Born in Montreal, Canada and grew up in Miami, Florida, I’ve always been active in sports and exercises. It was through my involvement with the Boy Scouts that I became interested in First Aid and water safety which lead to a high school job as a pool lifeguard and a post high school job as a beach lifeguard while I still lived in Florida.
I started competitive swimming, tennis, and martial arts in my early teens and continued through high school, where I also added wrestling. After high school I went on to get involved in endurance sports such as triathlons, mountain biking and adventure racing, but at the heart of all my activities was always surfing.
I moved to the Big Island in pursuit of my childhood dream of becoming a firefighter in Hawaii. Two years ago I was assigned to the Kailua-Kona station #7 where also took a job as a trainer for the Club in Kona. The Club in Kona was a great place to work, but they didn’t agree with my training methods. This is where I first got the motivation to start my own training facility and to follow the CrossFit philosophy of training.
Our goals for the business are simple; create community, reach out to those who really need this, and find ways to hopefully give back.
PHOTO: JENNA ROUSSY
Heather Lee CrossFit Level 1 Certified, CrossFit Gymnastics,
CrossFit Kids
Born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, I grew up very active in high school sports. This naturally cultivated a love for physical activity, competition, and team camaraderie. Over the years, I searched for other types of fitness programs that matched that same dynamic from high school but was unsuccessful.
After having three children with my wonderful husband, I yearned to get back in top physical shape and regain a sense of self. Following years of globo gyms and repetitive mundane fitness programs, I found CrossFit Big Island through a friend and was hooked after the first workout.
CrossFit has truly changed every aspect of my life! I haven’t looked back since. I completed my Level One Certification in 2010 and CrossFit has become a passion. I truly enjoy coaching and sharing the gift of physical health with others. Each day I learn something new and am inspired by one of our many amazing athletes. I look forward to continuing this pursuit of health and happiness with you.
PHOTO: JENNA ROUSSY
Mona Durkan Crossfit Level 1 Certified
I was born and raised on the big island. I graduated from Waiakea High School in 2002. In 2007, out of shape and needing a positive environment to help motivate me, I started paddling canoe. Two years later I found myself in, at that time, the best shape of my life. Better yet I weighed under the requirement to join the military, a goal I had since I graduated. So I did it, I joined the Hawaii Air National Guard. Then it was time to prepare for boot camp and that’s when I realized I was weak! I couldn’t do a pushup, let alone 50 in 1 minute. My boss had heard about this new awesome way to work out and that Hilo had just opened a gym, CrossFit. So we both went down and Joel did an intro for us and then we did the baseline. We were both wrecked the next couple of days, very funny to watch us both hobble around the office. I knew I needed this if I wanted to go to basic training and be a warrior. My hard work paid off, I came home with a physical fitness award, meaning I preformed above the standards in my final PT test. Thank You CrossFit! I’ve been hooked ever since. Wanting to learn more and be a better athlete by optimizing my training and trying to focus on my nutrition has lead me to completing the level one certification and has me eager to attend more courses. It’s challenging in every way, it’s never easy and I struggle with my weaknesses just like all of you out their but together we’ll work together to move forward, STRONGER AND FASTER.
PHOTO: JENNA ROUSSY
Jay Cacho Jr. Crossfit Level 1 Certified
I was born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii. While growing up, I wasn’t into sports or any physical activities. I disliked going to the gym or doing any type of exercises. That all changed when I entered the Air Force in 2004. The Air Force unit that I was attached to had mandatory physical training that required us to work out 3 to 5 days a week. That’s when I got my first taste of CrossFit. I had a lieutenant who was big into CrossFit and made us do boot camp WOD’s with sand bags and ammo cans. After separating from the Air Force, I joined the Hawaii Air National Guard and moved back to Hilo. I joined a local gym for about a year and a half and performed routine gym workouts. I started to miss those challenging, lung burning, about-to-pass-out exercises that CrossFit gave me. So, I joined CrossFit Big Island and it has changed the way I train ever since. I am constantly challenging myself, whether with a WOD or healthy diet. I must say, there is always room for improvement. What really motivates me even more is seeing fellow Big Island CrossFitters push themselves to the limit in getting stronger and healthier each day.
PHOTO: JENNA ROUSSY
Clay Reed
USA Weightlifting Club Coach & CSCS
Clay Reed is a marine scientist with a stubborn olympic weightlifting habit. His coaching focuses on strong fundamentals he learned from Steve Gough, Mike Karchut, and Mike Burgener. Clay’s goal is to teach a solid foundation in olympic-style weightlifting to help athletes of all ages and levels develop explosive power. He has competed nationally and internationally as a master-level lifter and coached students at the University of Montana, including one to the national collegiate championships. Clay is certified as a USA Weightlifting (our official national Olympic weightlifting organization) Club Coach and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) from the National Strength and Conditioning Association. References from current and former clients are available upon request. Contact Clay for information about individual and group coaching at heavyh2o@gmail.com.
I was first girl to be on my high school football team and trained under Stanford Hall of Famer Coach Terry Albritton, who broke the world record in shot putt at the age of 21 in Honolulu. I have never been the “typical” girl in the gym. I learned to Clean and Jerk when I was 16 years old, and loved the feeling of working hard in the gym. CrossFit is the perfect fit for my personality by allowing me to be what I always knew I was, which is a strong and determined female. I have an intense personality, I enjoy hard work and pour all my energies into that which is life affirming and leads me to my greatest Self. I started my yoga journey in April 2010. I was working as a CrossFit coach and surprised by the lack of mobility and stretching that was offered in the workouts I was delivering. I began adding small amounts of yoga and mobility at the ends of my classes. Feeling this was important for the body and mind of a CrossFitter, I eventually did 100 hours of yoga teacher training in Hatha Yoga and a 100 hour Anusara Yoga Immersion. I am thrilled to share the gift of yoga with others, especially CrossFitters who will experience the profound benefits of yoga. I believe that a CrossFit athlete grows stronger physically and mentally, ultimately leading to better performance results, speedier recovery, and safer movements.
COACHES
Joel Tessier - Founder
CrossFit Level 1 Certified, CrossFit Gymnastics,
CrossFit Edurance, IAFF ACE Peer Fitness Trainer
Born in Montreal, Canada and grew up in Miami, Florida, I’ve always been active in sports and exercises. It was through my involvement with the Boy Scouts that I became interested in First Aid and water safety which lead to a high school job as a pool lifeguard and a post high school job as a beach lifeguard while I still lived in Florida.
I started competitive swimming, tennis, and martial arts in my early teens and continued through high school, where I also added wrestling. After high school I went on to get involved in endurance sports such as triathlons, mountain biking and adventure racing, but at the heart of all my activities was always surfing.
I moved to the Big Island in pursuit of my childhood dream of becoming a firefighter in Hawaii. Two years ago I was assigned to the Kailua-Kona station #7 where also took a job as a trainer for the Club in Kona. The Club in Kona was a great place to work, but they didn’t agree with my training methods. This is where I first got the motivation to start my own training facility and to follow the CrossFit philosophy of training.
Our goals for the business are simple; create community, reach out to those who really need this, and find ways to hopefully give back.
PHOTO: JENNA ROUSSY
Heather Lee
CrossFit Level 1 Certified, CrossFit Gymnastics,
CrossFit Kids
After having three children with my wonderful husband, I yearned to get back in top physical shape and regain a sense of self. Following years of globo gyms and repetitive mundane fitness programs, I found CrossFit Big Island through a friend and was hooked after the first workout.
CrossFit has truly changed every aspect of my life! I haven’t looked back since. I completed my Level One Certification in 2010 and CrossFit has become a passion. I truly enjoy coaching and sharing the gift of physical health with others. Each day I learn something new and am inspired by one of our many amazing athletes. I look forward to continuing this pursuit of health and happiness with you.
PHOTO: JENNA ROUSSY
Mona Durkan
Crossfit Level 1 Certified
I was born and raised on the big island. I graduated from Waiakea High School in 2002. In 2007, out of shape and needing a positive environment to help motivate me, I started paddling canoe. Two years later I found myself in, at that time, the best shape of my life. Better yet I weighed under the requirement to join the military, a goal I had since I graduated. So I did it, I joined the Hawaii Air National Guard. Then it was time to prepare for boot camp and that’s when I realized I was weak! I couldn’t do a pushup, let alone 50 in 1 minute. My boss had heard about this new awesome way to work out and that Hilo had just opened a gym, CrossFit. So we both went down and Joel did an intro for us and then we did the baseline. We were both wrecked the next couple of days, very funny to watch us both hobble around the office. I knew I needed this if I wanted to go to basic training and be a warrior. My hard work paid off, I came home with a physical fitness award, meaning I preformed above the standards in my final PT test. Thank You CrossFit! I’ve been hooked ever since. Wanting to learn more and be a better athlete by optimizing my training and trying to focus on my nutrition has lead me to completing the level one certification and has me eager to attend more courses. It’s challenging in every way, it’s never easy and I struggle with my weaknesses just like all of you out their but together we’ll work together to move forward, STRONGER AND FASTER.
PHOTO: JENNA ROUSSY
Jay Cacho Jr.
Crossfit Level 1 Certified
PHOTO: JENNA ROUSSY
Clay Reed
USA Weightlifting Club Coach & CSCS
KC Stallsmith
CrossFit Level 1 Certified, CrossFit Gymnastics,CrossFit Kids, 200 Hour Certified Yoga Instructor, CrossFit AllStar Owner
I was first girl to be on my high school football team and trained under Stanford Hall of Famer Coach Terry Albritton, who broke the world record in shot putt at the age of 21 in Honolulu. I have never been the “typical” girl in the gym. I learned to Clean and Jerk when I was 16 years old, and loved the feeling of working hard in the gym. CrossFit is the perfect fit for my personality by allowing me to be what I always knew I was, which is a strong and determined female. I have an intense personality, I enjoy hard work and pour all my energies into that which is life affirming and leads me to my greatest Self. I started my yoga journey in April 2010. I was working as a CrossFit coach and surprised by the lack of mobility and stretching that was offered in the workouts I was delivering. I began adding small amounts of yoga and mobility at the ends of my classes. Feeling this was important for the body and mind of a CrossFitter, I eventually did 100 hours of yoga teacher training in Hatha Yoga and a 100 hour Anusara Yoga Immersion. I am thrilled to share the gift of yoga with others, especially CrossFitters who will experience the profound benefits of yoga. I believe that a CrossFit athlete grows stronger physically and mentally, ultimately leading to better performance results, speedier recovery, and safer movements.