Coaches
Mitch Potterf
Owner, CrossFit Level 1, CrossFit Endurance, CrossFit Kids, NASM-PES
The Who:
I am the proud husband to Tanya and father of Mitchell and Ellie. I am an adjunct faculty member in the Sport and Exercise Studies Department at Columbus State Community College and full time trainer and coach at Fit Club. I believe in performance-based fitness and athletic programs. Life is about function, not fluff. That is, how well you move through the activities of life (function) matters far more than how well you can keep up with the latest fad workout, exercise, or diet put out by “fitness” industry magazines and advertising (fluff). I believe constantly varied functional movement at high intensity is the safest, fastest, most rewarding path to a level of health and fitness most people only dream of. I believe it is for everyone willing to work for it, regardless of age or ability, and I believe it is for you – if you commit to it.
The Why:
I train because I love it. I love the focus and simplicity. I love the feeling I get from doing something really hard that most people wouldn’t even dare to try. I love the physical feeling I get while I’m immersed in an intense activity. I love the mental focus I get when I eat real food and I love knowing I can eat the bad stuff and burn it off in an instant because I’ll “go there” the next time I work out. I love that I can control my health by eating and doing things I enjoy. And I love the clarity of purpose and independence it gives my life. Moving better, bolder, more freely, stronger, quicker, balanced and without pain improves you physically, mentally and emotionally. Helping people do that makes my day/week/month/year/life. I love the feeling I get when someone accomplishes something great, whether that’s a gold medal, a first pull-up, attending three classes a week, or being able to see their feet again). I train personally and professionally for the same reason: to help people get more out of life. I train CrossFit because in my wide experience, it yields the best results in the least amount of time.
“If it’s important do it everyday” – Dan Gable
Kandi Shamblin
CrossFit Level 1, CrossFit Mobility, 200 RYT
The Who, How, and Why:
I’ve never been involved in athletics before—or even done anything remotely athletic, outside of Wii Sports—before I found my home at Fit Club. Nearly four years ago my inner athlete awakened when I took a series of mma classes and stayed after for yoga. These two disciplines offered me a challenge, and in yoga I found my true passion. It was encouraging to see my body change and feel the benefits both mentally and physically; I wanted to be able to share the gift of yoga with others. Last year I went through Shiva Shakti Synthesis’ yoga teacher training and graduated in May 2011 with my 200 hour YTT.
Shortly after I began my yoga journey I decided to embark on another path and give CrossFit a try. For someone that had never been involved in any sports, only ran when they were being chased, and never lifted anything heavier than a gallon of ice cream to the top of the freezer, most of what I saw looked nearly impossible. However, with the encouragement of the coaches and community, as well as a lot of hard work, I began to see results that I honestly never thought could happen for me. Multiple pull-ups, a proper pushup, lifting 65+ lbs with ease overhead. I caught the bug and got my CrossFit Level One certification in April 2011.
I found that my passion for yoga has greatly helped my CrossFit abilities, specifically with positioning, breathing and even coaching. CrossFit and yoga go hand and hand, one of the 10 general physical skills is flexibility, after all. In an effort to understand this deeper and share this with other athletes I took the CrossFit Mobility certification in October 2011.
I love to teach, coach and train. The physical and mental benefits that I get from yoga and CrossFit are more than any pill could offer; and this makes me want to share them with others. To be able to conquer such physical and mental challenges is quite rewarding—and you can have that cocktail and cake afterward guilt-free!
Ryan Taylor
Crossfit Level 1, CrossFit Endurance
The Who:
I am the proud husband of Shauna and father to son Dominic and daughter, Reese. I spent 4yrs. serving our country in the US Marine Corps and currently work for Abbott Nutrition. I have over 6 yrs of High school/jr. high coaching experience in wrestling and I’m currently the head wrestling coach at Walnut Springs Middle School. My favorite quote in relation to fitness is ” there is no toning or firming, just stronger and weaker”.
The Why:
I started my Crossfit journey a year ago when my buddy from high school, Mitch Potterf, kept telling me to come to Fit Club and try it. After weeks and weeks of coming up with excuses, I finally came and was instantly hooked. In my 1st year Crossfitting, I have become a CF Level 1 instructor and placed 28th at the Crossfit Central East Regional. I have always tried to push my body beyond it’s limits. I have completed 12 marathons, 4 Ironmans, and over 50 other triathlons, but nothing has been more effective and rewarding as Crossfit.
Rachael Adair
CrossFit Level 1, NSCA-CSCS
The Who:
I’m always up for a challenge. I recently graduated from Brigham Young University- Idaho with a Bachelors degree in Exercise Science (emphasis in coaching). I have been happily married to the love of my life for two years. I love longboarding, snowboarding, soccer, tennis, and let’s be honest- any sport.
The Why:
I have been involved in competitive sports all my life. After high school, however, finding consistent competition was difficult. That’s when my mind was opened. A college friend introduced me to CrossFit and I’ve been hooked ever since. Pushing myself through physically and mentally demanding workouts excites me. The feeling I get afterwards is addictive. Our bodies have the ability to do so much more than most are aware, so being able to fight though grueling workouts everyday is awesome.
“There’s a difference between interest and commitment. When you’re interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstances permit. When you’re committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results.” – Greg Glassman.
James Hale
CrossFit Level 1, CrossFit Mobility
The Who:
Having been a chiropractor here in Columbus for over 10 years I’ve spent my time evaluating posture, gait and proper biomechanics in patients. I’ve spent the past 20 years weight-lifting on my own and being involved in various sports, from softball to rugby. With every activity I’ve strived to achieve proper form and maintain good biomechanics in myself as well, to avoid injury as well as obtain better performance.
The Why:
After starting CrossFit at the Fit Club I immediately fell in love with the workouts and saw the need for proper form here as well. Some of the movements we do are the same exercises I give to patients for rehab so I naturally couldn’t help but correct other athletes form in the middle and at the end of WODs. I have been a certified coach since October 2010 as well as having a Crossfit mobility cert. It gives me no end of enjoyment to use these skills to help athletes improve and watch them grow.
