Meet the Trainers

Lauren Plumey a.k.a LP
lauren@shorelinecrossfit.com
I can still remember the humiliation of being in gym class throughout my elementary, middle, and high school years, hanging from that pull-up bar in gym. The gym teacher screaming, “pull LAUREN, pull,” while I desperately made a futile effort to lift my bodyweight over a metal bar with 30+ eyes on me…my elbows never even coming close to slightly bending. If someone were to tell me that I would be able to do 37 pull-ups without rest after a few months of CrossFit, I’d never believe them…but that’s my story.

I have always had a love for being active. As a child I always passed on watching TV and wanted to be outside involved in some, any, competitive activity with the neighborhood kids. At age eleven, I decided to do 10-20 squats every time I went to the bathroom to keep my “hind parts” in shape; a practice that I have not abandoned since. I was always athletic, but never an athlete. At age 14, I joined a local gym, and continued to workout at this gym seven days a week until a local CrossFit in Milford, CT opened. I always enjoyed working out. I was known as the “sweaty girl” throughout this “globo” gym for my frequent bouts of insane jump roping, running up and down the stairs, and pushing my trainer’s car around the parking lot. However, I craved more than what this gym had to offer. I craved a community of people that desired the same intensity that I expected on a day-to-day basis.

This is the first time in my life that I can say working out is often the highlight of my day; what I look forward to. CrossFit’s constant variance, high intensity workouts were what I needed to bring my fitness to the next level. The friendly, yet competitive, atmosphere is what I needed to crank my workouts up a notch. This is the first time in my life that I can confidently say I feel like an athlete, and I believe everyone has that athlete in them; some are just latent. My desire as a trainer is to bring out this athlete in all of our clients at Shoreline CrossFit. I want to make that girl that believes she could never do pull-ups, be able to confidently do them. I have never felt stronger mentally in physically in my life than I do now. I know what it took to get my fitness to the next level, and it is my goal to bring all our clients to their next level. I am truly a CrossFit disciple and there is absolutely no going back!

Lauren’s Credentials:
CrossFit Level I Certification
CrossFit Nutrition Certification
CrossFit Endurance Certification
CrossFit Power Lifting Certification
CPR Certification
2009 North East Sectional 5th place
2009 Crossfit International Games 45th place
2010 North East Regional 3rd place
2010 CrossFit International Games 15th place

Kelly Walsh a.k.a Coach K
kelly@shorelinecrossfit.com
Growing up I danced from the age of 3 until I was 18 years old. I spent 13 of those years dancing competitively, traveling throughout the country and abroad to compete. In high school I added cheerleading to my repertoire of activities. So needless to say I was always very active. Then I went to college and a knee injury prevented me from dancing and cheering for a semester. I quickly learned the importance of physical activity in my life. Not being able to be active not only affected me physically, but mentally as well. And it was at that point that I made a pact with myself to stay active and try to exercise almost everyday once my injury had healed. This is when my passion for fitness evolved.

After college I was lucky enough to attain two of my dream jobs, so I thought, working as a fashion buyer and then a technical fashion designer. But they were not fulfilling enough for me. I often found myself stuck behind a computer, staring at the clock, wondering how much longer until I could go home and workout. Working out was the highlight of my day. About 3 years ago I got the brilliant idea for a perfect part time job for me; as a fitness instructor! I found a job teaching aerobics at a local gym, and I instantly fell in love with it. It was the first time in my life that I actually enjoyed going to work. Certified through AFAA, I have a background in teaching body sculpting classes, kickboxing, cycling, and aqua aerobics. The best part of the job is the gratification that comes with a client telling me they lost 10 lbs. since taking my classes or the woman that has arthritis all over her body and informs me that she has never felt better since taking my aqua aerobics classes. For me it’s such a wonderful feeling knowing I was able to help someone achieve a goal they thought to be impossible.

Just recently I had a baby and had struggled to loss those last stubborn 10 lbs. Friends of mine introduced me to Crossfit four months after having my baby. Stepping into my local Crossfit for the first time and seeing all the incredibly toned and fit people, I instantly thought I could never look like that and do what they are doing after having a baby. Well I was mistaken. With a little bit of perseverance, hard work and help from the incredible Crossfit staff, I quickly shed those last 10 lbs and became hooked on Crossfit’s credo and concepts. And now less then a year after having a baby, I feel stronger and better about myself then I have ever in the past. I like it so much and I believe in it so much that I decided to further my career in fitness by becoming a Crossfit trainer. To me it’s the best way to workout. I hope to be “Crossfitting” until I’m 90 years old!

Kelly’s Credentials:
CrossFit Level I Certification
CrossFit Nutrition Certification
CrossFit Endurance Certification
CPR Certification

David Plumey a.k.a DP david@shorelinecrossfit.com
Since I can remember, I’ve always loved sports. Whether it was baseball, basketball, or football, it was hard to get me into the house on any given night. Growing up, I had the privilege of being coached by a father who played minor league baseball as a short stop. So needless to say, throughout my life he instilled the fundamentals of team and individual sports and the importance of proper conditioning and strength training. CrossFit has a way of bringing out the best of both worlds (i.e. Sports and Conditioning).

Previous to joining the CrossFit Program in 2008, you would find me on a track, in the weight room, or doing research on the next diet craze. But things started to dwindle in my later 20’s. As I entered the “real world” I put on a few pounds each year, stopped training as hard, and worked about 60-70 hours a week to pad my 401K. Basically, I lost my competitive edge.

Since CrossFit , I’ve regained my drive and learned a few things about myself. I no longer care about an early retirement if it means an early grave; and I no longer solely care about “beach body” or physical appearances. I’ve come to understand the meaning of true fitness….train hard, eat well, and live a long happy life. I’m proof that the program works. I’ve gone down in both overall body fat and weight, increased my endurance, and have gained strength. All while putting on lean muscle. Along with my bodily changes, my cholesterol and blood pressure have dropped immensely. When just previous to CrossFit, I physically looked good, but I was necessarily that fit.

Currently, both my wife Lauren and I live on the Shoreline and train full time at Shoreline CrossFit. Kelly Walsh (our co-owner seen above) and our trainers will not only keep you motivated, but help you achieve your fitness goals. So if you’re on the fence about our program, I highly recommend you reach to one of us and see what everyone on the Shoreline is talking about.

David’s Credentials:
CrossFit Level I Certification
CrossFit Nutrition Certification
CrossFit Endurance Certification
CrossFit Power Lifting Certification
CPR Certification

Ashley Vargo a.k.a Shlee
ashley@shorelinecrossfit.com
I have always been a competitive athlete. In high school, I was captain of the varsity soccer and basketball teams. Then, I went on to play soccer at Albertus Magnus College. Through playing sports, I realized that I yearned to do something in a field that would allow me to be able to be active and help people to do the same. When I finished my final season at Albertus, my first thoughts were, “What am I going to do now that I am not involved with collegiate sports?” I needed to be involved in something that kept me active and in shape. I knew that my true passion was in health and fitness. I needed to find something that was going to be intense and push me as if I was still on a team.

Then, I began to hear about CrossFit. My sister, an athlete at CrossFit Milford, would come home everyday talking about her times in “WODs,” and how many rounds she did in “AMRAPs.” I wanted nothing to do with it; I thought she was crazy. Eventually, her passion won me over and I gave in. I thought that perhaps I could get used to this CrossFit thing and really like it. I found myself in the car on my way to CrossFit Milford for my first workout, terrified, because I knew how intense it was going to be. I literally had tears in my eyes, knowing that a “WOD” was waiting for me that had the potential to make me pass out or puke. Needless to say, I made it through my first workout, “Cindy,” and ended up loving the style of high intensity workouts CrossFit has to offer.

Becoming a CrossFitter is one of the best things I could have done for myself. It has given me a higher level of confidence and I’ve found something about which I am truly passionate. It has given me the drive to always want to be better and to push myself to a higher level.

CrossFit gives me the opportunity to do the same with our clients that walk in the door. Becoming a trainer has opened my eyes to the different levels of athletic capabilities and body image. I realized that being strong and healthy is more important than looking like someone on the cover of a magazine. Through CrossFit, I have also realized that it doesn’t matter if you’re seventy years old or fourteen, everyone has the capability to achieve elite fitness. I found that there’s no better feeling than seeing someone you have trained make huge strides in their fitness goals. Joining the coaching staff at Shoreline CrossFit has given me the opportunity to do what I love to do, and I am determined to share my passion for the sport of CrossFit with each and every client with which I work.

Ashley’s Credentials:
CrossFit Level I Certification
2010 North East Sectional 8th place
2010 North East Regional 12th place
CPR Certification

Allen Blanco a.k.a Blanco
allen@shorelinecrossfit.com
There are two things that I’ve always considered a passion of mine: sports and working out. Growing up, I was always involved in some sort of sport; I played basketball and football for most of my life. Once I got to college and was no longer involved in sports, I got sidetracked and lost my drive on competition and the love for sport and fitness. I made the same mistake that many other 18 year olds make, the dreaded freshman 15; let’s just say I indulged a little too much. I ballooned up 45lbs from my freshman year to the time I graduated college. After returning home from college, I realized the damage I was doing to my body and I knew that I was on a path to living an unhealthy life. I made changes in my diet and I got back to the gym and tried to stay involved in sports. As time went on, I lost the weight and although I was in better shape, I was still looking for something to keep my competitive side appeased. In the summer of 2009, I discovered CrossFit. I realized that with this, I had my two passions. I’ve always loved to exercise but wanted something different because after several years of doing my “normal” gym routine, I was bored. Now, I cannot imagine going back and doing my old routines. The variety and intensity of the workouts in CrossFit are like no other. More importantly, my commitment to the program produces continuing results, and I am inspired by the amazing community of athletes involved in CrossFit.

After only 6 months of participation, I was at a higher level of fitness than at the peak of my 13 years of a typical training. Since CrossFit doesn’t focus on any one strength, I am confident that I could now accomplish more in my daily life than at any other point in my athletic career. CrossFit teaches you and prepares you for the “unknowable” which is what we really all face each and every day. The rewards I get from sharing the knowledge I have learned makes my job as a trainer something to which I look forward. I am proud to be part of a community that helps each member attain their personal goals and prepares them for whatever challenge they face.

Allen graduated from Eastern CT State University with a BA. He currently works for a Medical Device company in the area. He resides in the shoreline area with his wife and 2 daughters, Isabella and Mia.

Allen’s Credentials:
CrossFit Level I Certification
CPR Certification
SCF Affiliate Team 2009

Jessica Dean
jessica@shorelinecrossfit.com
If you ask my family if I was an athlete when I was younger they would look at you funny and think “Jess? Our Jess?” But, I always knew I was an athlete. Maybe not your “typical” soccer playing athlete, but rather a person who was always active. I grew up dancing in everything from little recitals to Nutcracker productions. When not dancing, you could find me playing outside or creating something in the kitchen. From a young age I loved nutrition and fitness.

In high school I tried a few different sports, but I didn’t like any of them. So I joined a gym. I loved it. I got my 1 free training session and did that one routine over and over again. In college, I continued to workout but never ventured out beyond the machines and treadmill. “That” other section of the gym with metal plates, bars and dumbbells was so intimidating to me. I stayed away.

Soon after college I had my first child. I was faced with the challenge of balancing motherhood, being a wife, working and trying to maintain myself. I became the queen of the exercise video. After daughter #1 I did Tae Bo, daughter #2 Windsor Pilates, daughter #3 Turbo Jam. I finally had had enough and decided to try the gym again. With a goal in mind, I set out to be in great shape by my 30th birthday. I read everything I could get my hands on. I ditched the machines and grabbed the barbells and free weight. I forced myself to get over my fear of weightlifting. In a few short months my body changed. I was inspired.

Soon after, I became a certified Personal Trainer and Les Mills Body Jam instructor. The fire had been light inside me. I trained myself and ran a ½ marathon in NYC and for Mothers Day I asked for P90x, which I did for 90 + days. Still I craved something more. I wanted to be with people who felt as passionate about fitness as I did. Thankfully a friend suggested Crossfit to me. I googled and found the most amazing picture of a Crossfit female competitor (Coach LP) running up a muddy hill with a sandbag on her back. My first thought was…..I have to do that!

In Nov 2009, my Crossfit adventures began. My first WOD was “Cindy”. Instantly, I was hooked. Still today I walk into the gym with excitement. I can not wait to see what’s in store for me. Not only has Crossfit has made me physically stronger, but it’s made me a better mother, wife, and person. It has taught me to not fear the unknown but to embrace it. Crossfit has also taught me how to dig deeper in life and in workouts/WODs. For me there is no other way to train and now, there’s no looking back. It’s full steam ahead!

Jessica’s Credentials:
Graduated from UCONN with BS in Nutrition
Current student at UNH, working towards M.S./R.D.
CrossFit Level I Certification
AFAA Personal Trainer
CPR certified
SCF Affiliate Team 2009

Doug Johnson aka Dougie Fresh
doug@shorelinecrossfit.com
As a Branford native, my father both a former gymnast and local gym teacher of 35 years has always instilled the importance of fitness. And prior to dedicating myself to training and being healthy, I always thought that someone in good shape had to be able to run a fast pace for long distance. Over the years, and through many grueling training schedules, I found that this isn’t entirely true and a lot more goes into good conditioning, but for this athlete, this is what I focused on:

The first time I ever tried to run, I nearly died after 1 lap around the track. Believe it or not, that lit a fire in me to always want to do better. I focused all my competitive edge on my running. As time went on, that 1 lap turned into 2, 2 turned into 3, etc. I learned for myself that I always wanted to work towards a goal and to improve. I was very goal oriented and held myself to a high standard. Over the years, I have always managed to balance work, diet, and fitness in my life. The benefits of a good balance of healthy living and a good lifestyle are unparalleled. Somewhere along the way that 1 lap turned into 2 completed marathons and several races with respectable times, of which I’m very proud. I was always a team player and loved running with other people, but distance running is not everyone’s favorite.

After joining CrossFit, that feeling of being part of a team has come back and reignited that fire I felt years ago. I thrive and feed off others always wanting to improve and be better. Positivity and encouragement are contagious and I, in turn, love to push myself and help others push themselves too. As a whole, we should never let ‘doing good’ get in the way of doing better, in the gym, on the road and in life. In addition, my motivation to help others is partly the result of fatherhood and hope soon to pass both philosophies of fitness and humanity to my beautiful 4 year old daughter Paige.

Some of my races include: The Guilford Road Race (2 times), Branford Road Race (5 times, last year’s time: 34:17), The New Haven 20k (5 times, last year’s time 1hr 33mins), Brockets Point Half Marathon (1hr 51mins), Mystic Bay Festival Marathon (2 times, last time 4hrs 2mins), The Walsh Intermediate Turkey Trot (23 minutes), and this year I’ll be training for the Marine Core Marathon along with my training of partners for the last five years Ethan Hershman and Jim Lapia.

Doug’s Credentials:
CrossFit Endurance Certification
CPR Certification