I'd like to introduce you to...

Hi my name is Tyler Hemp, and I am a Firefighter right here in Bemidji. Just a little about me, I was born and raised right here in Bemidji where I also graduated from high school and attended college. I enjoy outdoor activities and spending time with friends and family whenever I can! While I was in high school I was a 3-time state qualifying athlete in swimming. During my swim career I enjoyed the team aspect as well as the individual challenges of trying to better times and technique which led me to try CrossFit, which carries those same challenges I came to love in my athletic career. After I graduated I found that CrossFit not only challenged me but came with many more benefits. In my job as a firefighter I have to be ready for a multitude of situations both good and bad. CrossFit has helped me immensely prepare for those situations by strengthening my mobility, overall strength, agility and my mental health! As a coach, I enjoy being able to apply all that I've learned through athletics and life to help athletes achieve their individual goals and grow as people and most of all, have Fun!

CF-L1

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!

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

Hey, I’m Mandy, Lynn’s sidekick since early 2021! Sports and fitness have always been a big part of my life. In high school I was a competitive swimmer and runner. After graduating college at UND with a nursing degree, I moved to Bemidji and got married in the fall of 2019. I was interested in CrossFit for way too long before trying it. When I saw the opportunity to work here, I jumped on it! 

Outside of CrossFit I work as an RN at the walk-in clinic in Bemidji. Although I work in the healthcare field, my passion has always been to focus on preventing illness by taking steps to help improve and maintain physical and mental wellness. One of my favorite quotes is, “You don’t have to be sick to get well”. Why not start taking care of your body while you still can!

If I’m not at CrossFit or the clinic nursing you will find me doing almost anything that involves being active. Anywhere from cross country skiing, biking, and swimming to roller blading, running, and triathlons (my newest hobby), I stay active year round! CrossFit allows me to do the things I love and assists me in achieving my goals! 

My goal as a CF-L, is to help you build a foundation of functional fitness that will set you up for success in life, wherever it may take you! 

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

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. 

CF-L1

“Good enough never is,” Greg Glassman

I started CrossFit in May of 2016, but my journey toward health and wellness began in 2009 with a wakeup call from my doctor. I was morbidly obese and at high risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and several other dangerous conditions that would continue to damage my quality of life. Like many, I blamed it on genetics and told myself there was nothing I could do to help myself. I was wrong.

It’s taken several years and many lifestyle changes over time, but with the incorporation of regular physical activity, a complete nutrition overhaul, and attention to my mental health, I have managed to lose nearly 200 pounds and keep it off.

When my fitness journey began several years ago, I could barely walk to my own mailbox. Slow changes over time allowed me to gradually increase my activity and I could walk a few blocks more each day, and when I gained enough confidence and endurance, I got a gym membership. The elliptical trainer was boring, so I picked up a barbell and googled my way into strength training. I fell in love with lifting immediately, but I needed some form of cardio so I started boxing and kickboxing and I was hooked (haha - get it? hooked?). After I lost the first 100 pounds or thereabouts, I secured a boxing sponsor and was certain I was headed for the ring! When a bout with carpal tunnel forced me to hang up my gloves, I didn't quit on myself. Instead I switched directions and completed my first 'couch to 5k' program since I had never in my life ran a mile - not even in elementary school.

My only regret about starting CrossFit is that I talked myself out of starting sooner. I was intimidated and sure I wasn't in good enough shape to do it. I was wrong on so many levels and have gained so much -- you will too!

CrossFit Bemidji is special and it's awesome: variety, challenge, inclusivity, community. Come check it out -- it incorporates everything about fitness that I love, plus at CrossFit Bemidji, there is an amazing community of people working together to be stronger everyday.

CF-L1
CF Olympic Weight Lifting 

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

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.  

CF-L1

Hi!  My name is Jennie Gaskins.  I am a stay at home mom of two kids, married to my husband for 17 years.  Currently we are living out our dream on a lake with acreage, building our home with our own two hands and cultivating the land!  I was born and raised in New York.  Always an active child who loved to be outside!  Growing up I tried just about every sport and fell in love with Classical Ballet and Soccer.  Fast forward to today and you’ll still find me outside and being physically active.   I was always scared to try CrossFit as everyone was so strong and confident.  I took the plunge and signed up for a ‘foundation’ class….I was hooked. I am new to the CrossFit world and have lots to learn but I am loving this experience and can’t wait to learn all the things right alongside you.   I do have a background in strength training and kickboxing instruction, so although I may not be able to do double unders or muscle ups just yet I sure can throw a mean right hook and a powerful round house!   Finding this position at CrossFit Bemidji and being able to help you with your fitness journey has me feeling blessed!  Please don’t be shy and introduce yourself the next time you see me.     

Office/Facilities Manager