CrossFit Metropolis –> Upper East Side, Manhattan, New York City

Head Trainer:
Brendan Gilliam is co-head trainer at CrossFit Metropolis.  Brendan has been living and breathing CrossFit since its inception, training directly with Greg Glassman at the original CrossFit box in Santa Clara CA in the mid-2000′s before becoming part of the CrossFit HQ staff and Certification Staff.  Brendan has since opened and successfully operated 2 affiliates in CA and in VA and brings years of CrossFit coaching experience and incredible passion for all things CrossFit to Metropolis.  There are very few coaches that can trace their experience directly to Greg Glassman and the original CrossFit in Santa Cruz and Brendan is one of them.  If you don’t find yourself fired up about CrossFit after a conversation with Brendan, you should consider making sure you still have a pulse!

Head Trainer:
Eric Love is the founder and co-head trainer of CrossFit Metropolis.  Eric holds a Level 1 CrossFit Certification, Coaches Prep Course, CrossFit Olympic Lifting Certification, CrossFit Gymnastics Certification and CrossFit Powerlifting Certification (w Louie Simmons).

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Assistant Coaches:
EJ “EZ Money” Baril is a Level 1 CrossFit Certified Trainer and globo gym reformed group fitness instructor.  She has completed 5 half-marathons and 3 tri-athalons, including the NYC Tri.  ”Once I came across CrossFit I knew I had found my niche.  The first time I set foot into a CrossFit gym, I was instantly humbled and realized that I had only been looking at part of the fitness equation.  CrossFit has dramatically changed the way I perceive fitness and has been a catalyst in pushing me beyond what I thought was possible.”

Levi “the Tan Ninja” Schmidt holds a Crossfit Level 1 Trainer Certification.  Levi was Swimming Strength and Conditioning Coach at Plainfield High School and has experience coaching swimming at all age and experience levels. He is a former collegiate swimmer and water polo player (MIT), as well as a former gymnast and ice hockey player. “I love the energy in the room right after a WOD. Everyone’s spent, but there’s this electric camaraderie that flows from the fact that we know we all just hit it hard. There’s this community of people, all working toward elite fitness, setting goals and exceeding them. For me, being part of that process is a huge blessing… there’s nothing more real than that.”

David “Oceanspray” Lederman is a CrossFit Level I Certified Trainer.   After working on his bicep curls and not getting any fitter at his neighborhood globo gym, he tried CrossFit and has been hooked ever since. When he is not pulling all nighters working on Wall Street, you can find him around the gym practicing handstands or trying to squat multiples of his body weight. He competes in half marathons, adventure races, throwdowns, and other physically demanding competitions in the NYC area. David is a graduate of Cornell University and has lived in New York city for the last 5 years.

Brian “Tall Guy Bry” Elbogen is a Level 1 Certified Crossfit Trainer. As the tallest member of Crossfit Metropolis, Brian spent most of his upbringing playing basketball, including his collegiate experience at Princeton University. He first learned about Crossfit while living abroad in 2008. His first WODs consisted of playground pull-ups and hill sprints up the inclined cobblestone streets of Istanbul, Turkey.  Brian spends his free time training at Crossfit Metropolis, participating in team sports, and experimenting with new foods in his humble apartment kitchen. “Having grown up around team sports my entire life, I love the energy and sense of community that Crossfit provides to people like me. It’s a special kind of satisfaction to look around at your friends and know that they really understand the hard work you put in to reach your goals.  Also, there’s nothing more rewarding than a round of high fives after fighting through yet another “impossible” workout.”

Mark “the Janitor” Jansen is a Level 1 Certified Crossfit Trainer.  Mark attended the United States Air Force Academy where he tried to play football and played a couple semesters of rugby.  After college, Mark was stationed in Colorado, Oklahoma, and is currently stationed at Manhattan College ROTC Detachment 560 where he teaches cadets about leadership.  With no friends in New York, Mark was walking aimlessly around Central Park when he ran into Eric Love and from then on Mark has been a devoted member of CF Metropolis.  Mark’s love for competitiveness and camaraderie is what draws him to CrossFit.  Mark’s hobbies include anything to do with sports, reading, and cooking amazing food.

Ashleigh “Smilin’ Assassin” L’Heureux is a Level 1 and CrossFit Kids Certified Trainer. After a year of Zumba classes and silly workouts on an elliptical machine, Ashleigh decided to take her fitness more seriously. She was drawn to CrossFit because she knew it would pull her out of her comfort zone, and it most certainly did –”I remember when I used to be afraid to drop the barbell!” This seemingly insignificant choice of giving CrossFit a shot has transformed the way she sees herself and the role fitness has in a well-balanced life. Every day she goes to CrossFit she is still surprised by what she does and all that she has accomplished. Ashleigh also teaches first and second grade at a school for children with special needs on the Upper West Side. She is so excited to bring her knowledge and experience in working with children to CF Metropolis and beginning their first CrossFit Kids program. She is looking forward to merging her love for teaching children with her love for CrossFit and bridging the gap between fitness and fun!

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