Matt Crabtree, owner & trainer

Matt is the owner of 21 CrossFit, and leads most of the classes.  He has been teaching CrossFit since 2008 and is one of the most experienced CrossFit trainers in central North Carolina.

“My first CrossFit workout was in December 2006.  Up to that point I was a chest on monday, back on tuesday, arms on wednesday, skip doing legs because I run in the Army type.  That workout was an athletic turning point.  I was intrigued (and humbled because I couldn’t believe how hard it was to do an overhead squat).  CrossFit was providing the fitness prescription I had been looking for for years.  I began doing the CrossFit workouts at the gyms on post whenever I could.  Over the course of the next year I was deployed to Iraq as part of “the surge” and continued to CrossFit.  By the time I re-deployed home, I was buying equipment to outfit my garage.

I want to be as fit as possible in every area of fitness.  Not just strength, not just endurance, not just bodyweight, not just weights.  I want to be fit, be strong, not just look like it.  CrossFit fits the prescription like no other program.  

I love exercise and want to help people achieve their peak level of fitness.  An engineer by schooling, and an athlete at heart, I started my gym out of my garage in 2008 as a part time gig while working as a builder.  2010 saw us go full time and then in 2011 we moved again to our current 3,000 square foot facility.  From October 2002 to 2008, I served on active duty in the U.S. Army.  

Certifications

CrossFit Level 1, August 2008, Rainier CrossFit, WA

CrossFit Kids Certified Trainer since 2011

CrossFit Olympic Lifting Course, with Coach Mike Burgener, May 2009, CrossFit Wilmington, NC

 CrossFit Kettlebell Trainer Course, with Jeff Martone, October 2011, 21 CrossFit, NC

 Test Subject for CrossFit Level 2, November 2009, CrossFit Decatur, GA

 CrossFit Level 1, June 2010, CrossFit Wilmington, NC

 CPR/AED and First Aid Certified by American Red Cross

 Olympic Lifting Training with Olympic Coach Glen Pendlay, October 2010

 USA Weightlifting Referee since 2010

 USA Weightlifting Certified Sports Performance Coach since 2011

Stacy, trainer

“I’ve been an athlete all my life:  from a 5 year old playing softball… to high school tennis / cross-country / basketball / softball teams… to college basketball player & coach.  I love sports and competition.  I graduated from UNC Greensboro in 1996 with a BS in Exercise & Sport Science.  And in 2005, I graduated from Cabarrus College of Health Sciences with a degree in Nursing.  I’ve had a variety of careers (coaching, nursing, general contractor, housing inspector, and currently an orthopedic nurse).  In the past I was a certified personal trainer, and now am CrossFit Level 1 certified.  I look forward to seeing you all at 21 fitness soon!

I had been in a rut for a long time as far as exercise goes – overweight & limited by a bad knee, but since starting Crossfit I’ve gotten hooked.  For me, it’s the accountability as well as the competition – with each other sometimes & with ourselves every day, that keeps me coming back.  I still have to scale or modify workouts due to my knee or more times than anything because I’m not strong enough yet…like to do a ring handstand pushup…crazy…but one day I’ll be able to do it!  I have also incorporated the Zone diet and now the Paleo diet, which when paired with Crossfit, is really helping me drop some pounds to get me back to a good fighting weight…25, 30, 32, 37, 39, 41, 45, 51, 60, 75+ pounds and counting.  No matter what your current fitness level, Crossfit is the place to start.  We’ll modify workouts as needed so you stay safe while constantly improving your overall fitness.”

Certifications

CrossFit Level 1, June 2010, CrossFit Wilmington, NC

Basic Life Support Certified

Background

-2011 CrossFit Games Open competitor

-2011 OBX Sprint Triathlon competitor

-BS in Exercise & Sport Science

-Orthopedic Nurse

-Division I College basketball player and coach, UNCG

Todd, trainer

“I began CrossFit in January 2011 and have been hooked ever since. As an Army Officer, I used the Army physical training standards to gauge my fitness. I was rudely awakened during the first 20 minute AMRAP learning the Army PT standards are not a fitness measure. My athletic background is football, wrestling and track in high school and recreational sports such as paintball and golf since.  My CrossFit goals are to push myself and those around me to get better every day, integrate myself into the 21 CrossFit  training staff and to improve my teaching/coaching techniques.

I’ve been a Flight Nurse at Duke since 1994. Flight nursing is a physically and mentally challenging career; CrossFit has extended the career I love.”

Certifications and background

CrossFit level 1 certified, 1 May 2011

Medical Certifications:  Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Cardiac Life Support, Neonatal Resuscitation Provider, Pediatric Neonatal Critical Care Transport Nurse, North Carolina EMT-Paramedic

Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the Ohio State University

Jen, trainer

I have always loved being active and doing something productive.  I’ve dabbled in sports a bit, but have spent most of my time trying to get “fit”.  Before CrossFit, I didn’t even have a good definition of FIT!  I used to run and lift – mostly by myself, and often got bored and quit for periods at a time.  Then one day, some wrestlers told me about CrossFit online and told me to give it a try.  My first workout was filthy fifty’ and I was grabbing my knees before the first exercise was over.  I think it took me over an hour. After that, I was hooked.  For the next several months, my neighbors witnessed me running around the block, jumping onto my picnic table, and throwing myself onto the ground…then up into the air as I tried to “do CrossFit” on my own.

I joined 21CF in August 2011 and have loved the planned workouts, the accountability and the camaraderie.  I no longer try to fit exercise in my life…now I make life fit around my workouts…and it WORKS!  I am now able to do the skills I used to skip (like double unders and rope climb)….and I’m doing Olympic lifts.  I have a new definition of FIT  and though I’m not there yet, I’m getting better.
I got Cross Fit Level 1 Certified in July 2012 because I love helping people get healthy and achieve their goals.  As a trainer, my aim is to help you with your technique, make adjustments that fit your training level, and encourage you in your progress.  21CrossFit  is a great place to end boring workouts and to start building a like-minded fitness community. Only one warning…It’s addictive.  Check it out for yourself and get FIT.