Tania Tétrault Vrga, Owner & Coach

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, Poliquin Biosignature Modulation Level 1, OPT CCP Level 1 (in progress)

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.

#1 Power food:  Eggs

Brendan Sonnichsen, 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

Derek Wickham, Coach

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

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

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.

Brad Sarna, Coach

Why I CrossFit: For the community; I love the fact that we all support and drive each other to be better today than we were yesterday. For the sport; I never thought I would find competition that I love so much. For the results; I am fitter and better now than I have ever been in my life and I owe it to the discipline of Crossfit.

Favourite workout: I would have to say Helen. I also loved the Canadian Crippler at the 2010 Canadian Sectional Qualifiers.

What I love about CrossFit Winnipeg: Fantastic atmosphere, fabulous people and badass athletes!

Certifications: Crossfit Level 1 Cert.

What’s surprising/interesting about me? I have played university and pro football and still coach football today.

Coaching Philosophy: To ensure that everyone improves everyday and finds something that they can take with them into their everyday lives.

#1 Training Goal for the next 6 to 12 months: 400# deadlift, qualifying for the Canadian Regionals for the Crossfit games.

#1 Power food: blueberries