Trainers

MEET OUR COACHES AND STAFF

CROSSFIT PUSHIN WEIGHT TEAM

CrossFit Pushin Weight’s coaching team is greater Richmond’s most dedicated group of trainers. Their experience and passion are unmatched. Meet the crew that’s changing the face of fitness in Richmond.

Tyler CFPW8 2023

Tyler Cox

Owner, Head Coach, Personal Trainer, Director of Death

Tyler Cox

Owner, Head Coach, Personal Trainer, Director of Death

You will either love him or love to hate him. The original owner who has been around the block with the fitness community.  A collegiate football player, military athlete and regional CrossFit Competitor he knows how to get you to “put some hustle in that muscle”.  

You can catch Tyler drinking orange monsters while coaching his morning classes and drinking whiskey on nights out with the boys.  Don’t let his bald head and facial hair fool you.  He’s got a soft side - just ask him about his wife, dogs, and baby boy Theo.

Follow along at @pushin_w8

Certifications

  • CrossFit Level 1
  • CrossFit Level 2
  • CrossFit Mobility
  • CrossFit Weightlifting
  • CrossFit Powerlifting
  • CrossFit Gymnastics
  • CrossFit Football
  • CrossFit Strongman
  • USA Weightlifting Level 1
  • TRX Suspension Trainer
  • Power Monkey Camp
  • brUTE Strength Camp
  • Attitude Nation Seminar
Ash 2023 CFPW8

Ashley Jenkins

Owner, Director of Fun, Sales, Marketing, Social Media, Coach

Ashley Jenkins

Owner, Director of Fun, Sales, Marketing, Social Media, Coach

Ashley became an owner at CrossFit Pushin Weight in 2016 and brings the design aesthetic and customer care expertise to our ownership team. A collegiate tennis player with a degree in design made for a great match when it came to making Pushin Weight a well rounded facility.  She will be “happy to see you” when you walk through the doors of Pushin Weight and make sure you are having some fun during your time in the gym.  You can catch Ashley with a Starbucks in one hand and her phone in the other while she captures content for CFPW8.  

Follow along at: @ashmariej

Certifications

  • CrossFit Level 1
  • Onnit Academy Foundations Certified
  • Onnit Academy Battle Ropes Certified
  • Onnit Academy Steel Club Certified
Kara CFPW8 2023

Kara Silva

Owner, Coach, Director of GSD

Kara Silva

Owner, Coach, Director of GSD

Kara has been with the gym since the beginning but came in as owner in 2016 and brings the organization, planning and worrying skills to the ownership team. With her passion for people and corporate background she completed the puzzle for this trio of owners.  Athlete, turned coach, turned owner you will catch Kara drinking her americano during the day and sipping wine with her 18 kitties (ok, just 3!) at night.

 

Follow along at: @zenbarbell 

Certifications

  • CrossFit Level 1
  • CrossFit Level 2
  • ACE Personal Training
  • Precision Nutrition
  • USAW Level 1
  • CrossFit Mobility
  • Catalyst Athletics Certified Coach
Eche CFPW8 2023

Mike Echevarria

Coach, Personal Trainer

Mike Echevarria

Coach, Personal Trainer

That million dollar smile can make you “empty the tank”!!! You will rarely hear someone call him Mike.  “Eche" has been with us since the garage days and helped us build the gym into what it is today.  A seasoned athlete and motivating coach, who can get more out of you than you ever thought possible.  On Saturdays you can catch Eche at a coffee shop as he recently visited a different one every weekend for a whole year.  

Follow along at: @mikeym1k3

Certifications

  • CrossFit Level 1
  • CrossFit Level 2
Emine 2023 CFPW8

Emine Sakrisson

Coach, Nutrition Coach, Personal Trainer

Emine Sakrisson

Coach, Nutrition Coach, Personal Trainer

Another long tenured coach who has been an integral part of our success. Ten years of being and athlete/coach at CFPW8.   She may salute you with a middle finger but after you have taken her classes you will know this is her highest form of adoration for you.  If you take her class on Friday’s be prepared to groan and laugh at her question of the day.  If you are struggling or confused about nutrition Emine runs our nutrition challenges and also does 1 on 1 coaching. 

Follow along at: @urawinna 


 

Certifications

  • CrossFit Level 1
  • CrossFit Level 2
  • CrossFit Gymnastics
Kyle CFPW8 2023

Kyle Palentino

Coach

Kyle Palentino

Coach

Kyle began his fitness journey with high school football and began taking things more seriously in college as he prepared to commission as an Officer in the Army.  His experience in the Army contributes to his detailed coaching style.  

Morning pre-workout Electrolytes and Creatine

Afternoon drink:  more electrolytes and some whey protein

Follow along at: @kylepalentino

Certifications

  • CrossFit Level 1
  • CrossFit Level 2
Taylor 2023

Taylor Koontz

Coach, Customer Care Manager, Kids Camp Coach

Taylor Koontz

Coach, Customer Care Manager, Kids Camp Coach

Taylor has been with us as a coach and helped guide our gym during the pandemic. She is back with us as a concierge and our customer care manager. If you are not in classes with us, she will find you and bug you until you come back in.  Inside the gym, She is damn strong when moving a barbell. Outside the gym. you will find her running around with her husband, 2 kids, her dogs and chickens. 

Certifications

  • Crossfit Level 1
  • Crossfit Level 2
Jenn 2023

Jennifer Mackowsi

Coach

Jennifer Mackowsi

Coach

Jenn's fitness background stems from track, soccer, weightlifting, and rugby. Now, CrossFit has become an essential outlet for my physical and mental health. My current goals are to share my joy for CrossFit with other athletes and help them achieve their fitness goals whether small or large — as well as pet my fur babies, and have lots of fun. 

Morning drink: Coffee Evening drink: Water with electrolytes, sometimes Cabernet Sauvignon 

 

Certifications

  • CrossFit Level 1
CrossFit Powhatan Richmond VA

Layne Mitchell

Coach, Personal Trainer

Layne Mitchell

Coach, Personal Trainer

Layne has been coaching CrossFit for 5 years and has a long history of coaching all types of fitness before she began coaching CrossFit including bootcamps, cycling and personal training.  Layne’s love for coaching CrossFit is driven by being able to be a part of and witness people hit goals and be in awe of what their bodies can do, not by how they look. In addition to coaching CrossFit, Layne works full time as an LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) in serious mental illness and trauma therapy. She brings unconditional support and understanding from her full time job to the gym when she coaches. When Layne isn’t working, she is hanging out with her 4 dogs, Kitty Boy and daughter, reading, watching true crime and doing crossword puzzles!

Certifications

  • CF-L2
  • NASM-CPT
  • NASM-Group
  • Burgener WL
  • The Gymnastic Course
Coach CrossFit Powhatan VA

JC Harmon

Coach

JC Harmon

Coach

A man with a passion to coach and help others.  A collegiate football player, collegiate football coach, youth sports coach, and coach for our teen programs.  

Coach JC loves spending time outdoors, drinking really strong coffee, and coaching his kids sports.   He and his wife Tara reside locally in Powhatan with their two kiddos. 

Follow along at @harms19jc

Certifications

  • CrossFit Level 1
  • UHP Certified Physio-Kinesiologist
  • Master's of Science in Kinesiology, Michigan State University
Khepri CFPW8 2023

Khepri Atkinson

Weightlifting Coach

Khepri Atkinson

Weightlifting Coach

Khepri started Crossfit in 2012. It ignited her passion for coaching quickly and she coached CrossFit for several years before deciding to focus on the sport of Weightlifting. 
She is the founder and head coach of LHO (Lift Heavy Often ) barbell.  You will often find her at the gym in the evenings with her team. During the day she works as a nurse and whenever she can she travels the world. 

Follow along @lhobarbell

Certifications

  • USA Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach
Emily CFPW8 2023

Emily MacDonnell

Concierge, Personal Trainer, Coach

Emily MacDonnell

Concierge, Personal Trainer, Coach

A collegiate basketball player who fell in love with fitness while interning with her college’s Strength and Conditioning Program.  After graduating with a degree in nutrition she launched her own business in addition to Coaching at various boutique fitness studios.  

Follow along at @emilymac_3

 

Certifications

  • CrossFit Level 1
Mazie CrossFit Concierge Powhatan VA

Mazie Harmon

Concierge

Mazie Harmon

Concierge

 I am a 16 year old High school student at Powhatan. You may recognize my Dad Jc Harmon who also coaches here. Crossfit is my favorite hobby and awesome get away from anything I might have going on I know that I can leave everything at the door and have an awesome hour in the gym. In my spare time, I hang out with friends and family, and I really enjoy being outdoors.

Vicki 2023 CFPW8

Vicki Cheatham

Concierge. Olympic Weightlifting Extraordinaire

Vicki Cheatham

Concierge. Olympic Weightlifting Extraordinaire

Vickie is a recent graduate from VCU with a degree in exercise science.  You will find Vickie behind the concierge desk in the mornings greeting you with a smile and on the lifting platforms in the afternoon throwing some major weight around.  

Follow @violaweightlifting

Certifications

  • USAW L1
Concierge Crossfit Powhatan VA

Holly Gooss

Concierge

Holly Gooss

Concierge

As a former division 1 athlete in running, working out has always been a major part of my life. I joined CFPW8 as a way to get stronger after suffering from a major running injury and I can’t think of another gym/family I’d rather be a part of. In my spare time, which is hard to find with 3 kids, you can find me checking out new restaurants in downtown Richmond with my husband or reading a good book with a glass of wine in hand. 

UNCOVER THE BEST VERSION OF YOU.