Meet The Team

Max Stanley

My fitness journey commenced back in 2014 when I stumbled upon a friend's "flex" magazine. It didn't take long for me to realize the euphoria heavy lifting brought me. While I explored various paths, powerlifting emerged as my primary focus.

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By 2017, I had earned my Level 3 PT qualification with aspirations of becoming a personal trainer. However, fate led me down a different path, and I ventured into entrepreneurship, which proved successful but didn't align with my true passion.

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In 2021, feeling disconnected from powerlifting, I stumbled upon CrossFit, and it instantly resonated with me. Since then, I've been immersed in it, finding fulfillment I hadn't experienced before.

You'll catch me at the gym every day of the week, including Sundays, whether I'm training, coaching, or simply overseeing operations.

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Favorite exercise: snatch
Least favorite: double-unders

Tom Maggs aka 'Maggs'

I started CrossFit in 2016 and haven’t looked back since. 

I work as a physio in the NHS and love how coaching allows me to use these skills to analyse how people move in class and make corrections. 

You will see me on Tuesday nights for ‘nastics class / Team Wars on Saturday mornings / in the sunny corner of open gym.

I’m easy to spot as usually accompanied by my 4 legged companion Skye

Rhi St Leger

With a sporting background in swimming and rowing I have always been into my fitness from a young age.

When I found Crossfit in 2017 I was instantly hooked and in 2020 I obtained my Crossfit Level 1. I started coaching at CFBN straight away and set up the Women’s Only Crossfit class which runs twice a week.

My favourite part of coaching is watching people’s confidence grow with each session and making sure everyone leaves with a smile on their face with a sense of achievement.

Outside of training and coaching at CFBN I am a busy mum of 3.

Em Zaffuto

A little bit about me ……

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I’ve always loved training and being active from the age of 6 where I fell in love with figure skating and trained and competed everywhere!!

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Sadly gave this up in my early 20s where I moved to Bristol with my now husband and we travelled and explored the world. It is my next favourite thing ever. 

You’ll find me now throwing myself back into CrossFit after  having my little boy Joey. 

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I found my love for CrossFit in 2019 and became OBSESSED and have never looked back. It’s massively helped me through some of the hardest times of my life - EW CHEESY haha 

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If you’re around come say hi, bloody love a chat 😊

Sarah Thomson

Hello! I’m Sarah, one of the coaches at CrossFit Bristol North.

You won’t see me all the time but I do appear now and then to take classes! I started CrossFit about 10years ago and got my level 1 and 2 coaching certification whilst I was in the Military as a PTI (physical training instructor).

I started coaching sport when I was 16 and it started with Surfing, coaching and guiding all across the globe. I also worked in Canada as a level 2 Snowboard instructor, and as a PTI you coach everything from swimming to track running to team sports. So as a whole I’ve been coaching some form of sport for a good 15 years now (and counting) and still love it!

When I’m home in Cornwall my life revolves around the ocean with surfing taking the priority, but I have and still do compete in heaps of stuff including ultramarathons, rugby (not since knee surgery!), obstacle course racing, track running and CrossFit. My top achievement was probably setting a world record when I was 23 for the fastest completion of running the Wales Coast Path solo and self supported (870miles).

Outside the gym I’m currently training as a Paramedic … 3 years down, 1 to go! I’m an absolute science nerd and when I’m not training I’ve got my head in the books!

Amie Burridge

Hello hello! 

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As an ex elite level gymnast, commitment to sport and training has always been a huge part of my life. I finally saw the light and joined CrossFit in 2019 after some years of globo-gymming and dabbling in some weightlifting. 

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The CrossFit community is the real deal. Everyone has their own goals but you get to make progress with a cheer squad everyday, which is pretty cool. Being part of coaching people towards their personal goals is even better. 

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You’ll probably see me doing some Olympic lifts, burpees and handstands whilst avoiding running and the assault bike.

Tully Ines

Im a qualified mental health nurse and work as a deputy manager at a large residential care home for adults with complex mental health.  Having seen the benefits to my own mental health through fitness, it only seemed right to take the step into coaching and help give back.

I started my crossfit journey started when the lockdown ended in 2021. I joined CFBN and started doing classes, and this build a good foundation to continue  to progress my crossfit journey.

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Favourite movements- anything involving a deadlift.

Least favourite movements- any form of shoulder to overhead or hspu.

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Favourite workout music is country.

Ellie Spooner

Hey there ☺️

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I'm Ellie (Spoons), when I'm not in NHS scrubs, you'll find me up at CFBN, rare sightings elsewhere may occur. Connections with friends, sunshine and great food fill up my cup.

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I'm an ex GB gymnast by background until I went to university and moved to Bristol which is now nearly 13 years ago! I got pulled along to my first CrossFit class in late 2016 by a work friend and tried to Rx 16kg KB farmers carry down a road 😂 it didn't end well. A few years of being uncommitted to CrossFit I finally put "all my eggs in one basket" ... CrossFits basket since 2019. 

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CrossFit is a big part of my life in and out the gym, the crossover of friendships and having an athletic outlet, it's a special place to be involved with. 

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I've got my CrossFit L1 cert, Adaptive and Inclusive Trainer, in the future I would love to complete my L2. Programming and coaching the CFBN gymnastics class makes me feel so proud, it's really rewarding to watch your progress. I also love getting everyone involved with Team Wars, if you're unsure about giving CrossFit a go, just step through the door you won't look back!

James St Leger

James’ accolades within the fitness industry are spread over multiple sports. In his youth he was a Regional Champion & National Level Swimmer whilst also playing Rugby for Bristol. He is an undefeated MMA cage fighter, a National Endurance Lifting Champion and even holds a World Record in a weightlifting event. 

Since discovering CrossFit around 14 years ago, he's enjoyed competing around the world at the highest levels, and taking the top spot in numerous UK competitions. 

From co-running a Box, to delivering British Weightlifting Courses and hosting Training Holidays in Cyprus and Crete, he has developed a wealth of experience over the years. James is currently leading the charge of CrossFit Bristol North's Competitor Squad, with their eyes firmly set on retaining the title of "Bristol's Fittest Box" at the Annual International Strength in Depth Competition, for the 3rd year running.

Sim Jemmett

I’ve always loved fitness and challenging myself physically. That passion for fitness led me into my dream job in the Royal Marines in my 20s.

An injury while serving in Afghanistan put an end to my military career but since then I've discovered the power of exercise - especially crossfit, to rebuild both physical and mental confidence and fitness.

Since leaving the military in 2010 I've been a church pastor, a personal trainer, and crossfit coach. As a crossfit coach I love seeing people challenge themselves, exceed their own expectations, and grow in confidence as a result.

Kim

I’m primarily an Air Operations Officer in the Royal Air Force, based at MOD Abbey Wood but always had a passion for sports and fitness.

I first discovered CrossFit back in 2016 but always spread my focus across various hobbies such as distance running, athletics, Olympic weightlifting, horse riding and a little bit of kickboxing for some time. 

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I completed my Crossfit Level 1 course in 2022, coached a little bit at RAF Brize Norton before moving to Bristol in 2023.  Now it’s time to pass on my knowledge and experience to you, the members of CFBN.

Coach C

When I was younger, fitness, let alone Crossfit, was not on my radar.  I was leading a very unhealthy lifestyle but discovering fitness changed my life for the better. Now my biggest motivation is helping others achieve the same.

I love the atmosphere and community at Crossfit Bristol North including the challenge of coaching a diverse mix of abilities, particularly helping people move better and achieve their own goals.

As well as being a Personal Trainer and a qualified deep tissue massage therapist, I have seventeen years’ coaching experience in Crossfit and I am currently a Level 2 Crossfit and Level 2 BWL coach. Despite being fitness driven, as I used to be a chef I have a great passion for good food and inspiring others to be passionate about their diet, food choices and balance alongside a fit lifestyle.

I have a keen eye for detail and improving individuals’ technique is a passion of mine. I like to think that I bring infectious energy and make people smile and most importantly I try and make training fun. You will always know when I’m in the room!

My favourite food is Jamaican curried goat, with rice and peas.  My favourite movement is a heavy cluster.  When I’m not coaching I can be found at home in the countryside with my 2 favourite girls; my wife Sally and black Lab Mia – who often comes to work with me.