Get a GYST of Evie’s Training Plan

Say hello to the one and only Acro Yogi, CrossFitting Superstar, Member of the Month – Evie! You might’ve noticed her constantly doing hand stands around the ABF floor. Not only is she extremely talented at CrossFit, but she’s got a whole new perspective on life. Enjoy!

You’ve been spending a lot more time at ABF lately and you’ve been very consistent with your CrossFit? What changed? 

A lot has changed in recent months and it started by getting clear about my values. I took a hard look at how I was spending my time and energy and identified any misalignments 

I made a list of my values (I call it the Get Yo’ Shit Together list or ‘GYST’), then cut out activities and relationships that no longer serve me or support my goals. 

At the top of that list stands ‘Health and Fitness’, which has led me to prioritize CrossFit rather than squeezing it in when it’s convenient.  

Regarding your recent consistency, have you noticed any changes in yourself – either physically, emotionally or mentally? 

It’s amazing the changes that occur when you’re living the life you want to live, rather than conforming to the expectations of others. Positive changes have occurred on all fronts: physical, mental and emotional.  

I could be humble and say physical appearance isn’t important to me, but the myriad of selfies stored on my phone prove otherwise. I don’t obsessively weigh and measure myself, however my clothes are fitting better and I feel more comfortable wearing less of them in the gym. I love tracking my performance in CrossFit, because it serves as evidence that I’m improving. Recently, I’ve even earned PRs in both strength and endurance!  

While I did start CrossFit to reap the physical benefits, it’s become so much more than that. I’ve become more stable emotionally and stronger mentally. I’m comfortable with myself and confident inside and outside of the gym.

I’ve heard you‘re doing a lot of other activities – like Acro Yoga. How has that been going? Do you view those as complimentary to your CrossFitting? Or, the other way around? What other activities have you been doing?  

Acro Yoga is the most recent addition to my fitness regimen, which compliments CrossFit beautifully. Like CrossFit, it’s a community of like-minded individuals who value health, fitness, and personal growth. What I love about Acro is that it not only focuses on physical skills like body awareness, balance, flexibility and stability, but also social skills – things like building trust, communication, and connection with other humans who take an active role in helping others reach their goals.  

I participate in Acro Yoga at least once a week and am constantly learning new skills. If you’re interested in learning more, bug Coach Ryan about bringing an Acro Yoga class to ABF led by yours truly. Also, a group of Yogis get together for an “Acro Jam” every Sunday at North Shore Park. Come find me at the box for details.  

In addition to CrossFit and Acro Yoga, I play beach volleyball almost every weekend and pepper in paddle boarding, kayaking and dancing when the opportunity presents itself. 

Is diet something you focus on? If so, what’s your recommended diet practice?  

Diet is next up on the GYST list, so it’s not yet where I want it to be. Ideally, I meal prep every weekend with natural foods and leave dairy and processed grains off the menu. 

How has your ABF experience been thus far?  

My experience at ABF thus far has been nothing but positive. I knew from the day I walked in this was my home gym. Coach Ryan knows how to make people feel comfortable and welcome by assigning nicknames and making inappropriate jokes, which I appreciate. More importantly, though, he is knowledgeable and makes an effort to learn each member’s capabilities and limitations to ensure proper form and safety. 

The ABF community is also what keeps me coming back. Everyone is so kind and supportive that I feel comfortable being myself while I work on myself. I love the sense of belonging that I feel from this community and look forward to many more awesome experiences with my “fit fam.” 

What’s the role of CrossFit in your life?  

CrossFit, for me, is a catalyst for becoming the best version of myself. It has helped me learn who I am and what I am capable of and this understanding continues to evolve as I become more consistent and passionate about the sport. CrossFit, for me, is a hobby, a coping skill, a social outlet and a way of life.  

You’ve recently brought someone to the gym. What do you say to people who want to get into CrossFit? What’s your advice on how to approach it?   

Contrary to popular belief, I don’t always talk about CrossFit. However, I frequently have people ask me what I do for fitness. My response is often met with, “Oh, I can’t do CrossFit because x, y, and z.” Regardless of their excuses, I encourage people to try it, because workouts can be scaled to all fitness levels and the only way to improve is to start. Yes, injury is possible (as it is with any physical activity), but through proper coaching, focusing on form and listening to your body, most injuries can be avoided and positive changes will come quickly.  

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Cara Ruscin

COACH

A transplant from Arkansas, Cara played every sport she could growing up. After a small stint as a personal trainer at a globo gym, she was introduced to CrossFit in 2017 through another personal trainer. Her very first week of CrossFit was the first week of the 2017 Open and she’s been hooked ever since. She obtained her level 1 certificate in 2020 and coached at a gym in Arkansas for two years before moving here last year. Cara got into coaching because she loves to help and encourage people to reach their goals, whatever they may be!wing two coaches to our coaches page.

CERTIFICATIONS

CrossFit Level 1 Certification

Tony Jurado

COACH

Tony is a highly-regarded CrossFit coach, known for his unwavering commitment to promoting fitness and wellness. Over his 11-year tenure in the CrossFit community and a decade of coaching, he has refined his approach to training, expertly blending rigorous physical conditioning with mindful perseverance.

His personal journey into fitness was initiated in adolescence, kindled by a passion for soccer that he nurtured well into his adult years. His tenure in the military further honed his discipline and mental resilience, vital attributes he instills in his athletes today.

Tony’s portfolio of qualifications is expansive, covering a broad range of CrossFit certifications, including Level 1, Anatomy, Coaching the Aging Athlete, Dumbbells, Running, Programming, Lesson Planning, Scaling, Spot the Flaw, and Coaching the Aging Athlete. These credentials equip him to create individualized and comprehensive training plans, catering to the unique fitness objectives and needs of each athlete.

In addition to his expertise in physical training, Tony brings a deep understanding of nutrition and supplements into his coaching approach. This knowledge was garnered during his time at the Vitamin Shoppe, and recognizing the pivotal role of nutrition in achieving fitness goals, he seamlessly integrates this into his holistic coaching strategy.

Tony’s coaching expertise extends far beyond his local community. He has demonstrated his effectiveness and adaptability on an international platform, engaging with a diverse array of athletes. His inclusive approach ensures that individuals of all ages and fitness levels have the opportunity to benefit from his coaching.

Embodying his mantra, “Only you can make it happen, so make it happen,” Tony encourages his athletes to seize control of their fitness journey. His coaching style marries challenge with support, fostering an environment that empowers athletes to push their limits.

Regardless of where you stand in your fitness journey, Tony’s comprehensive approach to CrossFit, backed by a wealth of knowledge and a firm belief in personal determination, is poised to inspire and guide you toward achieving your full potential.

CERTIFICATIONS

CrossFit Level 1 Certification

AMY BELL

COACH

Amy Bell has always been into sports and fitness all her life, starting soccer at a very young age, playing competitively through high school. Once she started college, being an athlete and staying fit wasn’t really important to her at the time but quickly realized she needed to do something to get her fitness back in check. Her sister participated in CrossFit for over a year before she finally talked Amy into trying it. Once Amy did, she was hooked. She started CrossFit in Georgia as she finished her bachelor’s degree and then moved to Florida. Shortly after her move to Clearwater, planning on testing different gyms in the area, she bought a Groupon for ABF as her first one and stayed, never trying anywhere else.

Amy enjoys the community, the programming and the overall atmosphere of ABF. She been with ABF for four years now, making huge improvements to her fitness and dialing in on her nutrition. CrossFit has become a passion and a lifestyle for Amy. Working in the medical field, she realized how important fitness and nutrition are and if more people could make this kind of lifestyle change, even just a small change, there could be less people with illnesses and more living healthier lives. CrossFit has also given Amy the competitiveness she’s always loved playing sports, competing against other athletes at ABF as well as competing in local competitions and the CrossFit Open.

She has been a large part of how we’ve kept the gym clean the last three years. She has been planning to coach for some time now and finally completed her CrossFit Trainer O-L1 course in September 2021 to become an official coach at ABF. She is excited to be able to share her passion with others, to encourage and help fellow athletes reach their fitness goals.

CERTIFICATIONS

CrossFit Level 1 Certification

BRANDI

COACH

Brandi fell in love with all things barbell after watching the CrossFit games in 2012. She hadn’t been into sports or fitness in her younger years, but had been looking for ways to improve her strength and conditioning between a desk job and being a mom. After failing to make much headway in a standard globo-gym, she bought a Groupon for a local CrossFit box and immediately realized there was no turning back. The supportive community and infinite scalability of CrossFit has kept her engaged and coming back for more. Years later, Brandi continues to grow into a well-rounded athlete.

Her passion and dedication has lead fellow athletes to look to her for guidance on their lifts, so when Brandi was offered the chance to coach she jumped at it. Brandi earned her ABF L1.5 in 2020 and runs our foundations program. If you’re new to CrossFit, she will likely be your first coach.

CERTIFICATIONS

CrossFit Level 1 Certification

ANDREA

COACH

Fitness has always been a piece of her life, but things didn’t change until she found a Groupon for CrossFit ABF. Andrea gave ABF a chance after years of attending a regular gym that left her wanting more out of fitness. This was the best choice she made as it combines her love of being social with new and old friends and a newfound love of lifting weights and pushing herself to the limits. CrossFit ABF has shown her what a FitFam really means as she looks forward to working out with them every week.

Andrea is an inspiring mother to her daughter Layla and her giant fur babies, Storm and Thunder. You can catch Andrea killing a workout, rollerblading down the causeway, or enjoying a night out line dancing (yes, she loves her country music!). She enjoys the adventures of life and encourages others to strive towards their goals. Andrea continues to take her skills to the next level and wants to be there to help you do the same.

CERTIFICATIONS

CrossFit Level 1 Certification

AMBER KRUMN

COACH

Amber Krumn, lovingly referred to as “Krumncake,” joined CrossFit ABF (and the overall discipline of CrossFit) in 2017 after she grew tired and bored of the “typical” gym atmosphere. Different from anything she’d done before, she grew to enjoy CrossFit due to its varied workout types. Every day’s workout finally became exciting! An avid runner, Krumncake also fell in love with the sporting aspect of CrossFit. Recently, she’s become more interested in the nutritional aspects of functional fitness and you’ll often find her trying to improve the sport’s various skills, which, in turn, make the sport all the more challenging.

 

CERTIFICATIONS

CrossFit Level 1 Trainer

RYAN MCELHANEY

COACH

Ryan McElhaney is a CrossFit Level II Trainer, USAW Level II Coach, CrossFit Gymnastics, and CrossFit Movement and Mobility Certified. He has been an athlete for as long as he can remember. His father built box jumps and agility courses in the backyard rather, than sending him to summer camps. He’s participated in soccer, track & field, cycling, golf, basketball, paddle boarding, 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons, and extreme napping.

In February of 2012, he realized that he needed more than what the standard Globo-Gym could offer, so he finally took the advice of a good friend and gave CrossFit a try. He was hooked somewhere between 3-2-1 Go! and the gut-wrenching feeling of never having conquered a workout like this before. Continuously-varied challenging workouts, strong community support, constant improvement, and a proper diet are what fueled his passion to coach and inspire others to share in his success. Two years later he completed the CrossFit Level I Trainer course followed by CrossFit Movement & Mobility.

“I love to coach, it’s the highlight of my day when one of my athletes becomes proficient in a lift or movement and I’m extremely passionate about helping others improve their fitness. I’m also a big fan of any career that promotes flip flops and t-shirts as the standard work uniform… coaching!”

Ryan is married to Linda and they have an adorable puppy named Bella.

CERTIFICATIONS

CrossFit Level II Trainer

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