Derek Eason
Owner/Head Coach
CrossFit Level 3 Certified Trainer
Derek grew up in Newport, OR and went to school at Oregon State University where he got a degree in Construction Engineering Management. Derek became a coach in December of 2013 and has owned the gym since May of 2015.
How I started CrossFit:
I started doing CrossFit in strength training class junior year of high school. I stopped listening to the teacher’s back/biceps, chest/triceps program and started to learn the CrossFit movements and methodology on my own. The following summer I created my own garage gym and got truly addicted to CrossFit.
What I love most about coaching:
What I enjoy most about coaching is seeing people grow as athletes. People start timid and inexperienced and then turn into badasses with the barbell, on the pull-up bar, or completing any other tasks and obstacles we throw at them. They gain confidence and grace with moving their bodies and objects and it is fulfilling to be a part of that transformation.
Favorite movement to teach:
Definitely squats. It is awesome to take a person that has never even seen a squat before and get them into the proper positions. Sometimes it’s simple and easy, sometimes it’s difficult and takes time, but everybody can eventually get an awesome squat.
Athletic background:
Skateboarding as a punk teenager and then CrossFit, no high school sports for me.
Favorite WOD:
Anything with a name from crossfit.com. Girls and Heroes, they feel official and I like it.
Favorite movement:
Clean and Jerk: Power Cleans, Cleans, Jerks.
favorite thing about CrossFit Train 97333:
I get to meet so many different people from different walks of life. Even though many of them come and go, it’s rewarding to be able to be a part of their fitness journey and many of those friendships last a lifetime. Everyone has a place here at CrossFit Train and once you’re a part of it, you are family for life.
BRITTNEY EASON
Owner
CROSSFIT LEVEL 2 TRAINER
Brittney grew up in Corvallis and went to school at Oregon State where she got a B.S. in Marine Biology. After graduating she lived abroad for 7 years working as a Marine Mammal Trainer before moving back home to Oregon.
HOW I STARTED CROSSFIT:
I was living in Singapore at the time that I discovered CrossFit and I joined a gym over there. That was in 2013 and I’ve been hooked ever since.
WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT COACHING:
The best part about coaching is seeing that “Aha!” moment in someone’s face when a movement or skill finally clicks. It’s always exciting to see people achieve new skills, get PR’s, and exceed their own expectations.
ATHLETIC BACKGROUND:
I was a competitive swimmer for 15 years culminating with a 4-year collegiate career at Oregon State. I earned All-American Honors my freshman year and competed at the 2008 US Olympic Trials.
FAVORITE MOVEMENT:
Ring muscle-ups, cleans, and double-unders.
FAVORITE WOD:
I generally like longer workouts or anything with the classic CrossFit mixture of weightlifting and gymnastics.
FAVORITE THING ABOUT CROSSFIT TRAIN 97333:
Like most people I was intimidated to join a new gym but that faded quickly because of how welcoming and friendly everyone is. It is a judgment-free zone and everyone is just there to have a good time!
Michelle Feldman
CrossFit Level 2 Trainer
Michelle is originally from Alaska and has lived the last 24 years here in Oregon. She loves being outdoors and lives a pretty active life. She has a BS in Education and has taught everything from preschool to high school. She worked the last 10 years as a Realtor. She has since retired and now focuses on teaching yoga and coaching CrossFit. After practicing yoga for 6 years she decided to become a certified yoga teacher by completing a 200 hour program locally. When she started practicing yoga she saw the benefits crossing over into her CrossFit performance. Increased mobility, flexibility, balance, and breath work helps with quicker recovery and more control in lifting. She feels that yoga and CrossFit are such a great combination that she decided to get her CrossFit L1 certification.
How I started CrossFit:
I was introduced to CrossFit in 2014 by my husband but was busy with my career and daughter so I didn’t really get heavily involved until 2017. I did my first open that year and got hooked. I love seeing my progress each year and actually made the online age group qualifier in 2021. It is amazing to see the transformations that occur in both body and mind as you take control of your health and well being.
What I love most about coaching:
What I love most about coaching is helping people reach their full potential. Whether it is offering help with fine tuning movements, offering mobility advice or just cheering someone on, I love seeing people succeed.
Athletic Background:
I have always been pretty active in many different sports from ultimate frisbee to swimming to dressage, but crossfit is by far my favorite.
Favorite WOD:
My favorite wod is Annie!
Favorite Movement:
My favorite movement is the split jerk.
Kelsey Rizer
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
Kelsey is from Kalamazoo, Michigan, and attended Northern Michigan University on the shores of Lake Superior in Marquette, Michigan. She graduated with a Bachelor's in Secondary Education.
HOW I STARTED CROSSFIT:
A friend brought me to a Thursday trial class and after that I was hooked! I was a competitive high school athlete, and CrossFit gave me a sense of competing against myself, which I really enjoy.
WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT COACHING:
I love that I get to offer guidance and provide motivation to an amazing community of people who work hard every day.
ATHLETIC BACKGROUND:
Tennis, swimming, running, bouldering
FAVORITE WOD:
“Annie.” No matter what kind of day I’ve had, or how sore I am, I can always crank out some double-unders and sit-ups.
FAVORITE MOVEMENT:
Open workout 21.3 is a workout that really stands out in my mind. It was the first time I got a bar muscle-up in a WOD and I ended up getting 5!
FAVORITE THING ABOUT CROSSFIT TRAIN 97333:
Our Community!! CrossFit Train 97333 members support each other both in and out of the gym. We’ve seen students graduate, couples get married, and babies be born amongst our gym members. It’s a fantastic group to be part of!
Austin Gray
CrossFit Level 3 Certified Trainer
Austin began Coaching at CrossFit Train 97333 in 2016. In 2019, Austin graduated from Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology. He was born in Portland, OR but has lived in Corvallis most of his life. A proud Corvallis High School Alumnus! #GoSparts
How I started CrossFit:
My father and I started CrossFit at the same time in 2013. I remember it vividly. It was the summer between my Junior and Senior year of High School and he asked me if I have heard of CrossFit before. I replied “no, what is it?” He showed me a video of Rich Froning Jr. competing at the CrossFit Games. I saw what this guy was doing and thought “dang… I want to do that!” Later that day my father got us signed up to try it out. I recall the first day being overwhelming - music was blasting, people were moving, I was nervous, but excited. Fast forward a few years and now it’s my chance to be the one to introduce people to CrossFit and the challenge it brings, and I love being the one to do it!
What do I love most about coaching:
There are so many things that it’s hard to pick. One thing is it gives me the chance to meet new people and introduce them to CrossFit. My goal is to give each individual who walks through our doors the best hour of their day and I am not satisfied until I have done so. Every day I am faced with new challenges and one of the best things about coaching is being able to help athletes overcome those challenges to push past what they thought was possible.
Athletic background:
Basketball was my main sport. I dabbled in football for a brief period in Middle School and High School, but realized that it wasn’t for me. Same thing with baseball. I was able to stick with baseball a little longer, but I wasn’t able to keep up in High School with the kids who have played their whole life. So I stuck with basketball and once I found CrossFit, I was hooked.
Favorite WOD:
Hmmmm… That’s a good question. There are so many out there and I’ve done so many that I can’t pick a single one. Maybe the CrossFit Games Open Workout 20.5. It has a mix of Ring Muscle-ups, Wall-Balls, and Rowing. All movements that fall in my wheelhouse and when I can partition them however I want, things can get very fun. At the same time though, get me moving a heavy barbell and I am one happy camper!
Favorite movement:
It’s a toss up between the Snatch and the Ring Muscle-up. The Snatch used to be my all-time favorite. Ever since I learned how to do it, and how to do it properly, I loved the feeling of chasing perfection on it. But recently I have started to enjoy Ring Muscle-ups. Similar to the Snatch, it took me a while to get them, then even longer to become proficient at them. But, also like the Snatch, after countless reps and non-stop drilling I feel like I have started to find my groove.
Favorite CrossFit athlete:
Our very own Joey Kimdon - Fittest Woman on Earth Age 40-44!
favorite thing about CrossFit Train 97333:
Hands down the community. If it wasn’t for the community the gym would not be what it is today. Because of the community that I am able to do what I do and have been able to get to where I am right now. The passion our community has towards improving general health and fitness through CrossFit has made me want to become the best coach I can be. Seeing athletes accomplish incredible feats and crush goals is inspiring and I feel the need to match that intensity and continue to build on what our community has to offer.