Trevor was introduced to CrossFit in July of 2007 by a fellow firefighter and was hooked after doing his first WOD. He?s always been a person that likes to excel and be the best that he can be in anything that he does. CrossFit is challenging in itself, but it also improved his performance in his job and other aspects of his life. As a firefighter/paramedic, he saw on a daily basis the average person beginning to decline in activity and motivation as they got older. With this came a decrease in mobility, strength and dependence on others. Trevor truly believes that CrossFit can and will make a better life for him and the others around him because of the physical and mental demand that it requires. CrossFit has changed his life and he wants to pass that onto others.

I started CrossFit in 2012 and was immediately hooked from the moment I walked through the doors. As someone who had never played team sports and never considered themselves to be ?athletic?, I was apprehensive about how well I would be able to pick up the movements. Through steady coaching, a lot of encouragement, and consistent attendance, I was able to transform myself mentally and physically. My goal when I started was to be able to do one pull-up, now I can do multiple! I now feel more confident, athletic, and strong, however, the greatest takeaway hasn?t been the physical changes; I gained a larger community that has become a family. I feel supported inside and outside the gym. CrossFit truly changed my life!

Along with Trevor, Steve started doing CrossFit in 2007 while serving his community as a Firefighter/Paramedic. In 2009, both joined the former CrossFirebase. In late 2009, Steve received his Level 1 CrossFit certification and began his coaching career as an assistant. Beginning in early 2010, he commenced working towards his Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science at the University of Central Florida. There, he assisted the Exercise Science Lab under some of the country’s most tenured professors and specialized in human performance. When Trevor opened the SOCF doors in 2011, Steve joined him working as Assistant Coach. During this time, Steve received his CrossFit Weightlifting and Mobility certifications. After finishing his degree in mid 2013, Steve then accepted a position as Head Coach at CrossFit Mousetrap in Lake Buena Vista. While at Mousetrap for almost three years, he worked full time, furthering his knowledge of CrossFit, strength and conditioning, education, customer service, gym management and even earning his Level 2 CrossFit certification. Lastly, in 2016, Coach Steve took some time off from coaching full time and returned to coaching at SOCF part time, where he has remained to this day.

Pedro "PEPE" was introduced to CrossFit in 2011. Like most people, he started lifting weights at his local globo-gym. He tried all sorts of training methods, lifting cycles and supplements, but nothing motivated him to show up consistently to the gym. One of his best friends introduced him to CrossFit and immediately was hooked to this new and different way of working out. Pedro walked through the SOCF doors and noticed the outstanding level of coaching, the sense of encouragement and community within the members, and the support felt inside and outside the gym. CrossFit truly changed Pedro's motivation and approach to fitness and started developing more interest in expanding his knowledge. He learned in-depth about Olympic weightlifting, gymnastics and endurance training methods. After 6 months of training and helping where he could around the box, the head coach offered the opportunity to be an assistant coach and since then, he hasn?t looked back. As a side task, Pedro has also taken on the role of creative designer for all marketing and apparel at SOCF. You will appreciate his creative side of fitness all around the gym, including the design of the compass logo stamp that represents South Orlando Crossfit.

Growing up in a small town in Louisiana I spent a lot of time playing sports outside with my older siblings and neighbors. The story really began when I was tossed into a pool to learn how to swim. Competitive swimming became my first passion at the age of 5, and then soccer for years later, and now the amazing sport of CrossFit. There were other sports in-between that helped prepare me for CrossFit like gymnastics, basketball, triathlons and cross country but they never got my full attention. Must?ve needed a barbell in the mix. I began CrossFit in 2012, and started competing in local competitions in 2014. Some competitions included WODapalooza, Bacon Beatdown, Crush Games and Throwdown Fitness Fest. My favorite workouts are short and include cleans, kettle bell swings and handstand pushups. Least favorites have pushups and running. Yes, I want to skip Murph every year. I still enjoy swimming and can?t wait for my next CrossFit competition or triathlon. I received my CrossFit Level 1 certification in 2015.

James began his CrossFit journey in January 2017 after moving to a different city and leaving his old gym behind. Before CrossFit, James was a competitive Strongman Athlete and solely focused on gaining muscular strength. James was also an assistant coach at a fitness and cross training gym where he coached bootcamp-style classes that focused on functional fitness and metabolic conditioning. Since finding CrossFit, James has been hooked on the variety and opportunity. Now, he is motivated more than ever to get in the gym to get his sweat on. This motivation not only cultivates the desire to learn and grow as a CrossFit athlete, but also motivates him to spread his love for fitness through coaching. James' greatest takeaway from CrossFit so far, like most people's, has been the camaraderie in the community. Nowhere else can you find so many people encouraging you with those feel-good family vibes.