Travis

CEO/Head Coach

Certs: CrossFit Level 2, Kettlebell, Powerlifting, CrossFit Kids, Endurance, Mobility

Athletic Accomplishments: University of Vermont Div 1 Soccer, Boulder Backroads Marathon, Vancouver Half Marathon, Lake Stevens Half IronMan,
1st Place Master's Div Wodfest CrossFit Competition
1st Place Master's Div Bacon Beatdown CrossFit Competition 
Ski to Sea

I grew up playing every sport I came in touch with. I'm pretty sure my parents encouraged that as a means to deplete my youthful energy reserves! My love of "The Beautiful Game" brought my focus to playing and coaching soccer from high school through college, until I injured my back and ended my playing career. I continued coaching soccer at various levels, from college level to club level until recently retiring.

After my back injury, I remained active: mountain biking, hiking, snowboarding, etc. – and full of pain. I developed so many compensations and weaknesses from my back being bad for so long that I could function, but certainly not in a healthy fashion. I tried several different fitness styles and regimens to strengthen my body and get me back on track, but to no avail. Fed up with lack of results and boring programs, I began digging on the Internet in search of something new. Enter CrossFit. I found it fun, exciting, challenging, different and so effective!

My back pain is a thing of the past. I am stronger, more balanced, and more physically capable than I have ever been ... and in my 40s!

I love the people who come to CrossFit X – fun, hard working, focused, always willing to help others and challenge them in positive directions. We have an accepting, non-judgmental environment that encourages people to work from where they are currently, build patiently, earn and achieve their successes over time as they are technically and physically prepared to do so.

I am passionate about CrossFit, and love teaching our members how to be effectively strong, balanced and pain free. 

Viva CFX!
ALYCIA
Owner

Certs: CrossFit Level 1, Olympic lifting, CrossFit Kids

Athletic Accomplishments: Baker Lake 50k, Boulder Backroads Marathon, Vancouver Half Marathon, Lake Stevens Half IronMan

As a working mother, CrossFit works well for me because it not only gives me great results, but does so in a short amount of time as well.

I understand the daily struggle among so many working moms to truly “balance it all,” and I believe CrossFit is a great fit for those wanting to find that balance. I also love the example that it sets for my two young children. I cannot imagine a better place for them to be than at a CrossFit gym where they can see people of all ages, and from all walks of life, push themselves and reach their goals on a daily basis. And I love running the birthday parties we offer at the gym!

Fitness and competition  have been part of my life as long as I can remember. Being the youngest in my family, I constantly competed with and tried to keep up with my older brother in everything we did. Whether it was getting a goal while playing street hockey or being the fastest one to make it around the neighborhood on a bike, I have always loved the feeling of being active and striving to be the best I can be. CrossFit X provides this for me.

cameron

General Manager
​Coach/Nutrition Coach

Certs: CrossFit Level 1, ACE Certified Personal Trainer, FAI Functional Aging Specialist, HSN Certified Nutrition Coach

I played multiple sports in my earlier years, until I was about 16. Life then had other plans for me. I decided to turn my attention to other recreational activities that did not include physical activity. I strayed away from any sort of physical fitness for quite sometime building my way up to a nearly 290lbs.

In 2015 I decided to make a real push to turn things around a regain control of my health and fitness. I started with the typical bodybuilder split routine and super restrictive dieting. Needless to say it was miserable. In the summer of 2017 I was fortunate enough to come across "The Fittest on Earth" and shortly after found myself walking into the doors of a local affiliate. It was love at first WOD.

I moved to Bellingham in early 2018 and immediately started working as a personal trainer at a local gym and eventually heading up their training department. Something was still missing. I wasn't at a box anymore!

I joined CFX in April 2019 got my level 1 and the rest is history! I love being a part of this amazing community and helping our athletes realize their full potential!

Ian

Coach

Certs: CrossFit Level 2, Kettlebell

Full disclosure: I was the fat kid... not athletic (though I did consistently read several grades above my level). I started CrossFit in 2008 at Xplore CrossFit in Seattle. I got my first taste of CrossFit through a co-worker. Not only did we get our Workout of the Day, we had to walk up/down three flights of stairs to get between the gym and the lockers. I discovered CFX when I moved to Bellingham in 2009. 

I love CrossFit X because of the community, the constant challenges to not only get stronger but to improve your skills and form, and the amount of different physical challenges: gymnastics, kettlebell, strongman, Olympic lifting, powerlifting and more.

I enjoy coaching because I get a vicarious thrill when those I am coaching achieve a personal record or goal for themselves. I love that I helped get them there.

Dan

Coach

Certs: CrossFit Level 2, CrossFit Olympic Lifting

Athletic Accomplishments:
4th Place Master's Div Bacon Beatdown CrossFit Competition

I started CrossFit September 2010 because I was bored with the running three times a week, and frustrated with the back/chest/bicep/tricep routine that never worked for me. Once I started CrossFit X, I was hooked, not only on the variety of workouts, but mostly on the community and ability to compete on a daily basis. I have yet to leave the gym feeling like I didn't get a workout. Did I mention the community? I love the people!

My sports background is as a competitive swimmer. I started swimming in middle school and continued through college. I find competitive swimming and CrossFit to be similar in the great community aspect as well as the competition you find during every workout.

I started coaching at CFX in May 2012, and have since completed a one-day CrossFit Oly lifting cert, Jon North Oly Seminar, and the USAW Sports Performance Coach Certification. I love coaching at CFX! Witnessing athlete growth is rewarding, but better yet is when an athlete overcomes a big obstacle. I love being able to encourage my fellow athletes at CFX.
LORAN
Coach
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​Cert: Level 1, Masters Coach (WIAA), and 24 years of Prep Coaching Experience (Football, Basketball, and Fastpitch) in Washington State and Michigan.

​Athletic Accomplishments: Varsity Track - USMA @ West Point, Football @ Walla Walla Community College, Football at Western Washington University, and Varsity Track @ Western Washington University.

I started playing sports at a very young age because my dad was a High School coach and I attended every game and practice he coached. I was a gym rat, field rat, and diamond rat. I carried that onto playing as many sports as possible in high school and playing two sports in college (football & track). Upon entering the 'Real World' of work my athletic career ended and my exercise regimen suffered. I endured 15 years of limited mobility and extra weight despite coaching High School sports like my father.

When I started CrossFit in October 2010 I was 50 pounds overweight and woefully out of shape. Over the course of the first two years of CrossFit the staff and members of CFX were genuine and sincere as I began my journey of getting 'Fit!' It was because of the great coaches of CFX that I wanted to coach others to overcome the obstacles of convenience and really attack life.
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The struggle of doing something that seems impossible (CrossFit) takes commitment and great coaching. I wanted to become a CrossFit Coach to inspire and help others to make the impossible possible. I can think of no better place to help others in the journey of wellness and fitness than being with my tribe at CrossFit X. I consider it a privilege to coach at a place like CFX where people matter.
RICH
Coach

Certs:  CrossFit Competitor, Crossfit Level 2, Crossfit Olympic lifting certified

​Athletic accomplishments:
3rd place Masters div Bacon Beatdown
1st 2009 ATV B Vet class Hannegan speedway
3rd 2009 ATV B Vet class Hannegan speedway

I didn’t do much athletically after high school football and wrestling, went directly into the work force at 18. Had children at a young age and my work has taken me all over the world.

My brother and his wife started CrossFit in 2007 in Montana and had ask me to check it out as I was self-programming to stay in shape to race ATV’s on motocross tracks. I never would bite and thought it was really kind of ridiculous. After I had won my championship in 2009 I knew I needed to do more to be in better shape, the younger folks racing were getting way faster and it was way harder for me to stay out front. I called Travis and met with him at the Barkley box late in the year of 2010. He felt I was in good enough shape to throw me in the mix, knowing my biggest struggle was going to be learning form. From that day forward I took 1 day off a week for the first couple years, I parked my ATV’s in the barn and never raced again. Not because I wasn’t able but because how CrossFit made me feel and how strong I became and the results where consuming me.

CrossFit became my focus; I needed to learn all of it as quickly as I could. This lead to my level 1, which lead to 3 different Olympic lifting courses with some really well known and accomplished Olympic lifters. And many CrossFit competitions from Washington state to Montana.

Now that I have learned the movements, worked extremely hard on form and patience, I spend a little more time every day at CrossFit X to watch all the other people on their own journey. That’s probably what drives me today to be better. Being able to watch a person move and explain to them what I see and how to correct it, then watching the results and responses.
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I'm am honored to have learned at CrossFit X and even more so being able to coach here.
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Brian

Coach

Certs: CrossFit Level 1

My adventure in CrossFit started in 2017 when my son suggested we give CrossFit a try. At that point, I had never heard of CrossFit. Once I learned what it was, I was a bit intimidated as I've never considered myself to be an athlete. However, I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say that day in 2017 changed my life.

I started out by joining the beginner class (x camp). It was hard, since I never pushed my body like that before. But, working out as a group, it was fun, rewarding, and kept me going. I pushed harder than I ever would have if I simply worked out alone. Fast forward a few months and I started to see changes in my body, my overall fitness, and my lifting ability. Not only that, but I started to build friendships. I became part of a community I never knew I needed.

As the years went on, I knew I wanted to coach. There is a stigma out there where people think you have to be an ultra athlete to be a CrossFitter. I argue CrossFit is for everyone. I often share my personal experiences with our new members, knowing it gives them the confidence to persevere, even when they don't think they can.

I feel so blessed to have an opportunity to coach at CrossFitX. Our gym is family friendly, inclusive, extremely positive and is a safe environment for everyone. We provide an amazing experience you can't fully appreciate until you try it out. ​

Susan Deschenes

Coach

Certs: MBA, Exercise Science BA, Crossfit Level 1, ACE personal trainer, WIATT group fitness instructor, Yoga and Pilates certified,Spin certified

Athletic accomplishments:
 World champion in self defense sports jujitsu, Oregon state boxing golden gloves, Second degree black belt in Kajukenbo, participated in the National Ninja League World Championships and took 3rd place Masters in the Cascade Classic Crossfit Competition, swam competitively in China and coached basketball internationally. 

I have participated multiple times in the Bellingham Traverse (team and solo), ski to sea, marathons, half ironmans, triathalons, Spartan races and Girls Gone RX!

In high school I wasn't the MVP but "most inspirational". I love to surround myself with active people who love to workout.   I competed in swimming, basketball, track, cross country, tennis, and martial arts.

The best part of coaching is helping other members reach their goals. Trying to give them a "cue" that "clicks". The sport of crossfit is an amazing multi level and dimensional sport that challenges you both mentally and physically. You are constantly learning and evolving which makes this "Exercise Science Nerd" loving it! ​

Cheyenne Cassaday

Coach
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Certifications: B.S. in Kinesiology, Crossfit Level-1

Athletic Accomplishments: Top 10% in the Crossfit Open 2021, 3rd place in Girls Gone Rx 2021 (with Susan Deschanes and Melissa Petersen)

I have been a dancer almost my entire life, since I was 3 years old. Mostly doing jazz and tap in my early years. Once I got into high school, I joined my school's competitive dance/drill team from 2012-2015 where we took 1st place in Pom two years in a row. I also had the opportunity to be captain and lead my team in 2015. After high school, I went to Western Washington University to pursue a degree in kinesiology. I took a break from dance for my first 2 years in college, which is where I learned how to lift. I joined Western’s hip-hop dance team in 2017 while maintaining my lifting program. After graduating in spring of 2019, I felt like I had lost my community. My coworker at the time was doing crossfit and I had always been interested in trying this sport. I did a class with her and it was the worst workout of my life, and somehow I was back the next day for another workout. 

I joined the Crossfit X community in August of 2019 and haven’t looked back since! The people here make new-commers feel so supported and welcome in this community. I’ve met some of my life long friends, I’ve been able to make connections to better my career, and I’ve been able to achieve personal goals all while being supported 100% by this amazing community. I quickly learned that I wanted to do more to give back to this community. I got my Crossfit Level-1 in January 2021 so that I can help others see their full potential as an athlete, make them feel encouraged, and to achieve their goals. My life has changed completely since joining the CFX family and I encourage everyone to drink the Kool-Aid like I did!