Diogo Dias »

Head Coach, Co-Owner

Qualifications:

  • CrossFit Level 1 Trainer

Diogo Dias

Head Coach, Co-Owner

What year did you start CrossFitting?

2015

Why did you get into fitness (and CrossFit)?

I got into fitness because I wanted to get stronger and fitter for college soccer. However after 2 years of working out at a globo gym I joined an affiliate and immediately got hooked. The combination of functional movements being performed at high intensity won me over and now I can not see myself doing anything else.

Why did you become a trainer?

To guide people into a healthier life and help people become the fittest version of themselves.

What’s your favorite CrossFit movement?

Hand stand push ups and cleans

What is your favorite cheat food?

Burgers especially the peanut butter bacon burger from Tiffs

What’s your favorite Superhero and why?

Superman because of his super strength

Kareem Shanawani »

Coach, Co-Owner

Qualifications:

  • CrossFit Level 2 Trainer
  • CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
  • CrossFit Strongman
  • USAW Sports Performance Coach
  • CrossFit Scaling
  • CrossFit Kids

Kareem Shanawani

Coach, Co-Owner

What year did you start CrossFitting?

2012

Why did you get into fitness (and CrossFit)?

I played lacrosse and wrestled in high school. Being outdoors and playing sports has always been the highlight of life for me. I take any opportunity to be outside and be active; whether it’s playing frisbee, throwing a football, playing a pickup game of basketball, or throwing around a Barbell. My love of fitness stems from my desire to be strong.

Why did you become a trainer?

I enjoy helping others achieve their functional fitness goals. It is heartwarming and inspiring to see people achieve their goals in fitness, like witnessing the moment when someone gets a personal record in their mile time or on their squat.

What’s your favorite CrossFit movement?

Clean

What is your favorite cheat food?

Pizza and Oreos, not together.

What’s your favorite Superhero and why?

Captain America or the Green Lantern

Qualifications:

  • CrossFit Level 1 Trainer

Emily Meyerowitz

Coach

What year did you start CrossFitting?

2012

Why did you get into fitness (and CrossFit)?

What attracted me at first to CrossFit was the variety of the workouts, never doing the same one twice, as well as the combination of strength and endurance elements. Despite the fact that I had been going to the gym for years, there were plenty of movements which were new to me and it was a bit intimidating. It took me a while to get comfortable with much of the lifting and the idea of doing an unassisted pull-up seemed like a goal out of my reach but I was focused on improving both.Eventually, after much hard work and some great coaching, my lifting has improved dramatically. And the last time I tested myself, I was able to do 23 unbroken unassisted pull-ups.

Why did you become a trainer?

I particularly enjoy working with beginner women at our gym, many of whom have little experience with much of the exercises. I think it helps that I can relate to their apprehension and can therefore coach on a more personal level. The kids and teen classes are also really fun to coach. Helping them improve their fitness is incredibly rewarding.

What’s your favorite CrossFit movement?

Burpees

What is your favorite cheat food?

Ice cream

What’s your favorite Superhero and why?

Green Lantern

Jermaine Burrus

Coach

What year did you start CrossFitting?

2015

Why did you get into fitness (and CrossFit)?

I joined a globo gym after graduating high school mid 2012 to keep myself occupied. After a while I grew tired of the regular Chest & Tri’s and Back & Bicep’s routine, and slowly started to fall off training until CrossFit found me. An affiliate had opened up attached to the globo gym and the head coach sold me on the idea of CrossFit. After trying a few classes and realizing I wasn’t in such great shape, I signed up and never looked back.

Why did you become a trainer?

Simple enough, I like to see people evolve. To have been able to play a roll in helping people reach their goals in that realm is very satisfying to me.

What’s your favorite CrossFit movement?

I pretty much love all pulling movements, but ultimately I love the Snatch.

What is your favorite cheat food?

Pizza, no question

What’s your favorite Superhero and why?

Black Panther, I love the high skilled martial arts.

Qualifications:

  • CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
  • CrossFit Kids
  • CrossFit Gymnastics
  • CrossFit Scale
  • CrossFit Rowing
  • CrossFit Weightlifting

Alison Tillbrook

Coach

What year did you start CrossFitting?

In 2013, 6 months after I had my second baby

Why did you get into fitness (and CrossFit)?

Fitness has always been a big part of my life. I’ve gone from dance and soccer growing up to bodybuilding/fitness show stuff in my 20’s/30’s and then finally Cross Fit in my 40’s. After having my second baby at 40 and having been in a regular gym setting for 20+ years I knew that I wanted something different, more challenging and something that would get me in shape in a simple 1 hour time commitment where I didn’t have to think about a lot or do the planning and plod around a gym by myself. I wanted that next level fitness where I could learn new skills and get stronger. Although I was slightly intimidated going into a CF gym 6 months after my second c-section in 2.5 years I had a feeling that it was exactly what I was looking for. And that was it.

Why did you become a trainer?

I fell in love with Cross Fit pretty immediately and just wanted to learn more and figure it out for myself so I started going to seminars and training with different coaches privately so that I could grow in my own skills and ability. As I did that I started to realize how much I really did want to become a trainer/coach and help others get what they need and want out of CF and also to be a real part of the community. I also love love love that CF reaches everyone of all ages, shapes, ability levels, and sizes, that’s exactly where I want to be.

What’s your favorite CrossFit movement?

This is a tough one, probably wall balls because you get everything in one workout, legs/glutes/core/shoulders, and CARDIO!

What is your favorite cheat food?

Pizza

What’s your favorite Superhero and why?

Well, I have a crush on Thor but my favorite superhero is Super Woman because she was the original bad ass and every little girl wanted to be Wonder Woman.

Andrew Page »

Head Strength and Conditioning Coach

Qualifications:

  • Strength Coach for NBA, EuroLeague, EuroCup, USA Olympians

Andrew Page

Head Strength and Conditioning Coach

What Year Did You Start?

2005

Why Did you Get Into Strength & Conditioning?

Science-heavy gym rat since high school.

Why Did You Become a Trainer?

I am fascinated by human movement and love working with people to help them grow their capacity

What’s Your Favorite Movement?

Single Leg RDL (heavy loaded)

What’s Your Favorite Cheat Food?

White rice – could eat with every meal

What’s Your Favorite Superhero and Why?

Batman – he optimizes his human skills.  And I love the Nolan films.

Jon Tush »

Head Wrestling Coach

Qualifications:

  • Mentor to dozens of high school and college wrestlers
  • Served as NYAC Wrestling Interim Chairman
  • Currently NYAC Wrestling Club President
  • Owner and Coach of the Garage Gym Wrestling Club which has produced multiple New Jersey and New York state champions and multiple HS and NCAA All-Americans

Jon Tush

Head Wrestling Coach

What Year Did You Get Into Wrestling?

1975

What’s Your Favorite Movement?

Forward

What’s Your Favorite Cheat Food?

Chinese Food

What’s Your Favorite Superhero and Why?

Popeye, I am what I am and so is he.

Nick Heilmann »

Assistant Wrestling Coach

Qualifications:

  • 3x NJ State Place winner at South Plainfield High School
  • NHSCA All-American
  • Division I wrestler at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
  • Former Carolina Wrestling Club Head Coach

Nick Heilmann

Assistant Wrestling Coach

What Year Did You Start Wrestling?

1997

Why Did you Get Into Wrestling?

Grew up in South Plainfield which had a successful wrestling history. Started in the recreation program and never stopped from there.

Why Did you become a Trainer?

To teach and help younger wrestlers succeed in wrestling and in life after wrestling.

What’s Your Favorite Movement?

Misdirection High Crotch

What’s Your Favorite Cheat Food?

Ice cream

What’s Your Favorite Superhero, and Why?

Batman because he’s just a regular guy and doesn’t actually have any superpowers.