Coaches
HEAD COACH: Joshua Bird | josh@crossfitprovidence.com
Joshua Bird is the Full Time Head Coach at CrossFit Providence. He is a co-owner and has been training athletes and teaching movement for 10 years. Josh is CrossFit Level I Certified with a wide and varied athletic background including: competing in rugby for Providence Rugby Club in the US nationals, playing for Lisburn Rugby club in Northern Ireland and completing a century in cycling.
His philosophy as a trainer is to master the fundamentals; to teach “mastery before intensity”. Once the fundamentals are mastered, it opens up a whole new world to “whole” fitness, creates a new found connection with the body, and inspires the athlete to go farther and higher.
Judah Boulet | judah@crossfitprovidence.com
Judah is a co-owner, and also the gym’s Director of Programming at CrossFit Providence and also the one responsible for the nutrition program and/or nutrition counseling. He is certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and holds CrossFit Level I, CrossFit Olympic Weightlifting, Crossfit Football and Crossfit Nutrition certifications. Judah found CrossFit over four years ago after clicking on a link to watch “Nasty Girls” on the CrossFit main site. After many years following traditional strength and conditioning programming at a “regular” gym, the variability of CrossFit enticed him, and he realizes that CrossFit is an optimal way to train. Judah enjoys working with clients of any ability level, and watching them grow as athletes.
Judah also enjoys working with competitive athletes. From his experience as a high school and collegiate rugby coach, he knows it is only advantageous for any athlete to be as strong, fast and fit as possible, and that’s the philosophy behind his training programs. By combining the fundamentals of CrossFit with functional movement strength training, in a high intensity environment, the demands placed on an athlete during a game can be simulated. The same training principles for sports, the need to be stronger and faster than your opposition, can be directly related to Law Enforcement.
Judah has refereed rugby at the top level of domestic rugby in the US, as well as officiated at international tournaments, and currently focuses on coaching high school rugby. He uses the fundamentals of Crossfit for his team’s pre-season and in-season conditioning, as well as the conditioning program to get his former player’s ready for the challenge of college rugby. Judah also works as the strength and conditioning coach for the Brown University Rugby team.
Judah also runs the CrossFit Providence Nutrition program, 8 weeks to Thrive. Nutrition is a passion of his, and reading and learning about every aspect of nutrition and its role in performance and health. He has a Master’s Degree in Pharmacology and Physiology, and currently is a High School Chemistry and Biology teacher, as well as a lecturer at Merrimack College, for the past five years, where he teaches Nutrition and Health. He also has taught Anatomy and Physiology at several local colleges.
Video: Judah Teaches the Paleo Diet at the Farmer’s Market
Bryce Boratko | bryce@crossfitprovidence.com
Personal fitness chef and Crossfit Coach, Bryce Boratko, has combined two of his passions: food and fitness. He is a Level 1 Certified CrossFit Coach, personal trainer and chef since 2008. Bryce grew up a multi-sport athlete playing soccer, baseball, basketball and swimming at the varsity level. Aside from athletics, Bryce also enjoys hiking, camping, hunting and fishing.
Bryce received his Culinary Arts degree and a B.S. in Culinary Nutrition from Johnson & Wales University in 2007. He has worked at La Locanda di Piero, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Vicenza, Italy and at two of Rhode Island’s most highly acclaimed restaurants, Gracie’s and La Laiterie. After earning the title of Sous Chef, Bryce decided to leave the restaurant industry and concentrate on his own personal chef business utilizing his knowledge and background in cooking, athletics and nutrition to create his own niche.
The correct combination of food and fitness are two primary factors that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Bryce’s cooking is heavily influenced by the Paleo Diet, as well as Mediterranean Cuisine and his goal is to teach how to create a lifestyle that is beneficial for health and fitness.
You can reach Bryce @ 401-206-3735 or e-mail him @ bryce@crossfitprovidence.com.
Video: Bryce and Mike’s Workout of the Week
Video: Bryce Demonstrating Turkish Get-ups with Meg
Megan Boulet | meg@crossfitprovidence.com
Megan Boulet is a Level One Crossfit Trainer and has been coaching with Crossfit Providence since December 2008. Since a very young age, Megan has been involved with many different athletics and organized sports, including soccer, basketball and running. Since her graduation from St. Anselms College in 2003, Megan has served as a local Law Enforcement Officer. She attributes her physical and mental preparedness for her unknown daily responsibilities at work to her training and involvement with the Crossfit programming.
Video: Meg the Human Kettlebell
Kelly Carse | kelly@crossfitprovidence.com
Kelly Carse has been participating in CrossFit since January of ’09. She is proud to say that she “graduated” from CrossFit Providence’s first foundations class…and proud to be part of this amazing community. Turning 50 this year qualified Kelly for the first-ever CrossFit Masters competition. Her 1st place finish in regionals was her ticket to the 2010 CrossFit Games in Los Angeles where she placed 6th overall.
Kelly has been participating in sports of all kinds since her father took her for her first run in 4th grade. She has traveled extensively throughout the world after her stint with the Peace Corps in West Africa. Over the past 5 years, she has been teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) to adults. She received her CrossFit Level 1 Certification in October of 2010.
James Needham | james@crossfitprovidence.com
James served 6 years in the United States Marine Corps and was Honorable Discharged as a Sergeant. For 10 years after the Marines, he worked full time in a number of different Health clubs & Personal Training Studios as a Nationally Certified personal trainer with ACE (American Council on Exercise), AFAA (Aerobics & Fitness Association of America) & NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association). James’ Philosophy has always been the same; to give his clients the attention, respect and motivation that he always wanted as a new person in the gym. In Feb 2010 he became a Level 1 Certified CrossFit Trainer.
Missy Santos | missy@crossfitprovidence.com
Missy is a Level 1 Crossfit Certified trainer with a Crossfit nutrition Certification. She runs the Kids Fitness program@ CFP, is a mother of three and a sales representative for a supplement/natural remedies company called Whole World Botanical. In her spare time Missy enjoys photography – family and her animals, that range from hamper to horse. She has worked in various gyms around Southern California, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Missy has also worked with children at Potowomut Elementary School in Warwick for four years. She has been teaching Crossfit , kettlebells and group fitness for the past few years, but something was always missing – now she has found what she has been looking for all along – CrossFit Providence. (all in her own words)
Andres Valencia | andres@crossfitprovidence.com
Kristen Fraza | kristen@crossfitprovidence.com
Kristen discovered Crossfit 3 years ago while recuperating from knee surgery. After suffering defeat at the hands of “Fran” (her first CF wod) she was hooked. Kristen received her Level 1 Crossfit certification in February 2011, her Crossfit Kids certification in March 2011 and her Crossfit Olympic Lifting certification in October 2011.
A physical education teacher at a local elementary and middle school, Kristen spends her days teaching children the value of life-long wellness and fitness in the hopes that this will encourage future generations to make healthy life decisions. Ultimately, she enjoys teaching people to become aware of their movement potential, how to move competently and confidently, and to learn to value fitness in both cooperative and competitive settings similar to CFP.
The mother of 4 (almost) adult children, Kristen spends her free time surfing or reading. She remains humbled by the CF wods like “Fran” that leave her whimpering in a puddle of sweat.
Tony Kaminski | tony@crossfitprovidence.com
Coach Tony was not an athlete in his youth (Nintendo, McDonanld’s, sleep, repeat). By the end of high school he weighed 275 pounds. Then at about age 20 he started to ride a bicycle for transportation out of necessity. As the weeks and months passed, he realized he enjoyed it. More time passed and he realized that he enjoyed it more the harder he rode. He started sprinting everywhere. He would arrive at work and friend’s houses drenched in sweat and gasping for breath. People thought he was crazy, but he didn’t mind: the rush felt too good. He started losing weight and feeling better without even trying to. It was just a side effect. Then a part time job on an organic vegetable and egg farm increased his appreciation for fresh, healthy food. While working at a farmer’s market one day he met Mike Libertore and Josh Bird. They said they were opening a gym in the area. He was interested, very interested. And that is how he went from an overweight video game addict who shunned the outdoors to an organic farmer who can lift, run, and jump better than he ever would have imagined ten years ago.
Brian Ray | brian@crossfitprovidence.com
Brian began CrossFit training at the urging of his son Nick in the fall of 2009. They were both immediately hooked on the humbling intensity and amazing results of CrossFit and obtained their Level 1 Trainer Certifications in May of 2010. Brian added a Movement & Mobility certification last year and is also CPR/AED certified.
Brian has been a life long fitness enthusiast. He has run numerous marathons, including Boston and Dublin and hundreds of local road races. He has also participated in long distance cycling and completed 2 bike trips to Canada in addition to several Century (100 mile) rides. To complement the aerobic work, Brian has practiced power yoga, weight training at Globo gyms and several different styles of martial arts.
Last year Brian decided to end a 30 plus year career in the printing industry and re-invent himself as a fitness professional. He is currently working as a personal trainer for the YMCA. Brian has provided fitness training for the developmentally disabled and cancer survivors through YMCA sponsored programs.
Last year Brian’s first attempt at the Crossfit Open competition resulted in a 21st place finish in his Master’s age category. So technically, he is the 21st Fittest Man on Earth in the 55 to 59 year old age group. He’s hoping to move up a few notches this time around. He loves the culture and community of Crossfit and believes that improved fitness is the key to a happy, healthy life. He lives in North Attleboro with his Massage Therapist (so awesome) wife Ellen.
James Rochford | jamesr@crossfitprovidence.com
CrossFit Providence Level 1 Coach, James Rochford, began his CrossFit journey in February 2011 while living in New Hampshire. After years of typical powerlifting routines James stopped seeing results in the gym and quickly became out of shape.
James was soon introduced to CrossFit by a college friend and made his first visit to the local affiliate, where he completed his first WOD consisting solely of rowing intervals. Having never tried CrossFit before James uttered his famous last words, “It’s only rowing… How hard can it be?” After a brief visit with CrossFit’s one and only, Pukie the Clown, and a quick nap on the floor, James was instantly hooked. He has been CrossFitting ever since that day, and has since lost 50 pounds with the help of a primal diet.
James has coached at multiple CrossFit affiliates throughout Rhode Island since his certification in August 2011.
Michael Liberatore | mike@crossfitprovidence.com
Mike is the General Manager and a coach at CrossFit Providence. He is Level I CrossFit Certified, CrossFit Endurance Certified and a co-owner of CrossFit Providence. Mike has trained a wide variety of clients since 2003 and has coached a variety of classes at CrossFit Providence since its inception in 2008. Email Mike to discuss your personal or group training options.
Mike previously coached the Providence College Men’s Rugby Team from 2003 – 2009. He also led PC’s Men’s Rugby team as captain to place 5th in the nation in 2001 and won the USA Men’s Rugby Championship with the Boston Irish Wolfhounds RFC in 2003 and 2007. Mike played rugby overseas in Siena, Italy and speaks conversational Italian and Spanish. He currently trains in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Mat Santos Fighting Academy.
Video: Mike Training ABC6′s Shannon O’Brien
Chris Ahlemeyer | chris@crossfitprovidence.com
Christopher Ahlemeyer is certified as a Level I CrossFit trainer and a co-owner of CrossFit Providence. He currently works as the Operations Officer for the Rhode Island National Guard Mobilization Team, as well as Company Commander of the 143rd Infantry Company (Airborne) out of East Greenwich, RI. He is qualified as an Airborne Ranger and a Pathfinder, and is also trained in Mountain Warfare and Air Assault techniques. Chris was deployed to Baghdad, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he helped facilitate the Iraqi National Elections.
Chris participated in collegiate rugby at Providence College and also played rugby, track, and basketball in high school. Growing up in Western, MA, Chris has always enjoyed hiking and being outdoors. He recently climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro (19,340 ft) in Tanzania, Africa and aspires to one day summit the highest peak on every continent.
Chris brings his unique military experiences and training to further diversify the CrossFit Providence community. He hopes to help members reach their full potential through encouragement, dedication, and humor. In 2010 Chris placed 14th in the Best Ranger Challenge, also known as the Army’s Olympics.
Josh “Kiwi” Bublitz | kiwijosh@crossfitprovidence.com
Josh is CFP’s Assitant Manager and fellow CrossFitter. He was not a high school or college athlete with raw althetic talent. Rather, at the end of high school, Josh was overweight and completely unfit. His diet consisted of meat pies, McDonalds, fish and chips, and beer. Josh struggled for years to find a fitness regimen that kept him motivated for longer than 3 months. That all changed when Josh found CFP by way of the local rugby team, and he hasn’t looked back. He loves the team environment, camaraderie, and encouragement that he has received from everyone at CF. Also, knowing that anyone can do it keeps him very motivated. If you think CrossFit is just for the jocks, talk to Josh, he’ll set you straight. Josh has been training at CFP since March 2010 and is showing no signs of giving it up! See Josh’s ‘Before & After’ story here.
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