Morgan Blackmore
Morgan had the good fortune to coach his Rowing team in college and fell in love with coaching. However, he didn’t believe a coaching career held much future and so turned to teaching. He and his wife Lisa taught elementary school in Bangkok, Thailand for three years.
It was in Thailand that Morgan discovered CrossFit. Driven by enthusiasm for the results he was seeing in himself and Lisa, he began training the other teachers and started an after-school kids program. When the time came to move back to Tacoma, Morgan decided to return to his first love and open Tacoma Strength.
In addition to CrossFit Morgan coaches the Men’s Crew team at PLU. He has a black belt in traditional JiuJitsu, a BA in Political Science and Philosophy, and a Masters degree in Teaching. He delights in his two beautiful children and amazing wife. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Leon Aldrich
Leon got an early start on his athletic endeavors when his father brought him to his first karate class at age 3. Later, his passion for athletics led him to pursue a B.S. in Kinesiology from the University of Massachusetts. Shortly after graduation he became a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the NSCA. While attending college, Leon worked as manager and eventually assistant director of a University wellness program. He also began training and coaching in Mixed Martial Arts and went on to compete in two professional MMA fights.
In 2004, Leon was introduced to the CrossFit methodology and began experimenting. CrossFit exposed some major weaknesses in his training and changed the way he trained his clients. Leon is a CrossFit Level 1 certified trainer as well as an A.C.E certified personal trainer. He has attended the Paleolithic Solution Nutrition Seminar, CrossFit Running and Endurance Sports Seminar, Kelly Starrett’s mobility seminar, Dan John’s seminar and his education continues on a daily basis.
In February of 2009, Leon moved to Tacoma, joined Tacoma Strength where he soon began coaching. Leon is now a co-owner of Tacoma Strength and Conditioning and continues to coach at both gyms. He also recently became the assistant varsity baseball coach at Clover Park High School. Leon has over 10 years of personal training and coaching experience. Over the years his interest in athletics has evolved into a dedication to fitness and total health and longevity. Nutrition, sleep, exercise and lifestyle are all equally important pieces of the puzzle. Leon cares deeply about the health and happiness of his clients, many of whom have become his friends. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Chris Kelley
I grew up in rural Illinois where my hobbies included playing videogames, doing the Dew, and eating cereal. I played sports as a teenager but wasn’t very good because I never put in the time in the weightroom. I left Illinois at 18 to join the Air Force and was stationed here in Tacoma. I fell in love with weightlifting and nutrition during my time in the Air Force, managing to work in lifting sessions during what was largely 5 years of life on the road. In 2011, with my usual workout routine getting boring (and upon hearing about these gyms where people were becoming straight badasses), I joined Tacoma Strength and was immediately hooked. I left active duty that same year and started pursuing a B.S. in Physical Education with a concentration in Pre-Physical Therapy at Pacific Lutheran University and I’m hoping to pursue a Doctor of Physical Therapy upon graduating.
If I’m not at the gym or at school, I’m probably playing softball, hiking, riding dirtbikes, or sleeping!
Andrew Davis
I started gymnastics when I was a wee tyke and competed through college at Michigan State University. I coached recreational gymnasts as well as advanced gymnasts for many years during and after my career.
I found CrossFit in 2008, received my level one certification in 2009, and the varied workouts have kept me coming back ever since.
I enjoy working core strength and programming cardio style workouts with dynamic movements. Come and play. It will be fun!
Paul Stoermer
Paul moved to Washington from California in the fall of 1980. His main goal at age 20 was to sample the variety of ski terrain within the close proximity of the Seattle/Tacoma area. Paul moved to Tacoma in 1984 and raised 3 children, all of which attended Tacoma schools from kindergarten through high school. He started his age group swimming career at age 11, swam through high school and was a masters swimmer for nearly 29 years.
Paul joined Tacoma Strength in the fall of 2009 after a nagging shoulder injury said it was time for a change. Paul’s wife LeeAnn had joined Tacoma Strength in April of 2009 and he was impressed with the progress she had made in such a short period of time. His goal for anyone who walks through the doors of Tacoma Strength is that they perfect the basic fundamentals of all the movements that we perform and that they feel welcome and comfortable at our gym. “I am 52 yrs. old, have a bad back and a physical job. I thought athletics was over for me. I’m proof of what this program can do for you.”
Paul has a current USA Weightlifting Level 1 Sport Performance Certification and a CrossFit Level 1 Certification. He always promotes healthy eating habits and loves to see the progress and success of all his gym mates.
Amy Nielsen
Amy first heard about CrossFit in February of 2008 and thought that it was a horrible idea. In his search for a healthy lifestyle change, her husband had come across what he thought was a great way to stay in shape over the long term; insensitively, he introduce the idea to her while she was 7 month pregnant. Fast-forward to August that year and with a three-year-old Oli and a 4-month-old Hazel the Nielsens (aka. The Wrecking Crew) showed up to Tacoma Strength at the Mt. View garage gym. Amy has always enjoyed the combination of social interactions and physical activity, so it came as no surprise when she quickly took to CrossFit with a passion. She began coaching in January 2009 after receiving her Level 1 certification. She revels in the community at Tacoma Strength and loves the atmosphere of supportive encouragement that exists whether coaching or working out. A few of her favorite things are Olympic lifts, double unders, and good paleo recipes.
When she is not at the gym she takes care of her family with a sense of humor that is infectious and level of patience that rivals saints (really).
Travis Mears
Growing up Travis would have never dreamed of being an athlete later in life. Always considering himself the “fat kid” growing up, Travis did his best to fit in, but was never truly happy with his level of personal wellness. Maxing out at 230 lbs, Travis decided it was time for a change. Since this epiphany Travis has continued to develop the athlete within to better inform his definition of personal renewal.
Moving to Tacoma for work in June 2009 from Burlington, VT was a huge transition for Travis. As a “Vermonter” Travis has come to love his new home in the “City of Destiny.” Travis joined Tacoma Strength & Conditioning in 2010 and from then on was hooked! Travis’ love for fitness and personal wellness has soared since his first taste of CrossFit and the community at Tacoma Strength. As a Coach Travis values the collaborative relationships he develops with his fellow athletes and does his best to ensure that everyone consistently makes progress toward achieving their individual goals.
Jo Ann Lucas-Richards
Jo Ann came to Tacoma Strength in 2009 and was hooked immediately. Trust me, she looked like a deer in headlights but she kept coming back. Jo Ann has always tried to maintain some sort of physical activity through out her life. She was mainly a social long distance runner before cross fit. She has done numerous events for Team in Training, Leukemia Society. Jo Ann has an Olympic Lifting Certification and plans to take more CrossFit certifications.
Since being involved with CrossFit she has seen a transformation with her physical activities and overall health. She has always had lower back issues with her job but now she no longer has that issue.
Jo Ann values the CrossFit community and loves to push you to accomplish your goals with a smile.
Emily Silgard
Emily moved to Tacoma in 2009 from Massachusetts. She studied Linguistics at the University of Massachusetts and Computational Linguistics at the University of Washington. She currently works at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center curing cancer and stuff… no big deal.
She spends her free time lifting, practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, yoga, and training to be a carny.
And she’s got a medal… biotches!
Craig O’Hanlon
- Bio Coming Soon -
Jordan Hoover
- Bio Coming Soon -
Noelle Frederick
Noelle is a High School English teacher by day (and currently working on a secondary endorsement in health and P.E.). By night she enjoys lifting heavy “things” or coaching others to lift heavy “things”.
Noelle was a competitive gymnast for most of her younger years. She went on to coach gymnastics for many years after at all levels and has now found her love of coaching in a different arena: coaching at Tacoma Strength. She enjoys posing challenges to members and helping each athlete to improve a little (or A LOT) with each workout!
Noelle is a certified personal trainer through NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) and holds a level 1 Olympic Lifting Certification from USA Weightlifting.
Travis Daigle
Traviss’ pursuit of fitness started from a young age as he struggled to overcome a life of being overweight. In January of 2000 at the age of 18 he weighed 305lbs and in this same year he underwent a huge physical transformation. By removing fast food/sugary sweets from his diet and running/lifting weights almost daily Travis was able to lose over 80lbs in eight months getting down to 220lbs by the time he started college at the University of Houston in August of 2000. There he majored in Electrical Engineering and continued on his journey of better health weighing 195lbs by the time he graduated UH in May 2005.
After college Travis began working for an oil company in Texas and soon realized that Engineering was not the career he wanted. He decided to leave Corporate America and soon thereafter joined the US Army in August 2007 searching for a challenge and some new energy. He went on to become a Special Forces Medic or “Green Beret”. The physical demands of the military required a strength and conditioning program that produced versatility and in August 2010 after being stationed at Fort Lewis Travis began to do CrossFit regularly to meet those demands. He hopes to someday compete in The CrossFit Games and as a Professional MMA Fighter both of which motivate him to increase his knowledge of fitness.
Travis started working out at Tacoma Strength in May 2012 and became a coach shortly thereafter. He has been to a CrossFit Level 1 seminar and mobility seminar. Travis firmly believes that if a person is willing to work hard then they can achieve any goal (whatever it may be) and he wants to help as many people as possible do just that.
Kris Ilgavizis
Kris entered the doors of Tacoma Strength in April 2010 looking for a change. Not surprisingly enough he found this transformation…through pain and suffering. He has taken to “The CrossFit” lifestyle like a fish to water and enjoys pushing his mental and physical limits on a daily basis.
Kris has been active in athletics since an early age. He has played soccer at every level up to college and has competed in a large variety of sports from football to gymnastics. Kris has also experienced a short career as a chef and is avid about good food. Don’t hesitate to ask about good paleo recipes and nutrition. He has a B.A. in English from The College of New Jersey. Feel free to talk about your favorite book with him. Kris also has a Masters in Education from Pacific Lutheran University. This education helps him coach in a way that you can understand.
Kris is enthusiastic about pushing the boundaries of what the body and mind can do under extreme measures. He is also a big fan of open feedback and is constantly looking for improvement.
Becky Clark
- Bio Coming Soon. Too busy training for 2013 CrossFit Games. -
Lisa Hepfer
Lisa is a cheerful and peppy coach even at 5:30 am. She was a cheerleader and an elementary school teacher, so that is understandable.
She also responsible for the awesome photography you see on the website and Facebook page.
Lisa loves living in Tacoma with her handsome hubby, Morgan and their two ridiculously cute and rambunctious kids Finley and Xavier.
Jason Brady
Jason has lived in Tacoma the majority of his life. He grew up in Browns Point, lived on the Eastside during High School, and currently lives in the Northend. As a youth he played soccer for 8 years. Upon graduating he enlisted in the Army where he spent 5 years. After leaving the Army he married his smokin' hot wife Monica. Jason started attending CrossFit Tacoma in early 2009. He got his Level 1 Certification later that year. After aggravating some military injuries, he took an extensive break from CrossFit. He has spent a good portion of his life in food service and customer service. In 2012, he graduated from The Art Institute of Seattle with an AA in Culinary Arts. With injuries piling up, he was forced to look elsewhere for employment. Jason was able to come back to CrossFit Tacoma as the Front Desk Ninja in February.
“Thank God I'm finally back!” -JB
Amanda Sprinker
I grew up in Tacoma playing all types of sports all through grade school. In high school, I narrowed it down to swimming, wrestling and water polo. Living off the endorphins of constant practicing and great team mates, I made several trips to state in all three sports, was the first female to letter in wrestling at Stadium and captained both swimming and water polo. I decided I loved water polo the best and went on to play Division 1 for the University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA. My junior year, I decided to study abroad in England, where I joined the my university’s water polo team where I whipped the boys into shape (they just won’t ever admit that!) and was top scorer for the girls. When I was State-side again, I decided to join the rowing team because I always wanted to row. I absolutely loved being on the water despite being up before the sun.
I joined CrossFit because despite my love for playing sports, my favorite practices were in the weight room where I could see myself improving with every rep. I joined Tacoma Strength in October 2012 where I was immediately hooked! I love pushing myself and others to do more than they ever thought they could do. In addition to coaching at Tacoma Strength, I am also the assistant coach for Stadium High School’s girls swim team. If you ever catch me out of the gym, it would probably be at the pub watching English Premier League soccer and international rugby!
Brianne Pugh
Brianne is a native Tacoman. She grew up in the North End and went to Stadium High School. She graduated from PLU with a BSN and became an RN. Throughout middle school and high school she ran track, played softball, and speed skated on ice and inlines. While in college, fitness consisted of going to the gym or running.
Brianne found Tacoma Strength in November 2008 and was hooked. She obtained her Level 1 CrossFit certification in September of 2009 and has had the opportunity to begin coaching throughout the last year.
