Paul Hopper

How old/young are you?
The world of Disney magic arrived in Florida the year I was born. Eleven years later, I was able
to attend the opening of Epcot Center. Since then, I’ve enjoyed sharing these magical
experiences with my family.

What is your occupation?
A Solutions Architect

When did you join Widespread Fitness?
Nikki and I joined Widespread Fitness in July 2023, marking over a year of commitment to our
fitness journey with this community.

Why did you decide to give Widespread Fitness a try?
Our family’s involvement with Widespread Fitness began with our daughter’s teen class with
Kari. Inspired by her progress, my wife Nikki and I decided to take our fitness seriously by
enrolling in personal training sessions with Matt.

What was your athletic background before starting?
My athletic foundation was built on competitive swimming, which I pursued from an early age
through my collegiate career. After college, I explored endurance sports, participating in
triathlons and 10-mile races. These experiences helped me maintain an active lifestyle, though I
had no specific goals until 2023.

What changes in your health, physique, and overall performance have you seen since starting?
The most noticeable change has been in my physique, as I’ve dropped three waist sizes.
Additionally, I’ve experienced significant gains in lean muscle mass and cardio endurance,
allowing me to tackle more intense workouts at Widespread.

What advice would you give to someone with regards to starting?
Embrace the scalability of CrossFit. Understanding how to modify exercises to suit your current
fitness level is key. This approach, taught by the coaches at WSF, has allowed me to
progressively challenge myself and tackle more complex movements over time.

What is your favorite and least favorite exercises / movement?
My favorite movement is the power snatch. My least favorite exercise is burpees, but I do them
anyway.

What is your most memorable moment so far?
On a strength set on Oct 2nd, I hit a PR on 3 x 5 deadlifts, knowing I could build during the set
but then push further through The Bear’s Necessities. This has given me the sense that
anything can be accomplished when we focus on what is in front of us.

What do you like to do outside of the gym?
Swimming remains a central part of our family life. This summer, I completed a 105-kilometer
swimming challenge through an IMX training program. Balancing this with CrossFit has
improved my swim speed and overall endurance.
We enjoy traveling as a family. Our adventures range from driving into the Midwest or flying East
to see our extended family to exploring other parts of the US and even venturing internationally.
Family movie nights at AMC theaters are another favorite pastime.

What is your favorite “cheat” food or meal?
I try not to indulge in Halloween candy and pretzels as treats too often. For meals, homemade
pizza is our go-to. It allows us to get creative with toppings and incorporate a variety of meats
and vegetables we enjoy.

What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
In 1990, I attended a high-altitude training camp at the US Olympic Training Center. I was
among 30 other swimmers from around the nation to swim in the flume. Additionally, we had a
chance to swim with the East German National swimming team after unification.

Who or what inspires you the most?
My daughter, Reese, is my greatest inspiration. Since 2019, she has faced and overcome
significant adversity, showing remarkable resilience. Her unwavering dedication to her passions,
including swimming and CrossFit, despite setbacks, exemplifies steadfast perseverance and
commitment.

What is one goal you would like to accomplish?
My primary fitness goal is to improve my proficiency in kipping gymnastic movements. This
includes refining techniques for exercises like kipping pull-ups and toes-to-bar. As I progress, I
aim to build the strength and skill necessary to attempt muscle-ups eventually. These complex
movements represent an exciting challenge in my CrossFit journey, combining elements of
strength, timing, and technique.

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Derek Williams

CrossFit Coach

The questions ‘what does CrossFit mean to me’ and ‘Why do I want to be a coach’ come down to a simple quote that I immediately thought of. “It’s not the years in your life that count, it’s the life in your years.” – Dr. Edward J. Stieglitz
He wrote that in a book on longevity, and I believe that CrossFit has added life to my years and is responsible to adding life to the years of countless people and will continue to do so for many years. I have more life in my years because I’m more physically fit, because I have developed a habit of working out 4 times a week, because I track macros and count calories and because I don’t have to figure out what I’m going to do in my workouts. I feel better, I’m able to be more active with my family and friends, and I’m generally happier than I would be otherwise. And that’s all because of CrossFit. I thought about exploring coaching a while ago because I thought it would be a good way to develop my knowledge of the sport as well as help me develop coaching skills that jobs that I want in the future are looking for. Becoming a coach has given me experience with managing different personalities, meeting people where they are, motivating people in the most effective way and advance my understanding
of this sport and fitness in general. But more importantly, I add different energy, experience, capability, and level of respect to the coaching team.

CERTIFICATIONS

CrossFit Level 1 Trainer

Chris Jackson

Fitness Coach

Our wealth is our health…I truly believe there is no better investment any of us can make than in our mental and physical health.   Living an active, healthy lifestyle enables us to get more out of life and live it to the fullest.    As a lifelong runner, I came to Widespread looking to find balance in my fitness by building strength and power.  What I found was a community of people who motivate, encourage and support one another inside and outside the gym.  Coaching at Widespread gives me the opportunity to help our athletes on their journeys toward health and fitness.  Learning new movements, improving technique and hitting PRs motivates athletes of any age, and it’s critical for those of us who want to continue growing.   Life is better together, but life is rich and full when you are healthy and fit.

CERTIFICATIONS

CrossFit Level 1 Trainer Course

Amy Poshusta

Fitness Coach

As I have reached my mid-40s, my desire to find balance in a healthy lifestyle has peaked; balance in how much I train or workout, how much emphasis I place on healthy food choices and how much time I spend socially connecting with my family and friends.  To me, CrossFit is this balance.  It is the overlapping region on my own personal Venn diagram of training, nutrition and lifestyle, and it is providing me the best quality of life and health.  It is about challenging one’s capabilities with new and demanding workouts, nurturing bodies to grow and supporting mental health with a super fun community of like-minded and encouraging people.  CrossFit is challenges and rewards. It is individually competitive and collaborative.  It has pushed me to better how I move and to mentally persevere.  And as a result, I am the strongest, and perhaps the happiest & healthiest, I have ever been in my whole life.

CERTIFICATIONS

CrossFit Level 1 Trainer Course

Erica Erickson

Fitness Coach

When I sit down to think about what CrossFit means to me this is what comes to mind…..self-confidence, strength, peaceful mind, supportive tribe, willingness to get out of one’s comfort zone, and not being afraid to show weaknesses.   Growing up playing sports, becoming a mom took a toll on me physically and mentally.  After our first set of twins, I tried to stay active, but after our second set, I found I didn’t have time.  I woke up one day sick of being tired, out of shape, and I knew I wanted to be a better roll model for our children.   After getting the courage to ask a friend about her CrossFit classes, I signed up for a No Sweat Intro.  After meeting with Matt, I just knew it was something I had to try or I would always wonder “What if.”  I quickly fell in love with everything about it.  The variety of the classes, the community that pushes you to step outside your comfort zone, and the incredible coaches who help you believe in yourself when you feel like stopping because you haven’t work out in years.  CrossFit has dramatically changed my life and I LOVE helping others realize the same benefits in their lives.  Knowing that I get to assist others become stronger, both mentally and physically, is the foundation of why I love being a coach.

CERTIFICATIONS

CrossFit Level 1 Trainer Course

Ani Monroe

Fitness Coach

Coming Soon!

CERTIFICATIONS

Brand X Method Kids Course
 National Exercise Trainers Association

Kari Kirkendall

Nutrition Coach / Event & Media Director / Youth Fitness Director

CrossFit literally changed my life. Now I know this sounds cliche or a little extreme, but it honestly did. CrossFit not only gave me a self confidence I had no idea I could posses, a self love I didn’t think was possible and an outlet to any challenge life threw my way, but also gave me my husband, my way of living and a discovery into a passion that consumes my life in the best way possible.

What I do every day is incredible. Every day I see something amazing and inspiring happen to people that I truly care so much about. And what I am talking about has nothing to do with being able to deadlift a huge amount of weight (although that IS awesome and I am always pumped when that happens) it’s about athletes coming in with stories about being able to do something they haven’t been comfortable doing in over 2 decades (whether it’s fitness related or just wearing a piece of clothing), or seeing two children under the age of 10 tell their mom and/or dad they want to be strong like them some day, or watching people become comfortable in their own skin in a way that 3 months ago they never thought they would ever be able to do. It gives me a passion and a drive to never stop doing what we are doing.

CERTIFICATIONS

CrossFit Level 1 Trainer Course
 CrossFit Kids Course
 Brand X Method Kids Course
 Precision Nutrition

Matthew Kirkendall

Head Coach / Owner

To me CrossFit means opportunity……..

Suffering a stress fracture to my femur, while training for my first 100 miler ultra, I sought out a different outlet to prove my fitness and stay active.  CrossFit gave me this opportunity.  Besides mostly disproving my actual fitness level, it provided me with a incomparable challenge and more accurate way to set physical and mental limits for myself.

Going through heart breaking personal struggles at home and making the life changing decision to move out west alone, away from friends and family, I arrived craving personal connection and sense of belonging.  CrossFit gave me this opportunity.   All it took was suffering side by side through a WOD before it felt like I had been a part of the community for years.

Years of reading, studying, testing everything I could on fitness and what is meant “to be fit” could only be so gratifying, I wanted to share my knowledge, experience and passion with others.  CrossFit gave me this opportunity.  It’s the feeling and joy I get when, I am able to coach a new athlete through a task that seemed impossible minutes before or see their face light up when a movement feels effortless after weeks of struggle, that makes me realize this is what I was meant to do.

Whether it be working for a national corporation or coaching at the local box, I have often questioned their ways of doing business, claiming I could do it better if only it was my business.   CrossFit gave me this opportunity.   Operating a successful fitness facility is a dream come true and proof that I can accomplish anything with the determination, patience, sacrifice and the opportunity.

PRIOR ATHLETIC EXPERIENCE:

  • Leadville Trail 100 Run
  • Ironman Lake Placid
  • Bel Monte 50 Mile Endurance Run
  • Leadville Marathon
  • Several other triathlons and running races of various distances

CERTIFICATIONS

Pain-Free Performance Specialist Certification
 CrossFit Level 1 Trainer Course
 CrossFit Level 2 Trainer Course
 CrossFit Aerobic Capacity Course
 CrossFit Movement & Mobility Course
 CrossFit Weightlifting Trainer Course
 USA Weightlifting Sports Performance Coaching Course

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