Introducing the Kanna Fitness Team

General Manager and Coach

After struggling with her weight for most of her life (at one point over 400 lbs), Steph took the leap and joined a gym in 2009 and hasn’t looked back. She soon became certified and started coaching both adults and kids, plus running a non-profit program for at-risk youth. Steph believes that fitness is all about being fit for life no matter your age or abilities. Whether it’s working with kids or adults, her goal is to guide people to become the best version of themselves. Besides coaching, Steph enjoys spending time with her husband, three kids, four step kids, and three grandkids and is highly involved with local community efforts for positive change and social justice through the Black Lives Matter movement.

Coaching Experiences

CrossFit Level 2 Trainer (2019)
CrossFit Certified Trainer- CCFT CF-L3 (2015-2018)
CrossFit Judges Course (2019)
CrossFit Specialty Course- Gymnastics (2019)
CrossFit Specialty Course- Mobility (2014)
CrossFit Specialty Course- Rowing/Erg (2018)
CrossFit Kids Trainer Course (2011)
USA Weightlifting Level 2 (2019)
USA Weightlifting- LWC Referee (2015)
Red Cross CPR/AED/First Aid

Coach

A friend in college introduced Coach Justin to a kettlebell, and he’s never really been the same since. He plays club rugby and enjoys being active outdoors: kayaking, hiking, bouldering, skiing, etc. He believes the most effective fitness programs are the ones people actually do, which are often the ones they most enjoy. So, he likes to make fitness fun! (And some members at Kanna might say he has too much fun.) He often blends yoga and mindful movements into training. Writing a memoir is on his bucket-list.

Coaching Experiences

CrossFit Level 2 Trainer, CF-L2
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, CF-L1
The Gymnastics Course
CPR/AED/First Aid Certified

Coach

Lam grew up in New Jersey playing soccer, tennis, volleyball, and running track. He continues to be fairly active throughout his adult life with soccer and tennis leagues. Lam was never a regular in the weight room because it always bored him to lift by himself. In November of 2011, Lam’s wife, Becca, asked him to try functional fitness with her. She had been raving for months about it and even tried to get him to watch the Games with her in which he responded with an eye roll. He reluctantly attended the intro sessions and was finally educated enough to attend his first class. Something clicked after that first workout. It hurt so bad and he couldn’t do ANY of the moves, but nevertheless he was completely hooked. He wanted to be good at functional fitness and he was absolutely terrible at it. Fast forward a few years and now he’s a completely different person both mentally and physically. He’s been able to take the knowledge he’s learned from coaches and other members to improve his physical composition and performance. He understands how valuable the functional fitness community can be to encourage people to be their best and he is eager to take part in creating one at Kanna. Since starting fitness, Lam became the father of two beautiful children and is dedicated to keeping himself in shape so that he can keep up with them. One of his goals is to spread awareness within the parenting community that it is possible to make time to stay in shape when life gets busy. He and Becca continue to work and encourage parents to stay fit so that they can enjoy a long and active life with their children.

Coaching Experiences

CrossFit Level 2 Trainer, CF-L2
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, CF-L1
CPR/AED/First Aid Certified

Coach

Coach Hack enjoyed long distance biking for a few years, but needed something more effective and social. He started CrossFit in 2017 right after Kanna opened, obtained his CF-L1 in 2018, began coaching in 2019, and recently earned his CF-L2. One of his favorite parts about coaching is watching new members start to feel better and get stronger. An item on his bucket list is to swim with sharks.

Coaching Experience

CrossFit Level 2 Trainer, CF-L2
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, CF-L1
CPR/AED/First Aid Certified

CSM

Katie joined in 2019 two years after the birth of her third child; needing an outlet for herself while managing kids, career, and life. She was always active as a kid mainly with gymnastics and walking on her hands again is still one of her main goals today. Katie is a creative individual; from painting to designing she approaches each challenge with passion. How people perceive and experience things has always been her foundation as a graphic designer and she’s bringing that mindset to Kanna to enhance our community’s culture. She designed and painted our new space and is always working on upgrading the visual experience at the gym. She loves seeing our member’s confidence and mental well-being grow each day. She’s also a director on our new Kanna For All nonprofit board.

Coach

Bio coming soon

Coach

Karl’s been a member at Kanna Fitness since six months after it opened in 2018. After years of ‘donating’ to L.A. Fitness (a great facility, but just not the right fit for Karl), he was still looking for something to maintain and improve his health and fitness that he’d actually be excited about and look forward to doing vs. feeling obligated to go because he was paying for it.

He found Kanna Fitness by chance given its proximity to his church in Ambler (First Presbyterian). While he was instantly excited about how varied, challenging and accessible the workouts were (thanks to great coaches!), he was even more blown away by the incredibly welcoming, supportive and diverse community. The workouts continue to be amazing to this day – but there’s a clear reason why nearly everyone says the most meaningful and impactful part of Kanna Fitness is our incredible community!

Karl is a consulting partner with PwC and travels most weeks for his client work. When not on the road, he’s a regular in our classes. In early 2022, Karl completed his CrossFit Level 1 training and began coaching in early summer. In August 2023, Karl continued his coaching development and journey by completing the CrossFit Level 2 training.

Coaching Experience
CrossFit Level 2 Trainer, CF-L2
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, CF-L1
The Gymnastics Course
CPR/AED/First Aid Certified

Coach

Matt’s journey to coaching all started in 2017 when he Googled, “CrossFit Gyms near me” and found the information for Kanna. He was thrilled to find a functional fitness gym so close to home and one that was just starting out. Matt showed up for his first workout with Kanna, The Manion WOD, and never looked back. He was welcomed with open arms into the gym community and watched as Kanna helped him become a stronger, more resilient version of himself. Matt felt so strongly about the benefits of functional fitness that he became certified to coach in the fall of 2021. Coaching has brought Matt a great deal of joy and he loves seeing members gain confidence. Along with coaching, Matt competes in CrossFit and lifting competitions with his favorite partner, Stew.

Matt is forever thankful for the energy and focus that Kanna helps bring him because he sure needs it as a dad of three children. Luckily for Matt, his whole family enjoys spending time at the gym – his wife regularly attends group classes and his kids have all spent time snoozing through class as babies before graduating to Preschool and Kid’s Classes with Coach Steph & Coach Brie.

Coaching Experience

CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, CF-L1
CPR/AED/First Aid Certified

Coach and Nutrition

Youth Coach

Coach Brie has a constantly varied background in sports and athletic endeavors – ranging from being a D1 athlete to half-marathoner to rower to kayak guide to golfer to strong(wo)man competitor – so it was only natural she landed at Kanna as first a member and now a youth coach. The diverse and accessible workouts at Kanna let her be prepared for whatever she has planned next!

Brie aims to have the youth program classes at Kanna be challenging, doable, and fun for a wide range of ages and abilities, and loves figuring out new ways to work hard while having a blast. Her favorite WOD in the youth program is build-your-own obstacle course day!

When not at Kanna, Brie works in financial operations and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), grows her own fruits and veggies, and loves all things cats. She is the Secretary of the board of Kanna for All to help bring fitness to youth who need it within our community.

Brie has completed the CrossFit Kids program and is currently studying for her National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certified Personal Trainer certification.

Coaching Experience

CrossFit Kids course