I have been in the fitness industry since 2008 starting from the age of 18.  I can say it was a gift finding it at that age. Since then, I have gone overseas and to university to say that I really have tried to broaden my understanding on athletic performance and general health and wellbeing.

I found CrossFit in mid 2009, but didn’t seriously take it on board until early 2010. Within those 2 years of participating in Crossfit I have noticed that it is a self-motivating fitness regime that definitely drives every day individuals to want above average levels of fitness, which definitely is refreshing for any personal trainer that is helping a client.

I’m a motivated individual who likes to see progression in anyone. I have participated in many activities such as dance, track and field, gymnastics and most recent to date Olympic Weightlifting. I’d consider Olympic lifts my bread and butter in coaching terms. Also in workouts where I definitely much prefer a heavy snatch or clean and jerk than a terribly enjoyable met-con.

Being a lover of gelato, I workout so I can eat loads.  Not really, my training has become an imperative part of my life now, not just for the obvious health benefits but it also gives me more goals to chase and things to learn.

Crossfit has the capacity to show every individual how much more they’re capable of, and I like to do the same.  Not hailing from a sports background, and was the overweight child in the classroom; I worked with a trainer to increase my fitness gradually, and eventually was inspired by him to become one myself.  The thing I love about Crossfit is the constant pursuit for improvement, you are always working to get better at something, which keeps your passion for training alive.  I’ve been a trainer for 2 years, having completed the Crossfit Level 1 and Gymnastics course; I look to constantly evolve and have my eyes set on completing more Olympic lifting work.

I believe that everyone should have a rock solid base, have a strong foundation, with technique over intensity and gradually bringing intensity into play.  Just think with a rock solid base, the trickier things will come along easier.

Apparently I have a life outside of the gym as well which involves me taking my dog out, eating out, cooking, drinking copious amounts of coffee and loudly singing along with the radio.

My name is Emanuela and you probably know me as Manu. I have a holistic approach to life and fitness as body, mind, spirit. I believe that the path to happiness begins with a healthy body. I started as a yoga instructor in Italy and added Pilates and personal training as natural development of my profession as I moved to Australia. As a yoga instructor, I’m passionate about mobility and flexibility matters, as well as breathing and meditation.

I’ve worked as a personal trainer since 2007, yoga and Pilates instructor and I’ve had 2 years experience in the athlete environment with the Sea Eagles on the Sunshine Coast, winner of 2009 QCup Rugby. I am certified as a CrossFit level 1, CrossFit Coaching Preparation Course certificate 3 and 4 in fitness, Yoga instructor, and Pilates Instructor Mat and Equipment.

I discovered CrossFit on the Sunshine Coast in 2009 and I’m still addicted. I love the intensity, the variety and the knowledge that the CrossFit community is spreading all over the world. It’s amazing how fitness has changed since. I also love the possibility to compete and to spend fun days with fellow CrossFitters everywhere I go around the world.

I have a broad fitness background that goes from body building to kick boxing, volley ball, of course yoga, Pilates and CrossFit. I’m very passionate for music, especially hard rock, I like to play guitar and sing. I like to cook, especially Italian cooking, and to eat as well! I always appreciate a good laugh with friends in front of a pizza, an affogato and a good red wine. I love people in general.

Peace and Love

Before entering my position as a Trainer, I was an Ignite client who loved the atmosphere, camaraderie, and continuous challenges of training here.  Even as a trainer, I am focused on continuous improvement across all areas – especially gymnastics, olympic lifting, and running.  I have mastered the art of performing all CrossFit movements with exceptional beauty and finesse when no one is looking.  It looks best in my hunting tights.

As a perennial student of science (Honours and Masters in Biology, currently studying toward my PhD) I am fascinated at how people form opinions regarding exercise and nutrition, and by instances where science is used in misleading ways.

I too thought that eating fat would make me fat, that if I so much as touched a barbell I would be too big to fit in my front door, and that doing a million hours of cardio would make me thin.  My time at Ignite has shown me otherwise and now, as a trainer, I endeavour to deliver the same commitment and success to clients.

Health and fitness is a big part of my life. After a long history of team sports and training I began studying Exercise Physiology at UNSW. I am currently in 4^th year and due to finish in 2012. Working and training at Ignite has been a great opportunity to apply what I know but also to learn off some very experienced and knowledgeable people.

As a trainer at Crossfit Ignite I strive to bring out the best of myself and those who I train. Nothing pleases me more than seeing someone run a little faster, jump a little higher or lift a little more. I believe in a holistic approach incorporating smart training, sound nutrition and lifestyle to progressing toward your optimal health and fitness goals; whatever they may be.  This is the essence of Crossfit to me.

Crossfit also has the ability to uncover strengths and weaknesses in everybody.  No one is perfect, everyone is different and everyone has a huge capacity for continual growth and improvement. It’s my job to facilitate this. Personally when I started Crossfit my inflexibilities made basic movements like squatting difficult. This is a weakness I identified and worked hard on improving. Experience like this helps me to identify similar patterns in people and help them to progress.

Outside of the gym I enjoy reading, eating, learning new things and anything and everything outdoors.

I have a Master’s Degree in Physical Education from Loras College in the United States. I worked as a health and physical education teacher before becoming a personal trainer when he moved to Australia. I’ve been a certified personal trainer since 2003. I have a Level 1 crossfit and crossfit endurance certification.

Getting into crossfit seriously in April 2010 was the best thing I could have done. The joy of participating in a fitness program which works on all areas of fitness is much more appealing than just doing one type of fitness all the time. One huge bonus of this program is the foundation is based on sound nutrition, rather than nutrition just an equal part of the program.

I enjoy working with others to help them improve their overall wellness. Since I have seen great gains in all areas of my own fitness using the crossfit methodology; I urge others to use this inclusive style of training for their health and fitness needs.

I participate in most distances in running, adventure races, mountain bike races, and play on a touch footy team. Wrestling was my main sport in the United States, where I was a 4-time All-American and a 2-time National Champion at University between the years 1993 and 1996.

I’m Ignites resident animal (other than Graham). You may well encounter me when you come upstairs for measures with PJ. I usually hang out in the office asleep below the window in the sun. I sometimes bark when people come upstairs because I think that’s what I should do, but I’m really a big sook and just live for cuddles, chicken breast and the park.

When no-ones watching I love to chase and bite the rope and jump on the boxes. Pat me I’m a softy, not like the rest of them.

I competed in Track & Field at a high level throughout my childhood and have always enjoyed any sporting activities. This does not mean that I’m good at them all, I just like to give everything a go. I have completed Certificate III & IV Trainer, Group Instructor Certificate, Sports Power Coach Certificate 1 and Kettlebells Workshop 1. I started training at Ignite in August 2009 and thoroughly enjoy the CrossFit methodology. I have seen improvements in my own personal goals and fitness beyond my expectation.
It seemed a natural progression to join the Ignite Team when I finished my certification. I enjoy the encouragement and family vibe of the Ignite Team and look forward to learning and developing new skills to continue my journey to peak fitness. The variety in CrossFit keeps every session interesting and fun. The functional strength and endurance achieved through CrossFit training is both achievable and maintainable.
You will see my smiling face on the floor encouraging you to get the most out of your session.
My weakness is upper body, push ups particularly disagree with me, but I will persist to improve them. When I’m not at the gym I like to hang out with family and friends, kayaking, riding my bike and holidaying in sunny destinations.

I started Ignite in 2002 and I have many hats as owner, business manager, master trainer, and ideas man. I worked as a sport coach for many years and a trainer since 1996 with a Bachelor of Sports Science degree. I have CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, Gymnastics Level 1 and Power Coach Level 1 certificates as well as Certificate 4 Personal Trainer.

I believe in training like an athlete and looking and feeling like an athlete and I am known for taking no bullshit excuses. I certainly don’t pity fools.

CrossFit’s potential to bring about amazing results when exercise and nutrition is played as a game and done as part of a community is second to none and I have never seen this before from any exercise program.

Longer stuff (40min+) and gymnastic bodyweight stuff (Muscle ups, Burpees) are not my strengths, the shorter and heavier the better for me! There are many ways I spend my free time such as eating, drinking, sun and beach, reading, learning, thinking, hanging out with loved ones.

I am the Boss at Ignite. I have BA (Hons) in Theatre and I have been working since I qualified as a Certificate 4 Personal Trainer five years ago. I also have CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, Gymnastics Level 1 and Power Coach Level 1 certificates.

I like the people I work with at Ignite. We have a strong work ethic, but know how to have fun together too. Working and training with people who are passionate about the same things as me is priceless.

I train using the CrossFit methodology and try to stick to Zone based eating for the most part. I like the CrossFit quote ‘It doesn’t have to be fun to be fun!’ CrossFit enabled me to try new things, develop new skills and take my training to a whole new level which I never knew was possible. The fact that it is forever changing means that I never get bored and am always faced with new challenges.

In my training, the Olympic Lift, the Snatch, and also the Push Jerk are my current weaknesses. I have them in my program and am determined to get better at them! A few hours of my free time are spent training each week! I also enjoy eating out, drinking, walking my dogs, going to the theatre.