"Coach B" Signature Series Promotional Video

"See Potential"

Our good friend Kelly Starrett rocks the "See Potential" garment during the historic Episode 300 on the Mobility WOD. 

Sam Petersen - Firebreather Athlete

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Name: Sam Petersen 

Age: 23

Affiliate: CrossFit Whidbey Island

CrossFit Competition Experience: 2010 WA Sectionals-4th place; 2010 NW Regionals-7th place; 2011 Open-3rd place; 2011 NW Regionals-1st place.

Athletic Background: Volleyball-High School

Community Involvement: I strive to set a positive example to those around me.

Favorite Quote or Saying: “Live in the present, let go of fear, honor all beings, live with integrity and have an attitude of gratitude.”

What does it mean to you to be a Firebreather? To push yourself beyond your mental capability to become stronger than you ever imagined, surpassing all physical capability and LEARNING to push your body and mind one step further. Then, start again....

Stephen Hitt - Featured Athlete

Firebreather Athletics Featured Athlete - Stephen Hitt

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Stephen Hitt is a CrossFit Coach at CrossFit Advantage. A natural leader, Stephen inspires those around him to greatness. 

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Whitney Welsch - Firebreather Athlete

Whitney Welsch - Firebreather Athlete

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Name: Whitney Welsch

CrossFit Affiliate: RedBlack CrossFit

 CrossFit Competitions: 

2008 Fittest Games - 3rd

2009 Southwest Regionals - 8th

2010 Games 21st

2011 Fittest Games - 4th

2011 CrossFit Open, South Central Region 2nd, 16th World Wide

2011 Just Go Women's Challenge - 1st

2011 South Central Regional - 4th 

Favorite Quotes:

“All that is important is this one moment in movement. Make the moment important, vital, and worth living. Do not let it slip away unnoticed and unused." - Martha Graham

“Practice means to perform, over and over again in the face of all obstacles, some act of vision, of faith, of desire. Practice is a means of inviting the perfection desired.” - Martha Graham 

Professional:

Doctorate in Physical Therapy 2006, Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist 2010, ASTYM certified provider 2011

What does being a Firebreather mean to me?

Being a Firebreather means more than just being a good athlete.  It means leading by example.  Every athlete performing at a high level, whether it's high-school, collegiate, amateur, or professional should have a few foundational personality characteristics including; humility, integrity, perseverance, self-control,  and self-respect.  Training, competing and performing at a high level takes approaching every rep, every movement, every second, every WOD, every day, like there is something more you can do.  It takes knowing you can always be faster, stronger, skills are always needing to be developed, and technique can always be better.  However, being a Firebreather also means celebrating and honoring the people around you.  Being a Firebreather means honoring the light inside yourself, but also honoring the light inside others.

Ashleigh Moe - Firebreather Athlete

Ashleigh Moe - Firebreather Athlete

Name: Ashleigh Moe

Age: 27

Affiliate: CrossFit Skagit

CrossFit Competition Experience: NW Regional open 1st place 2011, 2nd Place Northwest Regional 2011, 1st Place Marysville Throwdown, 1st Bellevue Throwdown, 24th 2010 Crossfit Games, 1st place 2010 Regional winner, 1st place Washington Sectional Winner 2010. 

Athletic Background: I grew up playing soccer. I played at Mount Vernon High School winning state my freshman year. I received a soccer scholarship to play at University of Alabama, Huntsville, which is a Division 2 school. In the winter I snowboard with my husband

Community Involvement: I am a teacher and so I am usually doing something after school with kids whether it be working on extra math or school play productions.

Favorite Quote or Saying: “One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it’s worth watching.”

"Champions aren't made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them: A desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill." - Muhammad Ali 

What does it mean to you to be a Firebreather? Being a Firebreather to me means never settling for “good enough.” Always wanting to better myself physically and mentally. Challenging myself to reach new heights, and never giving up.

Kelsey Nagel - Firebreather Athlete

Kelsey Nagel - 165lb. Thruster to Win WOD #2 at Northwest Regional

Name: Kelsey Nagel

Age: 25

Affiliate: Lynnwood CrossFit

CrossFit Competition Experience: 2010 Washington State Sectionals (19th), 2010 NW Regionals (12th), 2011 NW Regionals (TBD!)

Athletic Background: I grew up playing soccer in Edmonds, Washington, and eventually earned an athletic scholarship to The University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA). I played and started all 4 years and was named team captain my Junior and Senior years. I wanted to continue to play after college but after a few months of training with the Seattle Sounders Women's team an injury to my hip took me out of the sport and into surgery. From youth soccer to middle school volleyball and high school track and soccer, I have always loved being active and competing in different sports. After college I was introduced to CrossFit and haven't looked back. CrossFit gives me the competitive fix that soccer, volleyball and track got me hooked on.

Community Involvement: I train the Meadowdale High School girls basketball team. Introducing young girls/athletes to the weight room and strength and conditioning has been an amazing experience. I was lucky enough to have a H.S. track coach who introduced me to weight training before I went into college but unfortunately, in most High Schools that's not the case. With focus, hard work and some convincing that girls ARE allowed in the weight room I have seen major strength gains in both the physical and mental sense. The girls went from being shy about doing certain movements because the boys in the weight room would see to challenging them and standing up for themselves when a comment was made. It fires me up to see them pushing themselves to new levels and encouraging each other...the best part is they go home and try to teach their parents and friends the proper way to do squats and introduce them to the dreaded burpee.

Favorite Quote: "You only live once but if you live it right, once is enough."

What does it mean to you to be a Firebreather?  A Firebreather is someone that thrives under pressure and competition while keeping their attitude in check. They walk with humble confidence (yes there is such a thing) and not only stay positive themselves but encourage others to keep their chin up and strive for improvement. A Firebreather understands their strengths and acknowledges their weaknesses. The term “good enough” does not exist in a Firebreather's vocabulary.

Adam Neiffer - Firebreather Athlete

Adam Neiffer - Firebreather Athlete

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Name: Adam Neiffer 

 Age: 27 

Affiliate: CrossFit Fort Vancouver 

CrossFit Competition Experience: 

08 CrossFit Games Competitor

'09 CrossFit Games Affiliate Cup Competitor

'10 CrossFit Games Affiliate Cup Champions

2011 Reebok Open finished 3rd in the Northwest

Athletic Background: Football, Beloit College

Community Involvement: Future Soldier Fitness Program, CrossFit-SHARE Fundraising Coordinator, Vancouver Winter Hospitality Overflow, Sunday School Teacher

Favorite Quote or Saying: "I can do all things through him who strengthens me" Phil. 4:13 - "Life's a garden, dig it" -Joe Dirt

What does it mean to you to be a Firebreather? “To me, being a Firebreather means devoting your whole and best self to whatever it is you're passionate about.  As a CrossFitter, that means investing your heart into training, effort, and execution.  Firebreathers hang out on the podium at the CrossFit Games, in the middle of the pack in affiliate classes, and alone in garages all over the world.  It's not about numbers, accomplishments, or awards though.  Being a Firebreather is about the pursuit of being better tomorrow than you are today.  Whether you're an athlete, a coach, a doctor, a farmer, a mother, a soldier, or a chef, the spirit of the Firebreather is to never quit, never settle, and never be satisfied.  Along the way, a Firebreather generously shares their talents and gifts with those that surround them and celebrates others' achievements much more than their own.  After all, there is work to be done. “

Noah Pester - Firebreather Athlete

Noah Pester - Firebreather Athlete 

Kelly Starrett

Kelly Starrett is a true Firebreather. A man of immense character, Kelly embodies all that is good in the CrossFit community. Kelly has a passion for fitness and for helping athletes to see the potential they carry within their body and mind. Firebreather Athletics is pleased to announce we are designing a custom Signature Series garment called "Potential."