CHRIS SMITH

BA Sports Management &Kinesiology

Michaela Vancura

CrossFit Level 1 Trainer

ISSA Certified Personal Trainer

Precision Nutrition Coach

Hiya there! I’m Michaela, one of the coaches here at CrossFit Vex. If you can’t find me at the gym, you’ll most likely find me in a gymnastics gym or outdoors with a coffee in my hand! My passion is people and fitness and living life to the full. From a young age, I’ve loved helping people in any way possible. Over the years, that has specifically grown into helping people in their health and fitness journey. I am dedicated to putting in the work, with passion and a spunky energy of course, to see people become the best version of themselves — both in the gym and outside of the gym.

I grew up on my family’s farm in the boondocks of Minnesota. I can probably credit my love for functional fitness and having a strong work ethic to growing up on the farm; from lifting hay bales, putting in fence posts, and moving gates, it all requires a level of functional fitness and a whole lot of hard work. I started dance and gymnastics at a young age and still love to bust out a floor routine (watch out). I was also involved in volleyball, cheer, and loved to spend any extra time running outdoors or lifting in the weight room.

I started coaching CrossFit in New Zealand where I was volunteering full-time for a non-profit organization. I left the non-profit and New Zealand in 2019 to pursue my health and fitness career goals. I spent time as a personal trainer and dabbled in powerlifting, but couldn’t let my love for CrossFit go. I love helping people in all levels of their CrossFit journey: from helping those just starting CrossFit build a strong foundation to those who’ve been doing the sport for years and need that extra push. My goal is to see you succeed in both the gym and in your everyday life; whatever that means for you.

“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” -Socrates

“For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future… You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13

“If you can’t perform a great looking full depth front squat, you’re not ready to start performing cleans. Fundamentals first.” -Squat University

“Nothing happens overnight. Have patience.” -Squat University

“It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” -Epictetus

KERSEE CAMP

Hello! I’m Kersee Camp, co-owner of CrossFit Vex. I was born and raised in good ol’ Palisade, CO and graduated from PHS in 2007. From there, I went to CMU to get some college “experiences” where I soon learned it was not the route I wanted to take. I then decided to get my EMT-B and worked as a volunteer Firefighter/EMT for about a year before I started to have kids – two rambunctious, feisty, and loving boys.

With several different experiences from owning a small business in Palisade, to farming peaches, I have landed in a career that I absolutely love at our local Mesa County School District in intervention. I also have the privilege of keeping the gym running on the back end of things – you will not see me coaching – it’s not my forte. I leave that to the professionals! 

CrossFit Vex became a part of my (almost) everyday routine in May of 2019 when my husband moved here after retiring from the Army. Like most, I was absolutely terrified to step into unknown territory, let alone doing CrossFit for the first time ever. Little did I know, this place would become my second home and the people would be my family. One of the best decisions I have ever made! Robert and I then had the opportunity to become co-owners in March of 2020. 

Outside of the work realm, I love to travel and be outdoors. Hiking, fishing, snowboarding, etc. All about the adventure! It is not in my DNA to just “sit” and I barely know the meaning of “relax.” There is ALWAYS something to do. I have the best husband and four amazing kiddos. Dogs are my favorite. Faith is my priority. 

MARINA SMITH

CrossFit Level 2 trainer, 2018

CrossFit Gymnastics seminar, 2018

Precision Nutrition Level 1 & 2, 2020

WAG Certified Nutrition Coach, 2020

BA: Exercise Science, CMU 2008

After a childhood of sports and farm life and having served 4 years in the Army, I gained a passion for fitness and health and was drawn to CrossFit, unfortunately later than I would have desired. In 2014, I tried my first CrossFit class and by the second class, I was hooked. The constantly varied workouts and the extreme sense of community of like-minded people sucked me right in. In January 2015, my husband and I became co-owners of Vex and the next month I found myself in a Level 1 seminar. I’ve spent the last 6 years learning the sport, movement patterns, nutrition, and so much more. I love that CrossFit can be whatever you want to make of it. There is always something to work on, always something to get better, faster, stronger at. It’s never boring or repetitive, and when you’re not in the mood or feeling unmotivated, the community holds you accountable. We live in a world where we are fortunate enough to be able to pick our “hard”. If working out 1 hour a day with loud music, friendly competition, amongst great people, being challenged to become better, get fitter and taking charge of my own health is the outcome, I will choose that “hard” every time.

ROBERT CAMP

CrossFit Level 2 Trainer

Adaptive Athlete Trainer

USA Weightlifting Sports Performance Level 2 Coach

US Army Master Fitness Trainer

BA, Kinesiology [Senior Year, Colorado Mesa University]

Hi, I’m Robert Camp. I retired from the US Army in 2019 after 21 years of service as a Military Police Soldier. I am the owner and head coach CrossFit Vex in Grand Junction, Colorado.

From varsity soccer, to US Army Master Fitness, to discovering CrossFit — my passions for pushing the limits of my own strength and speed, and coaching others to do their personal best have multiplied over the years. I’m excited to share these passions with my neighbors of the Grand Valley and the Western Slope community.

I coach everyone, from an aspiring Olympic weight lifter, a mom trying to get her pre-baby body back, and every type of client in-between. My daily classes of CrossFit goers are full of people at varying athletic ability levels. I’ve coached senior (age 60+) clients who just want to stay as active as possible. I’ve helped obese clients slim down and level up to tackle CrossFit classes. No matter where you’re at in your fitness journey, your progress is my passion.

I’m a Faith, Family, Fitness kind of guy. When I’m not in the gym, you’ll find me in church, playing sports, and enjoying the great outdoors with my wife, kids, bonus kids, and our pups.

“This we’ll defend.”

“Comparison is the thief of joy.”

“#BSFH2K” Bigger. Stronger. Faster. Harder to kill.
This motto applies to you! Not just to Soldiers or first responders. Outside of career danger, everyone has the same enemies trying to kill them. Proper nutrition, fitness, and general physical preparedness are the best weapons against disease and aging.

Ephesians 2:8
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God”

Sara Siemsen

BS Exercise Physiology, Health and Wellness

CrossFit Level 1 Trainer

My love for health and wellness has always played a huge part in my life. I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 7, so staying active and knowing the effects that food and exercise have on my body is something I’m cognizant of daily. Through my experience learning how to adopt a healthy lifestyle while managing my diabetes, I found I wanted to help others experience success with their health and fitness goals. I attended California State University Chico and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Physiology and a minor in Health and Wellness.

I fell in love with CrossFit in 2015 when I attended my first class. I found that this style of exercise filled my competitive void after retiring from my soccer career of playing, what felt like, my entire life. From there, it stuck. After years of being a member, I finally decided that I wanted to be part of the other side; not just an athlete, but a coach and trainer. I consider this position my passion and hobby. This job allows me to showcase my ability to lead a group of individuals and assist in improving the overall health, wellness, and fitness techniques in a group setting. I love that I get to interact and communicate with clients daily; motivating, encouraging, and acting as a resource in all aspects of life. I love the opportunity to challenge myself, and be that motivator to challenge others. Now let’s go have some to the fun…!

Darrin McGowan

LVL 1 CrossFit Trainer

US Navy Veteran

Master’s degree in Smartassery with a minor in Sarcasm.

Well I guess this is the part where I need to tell you a little bit about myself. I’m a proud trophy husband and father of four kids. Some of my hobbies outside of the obvious i.e. CrossFit, are almost anything outdoors, Woodworking, and I love digging into the Bible to see what God has to teach me.

On top of my full-time job I have had the opportunity to coach at CrossFit Vex for the last four years primarily at the glorious predawn hours. My favorite moments are when somebody gets to accomplish something for the first time, whether it be a push-up, pull up, muscle up, or whatever somebody has strived to get better at and being a part of that is something pretty special.

Sharon Kemp

Hi, my name is Sharon Kemp. I am a native of Grand Junction and started my CrossFit journey 7 years ago. I am married and have three children, the youngest of which keeps me busy with his senior year of high school sports. Outside of the gym I am a Certified Veterinary Technician. I love running as a hobby and look forward to 5k races being held live again. I am not the strongest, nor the swiftest, but CrossFit has taught me to never give up and keep challenging myself.

One of the joys of being a Coach at Vex is helping members see their potential, and being a steppingstone of encouragement for them to realize their goals.

Mary Beth Prodromides

CrossFit Level 2

Precision Nutrition Level ​

4x CrossFit Games Champion

One of CrossFit’s most veteran masters, Mary Beth Prodromides (formerly Litsheim) is a eight-time CrossFit Games masters athlete and a four-time world champion (2011, 2014, 2016, 2018). A former bodybuilder, Prodromides started CrossFit in 2010. Just over a year later, she won the Masters Women 50-55 Division at the 2011 Reebok CrossFit Games. She returned to the Games for the coming years, earning five more podium finishes (second in 2012 and 2017, and three first-place finish in 2014, 2016, and 2018) an injury sidelined her in 2015. Prodromides came back strong in 2016 taking the third championship of her career, this time in the 55-59 Division. Prodromides is the first woman ever to have earned 4 World Crossfit Master’s Championships. Prodromides is a retired middle-school P.E. teacher in in Grand Junction, Colorado. She coaches at Crossfit Vex and has her CF level 1, 2, and Kids certifications.

Butch Cassidy

CrossFit Level 1 Trainer

CrossFit Open Judge

Certified Nursing Aide

BA, Sports Management [Loras College]

Hey everyone, I am Butch Cassidy. I am a brand new coach with lots of interest in the fitness world. I also work as a Physical Therapy Aide here in Grand Junction. Before that I was an Event Producer for IRONMAN triathlon. I have played sports my whole life. I have played baseball and football since I was a little kid. I continued to play both through high school and then just football through college. After I left college I really got into boxing and competitive slow pitch softball. I fell in love with CrossFit later in my life after moving to Grand Junction in 2015. I started really getting serious with CrossFit at the beginning of the pandemic. Before that I would try and come on most days my schedule would allow, but with no work I had no excuses. I really like trying to better myself in form and technique before going up in weight. This makes me want to coach athletes the same way. I am learning all while you are learning. My experience in coaching might be limited but I put in 110% with every class and person I coach. I have two amazing Boxers (Creed and Bobo) and hope everyone gets to meet them. My wife will even be a trooper and come to the classes I coach. In my time outside of the gym and work, I love to play any outdoor sport including any backyard games. I can be competitive at times but everything is in all good fun.

WORDS TO LIVE BY:

Every missed rep, is a chance to better yourself. ‘You must expect great things of yourself before you can do them.’

— Michael Jordan

‘Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.’

— Henry David Thoreau, poet and philosopher

‘All progress takes place outside the comfort zone.’

— Michael John Bobak

Bridger Singer

My name is Bridger Singer. I have a 3 year old son and a brand new baby girl with my wife. I work full time as a clinical pharmacist at St. Mary’s Hospital. I enjoy hunting, fishing, and all other outdoor activities. 

I have always enjoyed staying active and challenging myself every day. CrossFit became a great avenue for me to find new strength, gymnastics, and cardio movements in order to keep my workouts fun and varied to get into better shape for hunting season. I decided to get my CrossFit Level 1 training when my young son started to show interest in working out with my wife and I. I hope to one day get my kids course certification so I can better understand how to coach young adults and instill a love for fitness and a healthy lifestyle.  

I look forward to getting to know you and helping you as a coach.

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