About Us
MEET OUR
Fully Qualified Instructors
Workhorse Athletics is a fitness organization that specializes in the CrossFit training methodology. Through this training methodology and our community, we bring people from all walks of life together with a unified goal — to Live Better. Whether in or out of the gym, we hold one another accountable to a higher standard of fitness and health. We can accomplish our goal to Live Better by giving our personal best in all things, acting ethically and in ways that benefit humanity, and remaining true to our shared mission.
Ryan Troupe
Owner | Coach
ABOUT RYAN
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, CF-L1
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, CF-L2
CrossFit Football Certified Trainer
After graduating from Lynchburg College and graduating with a degree in Exercise Physiology, I followed my passion and became a Certified CrossFit Specialist (CSCS), through the National CrossFit Association. I worked at Velocity Sports Performance for 2 years developing athletes and their performance on the sports field. The athletes I worked with ranged from late elementary school children to professional NFL, MLL, MLS, and MLB athletes.
I was introduced to CrossFit in 2011, and after four months of CrossFit experience, I decided to pursue my CrossFit Level 1 Certificate. I began coaching in early 2012 and I haven’t looked back since. Throughout my four years of CrossFit experience, I have competed in both local and regional competitions and I have been blessed with the opportunity to have competed at the CrossFit Games Mid-Atlantic Regional competition for the last four years, competing individually for two years and on a team for two years.
I coach CrossFit because the lessons I’ve learned from physical training have helped me in every aspect of life’s journey – perseverance, desire, sacrifice, commitment, and most of all, passion. I want to help others find their own path and overcome self-doubt and their perceived limitations. Through health and fitness, all things are possible.
Christina Troupe
Owner | Coach
ABOUT CHRISTINA
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, CF-L1
CrossFit Kids Trainer
I’ve always been into sports and all types of activities like karate, softball, basketball and volleyball. I loved being social and being active. I mostly played volleyball in middle school and high school and eventually found myself as a Libero and Captain playing Division I Volleyball at Towson University from 2001-2005. Upon graduating, I became an active member in the volleyball community playing in leagues and tournaments throughout the Mid-Atlantic. After a while, I found myself bored and not pushing myself as I once had in college – I needed something more.
In 2011, I was introduced to Crossfit and since then my involvement has transitioned over time. I started out as a beginner, moved to being a Regional Team athlete, transitioned into coaching, and then married into gym ownership with my husband Ryan. What started as a way to just “workout ” has turned into a lifestyle.
I love the way Crossfit has built a worldwide community, a community that shares information on having a healthier (physical, emotional and mental) lifestyle and support for one another. I love being a part of that BIG community, but also too, I love being able to share that information and experience with all of those who step into Workhorse Athletics.
Will Oliver
Coach
ABOUT WILL
Certifications:
CrossFit Level 2
Hey, I’m Will! I found Crossfit in 2012, upon my entrance to George Mason University. After I stopped participating in team sports, I wanted to again have the opportunity to workout consistently. I realized that after playing soccer for nine years that the part I loved the most from that experience was the training. Naturally, Crossfit was very appealing to me. Since then, I have immensely loved the challenge of the constantly varied conditioning and skill work that comes with the program.
As I got more into Crossfit at school, I fell more and more in love with the methodology. I unfortunately left school that year, but during that time I took it upon myself to find a local box that offered an internship program to continue pursuing my new found obsession. I came across many gyms, but few were as inviting as Crossfit West Springfield. At that time, there wasn’t an established internship program set up for new coaches. But, nevertheless I was welcomed in!
Coaching, and now managing, has given me the opportunity to not only learn more about the training that I love, but it has allowed me to connect in a big way with the local community. Nothing’s better to me than helping others experience the life-changing benefits that consistent fitness and healthy lifestyle habits bring. I couldn’t imagine a better place than Crossfit West Springfield to chase this mission, with the amazing staff and even more stellar members.
Jess Shaker
Coach
ABOUT JESS
Certifications:
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, CF-L1
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, CF-L2
CrossFit Kettlebell Trainer Certified
I have always been an athletic person from playing softball in elementary school all the way throughout my college years and still continue to play on an adult fast pitch league. I’ve achieved my second degree black belt in Tae Known Do, and although I love both very much, they don’t come close to how CrossFit has impacted my life. I started my journey with CrossFit in 2012 and believe by far it was the best decision I have made. CrossFit not only has shown me a healthier life style, but it has made me a better person on a whole while introducing me to some amazing athletes and closest friends. I knew I wanted to expand my knowledge of this fascinating sport which led me to achieve my certifications below. There is nothing more rewarding than coaching and seeing others achieve goals they thought were impossible. I started my journey with CrossFit as a member at Workhorse Athletics and I am honored to continue my journey as a CrossFit Trainer, member and friend to all whom visit/join Workhorse Athletics!
Jay Kanevsky
Coach
ABOUT JAY
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, CF-L1
Crossfit Gymnastics Level 1 Trainer
Crossfit Kids Trainer
My name is Jason Kanevsky, usually go by Jay, and I thought it might be time to share with ya’ll a little info about myself… why you’re seeing my name pop up in TRIIB, as well as inside the classes.
I’m an elementary school teacher by day, CrossFit coach/athlete by morning/night, and hopeful future fiance to a beautiful girlfriend (please let this sentence age well….). I teach elementary school in PWCS as of typing this blurb up, but preparing to teach in FCPS in the fall. I Joined CFWS a little before COVID-19, and was primarily active in the afternoons. I fell in love with your community from Day 1, and the coaching is pretty phenomenal as well. I am planning on being one of the CrossFit Kids coaches as well as coaching adult classes in the near future.
I’ve been a CrossFitter since the Summer of 2014. I graduated college overweight (306lbs) and moved in with a fraternity brother. As I began leading kids summer camp program, my fraternity brother forced me into a CrossFit box. First workout: Fran. It was terrible, and I loved every moment thrustering with a pvc pipe to a wall ball and jumping to a pull up bar (my chin never got close to the bar, 306lb men who are unfit don’t jump that high.) Fell in love since.
I became a coach to start a CrossFit Kids program at a box down here in Virginia about a year after I moved from PA. After that program failed to gain traction I was asked to learn and help coach adults classes and have never looked back. I’ve coached adult classes in three different boxes in NoVa and have constantly enjoyed helping all athletes get better and have the best hour of their life working out. I look forward to help you out too at some point!
Below find some quick facts about myself
Largest Life Success: Losing, at my best, 126lbs.
Favorite CrossFit movement: Clean and Jerk or Kettlebell Swing
Least Favorite CF movement: running or pullups
Favorite Music: EDM or Hard Rock
CF Goal of 2020 (2021, thanks COVID19): Handstand Walk 50m unbroken
Favorite TV show: Rocko’s Modern Life
Favorite Food: all. the. food. minus. mushrooms.
Cece Shalevska
Coach
ABOUT CECE
Certifications:
PN – L-1 coach
Crossfit Level 1 Trainer
Aqua Aerobics and Swimming Instructor
I discovered CrossFit in 2016 and fell in love with the sport and the style of training. I love weightlifting and complex barbell workouts! By coaching, I believe that everyone has an athlete in them that needs to be unlocked. Adding strength, agility, and power in our daily life, not only will get us in shape but will also change every aspect of our lives!
My favorite part about CrossFit is the community, and there’s always a group of people ready to cheer you on and help you thrive. Through years of training, research, and learning about functional fitness and nutrition, I found my passion for empowering others. As a nutrition coach, I would like to help others find their pathway to reconnect with the food and build a more substantial body and mind.
Favorite CF workout: Isabelle and anything with a barbell cycle.
Elizabeth Oakley
Coach
ABOUT ELIZABETH
Certifications:
CrossFit Level 2
Precision Nutrition Level 1
Coach Elizabeth Oakley is originally from Augusta Georgia. She has been active in the CrossFit community since January 2018 and has been coaching since December 2019. Coach Liz holds her CrossFit level two trainer certificate as well as precision nutrition level one certificate. Coach Liz is also a vegan and our go to for plant-based meal ideas. Outside of the gym, Coach Liz enjoys hanging out with her two dogs and cat, hiking, running, yoga, cooking, and reading. Coach Liz’s favorite workout is Murph and her favorite movement is dumbbell power snatches.
Ethan Wright
Coach
ABOUT ETHAN
CrossFit Level 1
Hey, my name is Ethan Wright, and I was introduced to CrossFit early on in my life at eleven years old. I was consistent with it for a year, but I moved thus my CrossFit became very on and off. I became very invested in wrestling when I was a freshman in high school, and I became fixated on becoming the best I could be both physically and mentally. I decided to start working out to supplement my wrestling practice which is why I started going to Workhorse Athletics and there I discovered my love for CrossFit and fitness. I absolutely loved the atmosphere and the people here, so I decided to further my knowledge and become certified as a CrossFit coach. After getting my CrossFit L1 Ryan gave me the opportunity to coach and begin my journey in fitness which I am forever grateful for. The fact that I am still in high school and being a coach may be a bit of a surprise to some, but I can’t say that I have been as passionate about something as I am about CrossFit and helping people along in their fitness journey. I have put in so many hours to expand my knowledge and perfect my abilities as a coach. And being so young my journey has only begun so unfortunately; I do not have much to tell but I hope to continue my story with the gym and everyone there as I grow as a person and a coach. I can’t wait to workout with you and see how we all grow together.
Quick Facts About Me:
Favorite food: Sushi, I love sushi
Favorite sport: Wrestling
Favorite lift: The back squat
Least favorite machine: The Assault bike >:(
One movement I suck at: Ring muscle ups
Morgan Draughon
Director of Operations
ABOUT MORGAN
I am so excited to join the Workhorse team this year! I am still relatively new to CrossFit, after unintentionally finding myself in a CrossFit class in late 2019. I have grown over the years, finding new ways to challenge myself and build confidence in new movements. The Workhorse community is by far the most exciting part of being in the gym! My professional background is in business operations and digital design – both of which I have loved bringing to Workhorse to help grow the community and the experiences of the members. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Workhorse Athletics and our amazing members!
Anna Adams
Director of Community Partnerships
ABOUT ANNA
Like you, I was looking for a community of like-minded health and fitness people who were genuinely nice. Needle in a haystack – right?
Well, guess what? I found it! No stranger to health and fitness – I knew walking into Workhorse Athletics this place was special.
As a high school and college intramural athlete – now turned CrossFit enthusiast – joining the Workhorse Athletics team has been a once in a lifetime opportunity! Introduced to CrossFit by one of my best friends who challenged me to join her in the Masters Division of a Regional CrossFit competition. I was hooked.
With 15 years of marketing and fundraising expertise, Anna is excited to elevate the Workhorse Athletics experience for both our current community and any newcomers who haven’t joined – yet!