Luke Kayyem
Owner/Coach of CrossFit Scottsdale
Biography
Luke Kayyem was born in Los Angeles, raised in Palm Springs and grew up in Hawaii. By spending every minute outside as a child, sports, athletics and fitness were not only a passion but quickly became a lifestyle. Luke attended the same prep school (Punahou in Oahu) as our President Barack Obama and continued his education in athletics playing football in San Diego and Baseball in Sacramento. Luke married his high school sweet heart Najla and has two beautiful children, Kanon and Camille. After moving to Scottsdale in October of 2007 Luke began his manifest destiny and started building his dream of owning and operating one of Arizona’s fastest growing School’s of Elite Fitness— CrossFit Scottsdale. His success in the fitness industry as a Fitness Professional began 14 years ago.
When Luke first started in the industry he was 19 years old and bodybuilding was “all the rage”. Luke went from running a 45,000 sq.ft. “globo gym” to opening his own 150 sq.ft personal training studio. “I began to change my programming and I noticed greater client results when I was forced to incorporate functional movements, due to the size of my facility,” said Coach Kayyem. Squatting, jumping, pushing, and pulling became the focal point of his workouts. This training method eventually became known and recognized globally as “CrossFit.” CrossFit teaches you how to use your body as a machine. Incorporating these principals in his team training has allowed Luke to coach 100 students in a day and even train seniors alongside soldiers. Luke is a competitive athlete and world renowned Coach.
Luke is a board member of Arizona Baseball Charities, he prides himself on his community service and has been able to integrate community based events and non-profit support into the CrossFit Scottsdale network.
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Certifications
- CrossFit Level I Certified
- CrossFit Kids Certified
- CrossFit Gymnastics Certified
- CrossFit Joint Mobility & Recovery Certified
- SealFit Level I
- CrossFit Olympic Lifting Certified
- USAW Certified
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Competitive Edge
- 2011 Reebok CrossFit Games Southwest Regional Qualifier
- 2011 Friday Night Lights, CrossFit Open Qualifier 1st place
- 2011 Winter Open 4th Place
- 2011 The Courage Games 4th Place
- 2011 Southwest Throwdown 11th Place
- 2011 Mad Mud Run 1st Place 2 man Co-ed Team
- 2010 CrossFit Games Regional Qualifier: Affiliate Cup Team
- 2010 Mad Mud Run 1st Place 2 man Co-ed Team
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Najla Kayyem
Owner/Coach/Marketing/PR of CrossFit Scottsdale
Biography
CrossFit creates a sport out of exercise and it gets you in better shape quicker than any other exercise regime out there. Everyone knows that finding time for fitness isn’t always easy but it needs to be a priority. It was right after my second child that I decided to really hit it hard with my CrossFit training. 7 months after I really got serious about training, I had dropped 25 pounds, changed my eating habits and got in the best shape of my life at 30. It was fascinating to me that I was getting faster, leaner and stronger doing less traditional weight training and spending less time in the gym (actually doing physical exercise vs. reading US Weekly on the elliptical.
I grew up in Palm Springs, California, played competitive Varsity sports in High School and stayed active through my college years at San Diego State University where I graduated in 2001 with a BA in Communications. I immediately went to work for a development firm to build, manage, market and operate mixed-use retail lifestyle centers and married my life partner and high school sweetheart, Luke. I spend the last 12 years in the Real Estate Development arena as the Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations for various prominent mixed use commercial real estate development companies including Westfield, Caruso Affiliated, Related Companies and Red Development. Currently, I am the Chief Executive Officer for SICFIT, a lifestyle brand and media company that showcases user generated content for the fitness community. Additionally, I consult for CrossFit affiliates nationally helping them get to the next level by achieving their business goals and create lasting marketing and branding platforms and programs that help promote their business, increase student retention, enhance coaching practices and establish them as a leader in their market.
I love the fact that CrossFit is a grass roots fitness revolution and that we are at the fore front of it. I believe that the true beauty of the CrossFit method is that it is scalable, effective and efficient making it the perfect application for any committed individual. Functional movements are essential for independent living thus this program works for everyone regardless of age, ability or strength. CrossFit Scottsdale is a School of Elite Fitness; we offer you the appropriate training, teamwork, nutrition counseling, camaraderie, an outlet for competition, challenges, seminars and overall education to enable you to live a healthier happier lifestyle. At the end of the day, I practice what I preach. I train CrossFit. I teach CrossFit. I am CrossFit. I love my job. I love my life. I love my family and the fact that I can have such a profound, positive effect on changing people’s lives. The highlight of my day (besides coming home to two beautiful kids) is seeing the empowerment that people feel when they are able to accomplish their athletic, fitness, and health goals.
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Certifications
- Level 1 CrossFit Certified Coach
- CrossFit Gymnastics Certified Coach
- CrossFit Olympic Lifting Certified Coach
- CrossFit Endurance Certified Coach
- USA Weightlifting Level 1 Sports Performance Coach
- Nutrition Educator
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Tiffany Divelbiss
Coach / CrossFit Kids Program Director / Nutritionist
Biography
I am CrossFit! It amazes me that something that you never expected or dreamed of turns out to be exactly what you were meant to do.
After receiving my Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies from ASU I knew I wanted to help people but was looking for a more positive industry to do that in. Both my experiences at a young age with food allergies and a continual battle with my weight I was drawn into the world of nutrition. I saw how I could truly change people’s lives for the better. I received my Nutrition Consultant Certification and knew I had to be able to coach myself before I could help anyone else. 30 pounds down and 3 years and many changed lives later, I was lucky enough to be working as a nutritionist within the same facility in which CrossFit Scottsdale started. I enjoyed being active but hadn’t done any regular activity since my high school days of dancing and cheerleading. I would dabble here and there, get really consistent for about 2 weeks and then get bored. CrossFit has taught me many life lessons. I am convinced that a 20 minute CrossFit workout can teach you more about yourself than years in therapy. The first lesson I learned was humility. In my first class I got 45 minutes into it and turn pale, and spent the rest of the time plus 2 hours trying not to throw up. I had thought at the time that I was in decent shape. I realized then that I was missing something in my life physically. I was certainly humbled by a seemingly simple workout and didn’t want that to happen again. CrossFit gave me RESULTS! For the first time I felt a part of a sport on an individual and team level. I had the accountability and support that I needed to truly achieve my best. Through CrossFit I feel stronger not only physically but mentally. I have found muscles I didn’t know I had and a confidence that I have been missing for way too long. I am definitely in the best shape of my life and there are things that I can do now that I never thought I could do. Not only do I get to teach people about nutrition and fueling their bodies optimally but I get to help them get their first pull up, PR their deadlift and do “Fran” for the first time. Every day I am passionate about helping others achieve more than they think they are capable of and can truly help people change their lives.
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Certifications
- Certified Holistic Nutritionist
- Community Nutrition Educator
- CrossFit Level 1 Certified Trainer
- CrossFit Nutrition Certified
- CrossFit Joint Mobility & Recovery Certified Trainer
- CrossFit Kids Certified Trainer
- CrossFit Olympic Lifting Certified Coach-Mike Burgener
- 2011 CrossFit Games Open Competitor
- 2011 CrossFit Games Southwest Regional Affiliate Cup Team Competitor
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Competitive Edge
- 2011 Reebok CrossFit Games Southwest Regional Qualifier-Affiliate Cup Team
- 2011 Friday Night Lights, CrossFit Open Qualifier 2nd place
- 2011 The Hammer CrossFit Competition 5th place
- 2010 Arizona Affiliate Competition 13th place
- 2009 Furious Fundraiser Competition 6th place
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Jenn Donovan
Coach
Biography
Changing lives! That’s the reason why I’m here at CrossFit Scottsdale. I am Coach Jenn D. Also affectionately known as the “Jersey Girl.” Born and raised in New Jersey coming from an athletic family, sports became my passion. I enjoyed being captain of my lacrosse and basketball team. I excelled in track and loved trail running. Softball, snowboarding and skateboarding were sports that interested me as well. I was an all around athlete. In college I studied kinesiology and did some personal training on the side. Fitness and wellness had become a part of my life.
After college so ended competitive sports. Lacrosse was over. So, I joined the famous Globo Gym. Yes I was that girl, seven days a week 4 hours a day, hitting it hard. Or so I thought I was hitting it hard. Something was missing, being a part of a team and competing. That’s when an old friend of mine told me about CrossFit. He knew Luke (they took level one cert. together) now the owner of CrossFit Scottsdale. I immediately researched CrossFit Scottsdale. The very next day I went to find out what it was all about. It was unlike any gym I had ever seen. The energy and excitement was intoxicating! Went through the “baseline” and got smoked. I loved every minute. Yup, I “drank the Kool-Aid.” Not only did I find an amazing new and exciting fitness lifestyle, I found a home and a second family at CrossFit Scottsdale.
Being an esthetician and laser technician for thirteen years it really was time for a change! CrossFit Scottsdale provided me with the perfect fit for my lifestyle. Changing people’s lives and helping them meet their fitness and wellness goals was what I wanted to do. I took the Level 1 Certification, then became a coach at CrossFit Scottsdale. I wanted to have an impact on lives just as my life was impacted. Now I am living my dream; coaching, competing, helping and changing my students lives is my love and my passion. I’m inspired everyday by my CrossFit Scottsdale community. For me that’s living.
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Certifications
- Level I Certified
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Competitive Edge
- 2011 Reebok Crossfit Games Regional Team Qualifier
- 2011 Friday Night Lights 3rd Place
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Melissa Einbinder
Coach
Biography
I am originally from Phoenix, Arizona and have returned home recently from Las Vegas, Nevada. Since I was young, I’ve always had a love for sports and competition. I started gymnastics at the age of three and continue until I was 16 years old. I then traded the thrill of flipping on balance beams to running down runways leaping into the air with a 13′-0″ pole. It was through track and field I found a new love for running and pole vaulting which continued into the first part of college at Georgia Tech.
Due to an injury, I set aside my athletics and graduated in 2007 with a degree in Building Construction. I then moved out to Sin City for work and quickly fell into the popular world of Triathlons. Coming from a background of athletics I found the need to pick up a new competitive sport to peak my interests. I soon fell in love with the drive to push my body and mind to further distances than I had previously accomplished. As much as I wanted to continue to reach my goals, I fell victim to the most common injury of runners with knee issues which then led to surgery.
It was then while in the dumps, unable to run and being told I could only lift (which at the time meant boring stationary movements) that I found the amazing world of Crossfit. A friend at work recommended a fitness program, describing it as a breath of fresh air from the typical, what we Crossfitters call, globo gyms. I then joined Crossfit Las Vegas and spent the next few months working on body weight movements, rehabiliting my knee to where I could sprint, jump and squat again.
It only took a few three to ten minute WODs, to realize these types of workouts left me more tired and exhausted than any two hour triathlon training session. Although I was exhausted and on the verge of passing out, I felt more powerful and motivated to do another and it was at this point, I realized I wanted some part of this Crossfit world. Within due time, I fell into the complete Crossfit lifestyle, eating Paleo, leaving the leg and bench press behind to replace them with Olympic lifts and swapped my long and repetitive cardio sessions for continually changing full body WODs.
It wasn’t until I moved down to Scottsdale and joined the CFS team, that I realized I wanted to change the WODs from simply being challenging workouts to stay fit into training for competition. The community in this box is none that I’ve ever experienced. The CrossFit Scottsdale team is not just a gym with people who come and go as they please, but a close group of people who form a crazy, sweaty
family providing support and best of all, competition to reach what most could never do on their own. It is the drive and commitment that wakes me every morning and something I want to share with others. I am excited to work with my CFS team to set new goals and commitments by embarking into this new journey of coaching.
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Certifications
- LEVEL I CERTIFIED
- CrossFit Endurance Certified Coach
- 2010 CrossFit Games Regional Affiliate Cup Team Competitor
- 2011 CrossFit Games Open Competitor
- 2011 CrossFit Games Southwest Regional Competitior
- CrossFit Olympic Lifting Certified Coach 2010
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Competitive Edge
- 2011 Reebok CrossFit Games Southwest Regional Qualifier – 8th Place
- 2011 Friday Night Lights, CrossFit Open Qualifier – 1st Place
- 2011 Southwest Throwdown – 5th Place
- 2011 The Hammer – 1st Place
- 2011 Mad Mud Run 1st Place 2 man Co-ed Team
- 2010 CrossFit Games Regional Qualifier: Affiliate Cup Team
- 2010 Mad Mud Run 1st Place 2 man Co-ed Team
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Ashley Richards
Coach
Biography
My name is Ashley Richards, and I am proud to call myself a CrossFitter. It’s a lifestyle I not only enjoy, but it allows me to be a stronger, more confident individual inside and out. I can honestly say that I am in the best shape of my life! 2 years ago or so ago, I was your typical American. Eating out often, social drinking too much, and never making time to get to the globo gym and when I did it was for a simple 30 minute cardio session on the elliptical. I dreaded the gym, and so called “fitness” and I hated healthy eating, it just was not part of my lifestyle. At the same time, I was not happy with my energy level, what my body looked like, and always seemed to lack that drive I once had. It was a battle to get up in the morning and I never seemed to get enough sleep. Does that sound like someone you know? Maybe even you? I lived it, and I know other people do too. It was such a change from the life I once had when I was younger, where I was a long distance runner, along with being on the Volleyball team. Sports and activity was always part of my life while in school, but that quickly changed as I slowly eased out of school and into reality at a desk job. Tell me that isn’t a typical Americans story these days.
I have known Luke and Najla for over 3 years now, and during that time I had tried CrossFit a few times with them at their box. Every time I left so sore I would cry, and never want to go back. I even participated in 9/11 in 2009 and could barely walk to my car after I was done. I thought I was “scared” of Luke and CrossFit, but overall I found out I was more scared of myself. In February of 2010, I finally moved to Scottsdale from Phoenix, and decided I was going to do something about my lack of energy and get back into fitness in which I once loved. I took the plunge and became a member that month, and was taking one class a week, just something to get me started. Shortly after that increased to two times a week and before you know it, I was an unlimited member. I was eating, sleeping, and breathing CrossFit. In April of 2009, I finally decided that CrossFit Scottsdale was not only my destination for becoming a healthier person, but I learned that it was a passion and another family on its own. It was something I wanted to pursue and learn more about on a coaching level to help change the lives of other “typical Americans” in which I once was. So in October 2010, I completed the Level I Training Certification and officially became a Coach.
I currently coach the beginner and all level classes at CrossFit Scottsdale, and love working with those “typical” Americans and helping them hit their fitness and life goals. Driving and coaching students to be the best they can, and to help them do more than they can ever imagine is the best feeling in the world.
Let’s make CrossFit an epidemic and take people out of their cubicle office setting back into an active lifestyle where daily tasks will be more enjoyable, and showing how powerful anyone can be with CrossFit Scottsdale.
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Certifications
- LEVEL I CERTIFIED
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Don Wong
Coach
Biography
I wish that I could tell you that I have been an athlete my entire life, and that joining CrossFit Scottsdale was the logical progression for reaching the next level of fitness. But that is not me. The truth is, I was not athletic growing up. Instead, I was a really good student, corporate office worker, and computer-jock – all at the expense of neglecting my health. When I hit my mid-30s, all the damage had caught up with me. I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic. In 5 to 7 years I would have needed to go on insulin, be at high risk for heart disease, and could face other complications like blindness or amputation. I had to do something!
Luckily, I was working with a doctor who knew about CrossFit and how high-intensity exercise can reset metabolism and the endocrine system. And so my journey began in April 2009. Since then I have learned a lot about fitness, diet, and living a healthy lifestyle. I could not have done it without the support of the CrossFit Scottsdale coaches, fellow students, and extended family. I am happy to say that I have almost completely reversed the diabetes, I have let go of nearly 30 pounds, and I have a new love of fitness. My clothes fit better, I feel better, and I have added years to my life that I can spend with my family and loved ones. Best of all, I am drug free.
I credit CrossFit Scottsdale for changing me from a “fat-lete” to an athlete. And now it’s my time to pay it forward. If you ever want to chat with me about getting and staying motivated, just let me know. Now do work!
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Certifications
- LEVEL I CERTIFIED
- Certified Hypnotherapist
- Motivational Coach
- FMS Functional Movement Systems Level 1 Certified
- Therapeutic Bodyworker
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Tyler “Sensei” Warren
Coach
Biography
I never was a naturally athletic person. I played little league baseball as a kid and was a “benchwarmer” most of the time. As a teenager, I was overweight and actually was in a bowling league for sometime (had my own ball and everything). My freshman year of high school I wrestled but it was short lived due to an ankle injury in my first match. My senior year of high school a friend of mine told me about a martial arts school he recently began to attend and invited me down to try it out. I was hooked after my first class and my martial arts career took me down a path I never thought I would be on.
I am currently the operations manager at the Scottsdale Martial Arts Center and assistant head instructor. I study traditional Japanese and Okinawa martial arts as well as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, Boxing, Greco Roman Wrestling, and Kali. I’ve have competed all over the United States and in Japan, Canada, and China. I came across CrossFit Scottsdale shortly after my return from Japan where I placed 5th in my weight category. I was in rut and looking for something different. After my baseline with Coach Luke, I was greatly humbled and signed up immediately. I am stronger, leaner, and faster then I never was and continue to push my body’s limitations under Luke’s tutelage. I am honored to be apart of this excellent coaching staff and will continue to “lead by example.”
OSU!
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Certifications
- Crossfit Level 1 Certified
- 2nd Degree in Black Belt in Okinawa Karate
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Hallie Flood
Office Manager/Coach
Biography
Being and athlete or working out has always been big in my family ever since I was little. Every member of my family had and has a sport or physical activity they are involved in. I played volleyball and lifted weights in high school but lost the drive when college came. I got married right after college and two years later had a beautiful son. During all that time I began to notice my weight creep up and my health go down. I felt sluggish, sad and lazy. I found CrossFit Scottsdale in January of 2010 when I moved back to Arizona while my husband left for South Korea on a year tour with the Air Force. Since then, I have been hooked!I feel like I finally took charge of my health and since then have lost 60+ lbs by coming 5 days a week and becoming more aware of what goes into my body. I am “bringing sexy back” and loving every minute of it. I feel better physically and mentally and I have a confidence about me that I didn’t even know existed.
CrossFit isn’t just about getting more weight over my head or running farther, it’s also about learning how to take on challenges and obstacles that are placed in front of you. The way I choose to take on a WOD at CrossFit is now how I choose to take on a challenge in life. It might be hard, and it might hurt, but I can get through it and when I am done I am going to be stronger! It has been an eye opener and something that I tell everyone about. I feel like I am a walking advertisement for CrossFit and CrossFit Scottsdale and I love it! If I can do it, anyone can! This is the place to be!
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Certifications
- LEVEL I CERTIFIED
- Level 1 CrossFit Certified Coach 2011
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Competitive Edge
- Barbells for Boobs 2011 – 3rd place
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Erin Wellendorf
Coach/CrossFit Kids Coach
Biography
While I’m not a born athlete, I’ve been pretty active for most of my life. My husband Mike and I love to go hiking, kayaking, running and most anything in the outdoors. Running had been my go-to exercise but really it wasn’t a thing I loved to do. When I first learned about CrossFit from a family member I thought “No way normal people do this!” Then in 2009 I walked in to CrossFit Scottsdale. After my initial baseline workout I still was second guessing my ability to do it, but I figured I ran two marathons; I’ve lifted weights before; I can at least not make a fool of myself. A year and a half later I can’t promise I’ve never made a fool of myself, but I can safely say I’ve improved by leaps and bounds. I’m 20 pounds lighter and can actually complete “Fran”. CrossFit has really given me the tools and skills to be a better athlete and just generally better at life. As a coach I want to pass those tools and skills on to others.
I first became involved in the coaching side of things by helping Tiffany with the Crossfit Kids program. I love coaching the kids! Giving the them the successes in the gym not only develops the love of exercise early but it also builds their confidence for the other things that they do. And based on my personal experience, the same is true for the adults too. I want kids and adults to know the importance of exercise and good nutrition- born athlete or not. CrossFit is hard, but that is what makes accomplishing that kipping pull up or improved WOD time that much better. I love being a part of this community of supportive students and coaches!
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Certifications
- LEVEL I CERTIFIED
- CrossFit Kids Certified
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