Coaches
GREG AMUNDSON
FOUNDER
Greg started his CrossFit training in December 2001 at the original CrossFit Headquarters gym in Santa Cruz, California. As an athlete at the first CrossFit gym, Greg was coached and mentored by CrossFit Founders “Coach” Greg and Lauren Glassman for over seven years.
Greg is a frequent contributor to the CrossFit Journal and teaches at the CrossFit Level I Certificate Course and CrossFit Kettlebell Trainer Course. Greg is the founder and lead instructor of the CrossFit Goal Setting Course and the originator of the apparel company Firebreather Athletics. Greg works for CrossFit Inc. as the Law Enforcement Liaison. In this capacity, Greg coordinates and leads the CrossFit Law Enforcement Summit and the CrossFit Law Enforcement Seminar. Greg travels extensively, teaching CrossFit and Goal Setting around the world.
Greg served in both State and Federal Law Enforcement for over twelve years. Greg served in numerous capacities to include SWAT with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office and Drug Enforcement with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on the Southwest border. In October 2011, Greg retired from full time Law Enforcement to devote himself entirely to CrossFit. He continues to serve as a Reserve Peace Officer in Santa Cruz, CA. and as an Army Officer in the US Army National Guard where he teaches leadership, combatives and fitness for the Officer Candidate School in San Luis Obispo, CA.
“I think one of the greatest contributions CrossFit will continue to make is to inspire people to view themselves not just as human beings but as human athletes.” – Greg Amundson
EMAIL: greg@crossfitamundson.com
______________________________________________________________________________
MALLEE AMUNDSON
Head Trainer & Owner
Mallee Amundson owns CrossFit Amundson because she is passionate about CrossFit and believes in the efficacy of the program and it’s ability to improve lives both inside and outside of the gym.
Mallee also works for the CrossFit Headquarters Training Department as a CrossFit Level I Certificate Course Instructor as well as the Seminar & Training Department’s Travel Coordinator. Within the gym, Mallee enjoys working with athletes of various skill levels. She is a talented Coach with an unique ability to program and a keen sense of attention to detail. Mallee’s greatest joy comes from watching her athletes gain strength, grow more fit, increase their health, and ultimately change the way they live their lives. This is the primary reason she teaches CrossFit.
“I did not grow up playing team sports or being overly athletic. However, I was always interested in the physical demands associated with challenging the body through physical activity. I ran mostly, surfed a little and swam in the ocean. I took dance lessons and even spent a few years learning Thai Kickboxing. It was not until I started CrossFitting in 2007 that I felt like I had truly found a sport that I could continue to do for the rest of my life because it was fun as well as challenging both physically and mentally. We are all athletes and CrossFit was what I needed to bring this out in me.”
- Mallee Amundson
EMAIL: mallee@crossfitamundson.com
_______________________________________________________________________________
BRIAN BURGUN
Trainer
Brian Burgun loves all sports and is passionate about CrossFit, Football, snowboarding, motorcycles and riding horses.
He first began to CrossFit in August of 2009 in the Amundson’s garage and became CrossFit Level I Certified in May of 2010. He sees CrossFit as a means to longevity, health and fitness and has inspired many friends and acquaintances to start training at CrossFit Amundson. Not to mention his whole family who continues to attend his classes regularly. His favorite WOD is “Cindy” and his long term goal is to bring CrossFit to the people of the Imperial Valley and to help them find the same positive physical and mental transformations that he saw in himself. Brian is an excellent coach who leads by example and encourages a challenging yet fun class environment.
EMAIL: brian@crossfitamundson.com
_______________________________________________________________________________
ABRAHAM FLORES
Trainer
In the summer of 2009, I was fortunate enough to observe Greg Amundson complete a workout at the Navy Base pool in El Centro, CA. The heart and passion Greg put into his workout was obvious and inspiring. He extended an invitation to me to workout at his garage that week and that session ultimately redefined my mindset of what fitness is.
A diverse background in team sports such as football, soccer, basketball and rugby exposed me throughout my life to various methods of working out. I have also had training in Karate specifically Tae Kwan Do, Boxing, Wrestling, and Jiu Jit-Su. I like to skateboard, snowboard, wakeboard and surf as well, when I can. However, nothing has challenged my mind and body quite like CrossFit. With each class I attended at the Amundson’s, I quickly became eager to further my knowledge and within a few months obtained my CrossFit Level I Certificate.
Recently attending the CrossFit Mobility and Recovery Course and the Olympic Lifting Course gave me a taste of what the world of CrossFit has to offer. I look forward to attending the CrossFit Football Course in February, and don’t plan on stopping there!
As a CrossFit athlete, I have seen my fitness level increase drastically. I pour all my energy into every workout and know when I’m finished, that I’m finished! I strive for excellence in each and every workout and carry this mindset into every aspect of my life.
Greg Amundson stated, “CrossFit Affiliate Coaches have an unique ability to change the world. The best way to do this is by setting a positive example for their athletes to follow – both inside and outside the CrossFit box.” As a CrossFit Amundson coach, I intend to share my knowledge and passion for CrossFit. I find it rewarding to help athletes meet goals, surpass feats of strength they thought were unattainable, and break PR’s. I enjoy working with athletes of all abilities and look forward to applying my skills to help them achieve their fitness goals.
EMAIL: abe@crossfitamundson.com
_______________________________________________________________________________
LIZ VAN DRIESSCHE
Trainer
Liz was introduced to CrossFit in the summer of 2009. Although she had little sports experience she now proudly calls herself an athlete. Liz appreciates CrossFit because each time she works out, she challenges herself both mentally and physically and is rewarded with the accomplishment of personal success. The strength and health she has gained and the community of friends she has adopted are simply a way of life for her now. In July of 2010, Liz became a CrossFit L1 Trainer and in September of that same year, she became a CrossFit Kids Trainer.
Liz enjoys watching the development of the athletes she coaches. She feels pride in an athlete’s progress in better form, athletic ability and the accomplishment of personal records. She especially enjoys teaching kids the values and lessons that are at the heart of CrossFit training. Liz’s longterm goal is to make CrossFit accessible to anyone who wants to try it and who needs the motivation and encouragement of someone who believes in them.
When not CrossFitting, Liz works in Law Enforcement. She is married and has three kids, ages 14, 11 and 5.
EMAIL: liz@crossfitamundson.com
_______________________________________________________________________________
ROBERT PRINCE
Trainer
Robert Prince has been an internationally certified fitness coach for over 11 years. Robert’s passion for fitness began in his youth with the goal to improve his capacity in Football and has evolved since with increased exposure. Robert has competed in Football, Baseball, Soccer, and various forms of motor sports. Robert was also a United States Navy Corpsman (Medic) stationed with the First Marine Division for over five years where his focus was Combat Medicine. After being honorably discharged from service, he decided to focus on personal fitness coaching as a profession. After many years as a successful fitness coach, Robert felt it was time for a change in his training philosophy and method. He had learned about CrossFit from a client and was intrigued. After viewing the CrossFit website Robert completed the Workout of the Day which happened to be “Angie.” As he lay on the ground gasping for air after the workout, he realized this was what he was looking for. He hasn’t looked back since. Robert has since become a member of Crossfit Amundson and has added to his previous experience within the fitness community.
Robert soon received his CrossFit Level 1 Trainer Certificate. Robert’s passion for fitness and level of experience within the fitness and sport communities coupled with a medical background have allowed him to help members of Crossfit Amundson as well as his personal clients to achieve their fitness goals. Robert believes anyone can better themselves through fitness no matter what obstacles there may be. All that is necessary is the desire to improve and an intelligent approach to attaining improvement.
EMAIL: robert@crossfitamundson.com
______________________________________________________________________________
LEEAIRE BROWN
Trainer
Leeaire Brown joined CrossFit Amundson as an athlete in early 2010 when classes were still being held in the Garage. Lee, as he is known around the gym, played Football, Basketball and ran Track in High School. While he attended the College of New Jersey, he played four years of college football. He put his athletic experience to work in El Centro, CA where he Coached Football at Southwest High School for three years. He became a CrossFit L1 Trainer in September of 2011. Earlier that same year, he also attended the CrossFit Endurance certification. Lee enjoys how he is continually challenged by CrossFit and the peers he works out with. “Before each WOD I experience the same nervousness I did before each football game and I love it! The camaraderie, the competitiveness, and the energy created inside a CrossFit box are indescribable.” Lee’s favorite CrossFit movement is the Handstand Push-Up.
EMAIL: lee@crossfitamundson
______________________________________________________________________________
PJ ENDERS
Trainer
I first heard about CrossFit through a friend in early 2010. “You need to do CrossFit, it’s amazing,” he told me. I did some online research and concluded that while the workouts were impressively grueling, they appeared to required good form and correct technique in areas of athletics that I was unfamiliar with. After refusing to go, I started seeing changes in my friend that impressed me. Not only did he get stronger, more fit and loose weight, I could also see that he genuinely enjoyed and looked forward to attending his CrossFit class. He motivated me and I finally gave in and journeyed to the garage where CrossFit Amundson was holding their classes at the time. Immediately I felt welcomed. We stretched as a group, almost like a team. The class was competitive yet friendly, full of high fives, positive vibes, everyone sweating and feeling each others pain. It was something I hadn’t felt in a long time. I was hooked. Being a former collegiate athlete I had never experienced a workout quite as intense as CrossFit. I took the Fundamentals class and I knew that CrossFit was going to change my life. And, indeed, it has and is continuing to do so.
Today, I most enjoy coaching people who don’t yet realize that they are amazing athletes. It is rewarding to bring out the best in people. Something like helping a client complete a partial squat after knee surgery is an amazing accomplishment that is every bit as gratifying for me as it is for them. Once a new athlete walks into the gym, they’ve already made a huge gain in their health and fitness simply by being there willing to try CrossFit. It is then my job to help them become the athlete I know they can be.
PJ Enders was born and raised in Brawley. She has her Associates degree in general studies. She is a CrossFit L1 Trainer, a lifeguard Instructor and a Water Safety Instructor. She played volleyball and softball in High School and at the Junior College level. Her favorite workouts include wall balls and anything heavy!
EMAIL: pj@crossfitamundson.com
____________________________________________________________________________________________________