Chris Brown, Owner, Founder and Coach
EmerFit is owned and operated by head trainer Chris Brown. Chris has been CrossFitting and using kettlebells since 2005.
He began training his family and co-workers with kettlebells in 2005. Shortly after his first Russian Kettlebell Challenge (RKC) Trainer Certification, Chris found CrossFit and he was hooked. Since the fall of 2005, Chris has been learning as much as he can about coaching others in the moves and methods of CrossFit. He has also been training individuals and small groups in his home studio. In December 2007 Chris opened Fort Collins’ first CrossFit gym: Emergent Fitness (aka EmerFit).
Chris grew up in New Mexico and received his bachelors from New Mexico State University. While Chris likes to say that he went to college to learn how to learn and communicate, he also learned a trade while he was there: software engineering. However, after more than half a decade in a cube Chris found that his real passions are fitness, coaching, and helping others to succeed in their lives.
Chris holds the following certifications:
- Russian Kettlebell Challenge Instructor (June 2005, 2007, 2009)
- CrossFit Level II Trainer
- CrossFit Basic Barbell Certification (now the Powerlifting certification)
- CrossFit Olympic Lifting Certification
- CrossFit Kids Certification
- CrossFit Mobility Certification
- CrossFit Nutrition Certification
- CrossFit Gymnastics Certification
- CrossFit Endurance Certification
- CrossFit Football Certification
- First Aid, AED, and CPR Certified
- Military Athlete Certification
- USA Weightlifting Club Coach
Chris is building the best gym in Fort Collins. He hopes to attend a CrossFit Kids Certification in 2009 and maybe the rowing certification in 2010.
Jeff Guthrie, EmerFit Head Coach
Jeff grew up wrestling in Ohio and relocated to Colorado following his graduation from high school. After a semester course with the National Outdoor Leadership School, Jeff found his first passion, the outdoors. His hobbies include rock climbing, snowboarding, mountain biking, and backpacking.
While searching for a way to improve his climbing and fitness level, Jeff found Crossfit. The level of fitness and the often over looked mental toughness that Crossfit provides has taken his climbing to a new level. Jeff’s commitment to Crossfit and enthusiasm for coaching led him to Emergent Fitness and to complete his level one certification in May 2008 in San Diego.
Jeff holds the following certifications:
- CrossFit Level I Trainer
- CrossFit Kids Certification
- CrossFit Nutrition Certification
- CrossFit Mobility Certification
- First Aid, AED, and CPR Certified
- USAW Sports Performance Coach, Level 1
Luke Scalise, EmerFit Trainer
A high school and college Decathlete, Luke has been involved in many different forms of training from a very young age. Growing up in a small town in Massachusetts, he spent many hours trying to perfect the jump and hurdle events. In 7th grade he was told to pull trucks, flip tires, and sprint hills. It was also then, he was introduced to the barbell to provide stimulus and variance in training.
After leaving the Track and Field arena, Luke ventured west to Colorado. Growing tired of the same routines and exercises without purpose, he ended up walking through the doors at Emergent Fitness. Since then he has been attended certifications in CrossFit and is pursuing a career as a Strength and Conditioning Coach.
Luke plans to continue his education as a coach by pursuing the Russian Kettlebell Challenge (RKC) Certification and become a USA Weightlifting Club Coach.
Luke holds the following certifications:
- CrossFit Level I Trainer
- CrossFit Endurance
- First Aid, AED, and CPR Certified
Marlena Settle, EmerFit Trainer
Marlena grew up in Arizona and New Mexico. She attended Arizona State University and graduated with a bachelor’s in Communication in 2001. Marlena worked as a Regional Sales Manager before leaving to stay at home with her 2 daughters.
Marlena has always been an active person, playing soccer and softball from a young age through high school. She found EmerFit in searching for a new way to get healthy and active. Marlena joined EmerFit in April of 2009 – one workout and she knew this was going to be her path to wellness. The CrossFit workouts and the nutrition information provided by the coaches began the passion Marlena now has for helping others achieve their health and fitness goals. Marlena attended the CrossFit Level I Certification in November 2009 and is eager to share with others the information learned about health, fitness and nutrition.
Marlena has goals of growing her knowledge and experience as a coach by attending nutrition seminars and other CrossFit specialty certifications.
- CrossFit Level I Trainer
- CrossFit Mobility
- First Aid, AED, and CPR Certified
John Rockwood, EmerFit Trainer
John grew up in the Denver area and moved to Fort Collins in 1997 to go to school. He finished school and then discovered a new career path: firefighting. John received his EMT-B certification in 2005 and went to Aims Community College Fire Academy that same year. He then became a Volunteer Firefighter/EMT-B with Wellington Fire Protection District.
Being a firefighter, John needs to be ready to handle anything at anytime. He found the classic system of treadmills and weight machines boring and never got as fit as he wanted to be. John had heard about but did not try Crossfit until meeting Chris Brown, who invited him to train at Emerfit, in early 2008. Two years later John says: “I have never been so physically and mentally strong. Basically every aspect of my life has changed for the better.”
John has been the Fire Training Lieutenant for Wellington Fire since 2008 and he loves to teach. During his time with Wellington Fire, John recognized a need for a fitness program and felt teaching Crossfit to his colleague was the only way to go. John decided to pursue my Crossfit Level 1 certification in November 2009.
John plans to continue pursuing his dream of becoming a career firefighter. With that goal, he hopes to continue to teach both firefighting and Crossfit.
- CrossFit Level I Trainer
- Emergency Medical Technician Basic
Brad Jackson, EmerFit Coach
Brad grew up just north of Fort Collins in Laramie, Wyoming. While enrolled in classes at the University of Wyoming, he discovered rock rock climbing at nearby Vedauwoo. His enthusiasm and determination soon had him mentoring under some of the areas most accomplished climbers.
A desire to improve overall performance and reduce risk of injury, landed Brad in the weight room. Tireless hours of disciplined training and world traveling led to several notable first ascents in North America and repeats of many of the worlds most difficult off-width crack climbs.
In early 2007, a friend suggested Brad consider CrossFit. A single workout changed his entire philosophy on training. Brad made his way to Emerfit in November 2008. A passion for helping others realize their goals through strenuous efforts led him to pursue a CrossFit Level 1 certification in January 2009.
Brad plans to continue his education as a coach by working towards his CrossFit Level II certification and attending speciality certifications.
Brad holds the following certifications:
- CrossFit Level I Trainer
- CrossFit Kids Certification
- First Aid, AED, and CPR Certified
