Bios

After graduating from Philadelphia University, Aimee followed her career goals and applied her Fashion Merchandising degree in the retail world. She pursued her dream of becoming a buyer in the industry at a variety of companies such as Lacoste, Polo Ralph Lauren and Linens ‘N Things. Throughout her eight years in retail, Aimee was the first to adopt the latest fitness trend, fad or gimmick, anything to say fit, healthy and sane in the retail world. In 2003 Aimee became certified in Group fitness through AFAA, the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America. Following that certification she became Spinning/Group Cycling, Yoga, Pilates and even a certification in a little known globo-gym device, the Core Pole. In addition to certifications, throughout her tenure in New Jersey she studied Boxing with a Taekwondo specialization from Master Kevin Padilla, who recently traveled to Beijing to coach at the Olympic Games.

In early 2008, after a move to Philadelphia, she was introduced to CrossFit and after watching the Nasty Girl video on the CrossFit HQ main-page; she was instantly hooked! Aimee immediately began looking for CrossFit Certifications and her search brought her to the Police Academy in Vassalboro, Maine where she was awarded her Level 1 certification under the instruction of Pat Sherwood, CrossFit Level 3 Trainer. Her training and commitment to CrossFit principals began as soon as she returned home to Pennsylvania and began coaching with her Level 1 CrossFit certification. Aimee’s passion and dedication to CrossFit training has taken her physically and mentally to levels she never thought possible. Her philosophy is that, "Consistent CrossFit training promotes a disciplined lifestyle, which in turn creates a sound, healthy body and mind. This discipline transfers into other life pursuits, which help individuals develop a positive self-image and outlook on life." Aimee received her Level 2 CrossFit certification on June 18th and is currently helping coach at CrossFit Level 1 Certifications.

Aimee is also a certified personal trainer through the National Personal Training Institute and holds a board of education certified degree in basic nutrition. She is a USA-Weightlifting Certified Sports Coach. She established CrossFit King of Prussia in September of 2008.

Certifications and Degrees

• CrossFit Level 2 Certification, June 2009, Montclair New Jersey
• CrossFit Level 1 Certification, June 2008, Vassalboro Maine
• CrossFit Olympic Lifting Certification, October 2009, Glenolden Pennsylvania
• CrossFit Kids Certification, May 2009, Ramona California
• CPR and First Aid
• National Personal Training Institute, Certified Personal Trainer, including Anatomy, Physiology, Theory and Practical
• National Personal Training Institute, Board of Education Certified Basic Nutrition
• USA-Weightlifting Certified Sports Coach
• Aerobics and Fitness Association of America, Primary Group Exercise Certification
• Les Mills Body Pump
• Indoor Cycling
• Practical Pilates Training
• Practical Yoga on the Ball
• CorePole Fundamentals
• Bachelors of Science, Philadelphia University
• Inter-Continental University, London

Having played sports throughout his childhood, Jason was accustomed to having fun while getting a workout. After college, the opportunities to play sports seemed to present themselves less and less and instead of increasing his heart rate, Jason seemed only to increase his pant size. Every year Jason would attempt to work out more but the fun was just not there. He became the person that everyone knows…the one with the home gym being used as a coat rack and the gym membership that hasn’t been scanned in 6 months. Enter CrossFit. After laughing at his wife for reading all of the articles and watching all the videos, Jason decided to give it a try. It took one workout (Chelsea) to humble him and make him realize just how far down the fitness ladder he had fallen. Since then, Jason has completely submerged himself in the CrossFit culture and has seen dramatic results in a short period of time. When asked about his change in culture, Jason said, “Before CrossFit, I never experienced camaraderie in a gym. When I went to Bally’s, I would run on the treadmill, do some curls and lat pull-downs and call it a day. In my 4-year membership, I do not think I spoke to anyone except to ask if the machine was free. At the KoP box, I have become good friends with everyone and I find myself going to the gym on my off days to verbally encourage them and support their growth. It is amazing what you can accomplish when you have a goal, believe it in, and have a support system that wants you to achieve that goal by cheering you on and in most cases, pushing themselves against you. It is truly a win-win situation.” Due to his belief in CrossFit methods and his desire to become better, Jason took a step that he never believed possible by becoming Level 1 CrossFit certified in 2009 at Malvern Prep under the direction of Adrian Bozman, a member of the CrossFit HQ staff.

Certifications and Degrees

• CrossFit Level 1 Certification, February 2009, Malvern Pennsylvania
• CrossFit Olympic Lifting Certification, October 2009, Glenolden Pennsylvania
• CPR and First Aid
• B.S.E. Textile Engineering, Philadelphia University
• Ph.D. Materials Engineering

Evan started his fitness journey in the typical “Globo Gym” until Rob Miller (of CrossFit Delaware Valley) turned him on to CrossFit and made him drink the CrossFit Kool Aid. In two years Evan watched his fitness level increase dramatically and has never gone back to the Globo Gym. While constantly trying to improve, Evan took it upon himself to get CrossFit Level 1 certified in 2008. He traveled to CrossFit South Brooklyn in October of 2008 where Level 3 CrossFit Certified Pat Sherwood ran the certification and there was a special appearance by Coach Glassman. Since then he has been a great asset to CrossFit KoP! What Evan finds most interesting is, "how CrossFit becomes so deeply engrained in your life whereas the folks who seem to have to drag themselves to other Gyms and trudge through the same daily workouts just to get it done don’t seem to have the same camaraderie or intensity found in a CrossFit box. Hopefully I’ll be able to help others do the same. Plenty of Kool Aid to go around! Get some!!!" When Evan is not CrossFitting or dropping off some new piece of equipment for the gym, his wife and two children keep him plenty busy. Evan also holds a B.S. Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Temple University and is an avid woodworker specializing in fine furniture and of course...Plyo Boxes!

Certifications and Degrees

• CrossFit Level 1 Certification, October 2008, Brooklyn New York
• CrossFit Olympic Lifting Certification, October 2009, Glenolden Pennsylvania

Tim has been an avid runner and track athlete most of his life. He continued to add to his passion for fitness by running in college as a member of the Villanova Track Team as a middle distance 400/800m runner. After college, he continued to dedicate himself to his running training and physical health, competing in races ranging from 5Ks to half marathons, as well as triathlons.

The first time Tim tried CrossFit he went to class with an air of skepticism. However, after his first workout, he hasn’t looked back. Coming from a strict running background, which focused on speed, form, and endurance he was concerned about lifting heavy weight based on the common runners’ fear of gaining too much muscle mass. Through CrossFit he found he could push himself and his body to a different level of strength and conditioning, and really enjoyed the camaraderie and competition that the King of Prussia CrossFit community provides. CrossFit has enabled Tim to become much stronger, while enhancing his overall athletic performance and reaching new race PR’s. CrossFit’s constantly varied functional movements, and focus on gymnastics, body weight exercises, and Olympic lifts have allowed Tim to greatly increase his strength and muscle mass and improve his running performance.

Tim furthered his dedication to Crossfit by getting Level 1 certified in August 2009; he has been an active member of the CrossFit King of Prussia community since the beginning. To compliment his passion for running, Tim is planning to get his CrossFit Endurance certification as well. In addition to CrossFit, Tim’s hobbies include mountain biking, travel, scuba diving, wakeboarding, and cooking.

Certifications and Degrees

• CrossFit Level 1 Certification, August 2009, Brooklyn New York
• CrossFit Running and Endurance, November 2009, Atlanta Georgia

Paul was very active in high school with swimming, baseball, football and track keeping him in shape all year round. That was until college and the dreaded freshman 15, but in Paul’s case the dreaded freshman 30. Paul gained an extreme amount of weight in college due to consumption and no exercise. It was not until a few years after college that he decided to do something about his health. In one summer Paul began a strict regiment of running and eating right as was able to lose the weight but in the process not gain any muscle. Fast forward another 2 years and Paul decided it was time to get back into the fitness regime but this time doing it the way he was ingrained by the outside world with cardiovascular work as well as strength training at the local globo gym. This routine of cardio and strength training went on for 2 to 3 years and even included some types of group classes where were the workout was just variations of the same exercises he was doing alone. It was here where Paul saw his muscles getting bigger and more defined, but it was at a CrossFit workout with Aimee Lyons that Paul realized how much all that work in the Globo gym made him look stronger but not feel stronger.

Since early 2008, Paul has been living the CrossFit lifestyle and has since seen a huge amount of improvement in strength, speed and endurance. It was this significant improvement that prompted Paul to get his Level I certification in August of 2009 at CrossFit South Brooklyn. Paul now has the ability to help from both sides of the CrossFit spectrum, one side as the athlete pushing the others in the class to push themselves thru the daily workouts, and the other as a trainer, by making sure the proper technique is used when completing the daily workouts. Paul’s goal is to make everyone at CrossFit KoP bigger, stronger and faster, and is always willing to take the time and effort to help them achieve those goals.

Certifications and Degrees

• CrossFit Level 1 Certification, August 2009, Brooklyn New York

For as long as she can remember, Nikki has been a sports and fitness fanatic. As a child she played every sport her hometown offered, from tennis to swimming to softball to soccer. At age 12 she joined a competitive gymnastics team and discovered she was happiest on nights when she was so exhausted that she could barely lift her arms after practice. Pushing herself physically was like a drug… it provided a rush and a sense of happiness and accomplishment that was impossible to duplicate in any other part of her life. During college, Nikki picked up running as a way to stay in shape and fulfill her craving for physical challenge. She completed dozens of half and full marathons, worked out daily at a globo gym, and considered herself to be in great shape. Then, in early 2009, Nikki hit a slump. All of a sudden running wasn’t as exciting as it once was, and going to the globo gym was downright boring. Nikki was confused and bothered by her newfound lack of motivation. Fitness and physical activity had been an integral part of her life since childhood, and she wondered where was the rush that she used to get from working out?

In May 2009 Nikki heard about CrossFit King of Prussia from a coworker who claimed that CrossFit had changed his life. She called Aimee to set up an intro session, and from the first day she walked into CFKoP, she knew it was something special. Everyone at the gym was friendly and encouraging, and Aimee had a way of coaching that made her clients always want to give 110%. After only a month of CrossFit, Nikki saw huge strength gains and changes in her body. She was shocked to realize that her many years of long distance running had, ironically, caused her to fall out of shape! Without hesitation, Nikki cancelled her globo gym membership and registered to get her CrossFit Level 1 certification, which she received in October 2009 under the direction of Chuck Carswell. As an assistant coach at CFKoP, Nikki wants to help each member reach his or her unique personal fitness goals. She strives to teach the CrossFit methodology consistently and clearly, and inspire each person who walks through the doors of CFKoP to give their best everyday.

Certifications and Degrees

• CrossFit Level 1 Certification, October 2009, Watertown Connecticut