossFit Kettlebell – 2012
USAW Sports Performance Coach – 2014
CrossFit Coach’s Prep Course (L2) – 2014
CrossFit Olympic Weightlifting – 2014
CrossFit Games Scoring Team – 2014, 2015
American Red Cross CPR/AED – 2017
CrossFit Scaling Course – 2016
CrossFit Judges Course – 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022
Sue began her CrossFit journey in August of 2013. To say it’s changed her life is an understatement, and being able to help others grow in their journey is the number one reason she got her L1 in 2016. She enjoys the methodology of CrossFit, the idea of general physical preparedness and being able to coach future generations to a healthier way of living.
CREDENTIALS:
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer – 2016
CrossFit Level 2 Trainer - 2018
CrossFit Games Scoring Team – 2015
CrossFit Kids Trainer – 2016
CrossFit Scaling Course – 2016
CrossFit Anatomy Course - 2016
CrossFit Spot the Flaw Course - 2017
CrossFit Rowing (Water and Erg) – 2017
American Red Cross CPR/AED – 2017
USAW Sports Performance Coach – 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
CrossFit Judges Course – 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022
CrossFit Running Course - 2018
CrossFit Lesson Planning Course - 2018
PN Level 1 Certified - 2018
The Brand X Method Basic Kids Course - 2018
CrossFit Gymnastics - 2019
Dean joined the Land Warrior/SFF team in 2020. CrossFit has provided him an opportunity to learn and practice many new athletic skills and he enjoys the team environment; being part of a community of like-minded athletes that support each other equally through good times and tough workouts. Immediately hooked after his first CrossFit workout in 2016, he embraced the sport, improved his nutrition and is now in the best shape of his life. He earned his CrossFit Level 1 on Super Bowl Sunday, 2019. Soon thereafter he was coaching, mentoring and inspiring his athletes. Dean's day job is at Slalom Consulting where he manages business and technology improvements for his clients. Being part of a vibrant community and having the physical challenge that CrossFit provides helps him to maintain a quality work/life balance. Besides CrossFit, he is an avid skier, road biker and plays softball and golf.
CREDENTIALS:
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer – 2019
CrossFit Weightlifting Level 1 - 2019
CrossFit Scaling Options - 2019
CrossFit Masters Training - 2020
American Red Cross CPR/AED – 2018
CFBD Athlete of the Year - 2018
Stephanie was first introduced to CrossFit in 2013 when she came across a picture on Instagram of a female CrossFit athlete who looked different than your typical female athlete. This picture portrayed a woman pushing a weighted Rogue prowler sled, she was built with glistening muscles and a fierce look of determination in her eyes. Needless to say, it caught Steph's attention but took a whole year for her to build up the courage to finally join a CrossFit affiliate. Once she did, the connection was instantaneous. One of the most compelling aspects of CrossFit for Steph is the community and bonds formed from doing a grueling workout with strangers who become family. It's through CrossFit that Steph has discovered tremendous amounts of support, courage, self-confidence and peak wellness that have inspired her to become a coach and share her discoveries with others in hopes of helping them achieve their own.
CREDENTIALS:
EMT Basic - 2014
USAW Level 1 – 2015
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer - 2018
PN Level 1 Certified - 2021
Abbey started her CrossFit journey with Land Warrior in 2016. She was skeptical at first, but after a lot of coaxing from her family members (who were already members of the gym), she gave it a try and hasn’t looked back. She wasn’t sure about the idea of being in a group setting where other people would be watching her work out, but she couldn’t have been more wrong. The community at Land Warrior is so encouraging and only drives you to be the best athlete you can be. Now Abbey can’t imagine working out alone without the other athletes there to support her.
In 2021 Abbey decided to take the next step and get her L1. Her coaches have helped her throughout her fitness journey, so she wanted to be able to do the same for the other athletes at the gym.
From not wanting to step foot into a CrossFit gym to getting her L1 and not being able to picture a life without CrossFit, Abbey has come a long way and can’t wait to see what her future at Land Warrior holds.
CREDENTIALS:
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer - 2021
Kelly started CrossFit in 2017, after having done traditional lifting at a gym for years as well as a lot of running (5Ks, half marathons and a full marathon) and dabbling in a few sprint triathlons. Kelly has always been an athlete, she played field hockey at Westfield State University, as she obtained her Bachelors in athletic training and physical education. She thrives on being around sports, health and fitness. She has been an athletic trainer (practicing sports medicine and coordinating care for high school and college athletes) for 7 years, the past 3 years she spent providing services to Suffield High School through Select Physical Therapy.
Kelly got bored and lonely with the monotony that can come with lifting at a traditional gym. She missed the competitive and supportive, atmosphere of being part of a sports team. Kelly’s sister Kathryn (former member) convinced her to try CrossFit and she was immediately in love with the sport, programming and community. With CrossFit, Kelly feels that she is able to push herself and others around her to be better both physically and mentally. Kelly believes: “it is truly refreshing to be around people who are as passionate about health and fitness as I am.”
Kelly does have some background in both personal training and teaching group senior citizen fitness classes. She is excited to expand on her experience and start her journey coaching as a Level 1 CrossFit Coach. It is her goal as a coach to make everyone feel welcomed into the LWCF family, just as she felt when she first started in 2017. Kelly wants to use her passion and love of health and fitness to help others achieve their physical, mental, and emotional goals. There is no better place to grow and become a better person than at Land Warrior, and Kelly is excited to continue this journey with everyone who walks in those doors!
CREDENTIALS:
Certified Athletic Trainer – 2015
EMT – 2020
American Heart Association CPR/AED - 2022
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer – 2022