Coaches

Director of Coaching – Co-Owner

Peter Brasovan

• CrossFit Level 1 Coaching Certification
• CrossFit Westside Barbell Powerlifting Certification
• CrossFit Mobility Certification
• CPR Certified
• Division 1 College Soccer Player (IUPUI)
• Placed 34th as an individual at the 2011 CrossFit Reebok North Central Regional.
• 35th Place Finish in 2012 Reebok CrossFit Open- Central East Region

Peter officially started CrossFit in April of 2010, but he was introduced to many of the concepts from his high school track coach in Merrillville, IN. He played Division 1 college soccer (goalie) at IUPUI where his trainers introduced him to the “300” work out. Once he tried this workout he knew it was a concept he must pursue. He did CrossFit workouts on his own for three years while traveling for work before he finally joined CrossFit Chicago.

Peter quickly fell in love with CrossFit doing the WOD’s and decided he needed to take his passion to the next level. He earned his CrossFit Level 1 coaching certification and was mentored by Rudy Tapalla and the CFC coaching staff. After some long talks with Jared they both decided it was time for them to take their knowledge back home to their Indiana roots.

Peter qualified for the 2011 North Central CrossFit Regional. He placed 34th place at the regional and cannot wait for 2012.

Before CrossFit Peter played soccer and ran track in high school. His high school track coach was a big believer in Olympic lifting and gymnastics movements. His coach taught him the dead lift, power clean, snatch, clean front squat, and the jerk. “I feel very fortunate that I was introduced to all of these movements at such a young age, it helped me develop muscle memory and body control while I was still developing.” Peter has kept a logbook since 2000 and understands that we all have to start somewhere. Back in Aug of 2000 his max power clean was 95lbs and he did 5 assisted pull ups, proving that it takes time and commitment to achieve your goals. (Now he can power clean 240lbs and do 35 consecutive pullups)

Peter plans on pursuing many more CrossFit certifications and cannot wait to help pass on his knowledge on to the CrossFit NapTown community.

In his own words…

I feel very fortunate to have found CrossFit and to have been mentored by the staff at CrossFit Chicago. Opening a CrossFit in Indianapolis has been a tremendous experience. We have seen a lot of personal growth in the last few months and we look forward to what the future may bring. My advice to all CrossFitters new and old is to remember this should always be FUN and we all have goals to achieve; none of us will ever be perfect. We must all help each other to make it to the next level. It is important to leave all of life’s issues behind when you enter the doors to CrossFit NapTown. Enjoy yourself and take the time you are here to make yourself a better person each and every day.

As a coach I love helping people strive to meet their goals. My favorite moments are when people figure out a movement for the first time. There is nothing more rewarding then helping an athlete get their first double under, strict pull up, or first trip up the 15ft rope.

Favorite CrossFit Work Out: Fight Gone Bad

Least Favorite: The 5k Row

Director of Coaching – Co-Owner

Jared Byczko

• CrossFit Level 1 Coaching Certification
• CrossFit Endurance Certified
• Judge at the 2011 CrossFit Reebok North Central Regional
• CPR Certified
• Division 1 College Soccer Player (IUPUI)
• 3rd Place Finisher: St. Croix Ironman Sprint Distance
• 39th Place Finish in 2012 Reebok CrossFit Open – Central East Region

Jared officially started CrossFit in January of 2011 while living in St. Croix, Virgin Islands. He looked up various WOD’s from around the country each day and used whatever equipment he could get a hold of to take on the challenges. He also learned the basic Olympic lifting movements in 2000 while attending Merrillville High School. He used his skills and his athletic talents to earn a scholarship to IUPUI where he played division 1 college soccer, he was a four year letter award winner and named to the all conference tournament team his senior year. After his collegiate career came to an end he needed to satisfy his cravings for competition. He started competing in triathlons and creating his own half marathons when bored.

Jared has always had a passion for athletics and he strives to be the best at everything he does. Most of the time he is successful at reaching his goals, but some areas of CrossFit have humbled him. These humbling moments made him realize CrossFit is where he belongs. Every day he sets new goals and tries to accomplish them. He has a passion for reaching the top and wants to take the CrossFit NapTown community with him.

In his own words…

“I’ll be honest when I say I didn’t fall in love with CrossFit the first time I did it. My first experience was with the “300″ WOD and it was brutally painful. A year or so later, I found “Fran” online while searching videos and decided I was going to give it a try. Again… not so much fun! It wasn’t until early 2011 when Peter came down to St. Croix and destroyed me in 3 WODs, 3 days in a row that the addiction set it. I thought I was in the best shape of my life as I was training for triathlons, but little did I know!!! I’ve never looked back since!!”

Favorite CrossFit Workout: Annie

Least Favorite: Anything Overhead Squats and Snatches

LEAD COACH

Jared “Moises” Cantrell

Jared "Moises" Cantrell coming to CF NapTown from the jungles of Costa Rica... literally!

• CrossFit Level 1 Coaching Certification
• 25th Place Finish in 2012 Reebok CrossFit Open- Central East Region

Jared (aka Moises) placed 4th in the 2011 Latin America regional without ever having stepped into or even having seen a CrossFit box. A self-taught crossfitter, he ran across the program on the internet you tube surfing for new workouts. After a fast, he decided to begin CrossFit the day before his first daughter Noemi was born. He jumped in head first, learning many of the movements by watching demos on www.crossfit.com. He made or ordered needed equipment including a climbing rope, medicine balls and gymnastic rings. You can look at his archived videos on the game’s site to get a sense of the type of environment he worked out in while in Costa Rica. He was there with his wife and now two daughters Noemi and Ruth for about 4 years as a missionary working with men addicted to crack cocaine.

He has always been a competitive athlete wrestling at the State tournament while in high school and also going to semi-state in soccer. Injuries and life style choices hampered any further sports career opportunities. While in Costa Rica, he once again began to play outdoor, indoor and beach soccer frequently.

In his own words…

CrossFit for Moises is much more than an exercise program. It’s a means to learn skills that translate into becoming a better person not only physically, but also mentally, emotionally and even spiritually. “CrossFit is relational,” he says; a part that he missed for the first couple years of his crossfit experience because he worked out alone. Bearing one another’s burdens in the gym allows us to connect on a deeper level that translates into a lifestyle of caring for others. Pushing through “the suck” helps us to press forward in the face of adversity, and CrossFit is always willing to teach us a lesson of humility which we all need from time to time.

Favorite CrossFit Work Out: Fran

Least Favorite: Eva

 

COACHES

Martin Cole

Martin Cole working through one of the "WODS in the Park" in CF NapTown's early days.

Martin officially started CrossFit in August of 2011 when Jared and Peter introduced him to the CrossFit philosophy. Since then, he has grown to love the competitive nature of the WOD’s and getting to know everyone involved in the community.

Martin has known Jared and Peter for over 15 years. He played soccer with them from a young age, through their years at Merrillville High School (where he was lucky enough to learn Olympic lifting movements), and finally at IUPUI. His passion for sports, competition, and helping others has led him into coaching. Martin has coached at Westside United Soccer Club in Avon for over five years. He started off coaching the U-16 boys team and from there has taken on coaching three teams (ranging from U-8 to U-17 girls and boys) in a season. Martin is currently the Girls Travel Academy Director for the club. Not only is Martin highly involved in club soccer, he has also developed into an asset for college teams as well. Martin currently has two years of experience as the Marian University Men’s Assistant Soccer Coach.

With all of this coaching experience, Martin plans to help members reach their goals, do their best, and accomplish things they didn’t even think would be possible for them. With a strong background working with both men and women, Martin is comfortable communicating with anyone. He is very approachable and will always be available to help members with anything they might have questions with. Martin is always excited to help and can’t wait to make this an enjoyable experience for everyone.

“Records are made to be broken!”

Favorite CrossFit Work Out: Anything Heavy!

Least Favorite: Anything Running!

Shannon Denney

Henry “Butch” Castor

Butch during "CrossFit for Hope."

Crossfit Level 1 Certification
Mobility Certification
Butch was introduced to CrossFit in early 2010 at Indy Shield CrossFit. He was skeptical at first, but found himself at the gym every day it was open. He was battling uncertainty between traditional working out and was becoming complacent with his fitness. A few life changing experiences and he became a full out crossfitter. He found that crossfit not only challenged him physically but mentally as well. In June of 2011 he received his level 1 Certification and began training at Indy Shield Crossfit.
ATHLETIC BACKGROUND:
Butch played five sports while in high school, but settled on baseball for his collegiate career. He attended Lincoln Trail College for two years and transferred to the University of Memphis to finish his collegiate baseball career. After college he was fortunate enough to be offered an assistant coaching position at Lincoln Trail College. While he was coaching at Lincoln Trail College, he was signed to the River City Rascals professional baseball team. After his playing career was over he decided he needed a different career.
In 2003 he became one of IMPD’s finest. Butch has been a police officer for nine years and continues to serve his community day in and day out. He is still a kid at heart and continues to play competitive softball.
Favorite Workout: Anything that is not a thruster, burpee or running!
Least Favorite Workout: Fran

Merritt Ertel

CrossFit Level 1 Certified

Merritt first stepped into CrossFit Naptown in October 2011; just days after the doors were officially opened. She likes to recall the morning she was walking to work when one of the CFNT owners (Peter) cycled by with a coffee in one hand and a cheerful “good morning”. This event prompted her to stop by the utilitarian building (aka the box) after work to learn more about CrossFit. The next day she took on her first WOD and realized that this program was going to be a challenge, but one that she was ready to try. It didn’t take long before Merritt became a regular at the box and continues to take on the daily workout challenge.

In June 2012, Merritt chose to take her understanding of CrossFit one step further and received her Level 01 Certificate. She is now volunteering as an Assistant Coach and is sharing her CF knowledge and first hand experience with the growing CFNT community in downtown Indianapolis.

“Joining the community at CFNT not only provided a place to exercise, but also a place to meet more people in the city. The competitive atmosphere and challenging workouts keep me in shape, but the great people I get to meet at CFNT keep me coming back!”

Favorite CF Workout: Grace or Cindy

Least Favorite CF Workout: Karen or long distance rowing

Kevin Murray

CrossFit Level 1 Certified

I officially started CrossFit in October of 2011. I was sitting in my family room the first week of October of 2011 trying to figure out how to jump start my boring workout routine and came across the 2011 CrossFit games on television. I decided that this would be worth trying out and haven’t looked back since.

I was lucky enough to be an all-state basketball player at Carmel High School and an all-conference, national runner-up player at Wittenberg University. I chose this sport because it posed the greatest challenge of skill set, strength, and pace of game that I had come across while growing up. It is no surprise that I gravitated and fell in love with CrossFit as it posed the same thrill of dedication, work ethic, and competitiveness I had faced in basketball. Basketball was also a way for me to stay away from the constant threats of derailments that many find in high school and college, as well as, being a part of a team. I had lost that drive of being a part of a team; CrossFit filled in both of those holes in my life.

I currently work for the Indiana Pacers in the game film video department with some duties of on-court instruction with aspirations to be an NBA coach someday. It seemed a natural fit when I was approached with coaching here at CrossFit NapTown. I can take a lot that I learn here and at work and use it in either format.

After working on my skill set, strength and techniques, I feel that I am at a place now that I can teach what I have learned to those who walk through the doors here at CrossFit NapTown. I can’t wait to be a part of what goes on here inside these walls, it isn’t just a gym, people change here, not just physically, and it is amazing to watch and be a part of. I am stoked to be on your coaching staff!

Favorite CF Workout: Anything that challenges my weaknesses.
Least CF Workout: Air Force (I don’t care if this is hypocritical, this one hurts)

Eric Gardner

CrossFit Level 1 Certified

Eric was first exposed to CrossFit in 2009. CFNT Coach Jared ‘Moises’ Cantrell sent him a video of him doing a 3 minute Fran and a link to CrossFit HQ’s main site along with a challenge to “try it out”. He did for a few months, but received a promotion at work and fell back into his old bodybuilder routine. Not until coach Moises moved back state side did Eric start CrossFit training (October 2011).

Eric was a multi-sport athlete in his youth and played high school football for a few years, but by that age he was more interested in partying than training and athletics. Eric experienced many dark years spanning from his adolescences to young adulthood and lived a lifestyle of drug and alcohol addiction. Eric was a self-described slave to the drug sub-culture. His life was completely consumed with selling and using illegal drugs. At age 23 he came to the end of himself. His family and friends had enough with how he was living and so had he. Eric entered a long-term Christian faith-based treatment program where he had a spiritual and physical awakening. Eric attributes his 7 plus years of sobriety to his relationship with God and the many healthy disciplines that he has put into practice, fitness being near the top of the list of those disciplines. Early in Eric’s recovery journey he made fitness a central part of his new way of life. He dove headlong into natural bodybuilding. He studied nutrition, supplementation, and how to get maximum results in the weight room. This gave him a great base to start as a CrossFitter. Although he has denounced the bodybuilding methodologies of strict routine and muscle concentration and isolation, what he learned about diet, muscle growth, and weightlifting has helped him grow as an athlete and also helps him assist others meet their personal life goals.

Eric has made helping people change for the better his life’s pursuit. He carries licensure and certification as an addictions counselor. Eric is the Director of Wheeler Mission Ministries, Men’s Residential Center where he helps men break the cycle of addiction and homelessness. Eric is a man of faith and he says that his greatest achievement was becoming an ordained minister in 2009. Eric took his love for CrossFit a step further in August 2012 by getting his Level One Certification.

“I see that CrossFit methodologies, philosophies, and community have the ability to improve people’s lives holistically. There are not many situations in a person’s life that offer the platform to affect a large group of people for the positive. I see coaching in the NapTown community as one of those rare platforms. Coaching CrossFit allows me to help people improve their bodies and minds through increasing their capacity for functional movement while also giving insight on lifestyle changes pertaining to diet and nutrition. I believe there are also many mental and spiritual aspects of CrossFit that are mainly brought out by being a part of a community of like-minded people. To be able to coach and serve in this setting is one of the most exciting things I can think of. I get to have a front row seat to watch people make meaningful and long-lasting changes. Not only do I get to watch this but as a coach at CrossFit NapTown I get to be a part of each person’s journey of change…….priceless.”

Favorite CF Workout: Grace and Isabelle
Least CF Workout: Air Force “this put me in the fetal position”

Leslie Gardner

Coach Leslie with her CFNT BracketBuster Team

CrossFit Level 1 Certified

Leslie grew up in an active family, regularly playing sports. As a kid, she played sports informally with her brother and extended family. She had a great interest in gymnastics and did that for a short time at a young age. Then, she began playing volleyball and basketball, and did so all through high school. She also ran cross country. In college, she “worked out,” but inconsistently at best and focused more on academics and leadership in church. It wasn’t until she met her now husband, Eric, that she began consistently lifting weights and running again. After a year of marriage, they found out about CrossFit through their friend, Jared “Moises” Cantrell. They did mainsite WODs at their gym for a while, but a love and passion for CrossFit wasn’t there. After living in Indy for just over a year, Leslie went to NapTown for the first time. Skeptical at best when she walked in the door, Leslie knew she wanted to do the workout once she saw a friend doing it. One workout and the rest is history. She joined the CFNT community in November 2011 and obtained her Level 1 Certification in August 2012.

“I can’t really explain why, but I have found a deep passion for CrossFit. I love the atmosphere: the competitive yet friendly spirit, the camaraderie, the excitement, the teamwork, the celebration. I believe that CrossFit has been a huge blessing for me in many ways. It is a stress reliever, an energizer, and a bond I share with other people. I have enjoyed learning more about CrossFit: functional movements, the technicalities behind the movements, nutrition, and programming. I also know that I inherently love teaching others. So, it follows that I would love getting to teach others about something I have found to be so important to me. CrossFit has become a daily part of my life, and I’m excited to share that with others by coaching at CFNT.

Jamie Manuel

Coach Jamie at the NapTown SmackDown.

CrossFit Level 1 Certified

If you’ve had someone scream at you, you’ve likely met Jamie. He brings even more excitement and passion to the Naptown coaching team.

Jamie’s CrossFit story, much like other interesting stories of his life, began in a bar. This bar on that day was host to Bob Harper. Yes, THE Bob Harper, trainer from the Biggest Loser one of Jamie’s all-time favorite celebrities. Having mustered up the courage to talk to him, Bob told Jamie about his experience with CrossFit and encouraged him to check out a box in Indianapolis. That’s all Jamie needed to hear.

Jamie’s first workout with CrossFit Naptown mirrors the story of many other members’: After the WOD, he felt a little sick, then got hooked. Big time. Nimble and light on his feet from his long-jumping track days, Jamie quickly latched on to the gymnastics dimension of CrossFit. He admits he’ll never be the most buff guy in the house, but sees gymnastics and power generated from the core as a great equalizer. Subsequently, he has immersed himself in YouTube videos and CrossFit Journal literature to learn how he could maximize this strength. And as a coach, he is excited to share these learnings with other members of the community.

Jamie received his CF-L1 certificate in November 2012 and has began competing in competitions, which has included a 3rd place finish at CrossFit Naptown’s inaugural inter-box tournament and a first place finish in the novice men’s division at the 2012 Indianapolis Rowing Championships.

Favorite CrossFit Workout: Barbara
Least Favorite CrossFit Workout: Isabel or anything w/ SLDHP

 

Other Coach- Anna Rode

CrossFit Level 1 Certification
CrossFIt Gymnastics Certification
USAW Olympic Lifting Level 1 Certification

Favorite CF Workout: Everything but Cindy

Least favorite CF Workout: Cindy