About Us
MEET US
CrossFit Roots
We opened CrossFit Roots with the belief that everyone – young, old, beginner, elite, recreational outdoor enthusiast, stay-at-home parent, artist, doctor, writer, executive, overweight, injured, pregnant, black, white, gay, straight – deserved world-class fitness.
We are the home for fitness misfits – those who believe in the CrossFit methodology, hard work, dedication, responsibility, and the power of community. We turn our heads to gimmicks, quick fixes, and fancy facades.
These are the ties that bind.
We look forward to working out. We embrace challenges knowing that we’re in an environment of people who each face their own challenges every day. We train hard and together. We eat clean because it’s our way of life. We celebrate one another’s accomplishments out of a genuine desire to see everyone succeed. We don’t go to the gym to burn calories but to challenge our bodies, be with our community, and feed our souls.
MEET OUR
World Class Coaches
It’s easy to say you have experienced, dedicated, and knowledgeable coaches – to deliver on that is what sets CrossFit Roots apart.
At CrossFit Roots, our team is made up of individuals who have made coaching their full-time profession. They hold numerous fitness certifications, including CrossFit Level 1, 2, 3, and 4, USAW, and CSCS. They make up the only coaching staff in the world with seven CrossFit Level-4 and Level-3 trainers.
What makes them stand out from the rest is the application of this knowledge and a track record of helping athletes of every ability level grow, succeed, and develop day in and day out over many years.
We believe that every athlete has untapped human potential and that everyone deserves world-class coaching.
NICOLE CHRISTENSEN
Founder/Head Coach
ABOUT NICOLE
BIOGRAPHY
Nicole Christensen started CrossFit Roots out of her one-car garage in 2008. Since that time, she and her husband Eric have grown Roots into a 10,000 square foot facility with an accomplished and passionate team of full-time coaches and staff. She got her coaching start as a swim coach in the Northern Virginia Swim League. When she found CrossFit, 10 years later, she knew that CrossFit combined her passion for coaching with her belief in a lifelong pursuit of fitness and health.
In 2009 she was hired to the CrossFit Headquarters traveling Seminar Staff. From 2009-2017 Nicole traveled around the world to teach and coach the CrossFit Level 1 and Level 2 Certificate Courses. In 2017 Nicole retired from her position as a flowmaster to focus on Roots and family (she and Eric have two daughters).
Nicole earned her CrossFit Level 4 Certification in 2014 and is one of only 52 individuals worldwide to hold this distinction.
Nicole has an extensive competitive background and has competed in five regionals (she was pregnant in 2012 and 2015), placing in the top ten four times. Her passion for coaching comes from a deep-seated belief that every individual has the potential to thrive through CrossFit and a love for the art and science of the coaching profession.
COACHING CREDENTIALS
- Certified CrossFit Level 4 Coach (CF-L4)
- Flowmaster for the CrossFit Headquarters Seminar Staff for the Level 1 and Level 2 Course (2009-2017)
- CrossFit Kids
- USAW Club Coach
HOMETOWN
Alexandria, VA
EDUCATION
- University of Colorado – B.S.
- University of Pennsylvania – M.C.P.
ATHLETIC BACKGROUND
- College swimming
- Softball
- Triathlon
- Distance running
- Backpacking and hiking
- Skiing
CONTACT NICOLE
ERIC CHRISTENSEN
Owner/Head Coach
ABOUT ERIC
BIOGRAPHY
Eric opened CrossFit Roots with Nicole in 2008. He has a background in the outdoors, is a husband, and father of two. He is a full-time coach, does private training, and heads up all facility maintenance and development.
COACHING CREDENTIALS
- Certified CrossFit Level 3 Coach (CF-L3)
HOMETOWN
Gresham, OR
EDUCATION
- Oregon State University – B.S.
- Hood Community College – A.A.
CONTACT ERIC
[email protected]
DAVE LEE
Coach, Endurance Program
ABOUT DAVE
BIOGRAPHY
Dave Lee comes to us from Bedford, New York. He moved from the east coast in 2011 to attend CU Boulder. Coming to CrossFit with a background in climbing, Dave loves all things related to the pull-up bars and rings.
Dave became interested in strength and conditioning in high school, making a commitment to getting stronger and faster in his senior year. Finding CrossFit at the end of high school, he was quickly enthralled with the program, which complemented his climbing well.
Dave’s climbing career began in 2006 at an indoor gym, but his passion quickly progressed to the outdoors. A rock climber in the summer and ice climber in the winter, Dave has built a solid climbing resume: from trad lines such as the Evictor 12+ in Eldorado Canyon, to numerous 5.13 sport routes, and technical alpine ascents such as the Right Couloir on Peak 11,300 in Alaska. He also completed the Never Summer 100K, his first running race ever.
Outside of his athletic pursuits, Dave enjoys thinking about his next athletic endeavor.
COACHING CREDENTIALS
- Certified CrossFit Level 3 Coach (CF-L3)
- CrossFit Kids
HOMETOWN
- Bedford, NY
EDUCATION
- University of Colorado at Boulder, B.A.
ATHLETIC BACKGROUND
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Hockey
- Squash
- Climbing – rock, ice, and alpine
CONTACT DAVE
[email protected]
CONNOR WARMAN
Coach, Legends Program
ABOUT CONNOR
BIOGRAPHY
Connor was first introduced to CrossFit in May of 2016 by his Dad who had been doing it consistently for years and seeing great results. One of the first workouts Connor can remember doing is the famous CrossFit Hero WOD Murph. From there, after witnessing the power and comradery of the CrossFit community first hand, Connor was all-in.
Originally from Barrington, Illinois, Connor grew up playing football, baseball and competing in just about every backyard sport you could imagine. He was famously known by his family and close friends to walk around swinging an invisible baseball bat imagining he was playing a day game at Wrigley Field. His desire to compete and be a part of a team is a big reason why CrossFit was such a great fit for him.
Connor went on to attend the University of Mississippi where he studied Finance. Towards the end of his Junior year he was introduced to the podcast world, something that would ultimately change the course of his life. Taking his passion for the CrossFit community and his love of storytelling, Connor created his own podcast called Up Before You where he shares the life-changing stories of other CrossFitters from all around the world. Connor began coaching in 2019 and enjoys providing others with the tools they need to achieve their goals and helping them step-by-step along the way.
You can find Connor coaching group classes, private training and hopping in on class WOD’s with the Roots community.
When not at the gym, Connor is working on creating podcasts, chasing the next great story, reading and writing, participating in endurance races and other events or educating himself on the world of CrossFit.
COACHING CREDENTIALS:
- CrossFit Level 2 Trainer (CF-L2)
HOMETOWN:
Barrington, IL
EDUCATION
- University of Mississippi – B.B.A. Managerial Finance
ATHLETIC BACKGROUND:
- Baseball
- Football
- Water/Snow Skiing
- CrossFit
- Endurance Events
JENNI ORR
Coach
ABOUT JENNI
BIOGRAPHY
Jenni started dancing at the age of four (ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, lyrical) and moved into competitive dance teams as she grew. She continued to pursue dance as a Miami Dolphins cheerleader for two years.
In 2006, Jenni started CrossFit when her brother opened his gym. Shortly thereafter she joined the CrossFit Seminar Staff (2007) and has spent over a decade teaching CrossFit fundamentals and coaching skills to athletes and coaches around the world. She was one of the original CrossFit Games athletes competing in 2008, 2009, and 2010.
In 2019, Jenni moved to Colorado and joined the CrossFit Roots coaching team.
COACHING CREDENTIALS:
- Certified CrossFit Trainer (CF-L3)
HOMETOWN:
Jupiter, FL
EDUCATION
- University of Central Florida – BS Athletic Training
ATHLETIC BACKGROUND:
- Softball
- Basketball
- Competitive dance
- CrossFit Games
LINDSAY MACDONALD
Coach, Gym Care Specialist
ABOUT LINDSAY
Lindsay started CrossFit in high school while training in the off-season for ice hockey. In college, she continued to CrossFit while competing in rugby and ice hockey. During her sophomore year of college, she passed the Level 1 Course and started coaching at a local CrossFit gym.
While in college, Lindsay’s love for coaching and the CrossFit environment came into focus. After graduating she earned her CrossFit Level 2 credential and began a full-time coaching position at CrossFit TILT, outside of Boston. At TILT, Lindsay coached group classes, worked in a private training setting with kids and teenage girls, and went on to work as the Head Coach of CrossFit TILT – Waltham. After three years at CrossFit TILT she decided to move to Colorado. During her move, Lindsay passed the Certified CrossFit Trainer examination and began working at CrossFit Roots.
When she’s not in the gym, Lindsay is usually outside longboarding, reading, drinking lots of coffee, and spending time with her friends, sister (and her sister’s two dogs).
Coaching Credentials
• Certified CrossFit Level 3 Coach (CF-L3)
• CrossFit Weightlifting
Hometown
Boston, Massachusetts
Education
• University of Massachusetts Lowell – BA in Psychology
Athletic Background
• Ice Hockey
• Rugby
Contact
AMY SMITH
General Manager & Business Development
ABOUT AMY
Amy started CrossFit in 2016, in the dead of winter in Minnesota, when her husband signed her up for a month-long CrossFit bootcamp without her knowing. With no athletic background besides a short stint on the 7th grade 800m relay team, she begrudgingly attended CrossFit three nights a week for a month.
She’d never touched a barbell, couldn’t do a pull-up, and hadn’t jumped rope since the 3rd grade Jump-a-Thon. In her mind, she was generally bad at everything. Every class was a struggle (there were tears) but at the end of the month she started seeing changes in her body, her mental fortitude, and her internal competitiveness started to reveal itself in new ways as she started to improve little by little every day.
In 2017 she decided to learn more about this thing called CrossFit and traveled to Boulder, CO to attend a CrossFit Level 1 Certificate course at CrossFit Roots. For the next several years she continued to pursue growth in the sport of CrossFit and participated in local competitions.
Several years later, she and her husband had the opportunity to move out of Minnesota and they knew right where they wanted to be: in Colorado, near CrossFit Roots. Amy joined CrossFit Roots as a member in 2019 and General Manager in 2021.
COACHING CREDENTIALS
- CrossFit Level 2 Trainer (CF-L2)
HOMETOWN
Wichita, KS
EDUCATION
- Friends University – B.S. Psychology & B.A. Spanish
- Capella University – M.B.A. General Business
- Cornell University – Executive Leadership Certificate
TREVOR GIBSON
Coach
ABOUT TREVOR
BIOGRAPHY
Trevor Gibson came to CrossFit Roots in 2013. His background includes a Bachelor of Arts from Santa Clara U, four years active duty as a Marine Officer, a Masters in Education from Stanford U, and three-years teaching math at a public school, Summit Preparatory Charter HS. During his time as a teacher, he led his students to the school’s highest Algebra 2 testing scores in its history and started a CrossFit club for students. Trevor’s official CrossFit qualifications include CrossFit Level 1 Certificate Course, CrossFit Kids Course, Coaches Prep Course, and Certified CrossFit Trainer (CF-L3). He loves CrossFit’s potential to better the human spirit and, at Roots specifically, the opportunity to work with a professional team of coaches who constantly seek to improve how they support Roots athletes.
COACHING CREDENTIALS
- Certified CrossFit Trainer (CF-L3)
- CrossFit Kids
- CrossFit Headquarters Kids Seminar Staff
HOMETOWN
Alexandria, VA
EDUCATION
- Santa Clara University, English ’05
- Stanford, Masters in Education
ATHLETIC BACKGROUND
- Swimming
- Volleyball
- Hiking
CONTACT TREVOR
[email protected]
LISA COVEY
Coach
ABOUT LISA
BIOGRAPHY
Lisa Covey started CrossFit in 2009 in Goodyear, AZ when a co-worker recommended this new sport to her after talking about their athletic backgrounds. At the time, Lisa was filling her sports void (after graduating college/swimming a few year back) with spin classes and weightlifting at Lifetime Fitness. Lisa joined a CrossFit gym that was just starting up and was instantly hooked. She was the first female athlete at her gym to get a muscle up! Her gym grew and Lisa earned a spot to go to the CrossFit Regionals in 2011 on their team.
She has enjoyed competing in CrossFit since she started. Lisa has been a competitive athlete since she was young. She began in gymnastics where she spent 8 years from ages 4-12 competing. She quit gymnastics to try out other sports. She played soccer through her sophomore year in high school, played water polo her junior and senior year in high school and freshman year in college, and swam from the time she was 14 through college. Lisa earned a full ride scholarship to San Jose State University in swimming her sophomore year and swam there for the next 4 years while completing her degrees in physics and math. In high school, Lisa taught swim lessons and coached swimming privately to kids up through junior high. In college, Lisa coached high school and club level swimming and water polo. She loves coaching, helping people excel in their sport, and loves seeing individuals take pride in themselves and what they can do.
Lisa grew up and went to college in the San Francisco Bay Area in California, moved to Phoenix, AZ after college for 5 years for work, and moved to Boulder in 2012 with her husband for their jobs as engineers for Lockheed Martin. She loves Boulder and all that Colorado has to offer for sports and outdoor activities. Lisa began as an athlete at CrossFit Roots immediately after moving to Boulder and began coaching there in September, 2016. She is absolutely honored to be a part of this hard-working, dedicated, and amazing community of athletes and coaches.
COACHING CREDENTIALS
- CrossFit Level 2 Trainer (CF-L2)
HOMETOWN
Freemont, CA
EDUCATION
- San Jose State University – B.S. Physics, Minor Math
- George Washington University – M.S. Systems Engineering
ATHLETIC BACKGROUND
- CrossFit competitions
- College swimming
- High school swimming, water polo, soccer
- Weightlifting
- Gymnastics
- Camping and hiking
- Snowboarding
- Golf
CONTACT LISA
[email protected]
MEGAN BUTTNER
Coach
ABOUT MEGAN
Megan started coaching gymnastics in college to fuel her love for kids and fostering growth in herself and others.
She started personal training in Santa Barbara, CA where she was introduced to small group training classes. She instantly loved the energy of the group environment and creating workouts that could challenge all ages and abilities in one class. She continued personal training and coaching group fitness classes in Boulder when she moved back to Colorado in 2014.
Megan coached gymnastics next door to CrossFit Roots and although she had been lifting on her own, she found it hard to motivate herself after her daughter was born. In 2018, she tried a class at CrossFit Roots and hasn’t looked back since. She came to Roots already enjoying things like squatting, deadlifting, pull-ups, push ups, box jumps, and such… But has since found that the atmosphere, community and continued athletic growth at Roots has become a huge part of her life and overall happiness!
COACHING CREDENTIALS
- CrossFit Level 1 (CF-L1)
- Competitive USAG (USA Gymnastics) Coach
HOMETOWN
San Diego, CA
EDUCATION
- University of Colorado at Boulder (Undergrad – Kinesiology and Psychology)
ATHLETIC BACKGROUND
- Competitive Gymnastics Ages 7-15
- Volleyball through High School
- Basketball through Junior year HS
- Track & Field in High School & College at CU (mostly pole vault, but also high jump, long jump, and triple jump)
- Triathlons
CONTACT MEGAN
SARAH HOPPING ESTRELLA
Coach
ABOUT SARAH
BIOGRAPHY
Sarah started CrossFit in San Francisco shortly after falling centimeters short of qualifying for the U.S. Olympic team in hammer throw. Shortly thereafter, she and her now husband, Rob, opened their own affiliate which they owned and operated for 8 years.
Despite having spent her entire life in competitive athletics, not until CrossFit did Sarah find an elegant solution that combined sport, health and community into one effective, time efficient endeavor. This magical combination inspired her to leave a career in finance to focus on helping athletes of every level live happier, healthier lives through CrossFit.
Sarah served on the CrossFit Headquarters Level 1 Seminar Staff from 2012-2014 and earned her CrossFit Level 3 Certification in 2014. Since starting CrossFit, she competed as an individual in the CrossFit NorCal (West) Regional six times from 2010-2017 and earned 8 national-level medals in Olympic Weightlifting in the 75 and 75kg+ weight classes.
COACHING CREDENTIALS
- Certified CrossFit Level 3 Coach (CF-L3)
- Former CrossFit Headquarters Level 1 Seminar Staff
- CrossFit Weightlifting
- CrossFit Gymnastics
- CrossFit Masters
HOMETOWN
Longmont, CO
EDUCATION
- Stanford University – B.S. Management Science and Engineering
- Logan University – M.S. Nutrition and Human Performance
ATHLETIC BACKGROUND
- College track and field (hammer throw)
- High school track and field (heptathlon, jumps and hurdles)
- Soccer
CONTACT SARAH
LAUREN RUBINI
Rowing Program
ABOUT LAUREN
BIOGRAPHY
Lauren Rubini began participating in CrossFit in May 2010 when several rowing friends recommended CrossFit as an excellent support to their overall health and fitness. In November of 2010, Lauren joined the Roots staff as a part-time erg coach, coaching the inaugural 100K Erg Challenge from Thanksgiving until Christmas day.
Lauren’s rowing career began with the encouragement of parents who both rowed and met along the banks of the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, PA. In her hometown of Alexandria, VA, Lauren joined her local public school rowing team in 8th grade and had great success as a member of the T.C. Williams High School crew team. She received a full athletic scholarship to Boston University and continued her rowing career while earning a BS in Elementary Education in 1998. Upon graduating from BU, Lauren received an invite to join the members of the US National Sculling team training in Augusta, GA enabling Lauren to pursue her dream of a spot on the US National Rowing team. Life had other plans, however, and while observing the World Rowing Championships in Cologne, Germany in the summer of 1998, Lauren was involved in a serious accident that reshaped the course of her athletic endeavors and life.
Realizing that her elite rowing career was over, Lauren relocated to Boulder, CO in 2002 to carry out her professional career as an elementary school teacher. In 2005, Lauren graduated from the University of CO, Boulder with a MA in Literacy, ESL, and Bilingual education. As a full time teacher in Boulder Valley School District, Lauren completed her Education Specialist degree in 2012 from the University of Colorado, Denver with a principal license. While living in Boulder Lauren has ventured into triathlon, downhill skiing, cycling, running, and CrossFit. Lauren puts health and happiness at the center of each and every day for herself and for all of the athletes she coaches.
Lauren is a CrossFit Trainer (CF-L2) and has completed the CrossFit Kids seminar. Lauren’s passion for coaching is to support athletes of every level find the balance between physical, emotional, and mental well being.
COACHING CREDENTIALS
- CrossFit Level 2 (CF-L2)
- CrossFit Kids
HOMETOWN
Alexandria, VA
EDUCATION
- University of Colorado, Denver, CO – Education Specialist with Principal License 2012
- University of Colorado, Boulder, CO – MA Literacy & ESL/Bilingual K-12 Education 2005
- Boston University, Boston, MA – BS Elementary Education 1998
ATHLETIC BACKGROUND
- Rowing
- Swimming
- Triathlon
CONTACT LAUREN
[email protected]
COURTNEY PRENTICE
Retail Manager
ABOUT COURTNEY
Courtney started CrossFit in 2012 in Laramie, WYO. Working at a sporting goods store to finish out her college career, her boss raved about CrossFit and knowing her athletic background, knew Courtney would probably love it. Tale as old as time, Courtney was lamenting the elliptical and “ab workout” grind that was getting her nowhere fast, so she dropped in to her fist class at CrossFit 7220. A 10 minute AMRAP of wall-balls and air squats later, she joined the next bootcamp class offered.
After graduating, Courtney landed a contract job with Microsoft in Boulder, CO and made the move. One of the first things to check off the list was finding a new CrossFit gym to call home. She tried out a few gyms in the area, but knew that CrossFit Roots was where she wanted to be. Since joining Roots back in 2013, Courtney has done a few competitive training and OLY cycles, recertified her CF-L1, and took on managing the retail operations for the gym.
When she’s not at the gym working out or getting the next round of apparel ordered, Courtney works full-time as the Marketing Brand Manager for SugarWOD. Outside of work, you can find her hiking her pups and hanging with her friends, doing as the Coloradans do. She loves working with this dream team of individuals who are helping people become the best versions of themselves every day.
COACHING CREDENTIALS
- CrossFit Level 1 (CF-L1)
HOMETOWN
Casper, WY
EDUCATION
- University of Wyoming- BA in Psychology
ATHLETIC BACKGROUND
- Volleyball
- Basketball
- Track and Field
- Softball
- Weightlifting
KELLEY LAXTON
Social Media Coordinator
ABOUT KELLY
BIOGRAPHY
Kelley first started CrossFit here at CrossFit Roots during her senior year of high school. She wanted to stay in shape after graduating from the Silver Creek Dance Team and leading into college.
She has now graduated from CU Boulder with a degree in Journalism and Sports Media and has been a part of the CrossFit Roots community through it all.
Kelley helps keep communication prompt by managing the CrossFit Roots Instagram and Facebook accounts, writing stories for the blog, and creating monthly newsletters.
CREDENTIALS
- CrossFit Level 1 (CF-L1)
HOMETOWN
Longmont, Colorado
EDUCATION
- The University of Colorado
ATHLETIC BACKGROUND
- Dance
CONTACT KELLEY