Coaches
Our coaches are all CrossFit Level-1 certified, have 20+ years combined experience and have all excelled in CrossFit as a sport. Each of them comes from a different athletic background. You will not find a more complete CrossFit Coaching Staff and anywhere in the Greater New Orleans area! Scroll down to find out a little more about our team!
Liz Carrier - Head Coach
Liz Carrier played and coached collegiate soccer at Grinnell College in Iowa, and has been living in New Orleans since 2008, doing mostly non-profit work. She has been Crossfitting since mid-2009, and has realized it is the best way to develop speed, endurance, power, strength, and stamina all at the same time. She is CrossFit Level 1, Mobility, Powerlifting. Olympic Lifting and Kids Certified, as well as having a USAW Level One cert and CPR certification. She previously played rugby for the New Orleans Halfmoons and the USA South Team.
Liz thinks it is rewarding and important to teach people of all backgrounds how to use Crossfit to improv their quality of life and fitness.
Liz was a part of the 2011 and 2013 CrossFit NOLA Regional Competition Team.
Liz thinks it is rewarding and important to teach people of all backgrounds how to use Crossfit to improv their quality of life and fitness.
Liz was a part of the 2011 and 2013 CrossFit NOLA Regional Competition Team.
Demian Reed
Demian is a New Orleans native. He played sports his entire life and is passionate about pursuing outdoor challenges. Demian was exposed to Olympic and power lifting techniques while playing football in High School where he also earned All-Western Massachusetts defensive end after being displaced by Hurricane Katrina. After high school Demian decided to start boxing to challenge himself mentally and physically. In 2010 Demian was introduced to CrossFit, and was blown away by the practicality and broad applicability of the sport to life. He appreciates the humbling aspect of the sport, and he sees CrossFit as a way to push oneself mentally and physically beyond limits that no ordinary person can perceive.
Demian earned his CrossFit Level 1 certification in July 2011 and is eager to share the knowledge of the CrossFit world, allowing people achieve their full potential to excel both mentally and physically in any arena. Demian also earned his USA Boxing Level 1 certification in 2008 while boxing. He looks forward to competing and coaching people from all walks of life. Demian is grateful to be a part of the CrossFit NOLA family.
Demian earned his CrossFit Level 1 certification in July 2011 and is eager to share the knowledge of the CrossFit world, allowing people achieve their full potential to excel both mentally and physically in any arena. Demian also earned his USA Boxing Level 1 certification in 2008 while boxing. He looks forward to competing and coaching people from all walks of life. Demian is grateful to be a part of the CrossFit NOLA family.
Jeff Germond - Owner
Jeff is 32 years old and has lived in New Orleans since 2006 with his wife Andrea. Jeff is an engineer by education, but is truly passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals. Jeff is a life long athlete, learning to water ski and snow ski shortly after walking. He has been a trainer since 2008 and was exposed to CrossFit in early 2009. Jeff has experience training people of all ages, from Division I college athletes to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Jeff has competed in the CrossFit Games at the regional level for the past 4 years, placing 22nd in 2010, 13th in 2011, 8th in 2012 and 8th again in 2013 at the South Central Regionals.
Jeff has this to say about CrossFit:
"CrossFit is amazing in the fact that I spend less time at the gym, produce better results, and am in the best shape of my life. Stop by and learn why CrossFit is the most effective way to achieve overall health and fitness."
Jeff's certifications include:
CrossFit Level 1
Olympic Lifting
Running
CrossFit Kids
American Red Cross CPR/AED.
[email protected]
734-645-8069
Jeff has this to say about CrossFit:
"CrossFit is amazing in the fact that I spend less time at the gym, produce better results, and am in the best shape of my life. Stop by and learn why CrossFit is the most effective way to achieve overall health and fitness."
Jeff's certifications include:
CrossFit Level 1
Olympic Lifting
Running
CrossFit Kids
American Red Cross CPR/AED.
[email protected]
734-645-8069
Mollie Pate - Owner
Mollie has an athletic background and was introduced to sports at a young age with track, gymnastics, and soccer, all of which she played competitively in high school. Mollie's competitive nature led her into triathlons where she has competed at a high level, placing 12th in the Sprint Triathlon World Championships in Australia. In 2007, Mollie discovered CrossFit Endurance and Pose method. Since, she has become a more complete athlete. Mollie is a Level 1 and Running Certified CrossFit trainer and inspires her community with a great attitude and passion for fitness. Mollie has competed in the CrossFit games for the past 2 years, placing in the top 10 at sectionals in 2010, 17th in 2011, and 17 in 1012 at the South Central Regionals. In addition to CrossFit, Mollie plays Principal French Horn with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and applies the discipline she has learned there to her everyday life.
Mollie has this to say about Crossfit:
For me, CrossFit is a way of life. I feel stronger and healthier than ever. I have always believed in pushing myself as far as I can go in all aspects of life. As a competitive athlete, I am always trying to find ways to be better, faster and stronger, and CrossFit has given me the tools to become great. I hope to be a positive example to those I am teaching and help people realize their potential and achieve goals they never thought possible.
[email protected]
504-701-3566
Mollie has this to say about Crossfit:
For me, CrossFit is a way of life. I feel stronger and healthier than ever. I have always believed in pushing myself as far as I can go in all aspects of life. As a competitive athlete, I am always trying to find ways to be better, faster and stronger, and CrossFit has given me the tools to become great. I hope to be a positive example to those I am teaching and help people realize their potential and achieve goals they never thought possible.
[email protected]
504-701-3566
Brandon Ecker - Head Coach
Brandon is 32 years old and lives in New Orleans with his wife Elizabeth. He graduated from Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts with both a BA and Masters in Education. Brandon was a two sport athlete at Endicott, he played on the football team, and was selected to the All-Conference Volleyball team. Brandon started Crossfit in 2007 and since then has been training children, adolescents, and adults since 2008. Brandon’s certifications include, Crossfit Level 1, USA Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach, ACSM Personal Trainer, CrossFit Running and Red Cross CPR/AED. Brandon has competed in the 2009 CrossFit South Central Regional and the 2010 South Texas Sectional and placed 18th at the 2011 South Central Regional. In 2012 Brandon led the CrossFit NOLA team to a 12th place finish at South Central Regional.
Brandon has this to say about CrossFit:
“CrossFit is the single best strength and conditioning program for everyone from Olympic athletes to the elderly. The results are measurable, the tests can be replicated, and the health benefits speak for themselves. The best thing about CrossFit is the inclusiveness of the community."
Brandon has this to say about CrossFit:
“CrossFit is the single best strength and conditioning program for everyone from Olympic athletes to the elderly. The results are measurable, the tests can be replicated, and the health benefits speak for themselves. The best thing about CrossFit is the inclusiveness of the community."
Brad Raines
Day Job-Firefighter
Brad found Crossfit in the fall of 2008 while deployed to the Middle East. He had no traditional weight equipment and saw a guy (who happened to be in special ops) doing all kinds of crazy stuff with a tire, sprints and pushups. Brad asked if I could workout with him and only made it about 3 minutes. He told Brad not to worry, "that everyone struggles with CrossFit the first time." Brad responded, "what the hell is CrossFit!?"
Brad has this to say about CrossFit: "At first I loved it because I wanted to know, and wanted the people I
work with to know, that if anything were to happen that I would be physically able to help them. I also love the competitive nature. Now after a few years, I love it because of the community. A group of like-minded individuals in the pursuit of the best level of health and fitness possible. It continuously amazes me to see people from all walks of life and all ages come together and push themselves to their limits.
Certifications- Crossfit Level 1
USAW Sports Performance Level 1
Emergency Medical Technician
Competition Experience- 2011 Crossfit Nola Regional Team
2012 Crossfit Nola Regional Team
2011 Fittest of the Northshore 2nd Place
Quote-It does not matter how slowly you go, so long as you do not
stop.-Confucius
Brad found Crossfit in the fall of 2008 while deployed to the Middle East. He had no traditional weight equipment and saw a guy (who happened to be in special ops) doing all kinds of crazy stuff with a tire, sprints and pushups. Brad asked if I could workout with him and only made it about 3 minutes. He told Brad not to worry, "that everyone struggles with CrossFit the first time." Brad responded, "what the hell is CrossFit!?"
Brad has this to say about CrossFit: "At first I loved it because I wanted to know, and wanted the people I
work with to know, that if anything were to happen that I would be physically able to help them. I also love the competitive nature. Now after a few years, I love it because of the community. A group of like-minded individuals in the pursuit of the best level of health and fitness possible. It continuously amazes me to see people from all walks of life and all ages come together and push themselves to their limits.
Certifications- Crossfit Level 1
USAW Sports Performance Level 1
Emergency Medical Technician
Competition Experience- 2011 Crossfit Nola Regional Team
2012 Crossfit Nola Regional Team
2011 Fittest of the Northshore 2nd Place
Quote-It does not matter how slowly you go, so long as you do not
stop.-Confucius
Eric McDonald
In early 2010, Eric needed a life change. He was overweight, eating all the wrong things, living a generally unhealthy life, and finally decided it was time for a change. After paying $9.99 a month for a globo-gym and getting bored by 3 hours daily of a lot of work and no results, Eric found CrossFit. Boom, his life changed. Eric found something that was challenging, different, fun, and on top of that, produced results in about an hour a day.
In August of 2010, Eric moved to New Orleans and became a member of CrossFit NOLA, where Jeff and Mollie noticed his inflexible shoulders and weak upper body (really, all he could do was run fast). After a year of hard work, Eric is much more flexible, can do pull-ups without a band, can string together a few muscle ups, can overhead squat over 100 pounds, and can still run pretty fast.
In August of 2010, Eric moved to New Orleans and became a member of CrossFit NOLA, where Jeff and Mollie noticed his inflexible shoulders and weak upper body (really, all he could do was run fast). After a year of hard work, Eric is much more flexible, can do pull-ups without a band, can string together a few muscle ups, can overhead squat over 100 pounds, and can still run pretty fast.
Jackson Wiggins
Jackson, 28, hails from the Chicago-land area and has lived in New Orleans for 4 years. He received his Masters of Social Work as well as his Masters of Public Health from Tulane University and currently works full-time at a local hospital while coaching part-time at CrossFit NOLA. Jackson is a lifelong athlete, playing soccer, lacrosse, and snow skiing since he was a child. While in grad school, Jackson was exposed to CrossFit via "Fight Gone Bad" care of CrossFit NOLA and has been engrossed in the CrossFit commuity ever since. CrossFit has provided a supportive community of like minded, driven individuals that has helped him quit smoking and continues to help him improve in every facet of his life. Jackson believes that CrossFit is a lifelong sport as well as lifestyle that crosses many cultural barriers. He aspires to utilize CrossFit as a modality in his future work as a Social Worker to assist clients and communities in achieving their goals for improvement.
Certifications:
- Crossfit Level 1
- USAW Sports Performance Level 1
- American Red Cross CPR/AED
Certifications:
- Crossfit Level 1
- USAW Sports Performance Level 1
- American Red Cross CPR/AED
Kelsey Moran
Kelsey Moran was a national ranked gymnast throughout high school and pole vaulted at Tulane University her freshman and sophomore year. During the summer of 2011, a friend recommended she try CrossFit and ever since then Kels has never looked back! Her certifications include CrossFit Level 1, CrossFit Kids, ACE Personal Trainer, and American Heart Association CPR/AED. Kelsey competed in the 2012 South Central Regionals with the CrossFit NOLA team and is a senior at Tulane University studying Public Health. Additionally Kels works for Lululemon Athletica.
Kels has a desire to improve women's health through nutrition and physical activity and believes that CrossFit can be a major tool for the improvement of women's health. Kels loves the competitive, yet community based nature of CrossFit and is inspired by everyone that walks through the gym door.
Kels has a desire to improve women's health through nutrition and physical activity and believes that CrossFit can be a major tool for the improvement of women's health. Kels loves the competitive, yet community based nature of CrossFit and is inspired by everyone that walks through the gym door.
Julie April
After attending a CrossFit class in 2010, Julie has been hooked on
CrossFit and CrossFit NOLA. Having been involved in competitive sports since
a young age, Julie was looking to fill the void of a team and competition in her life when
she walked into CrossFit NOLA. That day she threw out her globo gym membership and traded in her
running shoes for a pair of converse. Julie completed her CF Level 1 Certification and looks forward to growing
her knowledge through various certifications in the near future. Julie loves to end her nights at CrossFit
NOLA helping others get a step closer to achieving their goals. Julie loves the constant variety and high intensity that is CrossFit and credits this along with the community for keeping her hooked on CrossFit
(and giving her muscle definition). Julie is passionate about fitness, wellness and helping others change their lives.
CrossFit and CrossFit NOLA. Having been involved in competitive sports since
a young age, Julie was looking to fill the void of a team and competition in her life when
she walked into CrossFit NOLA. That day she threw out her globo gym membership and traded in her
running shoes for a pair of converse. Julie completed her CF Level 1 Certification and looks forward to growing
her knowledge through various certifications in the near future. Julie loves to end her nights at CrossFit
NOLA helping others get a step closer to achieving their goals. Julie loves the constant variety and high intensity that is CrossFit and credits this along with the community for keeping her hooked on CrossFit
(and giving her muscle definition). Julie is passionate about fitness, wellness and helping others change their lives.
Ryne Sullivan
Ryne is a New Orleans native and is currently enrolled at the University of New Orleans in the Master of Arts in Teaching program. He played four years of baseball at Sewanee: The University of the South, where he was selected to the All-Conference team his senior year.
Introduced to CrossFit in 2008 by Brandon Ecker, a head coach at CF NOLA, Ryne used the training methods as often as possible through his undergraduate studies. Now that he has more time, he actively pursues his fitness goals through CrossFit. His favorite part of CrossFit is the rewards reaped from the time and effort put in by individuals both in and out of the gym. He considers it an honor to be associated with CrossFit NOLA and looks forward to impacting the lives of the great community at the gym.
Introduced to CrossFit in 2008 by Brandon Ecker, a head coach at CF NOLA, Ryne used the training methods as often as possible through his undergraduate studies. Now that he has more time, he actively pursues his fitness goals through CrossFit. His favorite part of CrossFit is the rewards reaped from the time and effort put in by individuals both in and out of the gym. He considers it an honor to be associated with CrossFit NOLA and looks forward to impacting the lives of the great community at the gym.
Josh Paulus
Joshua Paulus played college soccer for the University of Dayton and later during graduate school helped lead Northwestern University to the National Club Soccer Championships. While he was still a senior at UD Josh was introduced to Crossfit by a friend, and like many athletes before him, was humbled by the workout. He began to do Crossfit with greater and greater degrees of regularity until it became his main fitness regimen. While Josh still plays soccer regularly and enjoys competing in any athletic endeavor, Crossfit is his prime focus both as a competitor and a Level 1 Trainer. He is fascinated by the effects that hard work and dedication can have on individuals and especially how these effects can lead to life-altering changes when combined with great coaching and the full support of a community of like-minded believers and achievers. Josh is honored to join the Crossfit Nola staff and hopes to positively impact the lives of all the people he is privileged enough to work with
Assistants
Aaron Hyatt
Brad Schneller
Nick Dondzilla
Bowen Dennis
Brad Schneller
Nick Dondzilla
Bowen Dennis
