Team Town!


Head Coach


Coaches


Ownership


Cole Hayrynen ~ Head Coach

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I am, and always have been, a Washingtonian. Growing up in Sammamish, I was highly involved in competitive AAU basketball. I played year-round and spent the majority of my time improving my skills in the sport. In 2015, it became clear that, in order to keep improving my game, I needed to develop my body through strength training. Soon after, I was introduced to CrossFit by two of my mentors, Jeff and Charity Vale, 2nd Fittest Woman on Earth in 2008. I immediately became enthralled with the sport, eventually shifting my focus away from basketball to pursue CrossFit.

 

In the years since, my passion and zeal for fitness has only grown. My journey towards self-improvement has also birthed a deep desire to help others. Since 2016, I have been learning and experimenting with a variety of fitness methodologies, honing my coaching skills, and helping others rehab their injuries through movement.

 

In 2020, I started my own personal training business, Restoration F1tness, while finishing my business degree at Northwest University. I coached group classes and also provided personal training to clients. Since completing my bachelor’s degree in December 2020, I got married and worked as a Sales/Marketing intern for PACCAR, which required me to step away from my own business.

 

I am thrilled to now have the opportunity to return my focus back to fitness. There is no other industry I would rather work in. To me, fitness is not just about improving a score on a metcon: it’s about valuing your body, learning how to develop it to its fullest potential, and employing tactics to keep it healthy. I am very excited to be a part of the Town Athletics Team. I can’t wait to assist you in reaching your goals and also help you stretch towards new goals that you may have never even dreamt were possible.

 

Stay Rooted,

Cole Hayrynen

cole30hayrynen@gmail.com

 

Certifications:

CrossFit Level 2 Trainer

NCSF Certified Personal Trainer


Cory Main ~ Coach

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I was born and raised in Port Orchard, Washington. Sports have been a huge part of my life,  specifically baseball. After I graduated high school I got an opportunity to play for Tacoma Community College for two years. Then I transferred to the University of Jamestown to continue my baseball career. Shorty after the season started I tore my labrum and decided to move back to the PNW to rehab my injury. I finished out my last two years of baseball at Concordia University in Portland. That is where I discovered my passion for exercise and sport performance development. I majored in Exercise & Sport Science in April of 2020. During my senior year I completed an internship as an assistant strength coach for CU. Working with 5 teams and over 100 collegiate athletes solidified my love for training and coaching. I also led fitness classes in Portland for about a year, and while I enjoyed my time there; I was missing the competitive environment that comes with sports. After I moved back home and started the job search, I was lucky enough to find that competitive drive in Town Athletics. 

I have always wanted to pursue a career that involved serving others. Nothing compares to the satisfaction of helping people make a positive change in their life, and empowering them to continue down the road of success. I blended my love for helping people with my other passion; fitness. I am so excited to help people make positive life changes and reach goals they never thought possible. 

Stay Rooted,

Cory Main

cory@townathletics.com

Certifications: 

Bachelors of Science in Exercise and Sports Science

Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)

Adult CPR/ AED, pediatric CPR/AED & first aid


Joe Ceccarelli ~ Coach

The Pacific Northwest has been my home for most of my life, the Greater Tacoma Area my stomping grounds.  I am a husband, father, veteran, coach, and athlete, and I am committed to being the best possible version of myself.  

I ran in to CrossFit and functional fitness while in the military after being nagged by a group of buddies to try it. CrossFit had been a thing for a while, and I eventually caved.  I will never forget how hot the humbling SoCal sun was that first day as I did a million power cleans and burpees. I went back the next day. And the next. I was hooked. Upon discovering this world-wide community that had helped so many people overcome great obstacles, I knew I wanted to be a bigger part of it somehow. I attended my L-1 seminar in San Diego in 2015.  


In 2017, I left active duty to pursue a career in fitness.  After finishing my education, I now find myself working with the US Army as a strength and conditioning coach.


I am proud and honored to be a part of this strong community that has been built with the members’ interests in the forefront. Stay rooted.

 

Stay Rooted, 

Joe Ceccarelli

joe@townathletics.com

 

Certifications:

Certified CrossFit Trainer ~ Level 3

CrossFit Kids

USA Weightlifting Sport Performance Coach

Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)

NASM Certified Personal Trainer

BA: Kinesiology

MS Kinesiology: Applied Sport Psychology


Garrett Werner ~ Coach

I was introduced to CrossFit by a friend in college. This was the first time I had given any thought to choices regarding my long term health.

Shortly after getting married, I recommitted myself to a journey of fitness. I got plugged in to another local gym and established new patterns for healthy living. During my time there, I met a few Town Founders and decided to follow them across town. I joined the coaching staff in hopes of inspiring the same kind of lifestyle change in others.

I’m proud to be part of the Town Athletics community.

 

Stay Rooted,

Garrett Werner

 

garrett@townathletics.com


Michael Gillette ~ Coach

I was born in Virginia, and promptly moved, which happens to be the story of my life. Being a navy brat, I spent my childhood moving all around the country every couple of years. I’ve lived in the North, South, East and West coasts, and various combinations of these locals.

I joined the Navy shortly following 9/11, and spent the next 6 years traveling not only the US, but the world. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve my country while also exploring and experiencing cultures that I likely never would have considered had it not been part of my duty.

Health and fitness has always been a part of my life, so after my service in the Navy, I moved to Boston and worked in the semiconductor industry for a couple of years before realizing I missed human connection. I wanted to interact with people instead of machines.

I went back to school at the University of Massachusetts earning a business management degree with honors. Prior to graduating I became involved in CrossFit when it was still in its infancy at one of the first affiliates. After about a year of involvement in CrossFit and many hours of apprenticeship, I started coaching at the 2 locations of the gym I had been a member of since starting. While coaching full-time, I began to work with more athletes returning from an injury and their subsequent physical therapy. These athletes were without guidance from their therapists in how to integrate and return to their preferred sport, and were often told that they should stop doing CrossFit altogether. That was the catalyst that led me to return to school to pursue my Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Northeastern University so that I could help athletes navigate this difficult time in their fitness career.

Throughout my time as a coach and physical therapist, I have have had the pleasure of working with athletes at all levels including Olympians, NFL prospects, collegiate varsity athletes, tactical athletes, and weekend warriors. I enjoy helping people of all skills find their inner athlete. Getting someone to move better and more efficiently is what I have spent the past decade of my life on, and can’t wait to help many more going forward.

Welcome to Town. I look forward to helping you become a better version of yourself.

Stay Rooted,

Michael Gillette

mike@townathletics.com

Certifications:

Doctor of Physical Therapy

CrossFit Level 2 Trainer

USA Weightlifting Sports Performance

EXOS Performance Specialist


Erin Huss ~ Coach

I was born in Michigan and raised in Indiana. I was raised to be in 3 sports at all times throughout grade school. I was in every sport you could think of, but most enjoyed competitive cheer. After grade school, I went to working full-time and missed the active lifestyle I was involved in. This is where I found bodybuilding/lifting weights. I ended up joining the US Army Active Duty in 2016.

This is how I ended up in Washington State. This was my first and only duty station. I did pull one deployment in my term and got out of the Army after 6 and a half years, then continued to stay here in Tacoma, Washington. I did work at another CrossFit gym that is no longer in business for about one year. Before getting out of the Army, I earned my Associates degree along with Coaching and Fitness Training Certification through Pierce College. I am currently furthering my education, working on my Bachelor’s of Kinesiology in Health and Fitness Promotion with a minor in Exercise & Sport Psychology at Pacific Lutheran University.

I got bored of Bodybuilding a couple of years ago. I dabbled with CrossFit for a short bit of time, less than a year. This is where I found my love for Olympic Weightlifting. That is my sport of choice. I am a National level Olympic Weightlifting Athlete competing all over the United States. The snatch is my favorite lift.

Now, I am proud to say I am a part of Town Athletics. I love the community here at Town.  I love seeing things “click” for individuals who were struggling with something, which is one of many reasons I love coaching. I look forward to helping you in your Olympic lifts needs and more.

Stay Rooted,

Erin Huss

erin@townathletics.com

Certifications:

BS in Kinesiology - PLU

Certificate in Fitness Coach - Pierce College

CPR/AED - American Red Cross


Jon Quon ~ Coach

Coming soon…

jon@townathletics.com


Dillon Fox ~ Coach

I was born and raised in Olympia, Washington. I have always been involved in some sort of fitness. My hobbies since childhood have included skateboarding, snowboarding, hiking and mountain biking. I was introduced to CrossFit in 2014 while pursuing a career in firefighting.

After joining Town Athletics in 2015, I quickly learned how important strength and conditioning was for my career and hobbies outside of the gym.

Now as a coach, I have the opportunity to pass along all the knowledge and skills I have learned over the years as a member.

Stay Rooted,

Dillon Fox

dillon@townathletics.com

Certifications:

CrossFit Level 1


Sabrina Paulsen ~ Coach

Coming soon…


Eli Hayrynen ~ Coach

Washington is the place that I have called home for my whole life. I grew up in Sammamish, WA with two siblings (one of which is Cole, the head coach at Town Athletics). Starting in 2nd grade, I hopped into the competitive AAU basketball scene in the Seattle area. I played year-round on more than one team at the same time. Basketball was my main focus up through the end of high school.

 

CrossFit has also been a part of my life since elementary school. We had family friends when I was growing up who owned a CrossFit gym and introduced my family and me to the sport. I did CrossFit-style workouts over the years to stay in shape for basketball.

 

After I started college at Whitworth University in Spokane, my focus turned to fitness. I completed a personal training course and earned a certification from the National Council on Strength and Fitness. While at WU, I took multiple courses in the exercise physiology department to improve my knowledge and skills. I began offering personal training services to my classmates and continued that side job throughout my college years. I also reached out to a CrossFit gym in Spokane to see if they were looking for coaches. When I met with the owner, he told me they didn’t have any coaching openings, but he said he would offer me a 3-month free membership. Soon after, I was hired to work part-time in the gym in exchange for a membership. Since then, I have been consistently back on the CrossFit grind. I love the fact that this sport challenges us all to embrace discomfort, provides a close-knit community, and improves both mental and physical health.

 

After graduating from Whitworth and doing an internship for a Congresswoman in Washington DC, I returned to Washington. In September 2024, I was offered a coaching job at Town Athletics. I welcomed the opportunity to work in the field of two of my greatest passions—fitness and nutrition. I love being part of the coaching staff and community at Town. I look forward to helping you be successful as you pursue your fitness and health goals.

Stay Rooted,

Eli Hayrynen

eli@townathletics.com

Certifications:

National Council of Strength and Fitness (NCSF)


Austin Kemink ~ Owner

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I was born in South Dakota and raised in Minnesota. In 2007, I graduated from the University of North Dakota with degrees in Commercial Aviation and Aviation Management, then moved West for the mountains and climate and never looked back. I spent the first year of my career in Anchorage, Alaska as a flight instructor for the University of Alaska Anchorage. Later that year I met my wife, Eileen.

We moved to Seattle in the summer of 2008 for a corporate pilot position. This was also when my passion for fitness and coaching started to take root. When I wasn’t flying, I spent my free time gaining my National Academy of Sports Medicine Personal Trainer certification and earned my first personal trainer job at the downtown Seattle 24 Hour Fitness.

Eileen and I married in 2010 and moved to Tacoma that fall so that we could be closer to our workplaces. I quickly secured a position with the Tacoma Center YMCA as a personal trainer and group coach. It was during this time that I discovered CrossFit and fell in love with the sport of Weightlifting, which then led to me studying for and obtaining my USA Weightlifting Sport Performance Coach accreditation.

After about seven years of flying, I realized that aviation wasn't for me and that my heart was truly in the world of fitness and coaching others. I followed this calling and started crafting the business plan for Town, while at the same time working towards procuring the one profession that encompassed all of my passions in one: FireFighting. In August of 2014 I was fortunate enough to earn a position with the Port of Seattle Fire Department. As of October 2015, I followed my other dream of opening a full-featured Strength and Conditioning gym alongside my friends and brothers, Adam and Mike.

My 1,000+ hours as a flight instructor have been invaluable to my coaching career. In the end, coaching and training others boils down to being a proficient teacher. Teaching is an understanding of how to break down complex ideas - or in our case, movements - into manageable pieces. It is also knowing when to push and when to support students or athletes. Whether this is your first time in the gym or you are a seasoned veteran, each of you are athletes once you step foot in Town.

I value technical prowess above all else, because it's not about how much weight you can move but how well you can move it and your body in space. This is what will keep you healthy, both in the gym and in your everyday lives.

Welcome to the Town family. I look forward to helping you reach your potential.

Stay Rooted,

Austin

austin@townathletics.com

Certifications:

OPEX CCP Level 1 Associate Coach

Opex Mixed Modal

USA Weightlifting Level 2 Coach

Catalyst Athletics Level 1 Weightlifting Coach

CrossFit Level 2 Trainer

CrossFit Judges Course

National Academy of Sports Medicine Personal Trainer

National and WA State Registered EMT


Michael Long ~ Owner

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I was born and raised in the South Sound area of Washington, so this place has always been close to my heart. Growing up, my parents made sure I was always active through sports and the Boy Scouts. This prepared me for the physical demands of the military when I attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, and became a commissioned officer in the United States Army. During my tenure as a Soldier, I served in both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. While serving in the Army, I developed a distinct understanding of and appreciation for the need for peak physical fitness in order to meet the heavy physical demands of deployment. By the same token, I realized the advantages that physical fitness brings to everyday life.

I returned home to Washington in 2012 after leaving active service. With respect to my fitness, I was just doing the normal bodybuilding routines that most everyone who works out has inevitably performed. My workouts were monotonous and repetitive. I was losing the motivation to keep myself at the high level of fitness I had achieved during my time in the Army.

Simultaneously, my best friend was making positive changes to his lifestyle to exercise more, eat healthier, and lose weight, and he wanted my help to keep him accountable and motivated. We had both heard of CrossFit and decided it would be a good change of pace to break the tedious repetition and routine of typical weightlifting workouts. We signed up at a local gym, took a class, and I’ve been hooked ever since. CrossFit constantly varies workouts so that you never get bored, and fosters a community of support and camaraderie. I quickly developed dreams of becoming a coach and opening my own gym to inspire the fitness and confidence I achieved through CrossFit. I am beyond thankful that, with my friends and partners, Austin and Adam, those dreams are now a reality.

During my time in the Army training and leading Soldiers, I developed the skills needed to coach and instruct a wide range of individuals, including teaching how to break down multi-layered tasks and tailoring my instructions to suit the individual I am working with. I can assess an individual's strengths and weaknesses and, through coaching, turn those weaknesses into strengths, motivating others to reach their full potential. I can help put you on a program to become healthy and fit, inside and outside of the gym.

Welcome to Town. Let's get Rooted in Strength together.

Stay Rooted,

Michael

michael@townathletics.com

Certifications:

CrossFit Level 1 Trainer

USA Weightlifting Sports Performance

Coach Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certified

CrossFit Judges Course

Army Master Fitness Trainer Phase 1

CPR Adult, Child, & Infant with AED Certification


Adam Benson ~ Owner

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I was born and raised in Missoula, Montana. I graduated from Carroll College in 2009 and moved to the Seattle area in 2010. I purchased a house in Tacoma and am now proud to call this city my home.

I played a myriad of sports growing up including football, wrestling, basketball, golf, skiing, and pretty much anything that involved physical activity or competition. I always liked to push the limits, which culminated in a tear to my ACL my junior year of high school. This was a major blow to my psyche as I was told I wouldn’t play football my senior year. I have come to realize over the years that it was this event that changed my physical fitness path forever. I made a decision to stay positive, focused, and to work hard. Sure enough, six months later I was starting two-a-days on the football field.

I don’t share this story to prove how hard I can work, but rather to give an example of what can happen when you make a decision and stick to it.

I learned so much in those six months rehabilitating my knee. I started to understand the limits of my body, and how far I could push it with my mind. I grew to understand the importance of self care, the power of mobility, and the necessity of recovery. It was through this hard work and dedication that I was able to earn a golf scholarship at Carroll College. Through the college programming, I honed in my work ethic and learned more about workout regimens.

I am extremely lucky to be surrounded by such talented and quality people as Austin and Mike. They have helped mold my love and desire in not only my personal fitness, but in helping athletes reach their goals as well.

At Town Athletics, I plan on combining my strengths to help others reach their full potential through sound technique, work ethic, and the mental gymnastics that are required to push athletes through the challenges that accompany their pursuit of fitness. Fitness is defined as “Increasing work capacity through broad time and modal domains.” (CrossFit Inc. Foundations Handbook) At Town, we will not only strive to improve your fitness and quality of life, but also your mind - confidence, self belief, and determination.

“The most rewarding part of life is the ability to instill courage in others and help them overcome their trials.”

- Shamus McCarthy.

At Town, we will plant the seed. Now let us help you grow.

Stay Rooted,

Adam

adam@townathletics.com

Certifications:

CrossFit Level 1 Trainer

National and WA State Registered EMT