Meet the CrossFit Natomas team

Dr. Aleksander Chung has an established Chiropractic office serving the Natomas community. His day to day practice involves treating patients with muscular imbalance, as well as soft tissue injuries. With the birth of his son in 2009, he began looking for an effective yet efficient way to achieve his fitness goals. After first hearing about CrossFit from a patient, he realized that this fast-paced, intense workout would fit perfectly into his busy lifestyle. After realizing that this type of concentrated workout with condensed, functional movements would be the best exercise for musculoskeletal injuries, Dr. Chung noticed a need for a CrossFit gym in Natomas. Since he could not find one to refer his patients to, he decided to open up CrossFit Natomas.

Dan has been CrossFitting for 6 1/2 years, a CFN member since 2023 and is a Level 1 Certified coach. Dan loves teaching and focuses on simplifying movements, pushing athletes towards constant improvement and celebrating all wins. His energy and positive attitude are present throughout classes and all interactions. He is a valued and very thankful member of the community.

Coach Shawn, a CrossFit Level 2 and USA Weightlifting Level 1 certified coach, has been a part of the CrossFit community since 2013 and began coaching in August 2019. A member of CrossFit Natomas since 2016, Shawn believes he’s in the best shape of his life, both mentally and physically, even in his 50s. His coaching focuses on trust, safety, technique, and fun, breaking down skills into achievable steps. Shawn emphasizes the importance of consistency and meeting members where they are in their fitness journey. Passionate about Olympic lifting, he leads Barbell Club and loves family time, meal prepping, and improving his cooking skills.

Carrie Holmes began CrossFit in 2015 at age 35, transitioning from a background in running, biking, and mountain bike triathlons. She holds a CrossFit Level 1 Certification and is passionate about coaching beginners. Carrie enjoys scaling and modifying movements to make them accessible to every athlete. To further enhance her coaching, she recently earned The Ready State Mobility Specialist certification, focusing on helping athletes overcome restrictions and improve their range of motion. Carrie’s goal as a coach is to build strength, confidence, and resilience in her clients, empowering them for a lifetime. She believes in the potential to develop muscle and skills at any age, with the philosophy, “We are in this for the long haul!” Outside the gym, she enjoys running local 5ks, swimming with her three kids, and practicing yoga.

As a CrossFit coach, my journey began in my early 30s, pivoting my career towards fitness. I quickly fell in love with the wide array of skills and learning opportunities CrossFit offers. This passion led me to Olympic lifting, where I’ve earned a couple of national medals in the masters category. I’m proud to hold a CrossFit Level 2 certification and Precision Nutrition Level 1 certification. My coaching philosophy centers around skill transfer, creating a supportive environment that emphasizes education, connection, and fun. I strive to blend the calm of Mr. Miyagi with the wisdom of Yoda. My specialties include Olympic lifting and gymnastics, and I find immense joy in helping clients achieve milestones like their first pull-up or a snatch PR. Personally, I’ve clocked a 2:05 Fran, snatched 225lbs, and have had the privilege of competing and coaching overseas, as I believe movement is universal. Outside of coaching, I enjoy snowboarding, surfing, paddle boarding, and indulging in video games and movies, especially those from the MCU and Star Wars universes.

Coach Sam is a 4x national competitor in bodybuilding across bikini, wellness, and figure categories, with two Pro athletes under her belt. Whether you’re looking to step on stage or compete in a CrossFit competition, Sam’s expertise can guide you. A CrossFit Open quarterfinalist 4 times, she’s determined to reach semi-finals and dreams of becoming a Games athlete. Sam’s coaching style focuses on love, encouragement, form, and technique, making every athlete feel like they’ve had one-on-one attention. With certifications in NASM, nutrition, CrossFit L1 & L2, and various specialties, she’s equipped to help athletes excel.

Caleb started Crossfit in 2019 when his coworker invited him to a workout. He fell in love with the diverse movements that took time and repetition to master. One highlight of his Crossfit career was the 2024 Crossfit open, where he loved pushing himself alongside his gym community. He is currently a Crossfit Level 1 trainer. His coaching method focuses on prioritizing proper movement patterns through positive reinforcement and constructive feedback. He wants every athlete in the gym to feel confident in their movement, and comfortable asking for cues. He specializes in olympic lifting and mobility, and is an advocate for priming the body before movement. Outside of the gym he enjoys trying new coffee shops with his wife, and playing beach volleyball.