Meet Our Coaches

CrossFit Illuminate couldn’t shine bright without these people bringing their light to it all!

Zach Watts
Owner - Head Coach - Head Programmer

Zach

Zach has been doing CrossFit since 2014 and started coaching in 2015. He's competed at multiple high level competitions including the biggest stage, the 2021 NoBull CrossFit Games where he finished 30th overall. Outside of the gym, you can find him hanging out with his wife Bailee, his son Cameron and their dogs Miley & Sully, more than likely on the Loveland Bike Trail.

Certifications: 
Bachelors Degree in Exercise Science, CrossFit Level 2 Trainer, CrossFit Advanced Weightlifting, Chris Hinshaw's Aerobic Capacity Seminar

Fun Facts:
Last Meal of Choice: A dozen Busken “Twice Iced” donuts from Busken Bakery
Favorite CrossFit Movement: Squat Snatches

Coach - Owner

Bailee

Bailee has been doing CrossFit since 2015 and started coaching in 2021.  She is the proud wife of Zach and momma bear to her little man Cameron (and fur babies, Miley & Sully.) In the gym you can find her dancing to any song before, during and after workouts or planning the next gym party. Outside of the gym she works full time in IT, she loves to spend time with her family, loves to be outdoors and is always quoting movies. 

Certifications:
CrossFit Online Level 1 Certification

Fun Facts:
Last Meal of Choice: All of the Macaroni and cheese
Favorite CrossFit Movement: Power Clean

IMG_3321
IMG_3321
Coach - Owner

Bailee

Bailee has been doing CrossFit since 2015 and started coaching in 2021.  She is the proud wife of Zach and momma bear to her little man Cameron (and fur babies, Miley & Sully.) In the gym you can find her dancing to any song before, during and after workouts or planning the next gym party. Outside of the gym she works full time in IT, she loves to spend time with her family, loves to be outdoors and is always quoting movies. 

Certifications:
CrossFit Online Level 1 Certification

Fun Facts:
Last Meal of Choice: All of the Macaroni and cheese
Favorite CrossFit Movement: Power Clean

IMG_3316
Coach

Luke

Luke has been doing CrossFit since 2011, and coaching CrossFit since 2013. As a kid, the option was either play sports or get a job, so no question that sport and competition is a huge part of his life. There's nothing he enjoys more than helping and serving. His favorite thing to hear is "Can you help me with this?" Anytime away from the gym, he'll be enjoying his time with his wife and 2 children. 

 

Certifications:
CrossFit Level 2 Trainer, CrossFit Powerlifting

Fun Facts:
Last Meal of Choice: Peanut butter and jelly sandwich
Favorite CrossFit Movement: Handstands and Cleans

Coach

Jane

Jane and her family recently relocated back to Cincinnati after 17 years of living in the northeast. Always a fitness enthusiast, she discovered CrossFit in 2016, and earned her CrossFit Level 1 Certification in 2017. For 6 years, Jane coached and served as general manager for the women's only location of her gym in NJ. 

Certifications:
Fitour Certified Advanced Personal Trainer 

Fun Facts:
Last Meal of Choice: Steak with mashed potatoes and Graeter's toffee chip ice cream for dessert 
Favorite CrossFit Movement: Pull-ups

IMG_3999
IMG_3999
Coach

Jane

Jane and her family recently relocated back to Cincinnati after 17 years of living in the northeast. Always a fitness enthusiast, she discovered CrossFit in 2016, and earned her CrossFit Level 1 Certification in 2017. For 6 years, Jane coached and served as general manager for the women's only location of her gym in NJ. 

Certifications:
Fitour Certified Advanced Personal Trainer 

Fun Facts:
Last Meal of Choice: Steak with mashed potatoes and Graeter's toffee chip ice cream for dessert 
Favorite CrossFit Movement: Pull-ups

IMG_3319
Coach

Emily

Emily has been doing CrossFit since 2018 after retiring from collegiate swimming, and has been coaching since 2020. She is also a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach. She is a proud puppy momma to Queen Lilly, and roommate to Dalton. She loves meeting athletes where they are and is committed to making every person laugh at least once in each of her classes. 
 

Certifications:
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, Working Against Gravity Nutrition Coach L-1, Conjugate Methods Certification for CrossFit 

Fun Facts:
Last Meal of Choice: Macaroni and cheese with a CRISP Sprite
Favorite CrossFit Movement: muscle-ups

Coach

Ashley

Ashley recently moved to the area from Voorhees, New Jersey with her husband Joseph and son George. Ashley is professionally trained as dancer and has been coaching dance for 15+ years. Ashley started her CrossFit journey in 2011. She has been coaching since 2018 and obtained her Level 1 and Level 2 certificates along the way. Ashley has a strong interest in women's health and athletics and has certifications in pregnancy and postpartum coaching. Ashley has competed in a number of crossfit competitions and is ready to take on more. "I've been coaching in multiple disciplines for many years and the best feeling is when something clicks for someone and you see that smile peak through.

Certifications:
CrossFit Level 2 Trainer, Certifications in Pregnancy and Postpartum Coaching

Fun Facts:
Last Meal of Choice: Lobster and tomahawk steak (still mooing). I'm allergic to lobster so that would be a good way to go out. Followed by s'mores.t 
Favorite CrossFit Movement: deadlifts, kb snatches, DB snatches

Coach Ashley
Coach Ashley
Coach

Ashley

Ashley recently moved to the area from Voorhees, New Jersey with her husband Joseph and son George. Ashley is professionally trained as dancer and has been coaching dance for 15+ years. Ashley started her CrossFit journey in 2011. She has been coaching since 2018 and obtained her Level 1 and Level 2 certificates along the way. Ashley has a strong interest in women's health and athletics and has certifications in pregnancy and postpartum coaching. Ashley has competed in a number of crossfit competitions and is ready to take on more. "I've been coaching in multiple disciplines for many years and the best feeling is when something clicks for someone and you see that smile peak through.

Certifications:
CrossFit Level 2 Trainer, Certifications in Pregnancy and Postpartum Coaching

Fun Facts:
Last Meal of Choice: Lobster and tomahawk steak (still mooing). I'm allergic to lobster so that would be a good way to go out. Followed by s'mores.t 
Favorite CrossFit Movement: deadlifts, kb snatches, DB snatches

CrossFit Illuminate
Coach

Ryan

Ryan has been doing CrossFit intermittently since 2019 while in school, and consistently since 2022, when he graduated. He has been coaching CrossFit since 2023.  In the gym, you can find him singing the words to every song, despite how tired he is. Outside of the gym, he can be found hiking, biking, and exploring. Although he doesn't have any of his own, he is a big fan of dogs.

Certifications:
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer

Fun Facts:
Last meal of choice: Steak with ranch potatoes and Brussels sprouts.
Favorite CrossFit Movement: Power Clean

Join Us For A Class!

Click the link below to get started training with one of our exceptional CrossFit Coaches! Start today and you'll never look back!

Scroll to Top