B.A.-University of Michigan
Certifications include:
CrossFit Level 1
CrossFit Kids
Endurance-running and cycling
Gymnastics and rowing
Olympic Lifting
Mobility and Recovery
I moved to Vacaville in 2007 with my wife Marcia, tired of the cold weather and corporate world. My daughter Kelsey followed a year later. My son Drew is still in Michigan and loves to CrossFit when he comes to visit.
With over 30 years experience in consulting, customer service and business ownership I was looking for something different.
Fitness and sports have always been a part of my life. My first experience in the fitness industry
I owned a Powerhouse Gym. It was a huge disappointment, a revolving door of people who were only focused on themselves. So I found myself in California an aging athlete recovering from a total hip replacement. I was struggling with a young mind and old body. I asked myself
“Is it really over?”
Then I read about CrossFit in a men’s magazine. I knew it was something I wanted part of. In March 2008, CrossFit Vacaville opened in a 500 sq. foot room. To get started, I began training anyone with $50 for a month of exposure to workouts unlike nothing else. Almost 3 years later CrossFit Vacaville has touched over 400 lives, and we currently operate in a 4500 sq. foot facility.
I am currently pursuing my dream of helping others achieve their fitness goals, as well as my own. Thanks to CrossFit, I am now competing with younger athletes and am stronger than I have ever been. I feel I have no limitations. Every day I am pushed beyond my comfort zone and feel an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.
I also know that the real satisfaction comes from being able to inspire and coach others into changing their lives the way CrossFit has changed mine. My philosophy is that fitness should be fun, and worth the time and effort.
You do not have to settle for mediocrity and complacency that society dictates.
Marcia Gensheimer (Part Owner)
Registered Nurse
Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing
Certified Fitness Nutrition Specialist
CrossFit Level 1 Certified
Mobility and Recovery Certified
Olympic Lifting Certification
I began my CrossFit journey with my husband Andy. “Working Out” was part of our lifestyle since we met. For years we went to a traditional gym, working out one body part each day. I considered myself to be in shape, but it wasn’t until CrossFit became my lifestyle that I found out what fitness truly is. I honestly felt cheated by spending all that time and money into a routine that did not take me beyond my comfort zone. CrossFit allows for efficient workouts that actually improve strength, balance, mobility while changing your body.
CrossFit not only transformed my body, but also my life. When life is hard, I remember how to overcome the adversity because of the physical and mental toughness CrossFit requires.
As a home health nurse I am welcomed into many different environments. I realize I have a short time to make a positive impact on someone’s life. The same goes for new members. It is very rewarding to see how we can impact someone’s life through our knowledge and welcoming atmosphere.
I love seeing the progress our members make, from the first “Newbie” workout to the first time they overcome the anxiety of doing a box jump or pull-up. Watching confidence rise in someone who has conquered their fear is extremely rewarding. I am grateful for the opportunity to help others achieve their goals.
Kelsey Gensheimer (Trainer/Manager)
Certifications include:
CrossFit Level 1
Mobility and Recovery
Olympic Lifting
I moved to Vacaville in 2008 when I took a break from Michigan State. I ended up falling in love with California, and my fiancé Mike. Together we have an adorable dog named Winston. You will see him around the gym, greeting our members, sporting his own CrossFit Vacaville scarf. He is our official mascot!
What I like about CrossFit is how it not only makes you stronger, but more confident in other areas of your life. It gives me great satisfaction when I see people get results and reach their goals. At our CrossFit, you will find a supportive environment helping you succeed. You just have to show up!
Brian Pergakis (Trainer)
Certifications include:
CrossFit Level 1
Mobility and Recovery
Olympic Lifting
Endurance
My wife Amy and I were married in March of 2011 and have the enjoyment of raising a blended family with three wonderful kids. I was born and raised in Vacaville and graduated from Vaca High in 1995.
In 2007, I started a journey to lose weight. After a year, I lost 75 pounds. I was working out a little at home, and then joined a local gym. After 4 months of using the elliptical and dealing with the traditional gym atmosphere, I needed a change. I began researching CrossFit online. It seemed that CrossFit would quench not only my desire for a new workout routine, but also my competitive nature. Over two years ago I came in for my first workout and haven’t looked back.
CrossFit has given me a direction in my workout routine that I didn’t have before. There is nothing dull about CrossFit. It also has given me added confidence. There is nothing like crushing a WOD (workout of the day) that you never thought you would be able to get through.
After starting CrossFit I quickly became engulfed into the community and wanted to know I could about CrossFit. After six months I became Level 1 certified. I enjoy sharing my knowledge with others and helping others in their workouts. This includes sharing my story of weight loss and helping others with their diet. I began to help out as an intern. I knew in my heart that this is where I belonged. I love the interaction with clients and helping them meet their fitness goals. I have been a full time trainer for over a year now, and love every minute of it. I enjoy the one on one interaction with our clients at CrossFit Vacaville. I love seeing people achieve things they never thought they could, and see daily improvements in their workouts.
Melissa Lamont (Trainer)
Certifications include:
CrossFit Level 1
CrossFit Kids
Olympic Lifting
Mobility and Recovery
Like many families in Solano County, I was part of a military family that relocated to the area. I graduated from Fairfield High in the 80’s, and now raise a family in Vacaville with my husband David. Together we have seven children ranging from 8 to 28 years old
and six grandchildren. I know… I started early!
My CrossFit journey began with a gift certificate for my birthday over two years ago. A friend of mine tried CrossFit, loved it and
was convinced that I would love it too. I earned my first CrossFit Vacaville T-shirt after my newbie workout. (I will share how you too can earn your shirt!) I was hooked! It’s a bit addicting.
You can’t imagine how different this is from anything else out there.
I believed in the CrossFit way of fitness so much that I decided
to become a Level 1 coach. I love encouraging people and watching them get stronger week after week. It’s amazing to watch someone else’s journey, to see them grow more confident and empowered along the way. CrossFit meets you where you are in your fitness level
no matter what your age, or how long you’ve been working out.
We are a family at CrossFit Vacaville and really do care about each person’s fitness goals. We’ve adopted the “no man left behind” mentality that is unique to other fitness clubs out there. Your absence will be noticed if you are not here when you say you would. We will follow-up and encourage you to get back in the gym and not give up on yourself. Come in and see for yourself!
Alex Brown (Intern)
I was introduced to CrossFit in an unconventional way. While on Carnival Cruise Lines, I was working with physical trainers who started me on the “300” training. This was taken from the movie “300” where CrossFit was the training modality used to transform the actor’s bodies in preparation for the movie.
After cruising around, I went back to my studies at University of Nevada-Reno, where I began CrossFit training.
I have been a lifelong resident of Vacaville, graduating from Vaca High in 2006, and University of Nevada-Reno in 2010. I am now married to my wife Dawn and raise 2 cats and a bird. My hobbies include motorcycles, camping, crazy CrossFit workouts… and did I mention the yellow shoes?
Since starting CrossFit, I’ve lost 75 pounds and 10 inches off my pants!! CrossFit has given me an entirely different mentality to health along with a level of commitment and motivation that not many people find. The results have been astounding!
I came to CrossFit Vacaville to help others find and experience what I have in CrossFit. I want to teach others that there are other things out there besides a bench press and 30 minutes of cardio.
It gives me great satisfaction seeing others I have helped train meet and surpass the goals they’ve set for themselves. My message to others is with hard work, dedication, and the right coaching, CrossFit is the way to set, meet and exceed your inner goals. You will surprise yourself with what you really can do and achieve!
Kelly Bordeau (Intern)
I have been married to my awesome husband for 18 years, raising four boys between us. I live in the area and have over 10 years experience in the fitness industry.
My road to CrossFit started many years ago, I just didn’t realize it until last year. At the young age of 22, I found myself almost 50 pounds overweight. Suffering from a low self-esteem and fatigue, I knew something had to give.
I joined a traditional gym, changed my eating habits and lost the weight. I also became addicted to working out because of how it made me look and feel. Motivated by my weight loss and a higher self esteem, I became a fitness instructor and personal trainer. I wanted others to have the same excitement in themselves that I had. Then after 10 years in the conventional gym, I felt stagnated and unappreciated.
CrossFit entered my life at the right time. I decided to check out CrossFit and my appetite for fitness was rejuvenated. I love the diverse unconventional workouts. Boredom is no longer an excuse! You are challenged with a different workout every time. I couldn’t believe how CrossFit changed my outlook from feeling bored to actually anxious and excited about the next workout.
My experience at CrossFit Vacaville has been great. I found an atmosphere where coaches and members together create an environment of camaraderie and appreciation I could not find in a conventional gym. Here I am constantly reminded how much I am appreciated. To me, that’s a big plus!! CrossFit is simply the greatest motivational exercise program I’ve ever tried. I know you will love it!
Kim Zaragosa (Intern)
I live in Vacaville, where I am raising two kids and my Chihuahua named Mr. Pickles. Yes, like the deli!
I always loved lifting weights, and for over 20 years was a avid lifter and local body building competitor. Like so many of us life gets busy and my physical wellness started to suffer.
It was almost 2 years ago when I was paying my cable bill that I noticed the CrossFit banner. After doing some research I called Andy and my CrossFit journey began!
CrossFit has renewed my love of exercise and has introduced me to a positive, encouraging group of people who offer nothing but support and kindness often lacking in tranditional gyms.
While working at the police academy I liked motivating others to perform their best. Now that I am retired, I have the opportunity at CrossFit Vacaville to pursue my goal of helping others reach their personal fitness goals.
What I would tell others about CrossFit is to give it a try. I was hesitant at first after spending so many years soley relying on weight training to stay fit. CrossFit is a mix of strength and cardio combined that tests not only your physical ability but also your mental toughness!!
Heather Schaake (Intern)
I was born and raised in Vacaville, and recently graduated from California State University with a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology and audiology.
I started CrossFit over 2 years ago, after hearing a co-worker talk about it. I was looking for something motivating, competitive and intense like I had when playing collegiate soccer. CrossFit filled that void.
I tried the traditional gym approach, with personal training once a week. I was not achieving the fitness level I was looking for, and it was expensive!
CrossFit has given me the ability to perform at a higher level of fitness than I have ever been able to before. It provides me a fun but competitive atmosphere needed to keep me motivated.
Because I struggled with my own fitness goals before CrossFit, I wanted to pay it forward to others by helping them achieve their fitness goals. I find it exciting to be part of a team that is able to help and motivate others meet their goals.
