Meet the Trainers – bfit-crossfit

Brad Durham

Owner/Trainer

CFL1, CFL2, CF Kids

WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE CROSSFIT?

I had really given up on fitness after football was over. I couldn’t find anything that kept me challenged and engaged. I tried the triathlon idea – not for me – and distance running was like fingernails on a chalk board. I was at a dead end in my fitness path. I decided to start doing what I was putting my athletes through at BFIT. I got some guys that were my age together and we started doing a slower version…way slower version…but we did it anyway and it was fun and we built a community. Slowly I introduced that community to CrossFit.

WHEN & HOW WERE YOU INTRODUCED TO CROSSFIT?

At my L1. I signed up for the training never having completed a CrossFit style workout. When the instructors said we where doing Fran. I thought 21-15-9…this is gonna be easy…I almost puked.

WHY DID YOU STICK WITH CROSSFIT?

I wanted to get those dang pull-ups/ C2B/ and muscle-ups. I have never been able to move my body weight very well and this has given me the strength to do the things I have always wanted.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A COACH?

I’ve always wanted to have a place to share my faith with people and help people. I look at our CrossFit Box as that place. The friendships and fun times we have had at BFIT have been a life changing experience!

FAVORITE CROSSFIT MOVEMENT?

The fall down – what you do when you complete the WOD!

Cody Israel

Head Coach

CFL1

WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE CROSSFIT?

Growing up I had always played sports, from kindergarten up until my senior year of high school, and when I graduated I knew I still wanted to something that challenged me and kept the competitive drive inside me going. It just went from competing against others, to competing against myself and trying to be a better version of me. And that turned into me lifting weights 5-6 times a week anywhere I could find a weight room. Before I found CrossFit I was mainly lifting at Missouri Western’s fitness center in more of a bodybuilding/powerlifting type of training, nowhere near a CrossFit style of training.

WHEN & HOW WERE YOU INTRODUCED TO CROSSFIT?

When I decided to intern here at B-Fit for my 400 hour internship at Missouri Western my senior year of school is how I was introduced to it and fully understood what it is and what it is about. My first taste of it was during my junior year of high school when our football coach introduced us to an open workout from I think 2012, which was 7 minutes of straight burpees I believe. Needless to say I didn’t quite enjoy CrossFit back then as much as I do now.

WHY DID YOU STICK WITH CROSSFIT?

After starting my internship at B-Fit and actually learning how to do the movements CrossFit entails I was just hooked. Also, me being the competitive person I am, having a leaderboard in the middle of the gym drives me everyday you could say.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A COACH?

I knew in the back of my mind going into my internship here that it could lead to something more than being just a 400 hour rental, and after being around the B-Fit community and getting to know everyone on a personal level, there was no way I wanted to leave after my hours were up. And because I love all aspects fitness and nutrition, I knew that being a trainer would be an awesome experience for me, and it has been!

FAVORITE CROSSFIT MOVEMENT?

The squat or deadlift, ‘simple’ and straightforward movements that make up what CrossFit is!

Gena Puckett

Office Manager

CFL1

WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE CROSSFIT?

Very little to be honest. About 10 years ago, I decided that taking care of me and my health needed to be more of a priority. I started walking 3ish miles a day and I rocked it out at Zumba!

WHEN & HOW WERE YOU INTRODUCED TO CROSSFIT?

A year into my health journey, a sweet friend of mine mentioned BFIT. She had just started going and thought I might like it. She was so very right!

WHY DID YOU STICK WITH CROSSFIT?

Two things really hooked me – the challenge of CrossFit and the people. I appreciate how each workout is something different and challenges me to push myself. The people here are so supportive and motivating and always cheering each other on. The positivity of this place has been such a blessing in my life. Is it always positive? Well no – there are burpees and lunges in workouts

but even then, there is such a comradery in the misery! We’re a team that keeps each other going! I was also blessed to find an accountability group that kept me motivated to come for the first couple of years. We went form asking each other “Are you working out tonight?” to “When are you working out?”. Those ladies have evolved into being some of my best friends. We still love to work out together as often as possible as well as try new adventures outside the gym.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A COACH?

I love helping and encouraging people and I love BFIT so it just seemed like the perfect fit for me!

FAVORITE CROSSFIT MOVEMENT?

I love a good heavy deadlift! Bench press is also a fave.

Dakota Schildknecht

CFL1

WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE CROSSFIT?

Before I started CrossFit I wasn’t really working out. I was an athlete in high school. I went to a small school so I could play all the sports I wanted to. And I did. I played volleyball, softball, basketball, and ran track. When I was in college, I sometimes played rec sports and I went to the gym sporadically.

WHEN & HOW WERE YOU INTRODUCED TO CROSSFIT?

I went to a silent auction for Hillcrest Transitional Housing, now Pivotal Point Transitional Housing. I noticed there was a free month of CrossFit at BFIT up for bid. I got the free month and I have been at the gym ever since.

WHY DID YOU STICK WITH CROSSFIT?

I stuck with CrossFit once I started because of the friendships I had made at the gym. Once I started going to classes regularly, I was able to meet people and ended up competing with my friend and I have been at BFIT ever since.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A COACH?

The opportunity arose to coach speed and agility, it seemed like a no brainer to say “yes” to this opportunity since I love the BFIT community so much!

FAVORITE CROSSFIT MOVEMENT?

I love every movement… ha, just kidding. I really like most barbell movements; cleans, snathes, squats, and thrusters. I like to see handstand pushups in workouts as well.

Cailie Stewart

Nutrition Coach

BS in Dietetics Nutrition, Precision Nutrition L1 Certified

WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE CROSSFIT?

I have enjoyed a lot of different fitness activities over the years: step aerobics, running, swimming, biking, yoga, and walking/hiking.

WHEN & HOW WERE YOU INTRODUCED TO CROSSFIT?

My husband Greg started doing CrossFit around 9 years ago and I would attend with him for special events (Thanksgiving/Memorial Day workouts). My oldest daughter Sydney was also a member of BFIT when she swam for Central High School.

WHY DID YOU STICK WITH CROSSFIT?

CrossFit is an absolutely amazing form of functional fitness. In the past several months, my VO2 max has improved, my chronic lower back pain is GONE, I have shaved off a few inches off my hips and waist, am able to move/lift more weight, improve my flexibility and agility. The community is very warm, welcoming, and encouraging as well. The competitive aspect also appeals to me as I constantly race myself to improve reps and times.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A COACH?

I have always been zealous about fitness and nutrition. I am motivated to share my knowledge and passion for healthy eating and movement. I want to empower members to take responsibility and have the tools needed to live their healthiest and happiest life. I look forward to working with this incredible community.

FAVORITE CROSSFIT MOVEMENT?

My favorite CrossFit movement has got to be wall balls! Ironically, it is also my least favorite…. this maneuver has probably challenged me more physically and mentally than any other movement I have learned at BFit. I love it/hate it because my heart rate skyrockets and I experience exhaustion of both my lower and upper body simultaneously. However, knowing all the while I am training my body to be more explosive and improving my cardiorespiratory fitness!

Riley Higgins

WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE CROSSFIT?

Before CrossFit I was a college baseball player. I would workout consistently, but in a more baseball specific program.

WHEN & HOW WERE YOU INTRODUCED TO CROSSFIT?

I had done CrossFit as a teenager mixed into my strength programming. But just recently, through my internship here at BFIT, I began to dive into the CrossFit world.

WHY DID YOU STICK WITH CROSSFIT?

Since my time playing baseball is over CrossFit has given me an opportunity to remain active and still have an outlet to be competitive. My strive to increase my strength, cardio and skills give me goals everyday.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A COACH?

Through school I knew I wanted to work in the exercise world, and becoming a coach gives me not only an opportunity to do that but also help others in their goals to better themselves.

FAVORITE CROSSFIT MOVEMENT?

In my short time in CrossFit up to this point my favorite moment has been performing my first bar muscle up. That was always a difficult movement for me so achieving that goal was very exciting.

Ember McCauley

WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE CROSSFIT?

Before CrossFit, I did competitive dance for 15 years. Through middle school and high school, I was on the dance team at my school. I ran track throughout high school as well. My first year of college I wasn’t very active, and I lost a lot of muscle. In 2018, my BFIT journey began.

WHEN & HOW WERE YOU INTRODUCED TO CROSSFIT?

When I started my second year of college, Trevor, my boyfriend, convinced me to try out CrossFit for the first time. He had experience with the sport and wanted to get back into it after taking a short break. I was scared at first but very excited to start something new for my health.

WHY DID YOU STICK WITH CROSSFIT?

The community is what motivates me to stick with CrossFit! There is nothing like the BFIT community. We are so much like a family, a blend of different families all supporting one another in a common goal! Another major help is having someone to work out with and hold you accountable which, for me, is Trevor, and all my besties at BFIT.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A COACH?

When I started at BFIT, my major was nursing. Through my journey at BFIT, I started looking and feeling way better than I ever have before so after about a year, I decided I want to change my major and be in this environment for the rest of my life. I changed my major to Physical Education with a Concentration in Health and Exercise Science, to learn more about the physiology behind diet and exercise and how that correlates with overall well-being. My journey at BFIT has molded me into who I am today.

FAVORITE CROSSFIT MOVEMENT?

My favorite CrossFit movement is DB snatches.

Will Schwartz

CFL1

WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE CROSSFIT?

Before CrossFit, I played football for Missouri Western.

WHEN & HOW WERE YOU INTRODUCED TO CROSSFIT?

I began my internship at BFIT in January 2024 and that was my first time being around a CrossFit environment. I got introduced to CrossFit after a month of interning at BFIT when somebody dropped out of the competitions, and I volunteered to fill in… haven’t looked back since!

WHY DID YOU STICK WITH CROSSFIT?

I stuck to CrossFit because of the competitiveness within yourself, sure you can compete against other people but most of the time it is just you vs the workout. CrossFit has some similarities to football such as the family environment, the competition aspect, and the suffering are reasons why I stick with it.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A COACH?

I became a coach because I enjoy helping people reach their goals, it is very rewarding when you’re able to help someone become a better version of themselves. I have always had a passion for fitness, and being a coach, you are always eager to learn more and perfect your craft.

FAVORITE CROSSFIT MOVEMENT?

My favorite CrossFit movement would be the clean and jerk. I have always enjoyed cleans and it feels very rewarding when you are able to complete jerk overhead.