BEN ABRUZZO- Coach
Hi everyone. I am an Albuquerque native who has traveled around a bit. I grew up skiing, snowboarding and competed in the pole vault in high school. I attended college at Texas A&M and was a member of the Corps of Cadets. After graduating, I married my high school sweetheart and was commissioned in the Army as an Infantry Officer. I deployed to Iraq in 03-04 and left the Army in 2005. I also spent a few years in Federal law enforcement and that is where I found CrossFit.
Since CrossFit became a part of my life it has dominated much of what I do and who I am. I am Level 1 Certified, CrossFit Olympic Lifting Certified, CrossFit Gymnastics Certified, have attended the Gym Jones Fundamentals seminar. I always considered myself fit, (and was a bit of an endurance athlete) but it wasn't until CrossFit that I realized how much I lacked and how much further I had to go to be truly well rounded. CrossFit is a never ending quest for perfection and I am excited to travel down that road with you. As a coach, my door is always open and I look forward to the good times (and pain) that we will share together. Ben's Facebook. Ben's email: ben@crossfitalbuquerque.com
WHITNEY CAPPELLUCCI- Coach
I was born and raised in New Mexico. I grew up in a small town right by the Colorado border and moved to Albuquerque to attend college. At the University of New Mexico, I obtained a Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science, became ACE personal trainer and Crossfit Level 1 certified and CrossFit Gymnastics Certified, and was introduced to the wonderful sport of rugby. I actually heard about Crossfit through a teammate of mine. I remember one day, she suggested that we "try out this gym." We arrived at Crossfit, got thrown into a brutal thruster/running wod, and I've been addicted ever since.
Since I started working out and training at Crossfit Albuquerque, I have witnessed members exceed their expectations and work outside of their comfort zones on a daily basis almost. I love pushing athletes during the WOD and watching them improve and grow to love Crossfit. whitneys emai: Whitneyc@crossfitalbuquerque.com
JOE VIGIL- Coach
I was born and raised in Albuquerque, and have lived here my entire life. I attended Valley high School, now I am currently enrolled at UNM, on my way towards a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology. I come from a more average fitness background that included weight training as a teenager to “bulk up” and a job for my big brother doing door installation and construction. Which I believe, has prepared me for “functional fitness training” more so than weight training ever did. Still, when I began college I became very lazy and hadn’t consistently exercised for years, and through some internet browsing of workouts I came across Crossfit. The videos of workouts left me in awe, and it just looked so fun… I came to CFABQ and my first workout destroyed me in less than 6 min. I never felt anything like it, and I loved it. I’ve been doing Crossfit for well over a year now, and in May I received my Level 1 Certification and have recently received my CrossFit Gymnastics Certification. Crossfit has literally changed my life, from my major in school, to how I eat and really given me a new perspective on pushing past a comfort zone. So to see others nail that first clean, first pullup, and finish that workout that they never thought they could, makes my day. I love being here, and helping people move better and more efficient, because becoming a stronger, faster and more functional human being carries over to all aspects of our lives. Plus, just having other amazing athletes around you who can continually humble you, and, make you believe that they are somehow robots is really good motivation. You can contact me at joe@crossfitalbuquerque.com.
MATT BOOTH– Coach
I have spent most of my life in Albuquerque and love the climate, culture, and landscape New Mexico has to offer. Growing up I played several sports at the Albuquerque Academy and always enjoyed an active lifestyle. I earned a baccalaureate degree in Psychology from the University of New Mexico in 2005, and I currently hold certificates in CrossFit Level 1 and CrossFit Gymnastics.
I stumbled upon CrossFit while preparing for a military selection process and was immediately hooked. I became a member of CrossFit ABQ in May 2010 and have had the privilege of being coached and mentored by some truly amazing people. CrossFit has become my true passion and is the most rewarding endeavor I have ever pursued. The variety, intensity, effectiveness, and camaraderie of CrossFit are second to none. Since being introduced to CrossFit I can honestly say my quality of life has increased exponentially and I hope it will do the same for you. As a coach, I look forward to assisting you in any way possible during your journey with CrossFit. I love this community and feel blessed to have the opportunity to give back some of what it has given me. Train hard and finish strong! Matt's Facebook. Matt’s email: matt@crossfitalbuquerque.com
EMILY JARAMILLO- COACH
I grew up two hours from Albuquerque, in the small town Thoreau. I attended Luther College in Iowa where I got a degree in English and played basketball and ran track. After graduating, I taught English and coached track for several years, before joining Albuquerque Fire Department. I am currently a firefighter/paramedic at AFD. After college, I got into triathlons and completed several half Iron Man races, and decided I wanted to get in even better shape for a full Iron Man. That’s how I found CrossFit Albuquerque. A firefighter that I work with kept trying to convince me to try this CrossFit thing that he swore by. He ate this “weird” (at the time) diet that didn’t include the grains, rice, and pasta I was used to as an endurance athlete. He said the workouts were an hour a day and you see tremendous gains from them, which compared the 4-6 hours I would sometimes spend training a day sounded suspect. I was intrigued, so I checked out CFABQ.
I could not even complete 1 pull up my first day at CFABQ. I had tons of endurance, but no functional upper body strength, no mobility, and no power. It was humbling to be so bad at so many things, but I stuck to the CrossFit methods and haven’t looked back! Since joining CrossFit I have changed the way I eat, changed the way I train, and it has changed my life. I believe that EVERYONE who walks through our door can reach their goals if they work hard enough! As a coach, I am very excited to work with all of you and my door is always open! I currently hold a gymnastics cert and have attended an Olympic lifting course at Catalyst Athletics. You can contact me at emily@crossfitalbuquerque.com
SHANE GIBSON- Coach
Howdy! I am from Houston, Texas where I lived my whole life until moving to Albuquerque in 2010 staying until late 2011. I have since moved back to Houston to be closer to family. But I have maintained my ownership in CrossFit Abq and stay in close contact. In high school I participated in swimming and water polo where I competed at the state level in both sports. Upon heading to Texas A&M University to attain my degree I joined the Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets. This experience made me a better learner, trainer and gave me my first taste of fitness beyond the swimming pool.
In 2008, I was introduced to CrossFit by Ben Abruzzo and my life has not been the same since. I have experienced vast changes in my physical and mental capabilities, not to mention the boost in drive and self confidence. I am now a CrossFit Level 1, CrossFit Olympic Lifting, Catalyst Olympic Weightlifting Level 1 and CrossFit Gymnastics Certified Trainer and have been training in CrossFit since early 2008. I have competed at several CrossFit Events and have made many close friends and contacts within this amazing CrossFit community. My love for and involvement in this community fuels everything I do from improving myself and my family to helping to improve the lives of others. CrossFit and everything that it brings fills this passion in my life. I bring this desire and passion with me every day. Shane's Facebook. Shane's Email: Shane@crossfitalbuquerque.com
Tom Lainis- Coach
Born in Texas, but raised in New York. I was a soccer and lacrosse varsity player all through high school, and went on to play lacrosse in college. After graduation, I joined the military. With my lacrosse days behind me, I took to the rugby pitch. And then 5 years ago, I got hooked on endurance sports. Since then, I’ve competed in Sprint, Olympic, and Half-Ironman triathlons.
Ben and Shane have become the Crossfit thoroughbreds of the group. I, on the other hand, have blended the training programs and philosophies of Crossfit, Kettle bell, and endurance training. I've even taken nutrition and human physiology classes to add to my own experience. From all of this, I’ve learned the importance of building a training and nutrition program around your own personal goals. You’ll find that’s what makes CF ABQ unique. In addition to a daily WOD, you'll find a staff willing to give you the time and the tools needed to develop a plan to reach your own goals.
Tom's email: Tom@crossfitalbuquerque.com
