All About CrossFit Bemidji

NASM CPT, CF L-2, USAW SPC, BS Exercise Science, Holistic Nutrition Coach SPC 

Hey, I'm Eric. I have been coaching fitness since 2011. I went to SPC then BSU to be a pursue a degree in Exercise Science. I work at Sanford here in Bemidji. I love all forms of fitness, but there will always be a special place in my heart for heavy lifting. I believe that fitness should be fun and have a positive impact on someone's life. I believe in the power of a great community, and love to watch people smash their goals. I love applying fitness to the real world, and believe very strongly that what we do in the gym should make our daily lives better. My favorite types of workouts are the gritty ones that are as much of a mental struggle as they are physical. As an avid outdoorsman, I love using my fitness to go and enjoy time outside hunting and fishing. I have been a part of the community at CrossFit Bemidji since the early days, and have watched this community grow. It has been an absolute blast, and I can't wait for the future. 

CF-L1, Office + Facilities Assistant

My name is Shannon and my partner in crime is Oreo. Outside of CrossFit I am an EMT for Bemidji Ambulance and I also work at DoubleTree Hotel. I have been married for two years and have two kids, 7 and 11. 

I have workout equipment at home but have a hard time working out alone. I've been an athlete here since the summer of 2020. I love the atmosphere and being at CrossFit Bemidji because of how encouraging and helpful everyone is to each other! I hope to see you at a class sometime!

CF-L1, USAW-L1 

Functional fitness and community.  That’s what sets CrossFit Bemidji apart from any other fitness journey I’ve experienced. I grew up playing competitive sports, both team and individual, which brought me to Bemidji to play hockey. I live in Bemidji with my husband Dan and am able to share my passion for sport and fitness as an elementary Phys. Ed. teacher. My first CF experience was in 2016, and it was an instant game changer. I completed my CF-L1 in 2017 and am grateful to be a part of the coaching team and our community. The daily socialization with members who share common goals and passion for a healthier tomorrow, the daily chit-chats, the grind, and being a small part of the empowerment of what we do is next to none.     

When I’m not at the gym, I enjoy using my functional fitness for running and biking, slaloming and wake surfing, golfing, paddle boarding, and snowmobiling, all with Dan and friends. Cheers! 

CF-L1

Hi, I’m Amy.  I work full time in the Bemidji Area Schools as an occupational therapist.  When I am not working for the schools, or at home with my family, you can probably find me enjoying the gym.  My journey to CrossFit started in August 2018 when I finally decided to give this gym a try after dealing with chronic pain for most of my life.  Prior to beginning my journey at CrossFit Bemidji, I was having to give up more and more of my daily activities to keep nerve, muscle, and joint pain (stemming from a birth injury) to a tolerable level.  In trying to avoid opioids at all costs and still function, I decided to give CrossFit a try.  Not only did I find pain relief, but I also found strength, endurance, improved overall fitness, and best of all, a community of people I had no idea that I needed. 

In 2021, I decided I had more to offer my community with my background as an occupational therapist and my love of working with people so I obtained my CF-L1 so that I can help others achieve their goals in the gym.  I look forward to assisting you to achieve your goals whether they are general fitness, pain relief, or completing a movement that society has told you that you can’t or shouldn’t do due to pre-existing limitations.  CrossFit truly is for everyone and we can modify any workout for you. 

Yoga Teacher

I’m originally from Bemidji, and studied Community Health and Exercise Science at Bemidji State. Starting in 2013, I discovered my love for teaching a variety of group fitness classes while working in corporate wellness in the Twin Cities, and yoga was one of my favorites. I completed my 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training at Replenish Yoga & Wellness in International Falls in 2018, and have been teaching yoga at CrossFit Bemidji since January 2019! 

I’ve been a member at CFB since August 2018, and absolutely love the energy that comes from a morning workout here. I find that yoga compliments CrossFit really well. It’s so important to take the time to pay attention to our bodies, breathing, and headspace. When we don’t tune in, we find ourselves wondering why we feel so out of control! Yoga is for everyone, so don’t listen to anyone who tells you otherwise (including yourself.) It may take some time to learn the “moves” and the lingo, but who the heck ever heard of a WOD or a thruster before starting CrossFit? In yoga, we call our time on the mat our “practice” for a reason.

In my free time I really enjoy cooking, hiking, camping, reading and watching movies. My husband Travis, and doggo Finley are usually close by! I spent my COVID lockdown working on the bulk of a graduate program, and I'm in my last semester now! If we’ve already met, I’m glad to know you. If we haven’t, I hope to meet you soon!

CF-L1, CFB Athlete Support Specialist

If I’m being completely honest, the reason I walked through the doors of CrossFit Bemidji is because I wanted to look and feel good in my wedding dress.. that was in 2019. I never thought I would find this amazing community of people that made me want to stick with it and work hard year after year. 

I was a first grade teacher for seven years and coming to this gym gave me a good outlet at the end of a day in the classroom. I didn’t have to think or plan my own workouts. Even when I was pregnant, the coaches were amazing at coming up with modifications and scaling options- all I had to do was show up! 

When I’m not at the gym, my husband, daughter, and I like to stay busy. Whether we’re playing with our two dogs, working in the yard and garden, or traveling to see family and friends- it always seems we have something going on.

Whatever your reason is, I hope you walk through the doors at CFB- we’re all excited to cheer for you!

CF-L1, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, M.Ed – Applied Kinesiology

I joined CrossFit Bemidji as an athlete in the summer of 2019 after moving to town. As a lifelong athlete and fitness professional, I enjoy CrossFitting for the health/fitness gains as well as the competition and community. I work full-time for Delta Dental of Minnesota on the operations team.

Before relocating to Bemidji, I was a high school strength and conditioning teacher, head wresting coach, co-head strength and conditioning coach, and assistant track and field coach at a South Carolina D2 University. I enjoy coaching at CFB because it provides an opportunity to continue to challenge athletes to be the best possible versions of themselves. 

When not coaching/training at CFB, I enjoy being a dad to my young son Chip, gardening in the summer, hunting with my dog Goldy, cheering for the Gophers and the Vikings, and doing projects in the garage.

CF-L1

Hi, my name is Michelle, and I'm a cardiac/vascular ultrasound tech at the hospital.  I grew up in Wisconsin but moved to Bemidji after high school.

After a couple of years of trying to workout on my own, I decided I needed a change and found CrossFit Bemidji.  I've been an athlete here since the fall of 2015 and instantly fell in love with the community aspect of CrossFit.  As a coach, I hope to be a strong female role model for all of the badass women in our gym (the guys are pretty great too).

I love lifting weights and feeling strong but lately my goals have been geared more towards building volume in my gymnastics movements to become a more well-round athlete.

CF-L1 

My name is Erica and I joined CrossFit in August of 2017. When I joined I wasn’t expecting to not only love Crossfit as much as I do, but that I would also find a huge sense of community. Crossfit has challenged me in so many ways, not only physically but mentally as well. Had you told me back in 2017 that I would EVER be able to do a pull-up I would have laughed in your face, but after lots of work, determination, and actually believing in myself (I think believing in yourself is really the ticket here J), I am so proud to say that I can do pull-ups. 

I have 2 amazing Kiddos that keep me busy outside of the gym and work. They really are my “why”. I hope to not only show them that health and fitness can be fun, but functional in day to day activities as well. I have a passion for the outdoors and once or twice a year I challenge myself to participate in some sort of Half Marathon (Fargo is my favorite). 

CF-L1

My name is Graham Hensel. I am from Bemidji, MN. I have worked in many forms of mental health over my career and now am the Program Director at Housing Matters in Bemidji, MN. I joined CrossFit in the summer of 2021. I was encouraged for years to join but I felt that with my many injuries, that CrossFit would just break me. Well, I was wrong! CrossFit focuses on function movement,  and this has caused me to stay focused and become stronger than ever before. With time, CrossFit can change you, not only physically but mentally. Bemidji CrossFit is a family. We not only workout here, we spend time together, build lasting relationships and support each other through the good and the hard times. Something I have never seen in another gym before. As a coach, my goal is to provide a safe, educational and fun experience. Allowing you to feel comfortable in the gym and with the movements. I like to offer guidance and support as you learn how CrossFit can better you in all aspects of your life. The great thing at Bemidji CrossFit, is that ALL of our coaches are amazing and here for you. Hope to see you in the gym! 

Fitness has been a part of my life since I can remember. From an early age I would do 90s aerobics in the living room with my mom and go for runs with my dad. In high school my first job was working at a Lifetime Fitness near our home. In school I played soccer and softball and lifted weights on my own. I headed off to college to get a business degree thinking that I wanted to head into the world of business while continuing fitness on the side with running and strength training. Fitness was still a constant passion and I found myself thinking and talking about it almost all the time. One day in my microeconomics study group I found myself going on a tangent about fitness to my study partners. One of the ladies that I studied with worked as an intern in the fitness department and encouraged me to talk to the department about switching my major to Exercise Science. I went and talked with the department the next day. About a year later I walked into a local gym and met Jesse. Jesse soon became my mentor, personal trainer and good friend. For the next two years I trained for bodybuilding with the idea that I would eventually compete. I never did compete, but gained a lot of strength and muscle. The third year and the year I graduated from college, I focused on strength and powerlifting. At one point I had a 400lb deadlift, 300lb squat and a 180lb bench. I graduated with my exercise science degree and started personal training at the local gym. About 2 years later a friend introduced me to CrossFit. I remember the first time I did a CrossFit workout, I was dripping in sweat, humbled, but absolutely hooked. I had done CrossFit for about 9 months when the gym I was at asked if I was willing to get my Level 1 coaching certificate and coach for them. I happily went down to Denver, CO and got it. For the next year I coached CrossFit at the gym while also personal training at the other local gym. I would wake up in the morning and go for a run, then go to the gym and lift weights for 1-2 hours. I would finish off the day by going to CrossFit in the evening. I was absolutely obsessed with fitness and spent the majority of my day working out. After a couple more years my passion eventually turned into frustration as I wanted to know about the physiology of the human body. This led me to moving back to MN and getting my nursing degree. I continued CrossFit when I moved to MN, but took a break during nursing school. I didn't stop with fitness though and it was part of daily life at a variety of different gyms as I went travel nursing for a couple of years. I would drop into CrossFit gyms on occasion when I had the chance. I started back again with CrossFit when I was nursing in SD until I moved to Bemidji where I joined CrossFit Bemidji in July of 2023.

CF-L1

Hi, I’m Jeremy!  I am originally from Baudette, MN, but have lived all over the United States, as my dad served in the U.S. Air Force. I live north of Bemidji with my wife, two of my four kids (the other 2 are in college), and my two dogs. I have worked at Bemidji State University since 2011, and was in manufacturing prior to that. I have also served in the Minnesota Army National Guard. I would say because of my military experience, and meeting people from all walks of life, I have a pretty adaptable personality.

During high school, I was a 3-sport athlete (Football, Wrestling, and Baseball). I come from a wrestling family - numerous uncles and my dad wrestled in high school, my brother went to state his senior year at Bemidji HS, my son Noah went to state last year with Bemidji HS, and he now wrestles for Minnesota State University Moorhead. Wrestling was my favorite sport, because of the discipline and the individual completion - it continues to be the most challenging sport as well. After high school and in college, my activity level decreased as I married, started my career, and raised kids. I had always been fairly active, but didn’t really have anything organized or enjoyable for keeping in shape. Individual and team sports provided a measure of accountability, and over time, those things fell away. I ran the Fargo Marathon in 2012, and for years played on multiple softball leagues.

I started my CrossFit journey January 11, 2014, the first day CrossFit Bemidji was open. Walking into the gym, I was intimidated - I was overweight, and a couple athletes were performing effortless rope climbs and pull-ups. I was discouraged - could I get back to where I was in high school and college? I tackled my first WOD - it was hard, but something about this place drew me in. After years of working out at CFB, my nutrition changed in 2018. I started eating healthier and working out more consistently. I am happy that I am the strongest I’ve ever been, and a happier person too. Heck – I’ve always been fairly positive, and love to have fun.

For those of you saying that you don’t have time to get to the gym - I have a very busy schedule, with my career, travel, my kids, and everything else. There are 1,440 minutes in a day – finding 60 minutes somewhere is doable, no matter who you are. For those thinking about starting CrossFit, try it. You don’t have to do the workouts Rx (as prescribed). There are many scaling options - CrossFit will meet you where you are. No one at the gym expects you to be an elite athlete on Day 1, or even on Day 1,746. As long as you show up and put in the work, that is what counts. The CFB community is genuinely supportive. When someone gets their first rope climb, muscle up, or double under, we celebrate. And then we get back after it. Joining CFB was one of the best decisions I made, and there is no turning back.

I decided to get my L1 Trainers Certificate, because I am invested in CFB. I encourage you to become a part of the CFB community. Stop by one of my classes. I guarantee it will be a great time, and you will get a great workout in.