Meet Our Trainers

Our trainers are experienced elite athletes who have competed with the best. They understand the importance of a well rounded endurance training program that includes diet, nutrition, and a positive mental attitude. They are great motivators and are here to help you achieve your goals.

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Chris Tamer Chris is the owner and head trainer at CrossFit Brighton. A husband and father of three, Chris is a graduate of the University of Michigan where he played varsity hockey. After graduating from at U of M, he played professional hockey for the Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers and Atlanta Thrashers over a period of twelve years. He credits off-ice strength training as a key factor for maintaining the high level of fitness required of him to play professionally for so many years.

"I’ve always loved using the off-season for strength and conditioning training. My goal was to train harder than the hardest game or practice I would encounter during the season. I still and always will enjoy working out. CrossFit's training methodology has opened my mind to a challenging and effective training program. Two great aspects of my work are working with the great people in our community and helping members increase their fitness levels. Every person in the gym is dedicated, hard working. It is a great pleasure to see such positive results in OUR gym."

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John Tamer John has been training with CrossFit Brighton for 3 years now. After a year of training and seeing measurable gains, he decided to develop as a CrossFit trainer. John, a father of three, has always participated in sports as a youth and adult. His hockey career included 4 years of semi-professional hockey while playing in Ontario. In the gym, he has continually recorded gains in the major lifts through hard work and improvement in skills. This experience has helped him become a better coach. Many members have also improved their form and efforts through John's coaching.

"My day job involves much time sitting and driving. CrossFit has helped me get back into shape. I was never looking to bodybuild or just slim down. I was always looking to be more generally fit. CrossFit has not only given me the ability to do this but the high intensity aspect has me hooked.

I very much enjoy the challenge of the training but more so coaching others and helping them achieve their goals."

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Jodi Helminen Jodi found crossfit soon after she graduated from Minnesota State University with a degree in Interior Design and a 4 year D–1 women’s college hockey experience. She now lives and works in Brighton and has gotten involved in coaching girls travel hockey in the area.

Jodi has been an athlete her entire life and shortly after joining Crossfit Brighton she was able to fill the ’missing void’ of being a competitive athlete. Jodi started competing as a Crossfit athlete. She competed in numerous local competitions and went on to qualify for regionals as an individual for the 2011 Crossfit Games. After placing 13th in the Regional competition she went on to compete at the 2011 Crossfit games as part of Ann-Arbor Hyperfit’s affiliate team.

"It seems backwards to me that I am in the best shape of my life now rather than when I was a competitive hockey player and college athlete. I step on the ice now and I’ve never felt as strong or as fast. The versatility of the training program at Crossfit Brighton is amazing. The family atmosphere and commitment level of each and every member to come to the gym and push themselves beyond limits is very inspiring. It does not matter who you are or what kind of shape you’re in, this program can accommodate. I truly believe in it."

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Keely Tamer Everyone agrees, Keely is the nicest trainer at CrossFit Brighton :). Keely comes to CFB with a background in coaching college, high school and developmental aged athletes. A former Division 1 scholar athlete in the sport of field hockey and former ranked downhill ski racer, Keely brings her understanding of multiple sports and disciplines to our gym. The mother of three young athletes, she helps focus on development of skills to help our athletes achieve their goals inside and outside of our box.

"I came to crossfit as an athlete first. Shortly after having Abby I realized that I needed to find a fitness regimen that fit my lifestyle as a busy mom. With three children 4 years old and younger at home, I no longer had the luxury of spending a significant portion of the day at the gym or on the tennis court. I needed to maximize my time at the gym, find a program that didn’t become mundane or routine and get results - FAST, crossFit was the answer.

As my life evolved, I took my interest in fitness, my background in coaching, my degrees in education and sports administration and became a certified crossFit trainer. Since then, I have returned to coaching both field hockey and softball. In these roles, I see the practical application of the training that we do at CFB everyday. It is a pleasure to work with great people, who are interested in doing their best while they are at our gym."

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Jill Donovan Jill has been a CFB member since November of 2009. Since then CrossFit has become more than just her workout, but rather a lifestyle adaptation. "CrossFit gives you a formula to achieve your highest level of physical fitness. It prescribes form, loads, reps, stretching, nutrition and lends a chance for growth in integrity and character."

Jill graduated from U of M, teaching English and history and coaching Cross Country to jr. high students. "I believe one of my strong points as a teacher and coach is that I relate to the struggles and journey of a student. I was never gifted, but rather a high achiever who had to work my tail off for an “A” or a spot on the team." As a high school athlete, she ran cross-country and track, and played softball. Now married and a mother of two sons, Jill values the importance of functional, full range of motion movement and the drive and endurance to keep up with her family. "I enjoy holding my own in a game of backyard football or pond hockey, trying to hang with Jed in the wods, and being able to move into a house without asking for help from “big” guys!" When you improve as an athlete at CrossFit, you will find that it instantly carries over into your life outside the gym.

"The best part of being a trainer at CFB, is seeing our members succeed. I love to see the hard work and effort and the gains made by our athletes. It’s a great community here within our gym and every day I look forward to walking through the door. I am thankful for the abilities and experiences CrossFit has given me and look forward to sharing my passion with our members."

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Jed Donovan Jed likes to consider himself "the peoples’ trainer". With a family history riddled with middle-aged heart disease and cancer, Jed came to CrossFit not to achieve great athletic prowess, but to get in shape and improve his overall health without getting BORED! After many failed attempts with traditional gym memberships, exercise videos and "basement" workouts, Jed needed something that would keep his interest. Now, with almost three years under his belt working the CrossFit program, it is obvious that the fitness programming at CrossFit Brighton is not only keeping, but piquing his interest.

Jed is a business owner, husband to his wonderful wife, Jill and father of two active young boys (all of whom are seen at CrossFit Brighton). Unlike the other trainers at CrossFit Brighton, Jed did not have a vast athletic background. Having experience in high school and recreational athletics only, Jed never really considered himself much of an athlete, that is until he became sold on the CrossFit ideals and found his "inner athlete."

"I needed something to change the path that my health was following. In my late twenties I starting to get the typical warning signs and symptoms that my father and older brothers had experienced. Not wanting to give into the "family curse" and become another embarrassing statistic for the typical American male, I wanted to do something. The problem was that I found exercise rather boring. The training at CrossFit Brighton has changed that. CrossFit workouts are never boring, in fact, I sometimes still get butterflies in my stomach when I read the "Workout of the Day." The inspiration that comes from the group atmosphere at CrossFit Brighton can motivate anybody to keep going. Whether you thrive on encouraging words of support or friendly competition, you can find both here.

Over a year ago I was asked if I would be interested in becoming a certified CrossFit trainer. I jumped at the chance. What better way to share my experience with something that I truly believe in and that has actually changed my life. CrossFit training is not just for elite athletes. Everybody and anybody can benefit from the training. At CrossFit I have worked out along side professional athletes, grandparents, young athletes, the overweight, the underweight and everybody in between and I have seen the positive effects and excitement on all of them."

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Annie Annie is our "Gym Dog". It doesn't matter if it is 5:00 am or 5:00 pm, Annie is always excited to jump in the truck and go to the gym. Once there, she is in charge of greeting the members as they come in and joining in for an occasional group photo.

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© 2012 CrossFit Brighton
603 West Grand River Suite D, Brighton, Michigan 48116
Phone: 810.220.2900     info@crossfitbrighton.com