The Most Experienced & Trusted Coaching Staff in Alabama

Group of men and women at CrossFit Trussville posing together, flexing muscles and smiling.

Meet the CrossFit Trussville Coaching Team

CrossFit Trussville isn’t just another gym in Trussville, AL, it’s owned and led by some of the most experienced, highly qualified, and passionate coaches in the Southeast. Co-owners Andrew and Candace Rape have been at the helm since 2010, building a results-driven, community-focused training environment recognized across Alabama.

Whether your goal is to compete at a high level, move pain-free, get stronger after 60, or simply feel healthier and more capable in everyday life our coaches are the best in the state at helping you get there.

Owners & Head Coaches

  • Candace Rape is a CrossFit Level 2 Coach, licensed Physical Therapist Assistant, and one of the most highly regarded female coaches in Alabama

    Candace Rape – Co-Owner, Chief Community Officer & Head Coach

    CrossFit Level 2 Coach | Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant | USAW Level 1 | NCI Level 1 Nutrition Coach | Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism Certified | CrossFit Gymnastics & Olympic Lifting Certified | CrossFit Kids Certified | Level Method Foundation Certified

    Candace Rape is a CrossFit Level 2 Coach, licensed Physical Therapist Assistant, and one of the most credentialed female coaches in Alabama. A former collegiate softball player who competed at Bevill State before transferring to Jefferson State Community College, she brings unmatched expertise in functional movement, pre- and post-partum training, injury prevention, Olympic lifting, gymnastics, nutrition coaching, and youth fitness to every athlete she works with. Her certifications span USAW Level 1, NCI Level 1 Nutrition, Michael Cohen Olympic Weightlifting, CrossFit Gymnastics, CrossFit Kids, Pregnancy and Postpartum Athleticism, and Level Method Foundation — a depth of credentialing that few coaches in the Southeast can match and none in Trussville come close to.

    Candace began coaching at CrossFit Trussville in 2012 and simultaneously co-owned and coached at CrossFit Pell City from 2017 to 2020, giving her over a decade of multi-location affiliate leadership experience. Her physical therapy background gives her a clinical lens on movement correction and injury recovery that enables members to train safely while continuing to progress at a high level — a combination of coaching and clinical expertise that is genuinely rare in functional fitness. Over her career at CFT she has guided athletes ranging from first-timers learning foundational movements to seasoned competitors preparing for the CrossFit Games, new mothers returning to training postpartum, kids building their first athletic foundation, and masters athletes competing well into their 70s.

    Beyond the gym floor, Candace has become a mentor to female athletes and mothers across Trussville and the greater Birmingham area, championing strength, confidence, and resilience through fitness at every stage of life. Her Pregnancy and Postpartum Athleticism certification makes her one of the only coaches in the area specifically qualified to guide women through training during and after pregnancy — a population that most gyms are simply not equipped to serve well. As co-owner, she is central to shaping the culture at CrossFit Trussville — a results-driven yet deeply welcoming environment where athletes of every age and background feel empowered to pursue their goals with a coach who genuinely understands where they are and exactly how to help them move forward.

  • Andrew Rape is one of Alabama’s most respected CrossFit coaches and program designers

    Andrew Rape – Founder, Co-Owner, Chief Vision Officer & Lead Program Design

    Founder & Co-Owner | CrossFit Level 2 Coach | USAW Level 1 | CrossFit Regionals Athlete | 3-Year GRID League Professional Athlete, New York Rhinos | OPEX CCP Certified (Program Design, Nutrition, Life Coaching, Athlete Assessment, Business Systems) | CrossFit Gymnastics Certified | CrossFit Olympic Lifting Certified | Michael Cohen Olympic Lifting Certified | Level Method Foundation Certified | NCI Level 1 Nutrition Coach | Kettlebell Fundamentals Certified | UAB Collat School of Business MIDE Award | 18+ Years Coaching

    Andrew Rape is one of Alabama's most respected CrossFit coaches and program designers, leading CrossFit Trussville since its founding on September 15, 2008. With degrees in Marketing and Medical Industrial Distribution from UAB — where he earned the Collat School of Business "Most Likely to Succeed" MIDE Award and served as Executive Vice President of the UAB American Marketing Association, one of the Top 20 AMA chapters in the country — and over 30 fitness certifications including CrossFit Level 2, USAW Level 1, five individual OPEX CCP modules, CrossFit Gymnastics, CrossFit Olympic Lifting, Michael Cohen Olympic Lifting, and Level Method Foundation, Andrew has trained thousands of athletes across Trussville, Birmingham, the broader Southeast, and remotely across the country. His 18-plus years of continuous coaching and affiliate ownership make him one of the longest-tenured CrossFit coaches in the state of Alabama.

    His competitive resume is among the strongest of any active coach in the country. Andrew finished 13th at the CrossFit Southeast Regionals in 2012 — one of the most competitive regions in the world at the time — was selected as a 2nd round draft pick at the Las Vegas NPGL Draft in 2014, and went on to spend three years as a professional athlete for the New York Rhinos in the GRID League from 2014 through 2016, including as a starter in the inaugural GRID match on the floor at Madison Square Garden in New York City. He competed in the Elite Division at WODAPALOOZA in 2015, finishing in the Top 10, and has lined up against some of the best athletes the sport has ever produced. As a coach, he guided athlete Mike Pender to a 7th place finish at the 2024 Masters 70+ CrossFit Games, and CFT has developed CrossFit Games athletes, marathon runners, Ironman triathletes, and competitors across dozens of disciplines.

    Andrew's expertise extends well beyond the gym floor. He owned and operated CrossFit Pell City from 2017 to 2020 while simultaneously running CrossFit Trussville, and led MyVitality Nutrition and emVe Health from 2018 to 2022 — nutrition coaching operations that reflect his OPEX Nutrition Specialist training and deep investment in the science of performance nutrition. His participation in Two-Brain Business's elite Tinker Group top-tier mentor program signals the same commitment to mastery in business systems that he brings to program design and athlete development. He is also the co-founder of Drip IV Therapy and The PHNX Collective, the multi-venue campus CrossFit Trussville now calls home. For Andrew, CrossFit Trussville has never been just a gym — it is a platform to help people of every age become stronger, more capable, and more confident in every area of life.

  • Sophia Contreras is a CrossFit Level 2 Coach, Registered Dietitian

    Sophia Contreras – Co-Owner, Nutrition Director, Chief Execution Officer, & Head Coach

    CrossFit Level 2 Coach | Registered Dietitian | USAW Level 1 | NCI Level 1 Nutrition Coach | Certified Youth Exercise Specialist | Pre and Postnatal Coach | Michael Cohen Olympic Lifting Certified | Level Method Foundation Certified

    Sophia Contreras is a CrossFit Level 2 Coach and Registered Dietitian with a UAB undergraduate degree and an active pursuit of her Master's degree in Dietetics at UAB — a credential that will make her one of the most formally educated nutrition and fitness coaches in Alabama. A former eight-year competitive gymnast with USAW Level 1 and Michael Cohen Olympic Lifting certifications, her foundation in sport, movement mechanics, and performance nutrition is as deep as any coach in the state. She became a co-owner of CrossFit Trussville in 2025 after seven years running the operational engine of the gym — managing daily operations, event execution, scheduling, and coach support since 2018.

    Sophia's competitive resume is legitimate and hard-earned. She finished in the Top 50 at the WZA Online Qualifier, competed with a team at WODAPALOOZA Intermediate, and finished in the Top 50 at the Fittest Experience Qualifier — results that give her coaching credibility on the competition side that matches her clinical and operational depth. She has coached CrossFit classes at CFT since 2017 and has led PEAK Youth Training and Sports Performance as Head Coach since 2020, building one of the most respected youth athletic development programs in the Trussville area. Her NCI Level 1 Nutrition, Certified Youth Exercise Specialist, Pre and Postnatal Coach, and Level Method Foundation certifications round out one of the most complete coaching profiles on the CFT staff.

    Sophia does not treat training and nutrition as separate disciplines — because they are not. Her work as a Registered Dietitian combined with her years on the gym floor gives her a rare ability to build plans that are scientifically grounded, practically sustainable, and calibrated to the specific demands of CrossFit and functional fitness. Whether she is coaching a 6am class, dialing in a member's nutrition plan, leading a large-scale event at The PHNX Collective, or developing the next generation of young athletes through PEAK, Sophia brings the same relentless precision and standard of excellence to everything she touches. Her leadership has not just raised the bar at CrossFit Trussville — she helped build it.

  • Lee Contreras is a CrossFit Level 2 Coach and CrossFit Kids Certified Coach known for his high-energy presence

    Lee Contreras – Co-Owner, Chief Infrastructure Officer, & Head Coach

    CrossFit Level 2 Coach | CrossFit Kids Certified | USAW Level 1 | Level Method Foundation Certified | Civil Engineer, Spire Inc.

    Lee Contreras is a CrossFit Level 2 Coach, CrossFit Kids Certified Coach, and USAW Level 1 certified weightlifting coach who became a co-owner of CrossFit Trussville in 2025. A UAB graduate and former multi-sport athlete who played football and soccer at Pinson Valley High School, Lee brings a lifelong athletic foundation to his coaching that shows up in how naturally he reads movement, builds progressions, and connects with athletes at every level. Known for his high-energy presence and exacting standards, he pushes athletes to find another gear while maintaining a sharp focus on movement quality, safety, and efficiency.

    Lee has been coaching CrossFit, personal training, and CFT Kids since 2019 and competed at Pensacola Beach Brawl, giving him firsthand experience on the competition floor that informs how he prepares athletes for performance. Competitors trust him for the intensity and standards he holds them to. Newer members value his clear progressions, patient instruction, and confidence-building approach that makes complex movements feel achievable. His Level Method Foundation certification adds a structured assessment framework that helps members track real progress over time rather than just surviving workouts.

    Beyond the coaching floor, Lee is the builder behind the CrossFit Trussville experience. As a civil engineer with Spire Inc., he brings professional-grade problem solving to every facility upgrade, custom equipment build, and infrastructure improvement project that keeps the gym operating at the highest level. Every improvement members feel the moment they walk through the door has Lee's fingerprints on it. His dual role as coach and builder gives CrossFit Trussville a rare operational advantage — the same person setting standards on the floor is also building the environment those standards are held in. Strong systems, strong athletes, and a facility that performs as hard as the people inside it.

Coaching Staff

  • Bridget Hamilton is a ReBoot Coach and registered radiologic technologist who has been a CrossFit athlete since 2015

    Bridget Hamilton – Coach

    ReBoot Coach | Registered Radiologic Technologist | Owner, RCH Management, LLC

    Bridget Hamilton is a Registered Radiologic Technologist and ReBoot Coach who has been part of the CrossFit Trussville community since 2015 and has been coaching since 2018. A graduate of DCH School of Radiologic Technology in Tuscaloosa and the owner of RCH Management, LLC, she brings a professional, detail-oriented mindset to every class she leads — the same precision that defines her clinical and business careers informs the structure, pacing, and individual attention that members experience in her sessions. Bridget is widely regarded for her welcoming and energizing presence, creating an environment where athletes of every level feel comfortable, supported, and ready to work.

    Safety and high standards are the foundation of Bridget's coaching philosophy. She pays close attention to proper movement mechanics, technique, and individual limitations, helping members train with confidence and longevity in mind rather than chasing short-term intensity at the expense of long-term health. That approach is especially valuable in ReBoot, where many members are returning to fitness after a break, managing an injury, or building a foundation before moving into CrossFit. Seven years of coaching that population has given her an instinctive understanding of where people are when they walk in and exactly what they need to move forward.

    Bridget's coaching blends functional movement with encouragement and accountability in a way that makes the process feel sustainable rather than overwhelming. Members who train with her consistently describe a sense of belonging in her classes — the rare experience of being challenged and supported simultaneously. She inspires people to enjoy the process of training while steadily building the strength, resilience, and confidence that carry over into everyday life. For anyone who has ever felt intimidated by a gym environment, Bridget's class is where that changes.

  • Leigh Hanby is a CrossFit Coach and Certified Personal Trainer with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing

    Leigh Hanby – Coach

    CrossFit Level 1 Coach | Certified Personal Trainer | Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

    Leigh Hanby is a CrossFit Level 1 Coach, Certified Personal Trainer, and Group Fitness Instructor with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master's degree as an Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. Her background in acute care nursing gives her one of the sharpest eyes on the CFT coaching staff for safety, recovery, and smart progression — she knows exactly how hard to push and when to pull back, a skill most fitness coaches develop over decades that Leigh brought in from day one. A competitive dancer for more than 12 years who earned a 1st place All-State Solo title, she brings balance, coordination, and an exceptional sense of body positioning to the way she teaches complex movements.

    Leigh has been coaching group fitness since 2018 and joined CrossFit Trussville as a coach and personal trainer in 2022, bringing a coaching foundation that most CF-L1 coaches simply do not have on day one. She has competed in Powerlifting for Autism and the CrossFit Open, and she thrives in anything that tests engine and capacity. That competitive experience shapes how she programs and coaches — she understands what it takes to perform under pressure and how to prepare athletes for moments that matter. She creates classes that are structured, positive, and purposeful, helping athletes build strength, resilience, and confidence in a way that accumulates meaningfully over time.

    Coaching with Leigh means training with someone who is both clinically equipped and genuinely invested in your long-term health. She does not just teach movement — she teaches athletes to understand their bodies, respect the recovery process, and push limits intelligently. Members who train with Leigh consistently leave with more than fitness gains. They leave with a clearer understanding of how to take care of themselves for life.

  • Christy Tharpe is a ReBoot Coach, former college dance team member, and AFAA Certified Personal Trainer who has been part of CFT since the program’s inception

    Christy Tharpe - Coach

    ReBoot Coach | AFAA Certified Personal Trainer | Endurance Athlete | CFT Coach Since 2012

    Christy Tharpe is an AFAA Certified Personal Trainer and former college dance team member who has been coaching ReBoot at CrossFit Trussville since 2012, making her one of the longest-tenured coaches on the entire CFT staff. A member of the "Southern Star" college dance team and a working personal trainer from 2007 through 2012, she brought a fully developed coaching foundation to CFT before she ever led her first class. A seasoned endurance athlete, she has completed three Mercedes Half Marathons and the Nashville Full Marathon, and carries that same long-view discipline and commitment into every session she coaches.

    Christy's coaching is energetic, motivating, and deeply grounded in functional movement — patterns that translate directly into daily life and make members feel stronger in everything they do outside the gym. She emphasizes progress that accumulates over time rather than intensity that burns people out, which is exactly the philosophy that makes ReBoot work for the members it serves. Thirteen years of coaching the same program has given her an intuitive understanding of where people are when they walk in and precisely what they need to move forward without feeling overwhelmed.

    What distinguishes Christy as a coach is her ability to help members find genuine joy in the process of getting better. She does not just lead workouts — she builds confidence, normalizes the hard days, and reminds athletes that consistency over time is the real secret. Members who have trained with Christy consistently describe her classes as a highlight of their week, both for the physical results and for how they feel walking out the door. For anyone who has ever doubted whether fitness was something they could actually stick with, Christy's class is the answer.

  • Gabriel Wright is a CrossFit Level 1 Coach and seasoned obstacle course racer who has been part of the CrossFit Trussville family since 2018

    Gabriel Wright – Coach

    CrossFit Level 1 Coach | Certified Personal Trainer | Obstacle Course Racer | Pastor, Gateway Family Church

    Gabriel Wright is a CrossFit Level 1 Coach and certified personal trainer who has been part of the CrossFit Trussville community since 2018 and began coaching CrossFit and personal training in 2020. A seasoned obstacle course racer with a gift for scaling workouts to meet any ability level, he is known across the CFT community for his creativity, adaptability, and famously challenging warm-ups. His coaching style reflects both his competitive athletic background and his genuine passion for helping people grow — each class he leads is demanding, accessible, and genuinely fun in a way that keeps members coming back.

    What separates Gabriel from most coaches is the depth he brings from outside the gym. He has been involved in church ministry and missions since 1997 — nearly three decades of serving people across diverse backgrounds and life circumstances — and has spent five years in extensive volunteer work with special needs and at-risk youth. As a pastor at Gateway Family Church, he has developed a rare ability to meet people exactly where they are, not just physically but emotionally and personally. That background shows up in how he coaches — with patience, genuine attentiveness, and an understanding that fitness is often as much a mental challenge as a physical one.

    Gabriel thrives on building strength, endurance, and confidence in athletes while fostering an environment where showing up feels meaningful beyond the workout itself. That commitment to the CFT community runs deeper than the gym floor — when a fire displaced CrossFit Trussville for over two years in 2023, it was Gabriel who, as pastor of Gateway Family Church, offered the church without hesitation as a temporary home. CFT operated out of Gateway for 106 weeks, tearing down every Friday and rebuilding every Sunday, and Gabriel's generosity made every one of those weeks possible. He blends his care for people with his love of movement in a way that is rare and genuine, and members who train with him consistently describe his classes as the ones they look forward to most — challenging enough to feel the progress, warm enough to make the hard days worth it.

  • Mike Wright is a Legends and ReBoot Coach who proves that strength and resilience have no age limit.

    Mike Wright - Coach

    Legends & ReBoot Coach | CrossFit Masters Certified | Top 35 Masters Athlete Worldwide (70+ Division)

    Mike Wright is a CrossFit Masters certified coach and one of the most inspiring figures in the CrossFit Trussville community, proving every single day that strength and resilience have no age limit. At 74, he ranks among the top masters athletes in the world, finishing 32nd in the CrossFit Semifinals for the 70-plus division while continuing to set personal records and compete at a level that most athletes half his age cannot match. His credentials are not honorary — they are earned through the same consistency, grit, and commitment to the process that he brings to every athlete he coaches in the Legends program.

    Mike leads CrossFit Trussville's Legends program, designed specifically for athletes 60 and older, with a perspective that no certification alone can teach. He has lived the experience of training through the decades, navigating the body's changes, and finding ways to keep progressing rather than declining — and he coaches from that place of genuine firsthand understanding. His focus on longevity, functional strength, and maintaining independence through movement reflects exactly what the Legends program is built around: fitness that makes life better, not just numbers on a whiteboard better.

    There is no more credible argument for what consistent training can do for you at 60, 70, or beyond than watching Mike Wright train. Newer members see him and immediately understand what is possible. Veterans draw motivation from his continued improvement. He is a cornerstone of the CFT coaching staff and a quiet inspiration across the entire gym community — the kind of coach who leads entirely through example and never needs to say a word about what dedication looks like, because he shows it every time he walks through the door.

  • https://www.facebook.com/aldotcom/videos/10152533311847483/

    Will Stacy - Coach

    CrossFit Level 1 Coach | Hoover Police Department Field Training Officer & K-9 Unit

    Will Stacy is a CrossFit Level 1 certified Coach whose journey represents the heart of what CrossFit Trussville stands for. He first joined CFT in 2015 weighing nearly 300 pounds and lost 70 pounds through consistent training and genuine community support — transforming from 290 pounds down to 220 and, in the process, discovering a passion for movement, coaching, and helping others experience the same shift he did. That transformation is not background context. It is the foundation of everything that makes him effective as a coach, because Will does not just teach fitness — he teaches what it actually takes to change your life through it.

    Outside the gym, Will serves with the Hoover Police Department as both a Field Training Officer and longtime member of the K-9 unit — a role that demands the same discipline, composure, and commitment to others that defines his coaching. His character was highlighted in a widely shared AL.com video, where he chose compassion over punishment by buying groceries for a woman caught stealing eggs. That story resonated across Alabama because it captured exactly who Will is — someone who leads with integrity and humanity in every environment he operates in, whether that is a patrol shift, a K-9 call, or a 6am CrossFit class.

    Will connects deeply with new members and with anyone who has ever walked through a gym door feeling uncertain about whether they belong. He knows firsthand that the hardest step is the first one, and he coaches with that knowledge front and center — bringing a passion for barbell efficiency, technical coaching, and steady progress to every class he leads. He believes that maintaining movement standards protects athletes and builds long-term results, and he holds those standards in a way that feels encouraging rather than intimidating. A devoted husband and father, Will brings the confidence he has built in the gym into his home and his community, and he is committed to helping every athlete he coaches find that same belief in themselves.

  • Marnette Taylor — Coach

    HYROX Level 1 Coach | Certified Nutrition & Health Coach | Nursing Degree | Owner, Orange Spoon Coffee | CFT Coach Since 2023

    Marnette Taylor is a HYROX Level 1 certified coach, certified nutrition and health coach, and owner of Orange Spoon Coffee, with a nursing degree and clinical experience from Vredendal, Western Cape, South Africa, giving her a grounded, whole-person understanding of health, movement, and performance. Her background in high-performance sport — she grew up competing in netball and athletics and trained alongside strength and conditioning coaches at the university level — shaped her belief that training should be intentional, progressive, and built to last. That same philosophy drives how she runs her business and how she shows up on the coaching floor every day.

    Marnette joined CrossFit Trussville in November 2023, beginning with ReBoot after having her baby before progressing into CrossFit and, eventually, into coaching. That journey from new member to coach gives her a firsthand understanding of what it feels like to walk in unsure and gradually find your footing. In 2025, she competed in a HYROX partner race, deepening her passion for hybrid training and the unique demands it places on both strength and endurance. That experience directly informs how she coaches — she has lived the process she is now guiding others through.

    As one of CFT's HYROX coaches, Marnette brings a clinical eye for sustainable progression and a coaching style built around clarity and encouragement. She specializes in helping athletes who feel overwhelmed learn to train with intention — understanding what they are doing and why — so they can keep improving without burning out. Whether you are brand new to structured fitness or preparing to toe the start line at your first HYROX race in the Birmingham area, Marnette meets you where you are and helps you move forward with confidence.

  • Chris Schmohl is a Battalion Chief with the Trussville Fire Department and a dedicated ReBoot coach with decades of first responder experience.

    Chris Schmohl - Coach

    ReBoot Coach | Battalion Chief, Trussville Fire Department | Decades of First Responder Leadership

    Chris Schmohl is a Battalion Chief with the Trussville Fire Department and a dedicated ReBoot Coach with decades of first responder experience behind him. His years of service have forged a leadership style defined by calm under pressure, resilience, and a steady commitment to doing the right thing even when it is hard. Chris is widely respected both in the firehouse and throughout the Trussville community for his integrity and his ability to lead entirely through example — qualities that translate directly and powerfully into his role on the CFT coaching floor.

    As a coach, Chris brings a grounded, calming presence that puts members at ease without ever letting them off the hook. He emphasizes proper movement mechanics, safety, and steady progress — helping athletes of every level build strength, conditioning, and genuine confidence at a pace they can sustain over years rather than weeks. His approach blends encouragement with accountability in a way that feels personal rather than transactional, ensuring members push themselves intelligently without sacrificing the long-term health that makes training worth doing in the first place.

    Chris's background gives him a perspective on fitness that goes beyond performance metrics. He has seen firsthand what happens when people in demanding careers neglect their health over years of physically and mentally taxing work, and he coaches with that knowledge front and center. Training with Chris means working toward a body and a fitness foundation that holds up not just in the gym, but in every physical demand life throws at you — whether that is a demanding career, an active family, or simply the ambition to live well for decades to come. In Trussville, he is exactly the kind of coach the community deserves.

  • Brian Bonner is a ReBoot Coach, Captain with Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service, and firefighter since 1990

    Brian Bonner - Coach

    ReBoot Coach | Captain, Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service | Firefighter Since 1990

    Brian Bonner has served as a firefighter with Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service since 1990, where he currently holds the rank of Captain. With more than three decades of experience as a first responder, Brian brings to CrossFit Trussville a coaching identity built on the same values that have defined his entire career: discipline, resilience, consistency, and an unwavering commitment to helping others rise to their potential. He has been coaching ReBoot at CFT since 2020, and the steadiness he brings to every class reflects the same composure that has defined three decades on the job.

    Brian has a particular passion for supporting fellow first responders, helping them develop the functional strength, endurance, and mental toughness needed both on the job and off. The demands of emergency services require a specific kind of fitness — not aesthetics, but real-world capacity that holds up under pressure — and Brian understands those demands better than almost anyone in the Birmingham area. He has competed in the CrossFit Open and in Barbells for Boobs, a competition close to his heart that raises funds for breast cancer research, reflecting the same commitment to community and service that defines everything he does outside the firehouse.

    Known for his steady leadership and approachable style, Brian creates an environment where members feel genuinely challenged, supported, and confident in their growth. He does not coach fitness — he coaches the character traits that make fitness stick: showing up consistently, holding yourself accountable, and doing the work even when it is hard. Whether serving in uniform, coaching on the gym floor, or competing for causes he believes in, Brian leads with integrity and inspires the people around him to prioritize health, strength, and community in equal measure.

  • Steven Sawyer is a CrossFit Level 1 Coach and Safety Director at Brasfield & Gorrie with an Associate’s degree in Applied Science.

    Steven Sawyer - Coach

    CrossFit Level 1 Coach | Safety Director, Brasfield & Gorrie | Competitive CrossFit Since 2015

    Steven Sawyer is a CrossFit Level 1 Coach and the Safety Director at Brasfield & Gorrie, one of the largest construction firms in the Southeast, where he applies his expertise in risk management, workplace safety, and leadership every day. With an Associate's degree in Applied Science and competitive CrossFit experience dating back to the 2015 Open, Steven brings both professional discipline and genuine athletic investment to his role on the CFT coaching staff. His safety-first mindset is not just a professional habit — it is how he approaches every coaching interaction, ensuring every class is structured with proper mechanics, discipline, and attention to detail that protects athletes and produces real results.

    As a coach, Steven blends his competitive edge with a calm, steady presence that helps athletes train hard while staying focused on long-term health and performance rather than short-term gains at the cost of longevity. He is known for his clear communication, commitment to proper form, and ability to help members maximize results without taking on unnecessary injury risk. That balance — pushing athletes forward while keeping them safe — is exactly what defines great coaching in a functional fitness environment, and it is a balance Steven strikes naturally because he lives it professionally every single day.

    Steven leads through example, demonstrating that consistency, resilience, and integrity are the actual levers of lasting progress — not just effort. Members training with Steven learn to trust the process, respect the fundamentals, and build a fitness foundation that compounds over years rather than peaking and crashing. He is one of the most grounded coaches on the CFT staff, and his presence in the gym reflects the kind of steady, purposeful energy that makes athletes want to keep showing up. When you train with Steven, you leave not just fitter but more confident in your own ability to keep going.

  • Stephanie McIlwain brings an extensive background in gymnastics, tumbling, athletic training, and nursing to her role as a CrossFit Trussville coach

    Stephanie McIlwain - Coach

    CrossFit Coach | Former Registered Nurse (Trauma, Burn & Emergency Care) | Gymnastics & Tumbling Background

    Stephanie McIlwain brings an extensive background in gymnastics, tumbling, athletic training, and nursing to her role as a CrossFit Trussville coach. A former registered nurse in trauma, burn, and emergency care, she has a deep and clinically grounded understanding of movement safety, injury prevention, and performance under pressure that most coaches simply do not have access to. Her medical and athletic experience combine to give her a perspective on coaching that is genuinely rare — one that balances challenge and care in every session without compromising either, because she has worked in environments where getting that balance wrong had real consequences.

    Stephanie is passionate about helping members build strength, skill, and confidence in a way that supports long-term health rather than undermining it. Her gymnastics and tumbling background gives her an exceptional eye for body awareness, positioning, and movement quality — especially on skills that require spatial understanding and precise technique. Members working on gymnastics-based movements in CrossFit will find in Stephanie a coach who can break complex skills down with a clarity that accelerates progress and removes the frustration that usually comes with learning difficult movements from scratch.

    Known for her attentive coaching style and high standards, Stephanie ensures athletes move well, train safely, and progress consistently rather than grinding through sessions without real development. She is one of the most thoughtful coaches on the CFT staff — the kind of coach who is still thinking about how to help an athlete improve after the class is over. By blending technical knowledge with genuine encouragement, she empowers members to pursue their goals with confidence while laying the foundation for fitness that holds up not just today but for decades to come.

  • Adrian Millican is a CrossFit Coach, certified personal trainer, and decorated Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge competitor with multiple first-place finishes.

    Adrian Millican - Coach

    CrossFit Level 1 Coach | Certified Personal Trainer | Level Method Foundation Certified | Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge State Record Holder (40+)

    Adrian Millican is a CrossFit Level 1 Coach, Certified Personal Trainer, and Level Method Foundation certified coach who has been coaching CrossFit and personal training at CrossFit Trussville since 2015. A seven-year Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge competitor, he claimed 1st place in 2015 and 2016, earned Lion's Den status with a sub-2:00 course run in full gear in 2016 — one of the most elite benchmarks in the competition — and holds the Over-40 Individual State Record in the Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge. That competitive resume is not background color. It is proof that Adrian understands what peak physical performance actually demands and how to build the athletes capable of reaching it.

    Known for his competitive drive and meticulous attention to technical detail, Adrian emphasizes the kind of refinement that separates good athletes from great ones. He coaches members toward steady, measurable progress by prioritizing movement quality, intentional loading, and the discipline to do the basics exceptionally well before adding complexity. His Level Method Foundation certification adds a structured assessment framework that makes that progression systematic and trackable rather than subjective. That philosophy produces athletes who are more durable, more consistent, and more capable than programs focused purely on intensity.

    Adrian is one of the most respected coaches in the CrossFit Trussville community — not just for his credentials and competitive accomplishments, but for his consistency and genuine investment in the athletes he works with. He notices patterns, tracks progress, and adjusts his coaching to meet each athlete where they are. Whether you are training for the CrossFit Open, chasing a personal record, or simply trying to move better and feel stronger, Adrian brings the focus and intensity that turns sustained effort into lasting results.

 

Find Us.
Train With Us.

We are located in the heart of Trussville at The PHNX Collective & Venue. We’re easy to find, simple to access, and surrounded by plenty of parking so you can get in, train hard, and move on with your day.

CrossFit Trussville
139 Railroad Street, Trussville, AL 35173
(205) 317-9234
info@cft.fit

Hours:

Monday–Thursday: 5:00am–7:00pm
Friday: 5:00am–6:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am–10:00am

Easy parking on-site so you can get in and get moving.

ready to meet us in person?

Book your free intro and connect with one of our coaches. We’ll get to know your goals, answer your questions, and create a plan that’s right for you.