Meet The
TEAM
Eric Engler
My CrossFit journey began in 2015. After being a collegiate athlete, I gradually let fitness slip away throughout my twenties and found myself at 35 years old, significantly overweight, out of shape, and honestly unhappy with where I was physically and mentally. I knew it was time to make a change.
What drew me to CrossFit was the combination of variety, community, and competition. Every day was different, there was always something new to learn, and for the first time in years I felt like I had something meaningful to work toward again. The supportive environment and constant opportunities for growth quickly turned what started as a fitness program into a genuine passion.
That passion led me to begin coaching in 2016, and in 2017 I purchased CrossFit 608. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of helping hundreds of athletes improve their health, build confidence, and accomplish things they never thought possible. Whether it’s someone’s first
workout, first pull-up, first competition, or simply feeling comfortable in their own skin again, those moments are what make coaching so rewarding.
My vision for CrossFit 608 has always been simple: create a place where anyone can walk through the doors and feel welcome, supported, and challenged regardless of their age, experience, or fitness level. While we take our training seriously, our focus extends far beyond workouts. We strive to build a community that helps people become stronger, healthier, and more confident both inside and outside the gym.
More than anything, I want CrossFit 608 to be the place that helps people change their lives the same way CrossFit changed mine.
Amanda Schwartz
I have been doing CrossFit since 2013, and coaching since 2019. The reason I keep coming back are the community and the friendships I have built. Being around people who push you to be better while you push them right back creates something special! The group setting
challenges you in a way you can’t always get on your own. Plus, the programming is geared to work the whole body and constantly introduces movements that challenge you and help you grow!
As a coach, I want people to know that I’ve been there.
The new person- struggling to get a movement or hit a weight. It’s not easy at first, but if you keep showing up and putting in the work, you will get there! My goal is to help you build confidence along the way- and maybe even gain a friend in the process:)
Erica Rosonke
I’ve been doing CrossFit since July 2019, so I know firsthand what it feels like to walk in as a beginner and wonder if you belong. I started coaching in September 2024, and it’s been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done.
What keeps me coming back, day after day, is the community. There’s nothing quite like the energy of people showing up for themselves and each other. It never gets old!
As a coach, the most important thing to know about me is that I understand the importance of meeting every athlete where they’re at. Every athlete is different, and there’s no single path through a workout. I’ll help scale and modify movements without hesitation or judgment. CrossFit isn’t for everyone, but it is for anyone.
Kristen Wellenkotter
As a physical therapist, I also understand injuries, limitations, and setbacks happen, but they don’t have to keep you out of the gym. I’m passionate about helping people find ways to continue training and making progress, no matter what challenges they’re working through
Keith Michel
Watching our members improve day in and day out is incredibly rewarding. Getting to know my members personally has been life-changing, and witnessing the growth of their overall health and well-being motivates me to better myself. While I strive for personal gains in skill, strength, and cardiovascular health, I am primarily driven to become the best version of myself. I believe that when someone feels good, it spreads to others and helps them grow in return. I coach because of our members. Every day I spend with my members and friends makes me want to learn and refine my skills. We have a wide range of athletes, from those who have never seen a CrossFit gym to highly knowledgeable and skilled competitors, which creates a great opportunity for mutual growth. As members advance their skills, it challenges me to further my own knowledge so that I can guide them as effectively as possible. I want to thank each of my friends at CrossFit for this opportunity.
Jessie Rose
Jessie Heisz
My journey in functional fitness started in 2022 as an athlete, which naturally evolved into coaching two years later. I love testing out limits, mastering new movements, and embracing the daily process of moving forward. As a firefighter, maintaining peak physical readiness is a
professional necessity and CrossFit is how I build that resilience.
As a coach, I thrive on working with dedicated athletes who are ready to put in the work. There is nothing more rewarding than helping someone lock in their technique, sharing actionable tips, and watching them unlock their full potential. Beyond the physical gains, this community has given me my closest friends, and I am driven to help others find that same success and connection.