Tania Tétrault Vrga, Owner & Full Time Coach

Tania CrossFit Games 2009

Why I CrossFit:  Because I’m the fittest and happiest I’ve ever been, and I know that it’s because of CrossFit.  CrossFit has empowered me like nothing else.

Favourite workout:  Nasty Girls.  The first CrossFit video I ever saw was this one (Nasty Girls…[wmv][mov]), of Nicole, Eva and Annie doing the Nasty Girls workout.  I remember thinking: Wow!  I want to be able to do that…  and now I can.

What I love about CrossFit Winnipeg: The people and the culture, it’s a dream come true.

Certifications:  Hon. B.Sc., University of Toronto, CanFitPro Personal Trainer Specialist, CrossFit Level I, CrossFit Gymnastics, CrossFit Barbell, CrossFit Nutrition, Agatsu Kettlebell Level I, Agatsu Barbell Level I

What’s surprising/interesting about me?  I was an athletic late bloomer…  I was that kid who always got picked last for teams in the school yard.  My brothers made fun of my lack of coordination.  I got laughed at for running like a girl.

Coaching Philosophy:  I want to make people happier.  I firmly believe that a fit person is healthy person is a happy person.  As a coach, my job is to improve the fitness of everyone that comes through our doors, whether it’s a competitive athlete or a grandmother, and thus, make them happier.

#1 Training Goal for the next 6 to 12 months:  BWT Snatch, 2xBWT Deadlift, Round-off-back tuck, full ROM HSPU no kipping

#1 Power food:  Eggs

Brendan Sonnichsen, Full Time Coach

Why I CrossFit: First, for the results; then, for the friendships; then, for the life lessons; finally, for the sport. I wish I could elaborate more here, but meet me at the gym and I’ll be glad to talk your ear off.

Favourite workout: The sandbag carry/snatch workout at the Great Basin Qualifiers taught me more about myself in 7 minutes than I had learned in 4 years of CrossFit.

What I love about CrossFit Winnipeg: I used to dream that it would exist. Now it does.

Certifications: NASM-Certified Personal Trainer, CrossFit Level I & II, CrossFit Gymnastics, CrossFit Running & Endurance, NCCP Level I Weightlifting, Agatsu Kettlebell Level I, Agatsu Barbell Level I

What’s surprising/interesting about me? In 1998 I co-owned an online virtual wrestling league.

Coaching Philosophy: Every session with every client, I look for something I can help them improve by 1%.  1% per day, over time, adds up to a lot of improvement.

#1 Training Goal for the next 6 to 12 months: 100 kilo snatch.

#1 Power food: Anything with avocado

Melisa Chudobiak, Coach

Melisa CrossFit Winnipeg 2009

Why I CrossFit: The variety, intensity and FRIENDLY competition. Crossfit encourages me to push my physical limits which in turn encourages me to push my mental limits in other aspects of my life. I love being able to kill a workout one day and be completely humbled the next.

Favourite workout: Grace

What I love about CrossFit Winnipeg: The people, we have become such a family and when someone is MIA, it is noticed.  We are not just a number.

What’s surprising/interesting about me? I’ve never had a sporting background, but since discovering CF it has become my sport. It has released my inner competitive nature. And, not CF related at all, but improper grammar/spelling drives me CRAZY.

My Coaching Philosophy: Have each individual execute their WODs with efficacy (within their own capacity) and to develop an increased level of self-awareness. Proper technique is more important that rx’ing a WOD. I also want each athlete to understand the importance of nutrition within their training. You cannot out train bad nutrition.

#1 Training Goal for the next 6 to 12 months: Be competitive at the 2010 sectionals and attend the 2010 games at some capacity.

#1 Power food: Water and Protein Protein Protein

Derek Wickham, Coach

Derek CrossFit Winnipeg 2009

Why I CrossFit: To see how far I can push myself both mentally and physically

Favourite workout: Grace, even thought I have never done it

What I love about CrossFit Winnipeg: the people

Certifications: B. Sc., B. Ed., CrossFit Level I, Agatsu Kettlebell Level I, Agatsu Barbell Level I

What’s surprising/interesting about me? I love cats!

Coaching Philosophy: to push people to a higher level  of fitness

#1 Training Goal for the next 6 to 12 months: compete at the CrossFit Regionals in 2010

#1 Power food:

Stephen Bel, Coach

Steve CrossFit Winnipeg 2009

Why I CrossFit: I never get bored

Favourite workout: 2008 Games deadlift burpee workout/Murph

What I love about CrossFit Winnipeg: Friends

Certifications: CrossFit Level 1, CrossFit Gymnastics, Agatsu Kettlebell, Agatsu Barbell

What’s surprising/interesting about me? I’m happiest in the wilderness

Coaching Philosophy: Help athletes push past their limits

#1 Training Goal for the next 6 to 12 months: Work on Olympic Lifts

#1 Power food: Blueberries

Brad Gerbrandt, Coach

Brad Fight Gone Bad IV CrossFit Winnipeg 2009

Why I CrossFit:  Nothing better to do… Seriously, there’s nothing better then this!

Favourite workout: Which ever workout I just finished, but Fight Gone Bad is also up there.

What I love about CrossFit Winnipeg:  Everyone’s desire to better themselves.

Certifications: MSc (Kinesiology),  BA (Ex. Sci),  ACE,  CSEP-CPT,  NCCP Weightlifting (Level 1),  Agatsu Kettlebell (Level 1),  Crossfit (Level 1), Agatsu Barbell (Level 1)

What’s surprising/interesting about me?  I played Volleyball for 6 different Colleges/Universities at one point or another.  Also, I plan to go to Prague, Cech Republic  to represent Canada at the Ultimate Frisbee World Championships in Summer of 2010.

My Coaching Strategy or Objective: Make sure everyone can squat and power clean correctly.  After that,  everything else becomes easier.

#1 Training Goal for the next 6 to 12 months: Represent Crossfit Winnipeg at Sectionals in Edmonton.  Increase my CFT by 60 lbs and decrease my 40 time by 0.2 seconds

#1 Power Food: Homemade protien bars – I can, and have,  became sick off of them many times.