COACHES

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Sophie LaChance

Owner / Coach

Certifications

CrossFit Level 3
CrossFit Level 2
CrossFit Level 1
CrossFit Endurance Certification
CrossFit Olympic Lifting Certification
Precision Nutrition
CPR / First-Aid

When did you start CrossFit?

January 2012.

When did you start coaching CrossFit?

November 2012.

What’s your background of experience with sports and exercise?

My mom threw me into gymnastics class when I was very young so I would stop flipping on her furniture and climbing the walls. I immediately fell in love with the sport and I attribute my love for CrossFit to gymnastics as well. Being able to go upside down, swing on the rings, and climb rope to stay fit is a dream!

Why do you love coaching?

My job is to get our members healthy, fit, strong, confident, and provide them with the best hour of their day. There is no better job. I get to help people change their lives.

Why do you love coaching at The Port?

This community is made up of the hardest working, most supportive, and friendliest people in the world. I’m the luckiest person to be able to be their coach. Watching them succeed and achieve their goals means the world to me.

Fun Fact about you!

I was born in Switzerland.

Favorite CrossFit movement

Handstand Walking

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Ashley Trendell

Head Coach / Programmer / Nutrition Coach

Certifications
CrossFit Level 2
CrossFit Level 1
CrossFit Endurance 
CrossFit Gymnastics 
Precision Nutrition Level 1 
CPR and First Aid Certified

When did you start CrossFit?

I started CrossFit May of 2013, just out of college and looking for a way to stay in shape that also had a team-oriented feel.

When did you start coaching CrossFit?

I joined The Port in August of 2016 and started coaching here in March of 2017! 

What’s your background of experience with sports and exercise?

When I was much younger I did gymnastics and then through High School and recreationally in College, I played Softball and Volleyball. I’ve always been competitive but also more of a team sport kind of person as well. I’ve just always loved movement, and I love to find new challenges, or new things I could be capable of doing. One of the best things about CrossFit for me, is what is allows me to do outside of the gym. 

Why do you love coaching?

I love coaching for so many reasons but the biggest being that I love to share something I love so much with others, and I love the opportunity to be a part of someone’s journey towards improving their health, fitness, sport, or whatever their goals might be. We have all sorts of members from all sorts of backgrounds who walk through our doors, and being able to meet someone where they are at and help them move forward, is a true gift. 

Why do you love coaching at The Port?

Specifically at The Port, I am continuously blown away by our members drive to improve. Most aren’t just here to check the workout box but want to learn skills, move better, get stronger, and simply just want to learn. Coming from a teaching background, I often feel like I am still wearing that hat, and they push me to be a continuous learner as well. 

Fun Fact about you!

I am a triplet!

Favorite CrossFit movement

Toes to Bar

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Ben Panunzio

Coach

What Certifications do you have? CrossFit or Not.

Crossfit Level-1 Trainer

When did you start CrossFit?

April 2021

When did you start coaching CrossFit?

October 2022

What’s your background of experience with sports and exercise?

All growing up I was a multi-sport athlete and I play college baseball at UMass Amherst.

Why do you love coaching?

I love helping people get better. Seeing them improve a movement or skill just a little bit, or doing something that they haven’t done before is very fulfilling.

Why do you love coaching at The Port?

Even though I am early into my coaching career, I love the community feel of The Port. I started working out here this past Spring, and the members and coaches were so welcoming. I am looking forward to returning that as a Coach!

Fun Fact about you!

Growing up, I had a Native American Indian Dog, named Tahya!

Favorite CrossFit Movement?

Power Clean!

Kristi Lunny

Senior Coach / Port Sweat Instructor

Certifications
CrossFit Level 2
CrossFit Endurance
500 Hour Yoga Training
FRCms – Functional Anatomy Seminar
Kinstretch Instructor
Pilates Training
CPR and First Aid Certified

When did you start CrossFit?

I started CrossFit in the summer of 2010.

When did you start coaching CrossFit?

I started coaching CrossFit in 2011. 

What’s your background of experience with sports and exercise?

I had been a long distance runner and gym rat for many years prior to discovering CrossFit.

Why do you love coaching?

I love coaching and helping others achieve their goals, no matter how big or small.

Why do you love coaching at The Port?

The community at the Port is like no other…supportive, hard working, and eager to learn.

Fun Fact about you!

I grew up in Iowa and joined the USAF when I was 17 years old. My parents had to give the ok, since I wasn’t 18 yet!

Favorite CrossFit Movement

Pistols

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Michelle Jensen

Coach

When did you start CrossFit?

Fall 2015

When did you start coaching CrossFit?

Fall 2022

What’s your background of experience with sports and exercise?

Growing up, I wasn’t athletic at all. I tried so many things… team sports, dance classes, kickboxing, yoga, etc., but never found anything I enjoyed. I would force myself to go to a commercial gym. I would spend a painful 45 mins on the elliptical watching tv and then just stare at the weights and machines totally clueless on what to do. My life changed once I walked into my first CF gym. The workouts were fun and challenging, and best of all I finally felt like I was working out with a purpose. CF was very challenging for me at first, I couldn’t jump rope, do more than a few sit-ups, no pull-ups at all…not even close. I couldn’t run a 200m without taking a break. The first few months were so hard and I wanted to quit at times for sure, but that feeling pushed me to keep going because I started to see improvements almost instantly, and not only in my workouts. My sleep was better, the back pain I had experienced from sitting at a desk all day started to go away and I was getting stronger which made daily tasks so much easier. CF changed my life in so many positive ways.

Why do you love coaching? 

I love coaching because I hope that I can help others achieve the benefits I did when I started CF. I had a few great coaches when I started that really helped develop the love I have for the sport. I also think coaching is a huge responsibility and a good coach can be the difference between someone loving CF or deciding it’s not the sport for them. I hope I can guide others to love the sport as much as I do in a safe and fun way! Also, I love being able to share everything I have learned through my own trial and error with the sport through the years with others and hope that some of my experiences can help them achieve their goals.

Why do you love coaching at The Port?

I have been to many CF gyms in the past few years and I have never found one like the Port. The community at the Port is one of a kind. From the moment I joined, I immediately felt like I had been going for years. Everyone was so welcoming! Also, the coaching at the Port is the best I’ve ever experienced. Since being at the Port, I have made so much progress, including getting my first RMU, PRs on all my lifts, linking a few DUs together (from the girl that couldn’t even jump rope), running 7 miles without a single walk break. When I joined I thought I wouldn’t improve much since I’d been doing CF for so awhile already, but I quickly realized that with the right coaching and supportive community so much more is possible. I wanted to join the amazing coaching staff so I could help others achieve what I did since I’ve been at the Port.

Fun Fact about you!

I speak Russian, have 78 indoor plants in my house, and I love my two rescues chihuahua mix pups more than anything.

Favorite CrossFit Movement?

Pull-ups, C2B and strict specifically and heavy front squats.

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Tom Loukola

Coach

Certifications
CrossFit Level 1
CrossFit Level 2
Precision Nutrition Certification
CPR and First Aid Certified

When did you start CrossFit?   

December 2014.

When did you start coaching CrossFit?

July 2016.

What’s your background of experience with sports and exercise?

I competed in gymnastics regionally up until Junior High.  I transitioned to Hockey up through my senior year of High School.  I served in the US Army where I had to exercise for my job.  It wasn’t something I did for fun.  I started working out for fun once I had 3 kids under 6 years old and needed an outlet.  I started with home workouts for a year before I needed more.  I was so lucky to find The Port.  It has been my second family for so many years now.

Why do you love coaching?

 I love to take a workout and figure out how to make it appropriate for all members in the class. 

Why do you love coaching at The Port?

I love the community.  The members at The Port are generous and supportive people.  I can’t wait to talk with all the members and get an update on their lives.

Fun Fact about you!

I can play Stairway to heaven on the guitar.

Favorite CF Movement

Snatch

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Abby Grover

Coach

Certifications
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer Certification
Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management
Master’s Degree in Organizational Development & Leadership
Master’s Degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology

When did you start CrossFit?

I started CrossFit in June of 2014

When did you start coaching CrossFit?

I received my L1 in September 2019 and have been coaching since September 2020.

What’s your background of experience with sports and exercise?

I played a lot of sports recreationally and love softball/baseball and volleyball. I like watching most sports and have recently been enamored by golf!

Why do you love coaching?

I love coaching because being a part of someone’s fitness journey and helping them learn, grow and change is a truly incredible experience. CrossFit changed my life in so many ways, and I love sharing that passion with others.

Why do you love coaching at The Port?

I love coaching at The Port because I get to coach a wonderful group of people, from a variety of backgrounds, and along side a first class coaching staff. I am encouraged to learn and grow as a coach and athlete, and be the best I can be for our members. The Port is a very special place and the first place I felt I belonged. 

Fun Fact about you!

I have two dogs named Jacoby and Bella!

Favorite CF Movement

My favorite CrossFit movement is a tie between a heavy barbell movement or double unders! 

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Stan Babenko

Coach

Certifications

CrossFit Level 1
CPR and First Aid Certified

When did you start CrossFit?

November 2018

When did you start coaching CrossFit?

May 2022

What’s your background of experience with sports and exercise?

Brief story:
From 6 to 12 yrs old, I was playing on a soccer team.
From 13-15 yrs old, I was boxing.
From  16-20 yrs old, I was doing a couple of things at the same time, mainly rugby and MMA.

Rugby was one of the most successful sports for me, I had a chance to participate in the international competition, played national cup and win a few medals there in the under 18 age group, and also played in the Ukrainian rugby league until I moved when I was 18.

Why do you love coaching?

The number one thing I always wanted to do is to help others, CrossFit coaching is a great opportunity to make people healthier and happier.

Why do you love coaching at The Port?

That was my first CrossFit gym but I got so lucky to find this gem on the first try. Also, love the community we have, I think it’s special.

Fun Fact about you!

Really like to play pickleball!

Favorite CF Movement

Pull-Ups

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