COACHES

ADAM PAULSEN - OWNER/ HEAD COACH

Background:
Since 2005 Adam's full time job has been a personal trainer. He considers himself one of those lucky people who are able to have his job as his passion. Adam has worked in private one-on-one fitness studios, a big globo gym and had had his own in-home personal training business. Adam has worked with a variety of ages; from 5 years old to 87 years old; clients that needed to lose 200+ lbs, and those who needed to gain weight. He has worked with clients of all levels, including physical and or mentally handicapped as well as all levels of athletes. Being the owner of Barbarian CrossFit Adam is able to put forth his knowledge, expertise and experience towards the classes and the programming.

Credentials:
CrossFit Mobility Trainer-2015
CrossFit Level 2-2015
CrossFit Weightlifting Trainer-2015
CrossFit Level 1-2013
RYT 200 HR-2012
CPT (NASM)-2010
CrossFit Kettlebell Instructor-2009
CPT (ISSA)-2005
CPR AED-2005

Favorite benchmark WOD: Linda, I just love any WODS with a barbell.
Least favorite benchmark WOD: Karen, the only way to make Karen worse is to add burpees.
Favorite barbell movement: It's a tie between the deadlift and the clean. The deadlift is so simple yet so technical and the clean is just pure fun being able to throw around a lot of weight.

Coach Nicole el-sayah

Background:
I grew up in Sterling Heights Michigan and have always had a passion for sports. I was a competitive gymnast for 15 years before I started coaching children at the Gymnastics Training Center of Rochester in 2007. I discovered CrossFit through Coach Adam Paulsen and quickly developed an ambition for the competition. I want to lead by example and spread my knowledge about fitness to all ages. I am constantly challenging myself and excited to be part of the Barbarian team!

Credentials:
CF-L1 Certificate Holder-2014
State Vault and Beam Champion- 2011
USA Gymnastics certified- 2010
Gymnast of the year- 2010
State and Regional Vault Champion- 2010

Favorite benchmark WOD: Diane because I love hand stand push ups and it's short and sweet.
Least favorite benchmark WOD: Fran, because nobody likes Fran.
Favorite barbell movement: Snatch, it's the most technical and looks so cool.

coach alesha paulsen

Background:
Alesha has been an ISSA Certified Personal Trainer since 2006. In 2009 she began competing in Figure and Bikini competitions. Her proudest accomplishment is a 2nd place trophy at the ABA Illinois State Natural Competition. With this competitive experience, Alesha brings on expertise in diet and nutrition.

Credentials:
TRX-2009
Equinox (EFTI) Kettlebell-2008
CPT (ISSA)-2006
CPR AED

Favorite benchmark WOD: Karen. "She's short & sweet, one movement, and gets in a good full body workout."
Least favorite benchmark WOD: Her least favorite would have to be Linda. "It's a century long, 3 different movements, and I can't RX it."
Favorite Barbell movement: The clean. She doesn't know why; other than she's always learning new tips and tricks to make her more efficient. "It feels pretty damn good hitting a PR on your clean".

COACH CHRIS BRADEMEYER

Background:
Chris joined Barbarian Crossfit in March of 2016. At the time, he weighed 270 pounds and had just been declined by a life insurance company because of his poor health. Chris fit a lot of the stereotypes of former athletes who stopped exercising, started working a desk-job, and didn't change their diet to match their change in lifestyle.
The first couple of months were a struggle physically for Chris, but the amazing community at Barbarian and the desire to better himself kept him coming to classes on a frequent basis. Over time, he started improving at the workouts (they never get easy), he felt better, and the results showed on the scale and in pictures. Over the course of a year at Barbarian, Chris lost 60 pounds, and started feeling confident enough to compete in local competitions.

In December of 2017 Chris wanted to give back to the Barbarian community, so he talked to Coach Adam about coaching. Adam thought it would be a good idea, so in January of 2018 Chris attended the CF-L1 seminar and attained his Level 1 Trainer certificate. He is passionate about helping others make the change that he did a couple years ago.

Credentials:
CrossFit Level 1-2018

Favorite Benchmark WOD: Fran- There is just something special about a 3-minute workout that can leave you in the fetal position.
Least Favorite Benchmark WOD: Diane- I hate staring at the wall waiting for my shoulders to recover enough for me to do more handstand push-ups.
Favorite Barbell Movement- The Snatch- I'm honestly not great at snatches, but it's such a complex and nuanced movement that I can't help but love it.

COACH TONY TOCCO

Background:
From as far back as he can remember Tony has always enjoyed working with people of all ages to accomplish their goals, whatever they might be. Immediately upon graduating high school Tony began coaching high school wrestling and has been doing so for over 15 years. During that time Tony helped launch his alma mater’s first Middle School Wrestling program, under the belief that it is extremely important for people to start in the world of physical fitness at a young age in order to ensure a long, healthy life. Tony served in the U.S. Navy for 5 years, and while away continued to work with both service members and civilians at achieving their personal fitness goals.
Tony discovered CrossFit in 2015 and has been all-in ever since. CrossFit’s constantly varied, high intensity formula, paired with its competitive nature while still maintaining such a strong sense of comradery and community, has made Tony a true advocate of the sport. Tony’s greatest joy comes from assisting athletes of all backgrounds and ability levels reach their personal goals and live a truly healthier lifestyle.

Credentials:
CrossFit Level 1- 2018

Favorite Benchmark WOD: Probably Grace or Karen- Anything to do with barbells and wall balls are ok with me!
Least Favorite Benchmark WOD: Tough choice but probably Mary-Whole lot of pain here!
Favorite barbell movement: By far the deadlift- It’s a movement everyone uses every day, and doing it wrong can lead to so many issues-Technique is everything here!

COACH EMMA CLAUCHERTY

Background:
As a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Emma combines her understanding of movement pathology with fitness in order to help clients achieve their goals and avoid injury. Emma’s passion is helping clients find wellness through life style changes and exercise. Emma has experience coaching ages 5-95 one on one and in group classes. Through physical therapy residency work, Emma has developed the skills required for working with the critically ill, the elderly and individuals with neurologic conditions. Emma believes movement is healing and exercise can be modified for any level of fitness.

Education and Credentials:
Doctor of Physical Therapy; Oakland University awarded December 2017
Bachelors of Health Science, minor in exercise science; Oakland University awarded 2014
American Heart Association CPR
American Heart Association First Aid

Favorite benchmark WOD: Fran, thrusters don’t scare me.
Least favorite benchmark WOD: Linda, I dislike anything with heavy benching!
Favorite barbell movement: The back squat, I love the feeling of standing up with heavy barbell on your back! It’s a perfect metaphor for life.