Coaches

Andrea Jones – Owner/Coach

I was a high school athlete and have had a lifelong passion for fitness, completing multiple marathons and countless other races in the past ten years. Before I became a personal trainer I would spend 99% of my time on the cardio equipment and 1%  of my time doing a bicep curl or two.  CrossFit allows me to combine my strength training into my endurance and speed work for a challenging, fun, and competitive workout! I love sharing this enthusiasm with people and take a personal approach to helping people reach their goal, whether it be weight loss, completing their first 5k or half marathon, or doing their first box jump!

Certifications:

CrossFit Level 1 Certificate Holder 
USA Weightlifting Level I Sports Performance Coach
CrossFit Kids Certified trainer
NASM Certified Personal Trainer
Group Training Coordinator
Prenatal Certified Trainer

Mike Jones – Owner/Coach

I was a college lacrosse player and an infantry officer in the Marine Corps before moving to St Paul.  I was always able to maintain a high level of fitness during college and my time in the military because of the active nature of my lifestyle and putting in countless hours in the gym.  Once I left the military and had less time to devote to working out I had difficulty maintaining a high level of fitness with the traditional 30 minutes of cardio followed by 30 minutes of bodybuilding weight routine.  The day I found CrossFit it changed my life, and within a few months of becoming a CrossFitter I knew that this was something I wanted to share with everyone in my community who seeks health and fitness.

Certifications:

CrossFit Level 1 Certificate Holder 
CrossFit Olympic Lifting Certified Trainer
CrossFit Kids Certified Trainer
USA Weightlifting Level I Sports Performance Coach

Tyler Quinn – Owner/Coach

My personal athletic history started at a young age. I grew up playing a number of different sports but found in time that my true passion lay in hockey and rowing. I went on to play hockey at the collegiate level for St. Olaf, where I was first introduced to CrossFit.  CrossFit has allowed me to realize my athletic potential, and work with a range of people from professional athletes and military special operations unit members to my mother and father.

Certifications:

CrossFit Level 1 Certificate Holder 
CrossFit Olympic Lifting Certified Trainer
CrossFit Gymnastics Certified Trainer
USA Weightlifting Level I Sports Performance Coach

Chris Powers

I grew up participating in a wide variety of different sports and competed in Track and Field throughout college. From a pretty young age I’ve had a strong interest in training, nutrition and how the human body worked, eventually leading me to a degree in Health Promotion. After graduation I decided to follow what I was truly passionate about and become a trainer. It’s been a wonderful experience and I’ve been privileged enough to work with many different people from all walks of life and share with them what I believe to be the best general fitness program on the planet… CrossFit.

Certifications:

CrossFit Level 1 Certificate Holder 
CrossFit Basic Barbell Certified Trainer
NASM Certified Personal Trainer
RKC Level I Kettlebell Instructor

Melanie Ayres

Personal health and fitness have always been important to me. In the past I’ve tried gyms, yoga, running, cycling, and kickboxing among other activities. Although I’ve had some success with these activities, it wasn’t until a kickboxing instructor introduced me to Crossfit in 2005 that I truly found a fitness program that inspired me. I was fortunate enough to train at the original Crossfit with Annie Sakamoto and many other exceptional trainers. My first day at Crossfit with the encouragement of my trainer, I was able to climb a rope for the first time in my life. I was hooked! Crossfit St Paul opened shortly after I moved to the Midwest and I was excited to find another amazing group of trainers and athletes. The challenging workouts and supportive community here are an incredible motivator. Almost every day at Crossfit, starting with my first rope climb, I’ve found I can do something I didn’t think I could! I’m excited to share that experience with others.

Certifications:

CrossFit Level 1 Certificate Holder 
USA Weightlifting Level I Sports Performance Coach

Brandon Fellows

Before CrossFit, my primary form of exercise was running. Other than the occasional push-up or sit-up, logging miles was basically my only focus.  I ran collegiately for the University of Michigan and upon graduation found it difficult to stay motivated without the competitive atmosphere and team camaraderie I had at school. CrossFit has allowed me to focus on other areas of fitness while providing a perfect framework to make new fitness goals and work towards achieving them. My background in running has made me a better CrossFitter and now my experience with CrossFit is making me a much stronger runner. Whether you are a marathoner or someone who claims to “hate running” CrossFit Endurance can provide a great supplement to your regular CrossFit sessions.

Certifications:

CrossFit Level 1 Certificate Holder 

Vanessa Brown

Fitness and an active lifestyle have always been very important to me. I was a two-sport athlete in high school and in college, participating in both volleyball and track & field. After my collegiate athletic career ended, I struggled with the monotony of the typical gym cardio + weightlifting routine, and found that I was bored exercising without my collegiate teammates. In 2008, I moved to San Francisco to pursue a master’s degree in Sport Psychology, and a friend there introduced me to Crossfit. The challenging, constantly varied workouts and supportive community were exactly what I had been looking for. I was instantly hooked!  I love that in Crossfit, there is always something to work on and get better at. This endless sense of growth and striving for that next goal keeps me motivated to work my hardest each day. I enjoy coaching others and love seeing the look of accomplishment when an athlete reaches their goal or does something they didn’t know they were capable of doing.

Certifications:

CrossFit Level 1 Certificate Holder 

Alex Tubbs

Alex Tubbs

Alex Tubbs

My love for training started during high school football. I was never great on the field, but I always tried to outwork everyone in the weight room. After going to college and not having the team environment to challenge me, I got stuck in the rut of the typical bodybuilding routine. Then I was introduced to CrossFit. All it took was a 2k row, and I knew that I found what I was missing. Within a year I had my level one certificate and competed in the affiliate cup at the 2009 CrossFit Games. I have moved from Montana, to Rochester, and now to the Twin Cities and one thing remains the same, the community. No matter where I am I know I have a family of like-minded individuals there to support me. My favorite thing about coaching is sharing my knowledge and passion with others. Whether it’s Olympic weightlifting or gymnastics, there is always something to get better at, both as an athlete and a coach.

  • CrossFit Level 1 Certificate Holder
  • CrossFit Olympic Lifting Certified Trainer
  • CrossFit Movement and Mobility Certified Trainer
  • USAW Sports Performance Coach
  • BS – Health and Human Performance (U of Montana ’10)